Suction vortices
Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-009367
Small, intense whirls of air that rotate within a larger tornado circulation, often appearing as multiple, distinct funnels within the main funnel cloud. These subvortices are responsible for much of the extreme damage associated with strong tornadoes, as their localized wind speeds can exceed those of the parent tornado. They are a common feature in violent tornadoes, particularly those rated EF-4 or EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.
| Identifier | MLC-T-MET-009367 |
|---|---|
| Field | Meteorology and atmospheric science |
Record as JSON
{
"id": "MLC-T-MET-009367",
"term": "Suction vortices",
"field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
"definition": "Small, intense whirls of air that rotate within a larger tornado circulation, often appearing as multiple, distinct funnels within the main funnel cloud. These subvortices are responsible for much of the extreme damage associated with strong tornadoes, as their localized wind speeds can exceed those of the parent tornado. They are a common feature in violent tornadoes, particularly those rated EF-4 or EF-5 on the Enhanced Fujita scale.",
"url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/suction-vortices/"
}
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