The Goshen County, Wyoming, supercell of 5 June 2009 intercepted by VORTEX2: Tornado intensification phase

This research focuses on the intensification of the 5 June 2009 Goshen County, tornado, a period from approximately 22:00 UTC to 22:12 UTC, using integrated dual-Doppler and Rapid-Scan radar data as well as mobile mesonet thermodynamic observations. Dual-Doppler analyses reveal that the secondary rear flank gust front is strongest at approximately 2202 UTC, which is prior to peak tornadic intensity (as measured by the maximum wind speed). It is hypothesized that the conditions necessary for tornado intensification lead the actual intensification process. Preliminary vertical vorticity analysis along the primary and secondary gust fronts show that as the downdraft weakens the primary and secondary fronts occlude and there is less vertical vorticity generation.