Why Would an Updraft Start to Rotate?

When winds intensify, the force released can cause the updrafts to rotate. This rotating updraft is known as a mesocyclone. For a tornado to form in this manner, a rear-flank downdraft enters the center of the mesocyclone from the back. Cold air, being denser than warm air, is able to penetrate the updraft.

What is a rotating updraft called?

Supercells are storms --- usually, but not necessarily, thunderstorms --- that contain updrafts that rotate about a vertical axis. This rotation is derived from shear in the environmental wind field (that is, a change in wind direction and / or speed with height) surrounding the storm as it begins to grow.

What process causes the initial rotation in a supercell thunderstorm?

What process causes the initial rotation in a supercell thunderstorm? What is the role of low-level shear in the formation of tornadic supercells? vertical by a storm updraft, causing the storm to rotate.

Alexander Ross

Alexander Ross

Gaming, Esports & Interactive Media Writer

Alexander Ross has covered the video game industry for a decade, writing deep dives on game design, esports tournaments, VR developments, and gaming culture.