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Cloud interaction and the formation of the 15 June 1973 tornado in the FACE mesonetwork
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1976
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Description:The 15 June 1973 tornado that occurred within the FACE surface mesonetwork was measured from a series of 15 photographs taken in the vicinity. Very weak synoptic-scale flow was evident at all levels to 100 mb over south Florida. A weak ridge at low levels and a slight trough at 500 mb were the only significant features in the area. Normal stability for summer 1973 was found at Miamif but shear (2 m s~^) was the weakest of the summer, equalled only on 16 June. Rainfall over Florida was related to heating, coastal, and lakeshore effects of the peninsula and not to external factors. Two clouds with tops of 15.6 km reached their peak intensity 25 km east and west of the tornado 50 minutes before its start. A new cloud line rapidly formed because of surface convergence up to 2.4 x s'"1 halfway between the original clouds; the tornado dipped from this line. The radar detected significant amounts of rain at 2 km when the tornado was at its peak intensity. Five minutes later the downdraft rain reached the funnel and caused it to dissipate. Surface rain gages measured very heavy precipitation another 5 minutes later at the old tornado position• Another tornado in Oklahoma is examined and rain shafts are seen on either side in earlier stages. This case suggests that cloud interaction in a moving squall line may be as important as that of the stationary Florida environment of 15 June.
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Rights Information:CC0 Public Domain
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Compliance:Library
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