Abstract
The environments and characteristics of supercell thunderstorms are reviewed, followed by a theoretical discussion of the dynamical origins of supercell rotation and propagation. Supercell thunderstorm environments are characterized by large vertical wind shear. The large wind shear promotes longevity, organization, and severity for several reasons: (1) large storm-relative winds associated with the wind shear minimize the degree to which precipitation interferes with the updraft; (2) large horizontal vorticity associated with the wind shear is tilted into the vertical to produce a midlevel mesocyclone; (3) the rotation within the updraft and the interaction of the updraft with the large environmental wind shear give rise to strong dynamic pressure gradients which can feed back to the intensity and organization of the supercell.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
5 Further reading
Davies-Jones, R., 1984: Streamwise vorticity: The origin of updraft rotation in supercell storms. J. Atmos. Sci., 41, 2991–3006.
Davies-Jones, R., R. J. Trapp, and H. B. Bluestein, 2001: Tornadoes and tornadic storms. Severe Local Storms, Meteor. Monogr., No. 50, 167–222.
Klemp, J. B., 1987: Dynamics of tornadic thunderstorms. Ann. Rev. Fluid Mech., 19, 369–402.
Klemp, J. B., and R. B. Wilhelmson, 1978: Simulations of right-and left-moving storms produced through storm splitting. J. Atmos. Sci., 35, 1097–1110.
Klemp, J. B., R. B. Wilhelmson, and P. S. Ray, 1981: Observed and numerically simulated structure of a mature supercell thunderstorm. J. Atmos. Sci., 38, 1558–1580.
Klemp, J. B., and R. Rotunno, 1983: A study of the tornadic region within a supercell thunderstorm. J. Atmos. Sci., 40, 359–377.
Markowski, P. M., 2002: Hook echoes and rear-flank downdrafts: A review. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 852–876.
Markowski, P. M., J. M. Straka, and E. N. Rasmussen, 2002: Direct surface thermodynamic observations within the rear-flank downdrafts of nontornadic and tornadic supercells. Mon. Wea. Rev., 130, 1692–1721.
Rotunno, R., 1981: On the evolution of thunderstorm rotation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 109, 577–586.
Rotunno, R., and J. B. Klemp, 1982: The influence of the shear-induced pressure gradient on thunderstorm motion. Mon. Wea. Rev., 110, 136–151.
Rotunno, R., and J. B. Klemp, 1985: On the rotation and propagation of simulated supercell thunderstorms. J. Atmos. Sci., 42, 271–292.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2007 CISM, Udine
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Markowski, P. (2007). Supercell Thunderstorms. In: Giaiotti, D.B., Steinacker, R., Stel, F. (eds) Atmospheric Convection: Research and Operational Forecasting Aspects. CISM International Centre for Mechanical Sciences, vol 475. Springer, Vienna. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-69291-2_5
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-211-69291-2_5
Publisher Name: Springer, Vienna
Print ISBN: 978-3-211-48963-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-211-69291-2
eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)