Basic examples incorporating low-level buoyancy in assessing potentially tornadic environments
These examples show some environment "types" regarding shear-CAPE combinations cross-referenced with low-level thermodynamic parameters, suggesting some ways to assess multiple parameters regarding supercell tornado potential. All examples are RUC-2 or Eta analysis/short-term forecast profiles located within 20 to 50 miles of an existing supercell in its inflow region to the south or east, and use actual surface observations at or near the site to update the boundary layer of the profile. Refer to the description and key for a detailed explanation of profiles and parameter assessments used in all examples.
Profiles suggesting strong support for supercell tornadoes:
* strong or violent
tornadoes
* tornadic
profile with shallow low-level inversion
Profiles suggesting little or no support for supercell tornadoes:
* elevated
supercells
* non-elevated
supercells
Profiles that are difficult to assess:
* marginal cases and
weak tornadoes
Profiles that show very large or extreme amounts of low-level CAPE:
* tornadoes in
environments with weaker shear but large low-level CAPE
* tornadoes with
mini-supercells