Dynamics and thermodynamics of a tornado: Rotation effects
Autor: | N. Ben-Amots |
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Rok vydání: | 2016 |
Předmět: |
Atmospheric Science
Buoyancy business.product_category 010504 meteorology & atmospheric sciences Meteorology Condensation Thermodynamics Multiple-vortex tornado engineering.material 01 natural sciences 010305 fluids & plasmas Latent heat 0103 physical sciences engineering Environmental science Funnel Tornado business Dust devil Water vapor 0105 earth and related environmental sciences |
Zdroj: | Atmospheric Research. :320-328 |
ISSN: | 0169-8095 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.atmosres.2016.03.025 |
Popis: | This paper investigates the relevant processes in the tornado including the dynamics of rotation and thermodynamics as well as condensation. The main novelty of this paper is the explanation of the phenomena occurring in the central downflow. The reduced pressure in the tornado's funnel sucks air and water vapor from the cloud above the tornado. The latent heat of condensation is released in the funnel. The centrifugal force drives the generated water drops out of the funnel. The latent heat of condensation released is also transferred out of the funnel, and supplies the helically ascending air flow surrounding the tornado with additional buoyancy energy. This process gives the tornado increased strength compared to the dust devil type of flow, thus explaining why tornadoes occur always under a cloud, and why the tornado pipe can reach a height of a kilometer and more. To sustain a tornado, the temperature of water vapor at the cloud's base should be higher than the surroundings by a certain minimal value. Remote infrared temperature measurements of clouds' bases may provide indications of the probability that a cloud can spawn a tornado, which may increase the lead time. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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