Episode 2018-15 - Supercell Storms
Hello and welcome to the next edition of the Mike Wills Podcast! This is the Dog Days of Podcasting edition for August 15, 2018, where I am taking you through some of the basics of weather, storms, and radar.
Notes
Supercells, there is still a lot of research happening on these systems. Here is what is known:
They are highly organized with rotation inside (this is key to what makes a supercell)
Updrafts can attain speeds of over 100 MPH
They can produce extremely large hail and strong, violent tornadoes
Rear-flank downdraft can produce damaging outflow in excess of 100 MPH.
As a chaser, it's important to know the visual aspects of a supercell. The most important characteristics are:
Persistent rotation at the rain-free base
A rear-flank downdraft (RFD) which is a region of dry air wrapping along the back portion of the circulation within the storm. (Usually referred as the hook echo).
Variations
Link/Picture of the Show
Wrap Up
Thank you for listening and remember to always watch the clouds and be weather aware.