Spiralströmmar

Spiralströmmar are a meteorological phenomenon observed in the atmosphere, particularly associated with severe thunderstorms. They describe the complex, rotating airflow within a supercell thunderstorm. This rotation, known as a mesocyclone, is a key feature that distinguishes supercells from ordinary thunderstorms. The spiral nature refers to the inward spiraling motion of air that feeds the updraft of the storm, as well as the outward spiraling of air being ejected from the storm. This rotation is often visible in the characteristic wall cloud that can form beneath the base of the thunderstorm. The presence of a strong mesocyclone significantly increases the likelihood of tornado formation. The dynamics of spiralströmmar involve a combination of atmospheric instability, wind shear, and the storm's own internal processes, leading to the organization and intensification of the rotating updraft. Understanding these currents is crucial for weather forecasting, especially for predicting severe weather events like tornadoes.