Tornadoes - Part 2

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to tornadoes based on the lecture notes.

Mesocyclone

A rotating vortex associated with a supercell thunderstorm.

Tornado Watch

A notification indicating that conditions are favorable for tornado development.

Tornado Warning

Issued when a tornado has been spotted or indicated by radar.

Directional Shear

Change in wind direction with height that contributes to storm rotation.

Instability

A condition in the atmosphere that allows warmer air to rise rapidly, contributing to storm formation.

CAPE

Convective Available Potential Energy, a measure of instability in the atmosphere.

Speed Shear

Change in wind speed with height, which can enhance storm development.

Waterspout

A tornado that occurs over a body of water.

Landspout

A type of tornado that develops in areas with weak vertical rotation.

Tornado Emergency

A rare notification to warn the public of an imminent and catastrophic tornado.

OKC Tornado

Refers to the destructive tornado that impacted Oklahoma City, notably in 1999.