How Do You Identify Possible Tornado-Producing Storms On Doppler Radar?
Tornadoes can be terrifying, and glancing at the Doppler radar screen on television can be confusing. Knowing what the meteorologist is referring to when he shows you the Doppler radar screen can help you understand when a tornado is likely to occur. By learning about the pixel patterns on Doppler radar screen, you can decipher the greens, reds and yellows as they relate to tornado-causing storms. Scan Doppler radar for a “hook echo.” The term refers to a hook shape on the screen that occurs when rain, hail and debris are rotating around a supercell or thunderstorm. The National Weather Service considers the presence of a hook echo on Doppler radar sufficient grounds for issuing a tornado warning. Check the velocity pattern on the Doppler screen for a tornado vortex signature, or TVS. A TVS indicates there is an intense rotation taking place inside a supercell, enough to indicate that a possible mesocyclone, or continuously rotating updraft of air, is occurring. This mesocyclone can be
