can a tornado happen without a storm?
we are under a tornado watch, but appear to be clear of thunderstorms. Is it possible to have a tornado without actually having a thunderstorm or rain clouds? Can tornados form out of regular old clouds due to wind sheer from a tropical system?
Tagged with: rain clouds • thunderstorm • Tornado • tropical system
Filed under: Tropical Storms
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Tornadoes and storms are closely related, but a tornado might not be necessarily be formed due to a storm . A tornado can occur when there is sufficient moisture in warm air. However, tornadoes are usually formed before a storm because thunderstorms have the potential to create strong winds.
Part 1…yes…they’re called "dust devils" and you frequently see them in hot, desert environments. I flew a Cessna through one in Arizona and it was enough to change my heading by twenty degrees or so. But altho dust devils are identical in structure, they are nowhere near as powerful as the real thing!
Part 2…probably not. Tornadoes need a LOT of energy (such as you find in a full-blown cumulonimbus) to form and survive on the ground for any significant length of time.
Cheers
Ricky J
No, you cannot have a tornado without a severe thunderstorm.
You were in a tornado watch because the conditions were right in your area for the generation of potentially severe thunderstorms.
A watch simply means to increase your alertness for the onset of thunderstorms that may or may not spawn tornadoes.
A warning means that there ARE thunderstorms in your area that have already displayed severe strength and thus the high probability to spawn tornadoes. You should seek shelter immediately.
The sky can be clear as a bell, and a tornado can form in an istant. Bringing rain, hail and wind, believe me, I live in Kansas and a tornado hit me once, about 4 o’ clock.in the afternoon. The sky was blue, the sun was shining, and out of the blue all hell broke lose. In an instant everything was pitch black, and the noise was horrible. My double wide trailer blew to kingdom come. I will never,ever live in a trailer again. So yes it can happen. Take cover when they tell you to.