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Does a tornado have to touch the ground in order to be a tornado?
Yes, a tornado is defined as a rotating column of air reaching the ground from a cumulonimbus cloud. If it does not touch the ground, it is technically considered a funnel cloud. Tornadoes that do not touch down are typically not as damaging as those that do.
Is a funnel cloud a tornado?
No, a funnel cloud is not a tornado. A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not touch the ground. If a funnel cloud reaches the ground, it becomes a tornado.
Does the funnel of a tornado touch the ground?
Not always. The funnel is only the portion of the tornado that is visible. The winds of a tornado at ground level may still be capable of causing significant damage even if the visible funnel does not reach ground level. When this occurs it is usually evidenced by swirling dust or debris beneath the funnel. That is usually enough to report a tornado. Oftentimes, though, the funnel does touch the ground in which case there is definitely a tornado. Also of note is that sometimes you have a funnel that does not produce damaging winds on the ground. These are not counted in tornado statistics.
The beginnings of a tornado are known as a funnel cloud?
That's correct! A funnel cloud is a rotating column of air that does not touch the ground. When it does reach the ground and make contact, it's then classified as a tornado.
Can a cloud of debris mark the location of a tornado?
Yes. The funnel of a tornado does not have to reach the ground for the circulation to touch down. If there is swirling debris on the ground beneath a funnel cloud then the tornado has touched down and, if it is more than just dirt being lifted, is probably doing damage.
