Real-Time Automated Detection of Mesocyclones and Tornadic Vortex Signatures

Abstract

An algorithm incorporating resolution-dependent shear and velocity thresholds for the detection of meso-cyclones and tornadic vortex signatures in real time is presented. The algorithm identifies bath cyclonic and anticyclonic shear areas, and characterizes them into six catagories. Also, the three-dimensional average of each feature's specific rotational kinetic energy, angular momentum, and horizontal and vertical extent, are computed. The algorithm's performance is discussed for four case studies. The results verified by ground observations, and the output from the Tornadic Vortex Signature algorithm are very encouraging.