Topic: Question about Cyclone Larry *Tornado* damage....

[Carlos E]

Hi all.

I remember reading on BoM somewhere, that Cyclone Larry may have had some Tornado damage associated with it. Upon reading this, I noticed this picture in BoM's report:


My question is this: What exactly is the enormous puff of cloud located just north of the eye? And is this likely what caused the Tornado (if there was one).

Any help appreciated, I've been wondering what it is for a while now.

[Michael Bath]

That is much deeper convection with overshooting cloud tops that flared up before dawn and no doubt contained very significant thunderstorms. It was gone by the time the next satpic was taken an hour later.

A similar event occurred earlier this year - check the Kakadu tornado thread.

A tropical cyclone can result in a wind shear profile conducive to supercells.

[Carlos E]

Hmm, that's interesting, and scary.

As if a Cyclone alone wasn't enough, with a SuperCell accompanying it. And that other topic is great, thanks!

[Mike]

For sure, tornadoes are a common occurance with cyclones and hurricanes, as Michael said associated with the shear and most often when making landfall they encounter favorable wind patterns.  That satpic photos is very impressive, i've never seen something like that in a cyclone satpic - so unsual and goes to show that with the next satpic image it was gone - the depth of convection and speed must have been ridiculous!

How long would you estimate the storm's lifecycle there to have been Michael?  would it had had enough time to sprout a tornado?

Mike

[Michael Bath]

Bit hard to know how long it lasted as it only shows up on VIS, and there is no image before the one shown above as it was still night.

Radar loop around landfall: Townsville radar

and some other images including the next VIS satpic are here:
http://australiasevereweather.com/cyclones/tropical_cyclones_2006_australian_region.htm

[Mike]

The IR loop for this was just tremendous MB.  Seeing it grow from a depression and forming the eye just before landfall is just excellent, it really shows the power it generated as it moved closer to the coast. 

I would say that it definitely is a SC due to the strong storm depth associated with Larry and certainly the more storm activity within the system the healthier it stays.

Mike