Extended Abstract (20K)P4.6
A Reassessment of the Percentage of Tornadic Mesocyclones
Robert J. Trapp, CIMMS/Univ. of Oklahoma and NOAA/NSSL, Boulder, CO; and G. J. Stumpf
A large set of data collected by numerous WSR-88Ds was analyzed to estimate the percentage of tornadic mesocyclones. A total of 5322 mesocyclones satisfied the objective criteria used in the WSR-88D system; only 25% of these were associated with tornadoes. In terms of height of mesocyclone base, 15% of mid-altitude mesocyclones were tornadic, and roughly 40% of low-altitude mesocyclones (e.g., those with bases <=500 m above radar level) were tornadic. These results confirm that the percentages of tornadic mesocyclones, particularly with reference to mid- and low-altitude, are indeed lower than previously thought.
Poster Session 4, Radar Applications
Tuesday, 13 August 2002, 3:00 PM-4:30 PM
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