Hook echo

Pendant or hook-shaped radar signature.

A hook echo is a hook shape seen on a weather radar of some supercell thunderstorms. It is produced by rain, hail, or even debris wrapping around the thunderstorm.[1] A hook echo is a sign that a tornado has formed or is forming. If a hook echo is seen on radar, the National Weather Service may issue a tornado warning.[2]

A hook echo on the radar image of the May 3, 1999 supercell thunderstorm that produced an F5 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma.

References change

  1. Glickman, Todd S., ed. (2000). Glossary of Meteorology (2nd ed.). American Meteorological Society. ISBN 978-1-878220-34-9.
  2. Angel, Jim (Apr 9, 2013). "ISWS is Pioneer in Tracking Tornadoes by Radar". Illinois State Water Survey. Archived from the original on 2013-06-01. Retrieved 2013-05-22.