Mesocykler

Mesocykler, also known as mesocyclones, are rotating columns of air within a thunderstorm. They are typically found in the hook echo region of a supercell thunderstorm, which is a type of thunderstorm characterized by a deep, persistently rotating updraft. Mesocykler are responsible for the development of tornadoes, which are rapidly rotating columns of air that extend from the base of a thunderstorm to the ground.

Mesocykler form when strong vertical wind shear, which is a change in wind speed and/or direction with height, causes the updraft of a thunderstorm to rotate. This rotation can be enhanced by the presence of a low-level jet stream, which is a narrow band of strong winds that flows at high altitudes. As the mesocyclone rotates, it can stretch and intensify the rotation within the thunderstorm, eventually leading to the formation of a tornado.

Mesocykler are typically detected using Doppler radar, which can measure the velocity and direction of precipitation within a thunderstorm. The hook echo signature, which is a hook-shaped pattern of precipitation that extends from the main body of the thunderstorm, is often associated with the presence of a mesocyclone. However, not all hook echoes are associated with mesocykler, and not all mesocykler produce tornadoes.

The size and intensity of a mesocyclone can vary, with some mesocykler being relatively small and weak, while others can be large and intense, capable of producing strong tornadoes. The exact mechanisms that lead to the formation of tornadoes from mesocykler are still not fully understood, and are the subject of ongoing research in the field of meteorology.