Handout (937.1 kB)
Despite over 4 decades of tornado studies, the exact sequence of events just prior to and during tornadogenesis has evaded scientists. On 24 May 2011, in Central Oklahoma, a new mobile Rapid-Scan X-band polarimetric (RaXPol) radar successfully collected a dataset of sufficient temporal (15-sec volumes) and spatial (1° beamwidth, 75 m gate spacing) resolution to observe tornadogenesis and intensification of the tornado to EF-5 strength. The evolution of the strength and size of the velocity couplet (maximum outbound maximum inbound Doppler velocity) associated with the tornado and parent mesocyclone is investigated to determine how the rotation associated with the tornado reaches the surface, and how the rotation behaves over time and height while the tornado is intensifying. Changes in tornado structure based off the polarimetric variables are also investigated. Finally, the rapid evolution of storm kinematics acquired by dual-Doppler analysis from two rapid-scan radars during four minutes encompassing tornadogenesis is considered. From this study, we hope to illuminate more clearly the sequence of events just prior to and during tornadogenesis in order to advance scientific understanding of this process and to hypothesize forecasting improvements and decision modifications that could be made with such knowledge.
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