This question can be interpreted multiple ways.
In terms of how wide a tornado is (diameter), the average tornado is 50 yards (45 meters) wide,. But sizes can range from less than 10 yards (9 meters) to as much as 2.5 miles (4 km).
In terms of path length (how far a tornado travels), the average damage path is 5 miles (8 km) long, but it can vary from only a few yards (meters) to over 200 miles (320 km).
In terms of duration (how long a tornado lasts), the average tornado is on the ground for about 10 minutes. But a tornado can last anywhere from just a few seconds to over 3 hours.
In terms of how high up a tornado extends (how tall it is), they can range anywhere from 1 to 4 miles (1.6 to 6.5 km).
It varies considerably depending on how large the tornado is and how fast it is moving. A typical tornado will not be over any given spot for more than a few seconds, but it can take much longer. A half-mile wide tornado moving at the typical speed of 30 miles per hour would take a full minute to clear a location. One tornado was reported to have stood still over the same spot for more than 90 minutes.
That would be a tornado. Once the process starts, a tornado can form in a matter of seconds. Hurricanes, by contrast, usually take several days to form and are easy to track.
A tornado watch is issued by the National Weather Service when weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes to develop. It means you should stay informed and be prepared to take action if a tornado warning is issued for your area. It is a warning for potential tornado development, not a guarantee that a tornado will occur.
The National Weather Service issues a tornado warning when a tornado has been spotted on the ground or indicated by weather radar in your area. This is to alert residents to take immediate shelter and protect themselves from the approaching tornado.
A tornado would occur in the troposphere, which is the lowest layer of the atmosphere where most weather phenomena, including storms, take place.
1 second
About 40 minutes direct or 1hr 20min if they touch-down at Plymouth
Tornado prediction is challenging and not accurate enough to pinpoint exact times and locations. Meteorologists can issue tornado watches when conditions are favorable for tornado formation, and warnings when a tornado has been spotted or detected on radar. Stay informed through weather alerts and be prepared to take action if necessary.
It could take months and even years
As of December 21, 2012 there are no known tornadoes currently on the ground. However it is difficult to type an answer on "current tornadoes" as most tornadoes last just a few minutes and some last only a few seconds. On top of that, it can take a while to confirm that a tornado actually did touch down.
about 2 decades
About 1 hour 50 mins in the air, from take-off to touch-down.
That depends on how far away the next destination is and how fast the tornado is traveling.
1-2 years
Tornadoes can develop rapidly, forming within minutes under the right atmospheric conditions. The speed at which a tornado occurs can vary, but they typically last for only a few minutes before dissipating. The warning time for tornadoes can be as short as a few minutes to as long as an hour, depending on the situation.
Very little time at all. The average tornado is about 50 meters wide, and a tornado can reach such a size in a matter of seconds.
Take cover under a desk or in the hallway facing a wall. Crouch down and cover your head. As always when there is a tornado, stay away from windows
About as long as a computer, maybe an hour.