Air in a tornado moves upward rapidly, sometimes taking objects with it.
The maximum weight an average tornado can pick up is estimated to be around 30,000 pounds (15 tons). However, stronger tornadoes have been known to pick up heavier objects.
That is extremely difficult to estimate and would depend on the size and strength of the tornado and what there is to pick up. A large, violent tornado moving through a developed area might be carrying many thousands of small objects.
Tornadoes pick up objects by creating a strong rotating column of air that moves upwards and spins rapidly. The fast wind speeds within the tornado can lift and carry objects like debris, trees, and vehicles with significant force. The intensity of a tornado's winds and the size of the objects determine what it can pick up and carry.
It is highly unlikely for a tornado to pick up an airplane due to its heavy weight and design. Airplanes are built to withstand strong winds and turbulence, and they are not easily lifted off the ground by tornadoes.
Yes a tornado can pick up round objects at least as long as they are not too heavy. Objects made of more fragile materials may also have their surfaces broken by debris, making them less round.
Yes. A strong tornado in the range of EF2 to EF5 can pick up a bus or even a train.
The maximum weight an average tornado can pick up is estimated to be around 30,000 pounds (15 tons). However, stronger tornadoes have been known to pick up heavier objects.
"I'll pick you up later."
No. Though a very strong tornado might cause it to collapse.
An EF0 tornado can't pick up much of anything, so probably not.
That is extremely difficult to estimate and would depend on the size and strength of the tornado and what there is to pick up. A large, violent tornado moving through a developed area might be carrying many thousands of small objects.
No. A skyscraper is far to heavy. However, an EF5 tornado may cause a skyscraper to collapse.
It would be entirely possible for a tornado to pick up such an object. One misconception about tornadoes is that their winds only travel vertically. The truth is that their rotation gives the very strong horizontal velocity as well, so even if the updraft alone could not pick up a cone, the horizontal winds could tip it over and allow the tornado to pick it up that way.
Usually a tornado has to be at least an EF2 (estimated wind 111 to 135 mph) to lift a car.
Debris, wood and brick from houses, people, trees, water. Anything that the tornado is strong enough to carry.
It is highly unlikely for a tornado to pick up an elephant due to their size and weight. Tornadoes are capable of lifting smaller objects such as debris and farm animals, but the sheer mass of an elephant would make it extremely difficult for a tornado to lift.
The tornado may pick up ash and some volcanic rocks, but the volcano would, for the most part, not be affected.