Additional Evaluation of the Spatiotemporal Evolution of Rotation during Tornadogenesis Using Rapid-Scan Mobile Radar Observations

Abstract

This study builds upon recent rapid-scan radar observations of mesocyclonic tornadogenesis in supercells by investigating the formation of seven tornadoes (four from a single cyclic supercell), most of which include samples at heights < 100 m above radar level. The spatiotemporal evolution of the tornadic vortex signatures (TVSs), maximum velocity differentials across the vortex couplet, and pseudovorticity are analyzed. In general, the tornadoes formed following a non-descending pattern of evolution, although one case was descending over time scales