An Analysis of the Evolution and Structure of a Multiple-Tornado-Producing Supercell Near Dodge City, KS, on 24 May 2016

On 24 May 2016, the rapid-scan, X-band, polarimetric, Doppler radar (RaXPol) collected close-range data on nine of the approximately thirteen tornadoes produced by a single supercell west and southwest of Dodge City, KS. In a single ~40 minute deployment, RaXPol documented the genesis of eight tornadoes, including instances of multiple tornadoes at once. In addition to fine-scale single-Doppler radar data, RaXPol was ideally located relative to the KDDC WSR-88D so that dual-Doppler analyses could be created having high spatial and temporal resolution. This presentation will focus on the evolution of the supercell and associated tornadoes, mainly examining the mechanisms which led to the production of such a large number of tornadoes. Because RaXPol collected mostly low-level data while the tornadoes were ongoing, comparisons of the low-level updraft with respect to the track of each tornado will be examined, and internal surges of momentum within the RFD will be examined with respect to the track of the updraft and the tornadoes in hopes of understanding how or even if each subsequent surge participated in the production and/or demise of each tornado.