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When looking at storm relative velocity, the signature of a tornado, or at least the mesocyclone that produces it will show up as a bright green area next to a bright red area in a relatively small part of the image. This means that strong winds blowing toward the radar are right next to strong winds blowing away from it, indicating a strong rotation.

On a reflectivity image there will often be a hook shape on the radar image, showing where the mesocyclone is pulling the rain around.

See the link below for an example.

Note that these are not what images of the tornado itself looks like, but rather the mesocyclone that produces the tornado. Also note that not all tornadoes have such features on radar, and not all such features correspond to tornadoes.

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12y ago
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5mo ago

Tornado-producing storms often appear as a hook-shaped echo on radar screens. This hook shape is indicative of strong rotation within the storm, which is a key ingredient for tornado formation. Meteorologists use this characteristic signature to track and predict the potential for tornadoes.

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Q: What shape do tornado producing storms take on the radar screen?
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Doppler radar is used to track potentially tornadic storms.


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