  We studied the dynamics of all prominence tornadoes detected by the Solar
Dynamics Observatory/Atmospheric Imaging Assembly from 2011 January 01 to
December 31. In total, 361 events were identified during the whole year, but
only 166 tornadoes were traced until the end of their lifetime. Out of 166
tornadoes, 80 (48%) triggered CMEs in hosting prominences, 83 (50%) caused
failed coronal mass ejections (CMEs) or strong internal motion in the
prominences, and only 3 (2%) finished their lifetimes without any observed
activity. Therefore, almost all prominence tornadoes lead to the
destabilization of their hosting prominences and half of them trigger CMEs.
Consequently, prominence tornadoes may be used as precursors for CMEs and hence
for space weather predictions.

Solar and Stellar Astrophysics