NEXRAD Doppler radar is usually the best indicator of tornado activity. Doppler radar can provide forecasters with valuable lead time necessary to determine the likelihood of tornado development within a severe thunderstorm. NEXRAD is often given credit for enabling forecasters to put out tornado warnings before a tornado is even sighted. While NEXRAD Doppler radar enables forecasters to issue tornado warnings, computer models help in issuing tornado watches. Although computer models cannot make predictions about whether a tornado might form in a given area at a given time, they do provide indications that weather conditions may be right for tornadoes to develop.
Satellite pictures also help forecasters predict where tornadoes may develop. Because satellites can pinpoint areas of thunderstorm activity, forecasters can deduce whether conditions look right for tornadoes to develop.
Satellite pictures can also pick up outflow boundaries from thunderstorms because they leave what is called a mini-front behind them as they move onward. Winds tend to come together along this mini-front, and if conditions are right, a severe thunderstorm may develop.
Ongoing meteorological research has unlocked new information on the formation of tornadoes. Of particular interest to scientists is why some supercell storms develop tornadoes while others do not.
PROJECT VORTEX
One meteorological study that collected a great deal of information on the correlation between supercell thunderstorms and tornadoes is Project Vortex. In 1994 and 1995, professional storm chasers associated with this United States government study drove to areas where supercell thunderstorms were likely to form.
By comparing surface observation measurements to radar and other information about the same supercell thunderstorms, researchers are attempting to discover the patterns that will shed light on why tornadoes do or do not develop within supercells.
SKYWARN
Skywarn is an organization consisting of individual tornado spotters. During severe thunderstorm situations, the spotters closely monitor the skies for tornado development. Skywarn members report to their local National Weather Service (NWS) Office via ham radio or cellular phone if they sight possible funnel cloud formations. Skywarn organizations generally include members of the local police and fire departments among their ranks, men and women specifically trained to spot tornado activity.
