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The rear flank downdraft (RFD) is a region of dry air wrapping around the back of a mesocyclone in a supercell thunderstorm. [1] These areas of descending air are thought to be essential in the production of many supercellular tornadoes.
Classical tornadoes are supercellular tornadoes, which have a recognizable pattern of formation. [5] The cycle begins when a strong thunderstorm develops a rotating mesocyclone a few miles up in the atmosphere. As rainfall in the storm increases, it drags with it an area of quickly descending air known as the rear flank downdraft (RFD). This ...
As the funnel descends, the RFD also reaches the ground, fanning outward and creating a gust front that can cause severe damage a considerable distance from the tornado. Usually, the funnel cloud begins causing damage on the ground (becoming a tornado) within a few minutes of the RFD reaching the ground.
Classic-style hook echo of the F5 1999 Bridge Creek-Moore tornado.. A hook echo is a pendant or hook-shaped weather radar signature as part of some supercell thunderstorms.It is found in the lower portions of a storm as air and precipitation flow into a mesocyclone, resulting in a curved feature of reflectivity.
Learn about the formation and characteristics of hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes.
With 55 tornadoes in 2024 as of Thursday, Iowa has seen the most tornadoes this year. A graphic from AccuWeather depicting the number of tornadoes each state has seen so far in 2024.
Therefore, in most cases, the RFD is responsible for both the birth and the death of a tornado. Usually, but not always, the dry slot occlusion is visible (assuming one's line of sight is not blocked by precipitation) throughout the tornado life cycle. The wall cloud withers and will often be gone by the time the tornado dissipates.
Protecting your head and neck is among the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency's recommendations for tornado survival. What should you do in a tornado warning? Here's a guide.