Journal of the Korean earth science society (한국지구과학회지)

The Korean Earth Science Society (한국지구과학회)
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A Case Study of Tsukuba Tornado in Japan on 6 May 2012

  • Choo, Seonhee (Forecast Technology Division, Forecast Bureau, Korea Meteorological Administration) ;
  • Min, Ki-Hong (Major in Atmospheric Sciences, School of Earth System Sciences, Kyungpook National University) ;
  • Kim, Kyung-Eak (Applied Meteorology Research Division, National Institute of Meteorological Sciences) ;
  • Lee, Gyuwon (Major in Atmospheric Sciences, School of Earth System Sciences, Kyungpook National University)
  • Received : 2018.08.14
  • Accepted : 2018.10.16
  • Published : 2018.10.31
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Abstract

This study conducted synoptic and mesoscale analyses to understand the cause of Japan Tsukuba tornado development, which occurred at 0340 UTC 6 May 2012. Prior to the tornado occurrence, there was a circular jet stream over Japan, and the surface was moist due to overnight precipitation. The circular jet stream brought cold and dry air to the upper-level atmosphere which let strong solar radiation heat the ground with clearing of sky cover. A tornadic supercell developed in the area of potentially unstable atmosphere. Sounding data at Tateno showed a capping inversion at 900 hPa at 0000 UTC 6 May. Strong insolation in early morning hours and removal of the inversion instigated vigorous updraft with rotation due to vertical shear in the upper-level atmosphere. This caused multiple tornadoes to occur from 0220 to 0340 UTC 6 May 2012. When comparing Tateno's climatological temperature and dew-point temperature profile on the day of event, the mid-level atmosphere was moister than typical sounding in the region. This study showed that tornado development in Tsukuba was caused by a combination of (a) topography and potential vorticity anomaly, which increased vorticity over the Kanto Plain; (b) vertical shear, which produced horizontal vortex line; and c) thermal instability, which triggered supercell and tilted the vortex line in the vertical.

Keywords

References

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