RFD and tornadogenesis visuals

[Dan Robinson]

Something I thought would be helpful for newer chasers is to see examples of how the rear-flank downdraft (RFD) is so instrumental in tornadogenesis. Some of my favorite videos depicting this are these:

Woodlake, NE
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZMvuB_O8EA

Minnesota:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GQhaZdTODRs

El Reno, OK (2006):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B1oX7-n6cYY

Take note of how far the RFD clear slot cuts in and surrounds the tightening circulation before the tornado develops.

Does anyone know of others?

 

[Marcus Diaz]

Very clear examples, especially that first one. I can't think of any others but maybe Skip has some great examples from his dome timelapses.

 

[Jeremy Perez]

Thanks for posting those Dan. Agreed with Marcus about that first one. I just tried relocating an RFD-Tornadogenesis-Timelapse I saw a few years ago that really made it click for me. Couldn't find it, but did locate this nice one by Dustin Wilcox:

Tulia, TX
http://youtu.be/Byym59xE13k

 

[Jeff Duda]

The storm that produced the Mapleton, IA tornado on 9 April 2011 had a pretty wide, flat, open view of the base with a big RFD cut in it about 15-20 minutes before it hit town (by Onawa). I only have a still of the base since I was right under it, but someone may have video from around that time.

 

[Bram]

This one from Campo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsBILVA8J2I,
and this one from the Orrick, Missouri tornado from May 10, last year: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zk6vdsLGsKs