Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Observations of a Severe, Left-Moving Supercell on 4 May 2003

Daniel T. Lindsey Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere, Fort Collins, Colorado

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Matthew J. Bunkers NOAA/National Weather Service Forecast Office, Rapid City, South Dakota

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Print Publication:
01 Feb 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/WAF-830.1
Page(s):
15–22
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Abstract

A case study of a left-moving supercell with a rapid motion is presented to (i) elucidate differences in anvil orientations between left- and right-moving supercells and (ii) highlight the interaction of the left mover with a tornadic right mover. It is shown how anvil orientations, as viewed from satellite, may be used to assist in the identification of thunderstorms with differing motions and how this applies to splitting supercells. Additionally, the movement of the left mover into the forward flank of the right mover may have temporarily affected its tornadic circulation, as tornadoes occurred both before and after the merger, despite the structure of the right mover being interrupted during the merging process. Given the dearth of literature on thunderstorm mergers in general, and how mergers affect tornadic supercells in particular, this is an area that demands further research.

* Current affiliation: NOAA/NESDIS/ORA, Fort Collins, Colorado

Corresponding author address: Daniel T. Lindsey, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere—1375 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. Email: lindsey@cira.colostate.edu

Abstract

A case study of a left-moving supercell with a rapid motion is presented to (i) elucidate differences in anvil orientations between left- and right-moving supercells and (ii) highlight the interaction of the left mover with a tornadic right mover. It is shown how anvil orientations, as viewed from satellite, may be used to assist in the identification of thunderstorms with differing motions and how this applies to splitting supercells. Additionally, the movement of the left mover into the forward flank of the right mover may have temporarily affected its tornadic circulation, as tornadoes occurred both before and after the merger, despite the structure of the right mover being interrupted during the merging process. Given the dearth of literature on thunderstorm mergers in general, and how mergers affect tornadic supercells in particular, this is an area that demands further research.

* Current affiliation: NOAA/NESDIS/ORA, Fort Collins, Colorado

Corresponding author address: Daniel T. Lindsey, Cooperative Institute for Research in the Atmosphere—1375 Campus Delivery, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. Email: lindsey@cira.colostate.edu

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