Tornadoes

These flashcards cover key terms and concepts related to tornadoes, their formation, climatology, detection, and measurement, based on lecture notes from Geography 131.

Tornado

A rapidly rotating column of air extending from a cumulonimbus cloud to the ground.

Mesocyclone

A rotating updraft within a supercell thunderstorm and a precursor to tornado formation.

Wall cloud

A localized, often lowered, cloud base that can rotate and is associated with severe thunderstorms.

Hook Echo

A radar signature typically indicating rotation around a supercell thunderstorm, associated with tornadoes.

Enhanced Fujita Scale

A scale used to measure tornado intensity based on wind speeds and resulting damage.

Tornado Climatology

The study of where, when, and why tornadoes occur.

Rear Flank Downdraft (RFD)

A downdraft located at the rear of a supercell thunderstorm that can wrap around the mesocyclone.

Cumulonimbus Cloud

A type of cloud that is tall and dense, often associated with thunderstorms and tornadoes.

Funnel Cloud

A cone-shaped cloud formed from a rotating column of air that may develop into a tornado.

Dust Swirl Stage

The initial stage of a tornado where a rotating dust cloud is visible before the funnel forms.

Decaying Stage

The final stage of a tornado life cycle where it weakens and loses its structure.

Vortex

A whirling mass of fluid or air, such as in a tornado, characterized by rotating motion.

Intensity Measurement

The assessment of tornado strength based on wind speeds, often categorized using the Enhanced Fujita Scale.

Time-of-Day Variability

The variation in tornado occurrence based on the time of day, influenced by peak solar heating.

Triple Point

The intersection of three different air masses, often a focal point for severe weather including tornadoes.