A Doppler radar can detect wind speed and direction, rotation often signifies tornadic development. Once a tornado is detected, both radars and satellites are used to track the storm. Satellite images often show details of tornado damage, especially from high resolution POES images as seen below.
Does red on radar mean tornado?
Red shows winds blowing away from the radar, and green shows winds blowing toward it. Stronger winds usually equate to brighter colors on the radar imagery. You can spot rotation and a possible tornado in a thunderstorm by looking for strong winds blowing in different directions right next to each other.
What are the types of tornado warnings?
While a watch covers a broad region, a warning is issued by a local National Weather Service meteorologist for a smaller area. A warning means that either a tornado has been spotted or a radar has picked one up. If you are in an area with a tornado warning, it's time to act immediately.
What color is tornado on radar?
This often appears as a red area directly next to a green area as seen on the National Weather Service image below. If the radar shows a strong area of rotation and a debris ball in the same area, it is a strong signature that there is a tornado occurring.