, and doppler radar. ( …
Satellite data. …
Radiosondes. …
Automated surface-observing systems. …
Supercomputers. …
AWIPS.
Can tornadoes be predicted?
Yes, but only to a limited extent. Although the process by which tornadoes form is not completely understood, scientific research has revealed that tornadoes usually form under certain types of atmospheric conditions. When forecasters see those conditions, they can predict that tornadoes are likely to occur.
Tornadoes are not complete mysteries, according to atmospheric scientist Robert Davies-Jones. For example, it’s known that tornadoes almost invariably form inside “supercell” thunderstorms, rather than fronts or chains of storms.
Weather balloons, radar and on-the-ground observations have gradually improved tornado warnings from about 5 minutes in the 1980s to the current 13 minutes, but there is still a long way to go. (The lead-time is actually closer to 18 minutes when officials put out a warning – but they only manage to do so about 80 percent of the time.).
What makes Tornados difficult to predict?
Tornadoes are just made of much finer print, so to speak. Their paths are smaller and they last for shorter periods of time, so predicting any particular tornado requires a fine-grain understanding that’s more difficult for scientists.
The precise tracking and prediction of tornadoes is not yet a reality. Meteorologists can identify conditions that are likely to lead to severe storms. It is still not possible, however, to detect a funnel cloud by radar and predict its path, touchdown point, and other important details.
We do know the necessary conditions needed for tornado formation. And we are getting better at predicting those conditions a few days in advance, enabling forecasters to identify counties where there is a threat of severe weather sometimes as many as three days in advance.
What are the four stages of a tornado?
The four stages of a tornado include: the organization stage, mature stage, shrinking stage and decaying stage. These stages begin because of atmospheric conditions during a thunderstorm. A tornado begins in the organization stage, when it forms through a series of updrafts among cold and warm air systems.