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Is it true that supercomputers can accurately forecast tornadoes within minutes?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
No. Supercomputers are used to run forecast models, which are used for longer time frames of hours to days. Such models can predict that tornado activity may occur across a region on a given day, but cannot predict where or when individual tornado will form.
Down to the minute forecasts are made using Doppler radar images and, in some cases, eyewitness reports. Human meteorologists then judge, based on this information, whether a tornado warning is warranted. Computer forecast models are useless in these scenarios, as they take too long to run.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
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How far in advance can a tornado be forecast?
Not very far. The average lead time for a tornado warning is 14 minutes. However, the potential for tornadoes across a region can be forecast several days in advance.
Do few tornadoes last more than a few minutes?
Correct, most tornadoes do not last more than a few minutes. Stronger tornadoes tend to last longer than weaker ones, though, so many of the major tornadoes that make national headlines will last more than just a few minutes.
Where are there tornadoes right now?
This is impossible to answer accurately. Although tornadoes can be tracked they are often difficult to publicly confirm until after the fact, especially for weak tornadoes. Further complicating the matter, tornadoes usually form and dissipate in a matter of minutes. So an answer given one minute might not be true in the next. As of the afternoon of July 13, 2013 there do not appear to be any tornadoes in the United States right now, but there is some small potential in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and the northwestern Great Plains. Data from other countries is not readily available.
How long does a tornado last on average?
It varies widley. Most tornadoes last a few minutes, with many lasting just a few seconds. However, the most destructive tornadoes can last half an hour or more. The longest-live tornado on record lasted for 3 hours and 29 minutes.
How long do tornadoes stay on ground?
The average tornado lasts 10 minutes. But they can last anywhere from just a few seconds to over three hours.
What do you use to forecast a tornado?
In long term forecast, the potential for tornadoes across a region, but not individual tornadoes, is forecast using weather models. Given data based on temperature, pressure, humidity, and wind speed and direction at different locations and altitudes, supercomputers forecast the behavior of weather systems, including those that might produce tornadoes. However, forecast models cannot predict where individual tornadoes will strike. Doppler radar can detect rotation within a thunderstorm, and thus tell if a storm is likely to produce a tornado in the near or currently producing one, with an average lead time of 14 minutes.
How far in advance can a tornado be forecast?
Not very far. The average lead time for a tornado warning is 14 minutes. However, the potential for tornadoes across a region can be forecast several days in advance.
Can a supercomputer forecast tornadoes?
Only in a very limited sense. Supercomputers are already used to run forecast models, which are used in forecasting large-scale weather patterns over the course of hours and days. This includes predicting general areas where there will be a risk of tornadoes occurring, usually covering one or several states. However, it cannot predict where individual tornadoes will strike. Tornadoes themselves operate on the small scale of weather patterns, where it is much harder to gather detailed data, especially since very small variations in conditions can have major impacts on how a storm will behave. Because of rapidly changing and difficult to predict conditions, tornado warnings are issued on a time scale measured in minutes, while an accurate computer model takes hours to run.
Do tornadoes last forever?
No. Most tornadoes last no more than a few minutes.
How many minutes do weak tornadoes last?
Although they can last longer most weak tornadoes last less than 5 minutes.
Do tornadoes stay on the ground for a few minutes hours or days?
Most tornadoes last a few minutes, and some may only be on the ground for seconds. However, a handful of tornadoes have lasted for two or three hours.
Do few tornadoes last more than a few minutes?
Correct, most tornadoes do not last more than a few minutes. Stronger tornadoes tend to last longer than weaker ones, though, so many of the major tornadoes that make national headlines will last more than just a few minutes.
Where are there tornadoes right now?
This is impossible to answer accurately. Although tornadoes can be tracked they are often difficult to publicly confirm until after the fact, especially for weak tornadoes. Further complicating the matter, tornadoes usually form and dissipate in a matter of minutes. So an answer given one minute might not be true in the next. As of the afternoon of July 13, 2013 there do not appear to be any tornadoes in the United States right now, but there is some small potential in the Ohio and Tennessee Valleys and the northwestern Great Plains. Data from other countries is not readily available.
Do tornadoes ever end?
Yes. All tornadoes dissipate. Most last no more than a few minutes.
How long do weak tornadoes typically last?
Weak tornadoes typically last less than 5 minutes.
What research do you have about tornadoes?
A tornado can happen regardless of what season you are in. Tornadoes often only last a few minutes, but they do a lot of damage.
How many minutes is a tornado?
The duration of a tornado can vary considerably. Most tornadoes last less than five minutes, but major tornadoes can easily last half an hour to an hour. A handful of tornadoes have lasted for more than three hours. At the other end, some tornadoes last only a few seconds.
