MLchartDataset catalogue

Tornado vortex signature

Term · Meteorology and atmospheric science · MLC-T-MET-002830

An image of a tornado on the Doppler radar screen that shows up as a small region of rapidly changing wind speeds inside a mesocyclone. The following velocity criteria is normally required for recognition: velocity difference between maximum inbound and outbound (shear) is greater than or equal to 90 knots at less than 30 nmi and is greater than or equal to 70 knots between 30 and 55 nmi. It shows up as a red upside down triangle on the Storm Relative Velocity Display. Existence of a TVS strongly increases the probability of tornado occurrence, but does not guarantee it; therefore, the feature triggering it must be examined closely by the radar operator. A TVS is not a visually observable feature.

Table 1. Record
IdentifierMLC-T-MET-002830
FieldMeteorology and atmospheric science
ReferencesNWS Glossary
Record as JSON
{
  "id": "MLC-T-MET-002830",
  "term": "Tornado vortex signature",
  "field": "Meteorology and atmospheric science",
  "term_source": "Tornado Vortex Signature",
  "definition": "An image of a tornado on the Doppler radar screen that shows up as a small region of rapidly changing wind speeds inside a mesocyclone. The following velocity criteria is normally required for recognition: velocity difference between maximum inbound and outbound (shear) is greater than or equal to 90 knots at less than 30 nmi and is greater than or equal to 70 knots between 30 and 55 nmi. It shows up as a red upside down triangle on the Storm Relative Velocity Display. Existence of a TVS strongly increases the probability of tornado occurrence, but does not guarantee it; therefore, the feature triggering it must be examined closely by the radar operator. A TVS is not a visually observable feature.",
  "references": [
    "NWS Glossary"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/meteorology/tornado-vortex-signature/"
}

Record 9,807 of 10,816 in Meteorology and atmospheric science terminology (MLC-0110). Request the full dataset.