Abstract
The origin of a small, tight cloud vortex located over the Caspian Sea as viewed by TIROS VII in late November 1963 was investigated. Charts at the mandatory levels from the surface to 500 mb. at 12-hr. intervals were examined. Possible causes of formation that were investigated included upper air circulation effects, mechanical effects induced by the Caucasus Mountains, surface heating from the sea, and association with a cold front. Evidence is presented that the cloud vortex was associated with a frontless circulation. A well-defined upper-level wind circulation is believed to be the major cause for the formation of the cloud spiral.
