How to Forecast a Tornado
Our ancient ancestors used many signs from the earth to determine when a tornado was on it's way. They didn't have television and radio to issue tornado watches and warnings. Follow these steps to learn how to forecast a tornado on your own.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Look up towards the clouds. If the sky is black or green then a tornado could be in the forecast. This is caused by the buildup of water vapor in the air.
-
2
Watch for flying debris in the distance to help forecast a tornado. It may be a sign that a tornado has touched down. You may see large swirls of dust or leaves.
-
-
3
Note any sparks coming from power lines or transformers. These are best seen in the dark, and they may indicate an tornado in the offing.
-
4
Check the sky for wall clouds and funnel clouds that are rotating. Funnel clouds themselves are fairly common, but if a rotating funnel may forecast a tornado. A wall cloud is a sign of a large thunderstorm coming, often followed by a tornado.
-
5
Assume that a tornado is probably coming if you see 3/4-inch hail coming down following the previous warning signs. Hail alone is a common occurrence and doesn't necessarily mean that a tornado is on it's way.
-
6
Notice wind speeds. The wind can be 60 miles per hour, and then suddenly stop. The air will become very still right before the tornado hits. Tornadoes usually follow right behind large storms.
-
1
