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RFD and tornadogenesis visuals

Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
3,516
Location
St. Louis
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?
 
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.
 
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.
 
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