Damage survey and radar characteristics of the 14th May 2021 Wuhan tornado in Hubei province

Abstract

On 14th May, 2021, around 20∶40 BT, a tornado occurred in Qianzishan, Caidian District, Wuhan City, Hubei Province. Based on detailed damage survey and comprehensive analysis of observation data, the results are obtained. (1) This disaster has a long disaster path and large aspect ratio. The disaster indicators have the typical characteristics of convergence and fall, distortion, being pulled up and projectile and other tornado damages. So, it is confirmed as a tornado disaster. (2) The tornado experienced the following three stages, i.e., the nascent stage, mature stage and weakens stages. In the weakens stage the tornado is leaping forward. Comprehensive assessment of the maximum strength of this tornado indicated that it corresponds to China's tornado strength industry standard three (EF3). (3) Radar data analysis shows that this is a typical supercell tornado, accompanied by the development of strong mesocyclone. The most destructive path on the ground is located in the south side of the mesocyclone and TVS path. The tornado occurred at the top of the hook echo. The ground disaster intensity and the mesocyclone and TVS changes consistent. For supercell tornado, tornado early warning experiment can be carried out according to mesocyclone and TVS evolution characteristics.

Keywords

• tornado
• damage survey
• radar characteristics
• tvs
• wuhan