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The formation of tornadoes is complicated.

First, a condition called wind shear, in which the speed and/or direction of the wind changes with altitude. If the shear is strong enough it can essentially tilt a thunderstorm, this separates the updraft and downdraft of the thunderstorm, preventing them from interfering with one another. This allows the storm to become stronger and last longer.

Additionally, if the wind shear is strong enough it can start the air rolling in what is called horizontal vorticity. This horizontal vorticity can then be turned vertical by a thunderstorm's updraft. When this happens, the thunderstorm may start rotating. The rotation is especially strong in an updraft called a mesocyclone. If the storm intensifies rapidly enough, a relatively warm downdraft called a rear-flank downdraft or RFD can wrap around the bottom part of the mesocyclone. This can then tighten and intensify its rotation and bring it down to the ground to produce a tornado. In addition to tornadoes, very heavy rain, frequent lightning, strong wind gusts, and hail are common in such storms.

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Related Questions

If a tornado have been seen is that a tornado watch?

No, a tornado watch is issued when the general weather conditions can produces tornadoes. If a tornado is spotted a tornado warning is issued.


What is the difference between weather warning and weather watch?

A tornado/thunderstorm watch means that weather conditions are good for tornado/thunderstorm. A tornado/thunderstorm warning, however, means that conditions are extreme and a thunderstorm or tornado is likely. Conditions for either storm are very good at this stage.


Is a tornado watch better than a tornado warning?

Yes. A tornado watch simply means that general conditions are favorable for tornadoes to form. A tornado warning means that a tornado has been detected or may form at any moment.


Is there a tornado watch right now?

No. A tornado watch means the general weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes. If a tornado has been sighted then a tornado warning is issued.


What are conditions like on the ground before during and after a tornado?

before a tornado it is usally calm after a strong tornado there is lots of debris and during a tornado there are things flying everywhere


What does a tornado watch indicate?

A tornado watch indicates that general weather conditions favor development of tornadoes.


Is a Tornado watch good?

A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It means you should stay informed and be prepared to take action if a tornado warning is issued for your area. It is a warning for potential tornado development, not a guarantee that a tornado will occur.


Boundary conditions for perfect dielectric materials?

boundary conditions for perfect dielectric materials


Can you control where a tornado hits?

No, tornadoes are unpredictable and uncontrollable natural disasters. They form due to specific weather conditions and are guided by atmospheric forces, making it impossible for humans to control their path or where they hit.


Can you stop a tornado with another tornado?

No, it is not possible to stop a tornado with another tornado. Tornadoes are formed by specific weather conditions in the atmosphere, and introducing another tornado would not have any effect on the existing tornado.


Does a tornado last longer if it has more land?

not really. It depends more on the specific conditions of the storm that produced the tornado.


What indicates that a tornado warning should be given?

A tornado watch is issued when general weather conditions in a region are favorable for the formation of tornadoes. Tornado watches are numbered in the order that they are issued. So tornado watch 4 is the 4th tornado watch issued in the country that year.