15. This question has to do with the formation of condensation funnels in tornad

Question

15. This question has to do with the formation of condensation funnels in tornados. When air parcels are drawn into a tornado’s circulation, they experience a pressure drop as they approach the low pressure at the tornado’s center. The pressure drop can be as much as 20%, for example, from 1000 mb outside the tornado to 800 mb near the tornado’s center.

a. Explain why this sometimes results in the formation of a visible condensation funnel.

b. What is the most likely reason why visible condensation funnels do not always form even when inward moving air parcels experience a significant pressure drop?

c. Even though these tornadoes do not produce visible condensation funnels, evidence of the tornado’s circulating winds can often still be seen. What else causes these tornadoes to often be “visible”?

Explanation / Answer

1. Tornado is visible because of formation of this funnel shaped cloud called condensation funnel. These are the funnel made by water droplets that extends from the base of the parent cloud. Thia is also entrapped by the dust and debris. If there is no rain then these funnel shaped structure is clearly visible

2. If strong cyclonic winds are occuring at the surface which is connected to the cloud base and ia not assosiated with condensation then it is not a condensation funnel but it is a tornado

3. Sometimes as a debris swirl but not full tornado, if the funnel doesnkt touch the base then it might be a half funnel tornado

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