Mesocyclone: Difference between revisions
From Glossary of Meteorology
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
(One intermediate revision by the same user not shown) | |||
Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{TermHeader}} | {{TermHeader}} | ||
Line 8: | Line 9: | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
<div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">A cyclonically rotating [[vortex]], around 2–10 km in diameter, in a [[convective storm]].</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The [[vorticity]] associated with a mesocyclone is often on the order of 10<sup> | <div class="definition"><div class="short_definition">A cyclonically rotating [[vortex]], around 2–10 km in diameter, in a [[convective storm]].</div><br/> <div class="paragraph">The [[vorticity]] associated with a mesocyclone is often on the order of 10<sup>-2</sup> s<sup>-1</sup> or greater. (It should be noted that a mesocyclone is not just any [[cyclone]] on the [[mesoscale]]; it refers specifically to cyclones within convective storms.) Mesocyclones are frequently found in conjunction with updrafts in [[supercells]]. [[Tornadoes]] sometimes form in mesocyclones. Persistent mesocyclones that have significant vertical extent are detected by [[Doppler radar]] as mesocyclone signatures. Tornado warnings may be issued when a [[mesocyclone signature]] is detected.</div><br/> </div> | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
Latest revision as of 15:40, 20 February 2012
mesocyclone
A cyclonically rotating vortex, around 2–10 km in diameter, in a convective storm.
The vorticity associated with a mesocyclone is often on the order of 10-2 s-1 or greater. (It should be noted that a mesocyclone is not just any cyclone on the mesoscale; it refers specifically to cyclones within convective storms.) Mesocyclones are frequently found in conjunction with updrafts in supercells. Tornadoes sometimes form in mesocyclones. Persistent mesocyclones that have significant vertical extent are detected by Doppler radar as mesocyclone signatures. Tornado warnings may be issued when a mesocyclone signature is detected.