Scientists who study tornadoes do various things. Some such as Josh Wurman use a Doppler radar mounted on a truck to gather wind and other data from a distance. Others work on deploying probes, which carry scientific instruments, to take measurements from directly inside a tornado. Still other scientists work on creating computer models of thunderstorms and tornadoes.
It is impossible to catch a tornado. However, using a combination of forecast models and Doppler radar it is possible to predict where a tornado might occur. Scientists will try to use this information to find a tornado and study it.
There is no specific word for a scientist who studies tornadoes. Such scientists would fall under the general label of meteorologists; weather scientists.
Scientists can detect the signature of a possible tornado using Doppler radar. However, they rely on reports from spotters, police, and the general public to know if a tornado is actually on the ground.
In the first stage of tornado prediction scientists look for general weather conditions. The conditions include wind shear and systems that can form strong thunderstorms such as a cold front, dry line, or low pressure system.If such general conditions are in place a tornado watchis issued.The second stage scientists look for conditions that may soon produce a tornado, or if a tornado is forming. These include using Doppler radar to look for strong rotation in thunderstorms or possibly even the signature of an actual tornado. Storm spotter are also sent out to report strong rotation, funnel clouds, and tornadoes. If strong enough rotation is detected or if an actual tornado or funnel cloud is spotted or detected a tornado warning is issued.
yes, to a limited degree. By using tools like Doppler radar meteorologists can predict approximately where and when a tornado is likely to occur. Still, even with a combination of radar and weather spotters we cannot predict the exact path a tornado will take with certainty.
Scientists use the severity of damage that a tornado causes to estimate wind speed.
It is impossible to catch a tornado. However, using a combination of forecast models and Doppler radar it is possible to predict where a tornado might occur. Scientists will try to use this information to find a tornado and study it.
Mainly scientists that study tornadoes or tornado watchers
Scientists usually use the severity of the damage a tornado causes to estimate its wind speed.
Scientists believe that in extreme cases a tornado can get up to about 2.5 miles wide
Because there is a region in the U.S. with very high tornado activity.
The are various instruments that scientists have deployed. Most tornado probes carry barometers to measure the pressure inside a tornado. Some have held a variety of anemometers to measure wind speed. A few have had cameras.
Usually scientists do not use any tool to determine how strong a tornado is. Usually the strength of a tornado is determined based on the severity of damage it causes. Occasionally wind speed measurements are obtained using Doppler radar, but such measurements are rare.
In truth, scientists aren't sure.
Since tornadoes are a weather phenomenon most of the scientists who study them are meteorologists. Most storm chasers are not scientists.
Scientists are still not sure how exactly a thunderstorm produces a tornado or why one storm will produce a tornado while another won't. They are still not sure what determines how strong or how large a tornado will be or how long it will last.
There is no specific word for a scientist who studies tornadoes. Such scientists would fall under the general label of meteorologists; weather scientists.