Final answer:
The symbol for violently rotating winds that appear as a funnel-shaped cloud on weather maps is the tornado symbol. Tornadoes originate from supercells and their rotation is measured by meteorologists using vectors to predict potential tornado occurrences.
Step-by-step explanation:
The weather map symbol used to represent violently rotating winds that have the appearance of a funnel-shaped cloud is the tornado symbol. Tornadoes are a significant weather phenomenon characterized by their intense rotational motion stemming from severe thunderstorms, particularly supercells. These storms generate a horizontal rotating column of air initially, which then can become a vertically oriented spinning column, leading to the formation of a tornado. Meteorologists calculate wind changes over distance by multiplying vectors to determine the amount of rotation in the atmosphere, aiding in the prediction of tornadoes. The terrifying power of tornadoes is evident in their abilities to destroy buildings and lift heavy objects, all while descending from the clouds in a distinct funnel-like shape and producing winds up to 500 km/h.