The Lifecycle of a Tornado

Appearance of funnel out from the wall cloud

Circulation makes contact with ground (funnel may still not reach the ground yet)

Pressure near the ground is rapidly decreasing as circulation intensifies

Visual identification – dust or light debris circulating at surface

Appearance of a condensation funnel extending all the way to the surface

In weaker storms, the tornado may dissipate shortly after this stage by stretching out into a rope-like structure

Wedge or cone shape

Vortex is at its greatest size and intensity

Wall cloud is very well organized and many cases you may see distinct wall cloud rotation

Vortex diameter shrinks (secondary maximum of intensity)

Vortex begins to tilt with the base lagging behind

Wall cloud may disappear

Vortex becomes stretched: “Roping Out”

Tornado quickly dissipates

Sometimes if there is enough rotation, a new tornado might form out ahead of the decaying one (starting a “tornado family”)