Doppler radar can be used to make such predictions.
Doppler radar is used to track potentially tornadic storms.
Doppler radar is a special type of radar used by meteorologists to detect the rotation within thunderstorms that may produce tornadoes. This radar can track the wind movement within a storm and provide early warning signs of possible tornado formation.
Only to a limited degree. Doppler radar can detect a mesocyclone, which is a rotating updraft in a thunderstorm that can produce a tornado. Radar can also detect the much smaller signature of a possible tornado, though this can be difficult, especially for weak and short lived tornadoes. Even if radar detects such a signature, it cannot tell if it is on the ground of if it will touch down, but it is enough to prompt a tornado warning. By detecting where a mesocyclone or possible tornado is and knowing the direction of the storm, it is possible to see what areas might be in damager. Even with this technology some tornadoes strike without warning, and there are many false alarms.
To a limited degree. It is possible to detedct a tornado and its immediate precursors with Doppler radar, but this cannot tell when the tornado will touch down, how long it will last, or if it will change course. Beyond this, weather conditions can tell if a given areas is at risk from tornadoes on a given day, but cannot tell where indivitdual tornadoes will strike.
Only to a very limited degree. Scientists can determine when conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop (in which case a tornado watch is issued), or even if a tornado may be developing (which would prompt a tornado warning), but cannot predict exactly where or when a tornado will touch down.
When you touch the touch screen little shiny dots might on the walls of the underground walk over to it and click "a".
A tornado that does not touch the ground is a funnel cloud.
I do not have real-time information on specific weather events. Tornado sightings are typically confirmed by meteorologists or local authorities based on eyewitness reports, radar data, and damage assessments. It is best to check with official sources for accurate and up-to-date information on the tornado in Bicester to Kidlington.
It depends what you call a tornado. Most tornado-like clouds do not touch the earth's surface. Some say that until it touches the ground it is not a tornado but a funnel cloud; however the definition of a tornado does not state that it must touch the ground. It all depends on what you're taught.
Yes, a tornado is defined as a rotating column of air reaching the ground from a cumulonimbus cloud. If it does not touch the ground, it is technically considered a funnel cloud. Tornadoes that do not touch down are typically not as damaging as those that do.
Yes
It is not known. It is impossible to predict a tornado for a specific location until it actually occurs. Regional tornado potential can be predicted up to a few days in advance, but even then there is a lot of uncertainty. A forecast could say tornadoes are likely, but cannot say for certain if a tornado will touch down in a particular area such as central Louisiana. As of August 22, 2013 there is little to no tornado potential in the southern United States for the next few days.