Whirlwind (atmospheric phenomenon)

A whirlwind is a weather phenomenon in which a vortex of wind, a vertically oriented rotating column of air, forms, due to instabilities and turbulence created by heating and flow (current) gradients. Whirlwinds can be seen all over the world and in any season.

Types

Whirlwinds are subdivided into two main types, the great (or major) whirlwinds and the lesser (or minor) whirlwinds. The first category includes tornadoes, waterspouts, and landspouts. The range of atmospheric vortices constitute a continuum and hard boundaries are artificial nomenclature and not necessarily representative of physical reality. Some lesser whirlwinds may sometimes form in a similar manner to greater whirlwinds with related increase in intensity. These intermediaries include the gustnado and the fire whirl. Other lesser whirlwinds include dust devils, as well as steam devils, snow devils, debris devils and shear eddies such as the mountainado and eddy whirlwinds.

Formation

Major whirlwind

A major whirlwind (such as a tornado) is formed from supercell thunderstorms (the most powerful type of thunderstorm) or other powerful storms. When the storms start to spin, they react with other high altitude winds, causing a funnel to spin. A cloud forms over the funnel, making it visible.

Minor whirlwind

A minor whirlwind is created when local winds start to spin on the ground. This causes a funnel to form. The funnel moves over the ground, pushed by the winds that first formed it. The funnel picks up materials such as dust as it moves over the ground, thus becoming visible.

Duration

Major whirlwinds last longer because they are formed from very powerful winds, and it is hard, though not impossible, to interrupt them. Minor whirlwinds are not as long-lived; the winds that form them do not last long, and when a minor whirlwind hits something (a building, a house, a tree, etc.) on its journey, its rotation is interrupted, as is the windflow into it, causing it to dissipate.

Associated weather

Supercell thunderstorms, other powerful storms, and strong winds are seen with major whirlwinds. Wind storms are commonly seen with minor whirlwinds. Also, small, semi-powerful "wind blasts" may be seen before some minor whirlwinds, which can come from a wind storm. These wind blasts can start to rotate and form minor whirlwinds. Winds from other small storms (such as rain storms and local thunder storms) can cause minor whirlwinds to form. These minor whirlwinds can be dangerous as well as major whirlwinds.

Similar phenomena

Eddies and vortexes may form in any fluid. In water, a whirlpool is a similar phenomenon.

External links

* [http://www.torro.org.uk/TORRO/research/stormclassification.php Severe Storm Definitions & Whirlwind Classification] (TORRO)
* [http://www.torro.org.uk/TORRO/severeweather/tornadofaqs.php#whirlwind Whirlwinds] (TORRO)