Profiles suggesting support for strong or violent tornadoes
The combined strength of parameters in the following profile examples makes assessment
fairly straightforward in suggesting support for strong or violent tornadoes.
Example 1a. This environment has good shear-CAPE combinations and
strong vertical shear, with generally favorable low-level thermodynamic characteristics.
(RUC-2 analysis at Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 00 UTC 4/15/01, updated by 23 UTC surface ob at
P28):
ICT base refl. 2323 UTC 4/14/01
Observed: Large F2 tornado in mainly open country |
total ML CAPE 2410 J/kg 0-1 km SRH 151 m2/s2 |
| parameter value | support for supercell tornadoes? | why? | comments | |
| 0-1k EHI | 2.3 | ok | > 2.0 | |
| BL-6k shear | 68 kts | strong | > 45 kts | |
| LCL height | 643 m | strong | < 1000 m | |
| all parameters "strong" or "ok" | ||||
| CIN | 68 J/kg | ok | < 100 J/kg | |
| LFC height | 2018 m | marginal/ok | near 2000 m | |
| 0-3k CAPE | 66 J/kg | ok | > 60 J/kg |
description and key for examples
operational low-level buoyancy thermodynamic guidelines
Example 1b. This environment has good shear-CAPE
combinations and vertical shear supported by strong low-level thermodynamic
characteristics.
(RUC-2 analysis at Birmingham, Alabama, 18 UTC 11/24/01, updated by 19 UTC surface ob at
BHM):
BMX base refl. 1844 UTC 11/24/01
Observed: F2 and F4 tornadoes, 22 injuries |
total ML CAPE 1485 J/kg 0-1 km SRH 271 m2/s2 |
| parameter value | support for supercell tornadoes? | why? | comments | |
| 0-1k EHI | 2.5 | ok | > 2.0 | |
| BL-6k shear | 40 kts | ok | > 38 kts | |
| LCL height | 286 m | strong | < 1000 m, very low | |
| all parameters "strong" or "ok" | ||||
| CIN | 5 J/kg | strong | < 50 J/kg | |
| LFC height | 507 m | strong | < 1500, very low | |
| 0-3k CAPE | 138 J/kg | strong | > 90 J/kg |
description and key for examples
operational low-level thermodynamic parameter guidelines
Example 1c. All parameters are strong in this
environment, indicating strong support for significant tornadoes.
(RUC-2 analysis at Siren,Wisconsin, 00 UTC 6/19/01, updated by 01 UTC surface obs at
RZN-RPD):
DLH base refl. 0141 UTC 6/19/01
Observed: Long track F3 tornado with 3 deaths |
total ML CAPE 3430 J/kg 0-1 km SRH 168 m2/s2 |
| parameter value | support for supercell tornadoes? | why? | comments | |
| 0-1k EHI | 3.6 | strong | > 3.0 | |
| BL-6k shear | 66 kts | strong | > 45 kts | |
| LCL height | 500 m | strong | < 1000 m | |
| all parameters "strong" | ||||
| CIN | 26 J/kg | strong | < 50 J/kg | |
| LFC height | 1071 m | strong | < 1500 m | |
| 0-3k CAPE | 112 J/kg | strong | > 90 J/kg |
description and key for examples
operational low-level thermodynamic parameter guidelines