- 1). Look for an intense updraft denoted by wind speeds on the radar inside a red supercell area. A supercell is a large thunderstorm with severe updrafts that rotate for a period of 15 minutes or longer. The area will be approximately 2 to 4 miles in diameter and will rotate. This is a mesocyclone, which may spawn a tornado.
- 2). Look for a "hook echo" on radar. A hook echo occurs when rain or precipitation is wrapped around a particularly strong mesocyclone. The "hook" curls around what is likely a tornado, although the tornado may not be visible.
- 3). Look for a "bow" signature. A tornado may form in the outside center of what looks like an archer's bow. The tornado will create a small notch near the center point of the bow. This is the inflow notch, which feeds the tornado with air.
- 4). Look for a Tornadic Vortex Signature (TVS). This is an intense, rapidly-rotating area that indicates a tornado, and may take computer algorithms to identify. A Tornadic Vortex Signature is proof that a funnel cloud, if not a tornado, has formed.
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