Updraft Speed Ranges in Different Types of Storms

[IdoMillet]

Just wanted to share an interesting article found at:
http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-716.html

Here are some key figures extracted from it:
- non-severe thunderstorm: 15 to 30 MPH (1,200 - 2,500 fpm)
- severe "Multicell cluster" thunderstorms: 60 MPH (5,500 fpm)
- supercell: typical 70 or 80 MPH with extremes of 150 to 175 MPH
(12,000 - 15,000 fpm)

Cheers,
- Ido

[IdoMillet]

On Jul 28, 1:52*pm, IdoMillet > wrote:
> Just wanted to share an interesting article found at:http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-716.html
>
> Here are some key figures extracted from it:
> - non-severe thunderstorm: 15 to 30 MPH (1,200 - 2,500 fpm)
> - severe "Multicell cluster" thunderstorms: 60 MPH (5,500 fpm)
> - supercell: typical 70 or 80 MPH with extremes of 150 to 175 MPH
> (12,000 - 15,000 fpm)
>
> Cheers,
> - Ido

Just to clarify: the numbers above are updraft speeds - not wind
speeds.

[sisu1a]

On Jul 28, 12:06*pm, IdoMillet > wrote:
> On Jul 28, 1:52*pm, IdoMillet > wrote:
>
> > Just wanted to share an interesting article found at:http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-716.html
>
> > Here are some key figures extracted from it:
> > - non-severe thunderstorm: 15 to 30 MPH (1,200 - 2,500 fpm)
> > - severe "Multicell cluster" thunderstorms: 60 MPH (5,500 fpm)
> > - supercell: typical 70 or 80 MPH with extremes of 150 to 175 MPH
> > (12,000 - 15,000 fpm)
>
> > Cheers,
> > - Ido
>
> Just to clarify: the numbers above are updraft speeds - not wind
> speeds.

There is a barogram I think Ben Green made while accidentally getting
sucked into a supercell in a K-6 that isn't far from these numbers.
His vertical speed while in a full spin (intentional) was around
90mph. Add the 45pmh sink rate of the spin and you have a 135mph
updraft. If I find it I'll scan and post it along with clarifications
if the ras hivemind hasn't already filled in the correct details by
then ;)

-Paul

[Mike the Strike]

On Jul 28, 12:06*pm, IdoMillet > wrote:
> On Jul 28, 1:52*pm, IdoMillet > wrote:
>
> > Just wanted to share an interesting article found at:http://www.stormtrack.org/forum/archive/index.php/t-716.html
>
> > Here are some key figures extracted from it:
> > - non-severe thunderstorm: 15 to 30 MPH (1,200 - 2,500 fpm)
> > - severe "Multicell cluster" thunderstorms: 60 MPH (5,500 fpm)
> > - supercell: typical 70 or 80 MPH with extremes of 150 to 175 MPH
> > (12,000 - 15,000 fpm)
>
> > Cheers,
> > - Ido
>
> Just to clarify: the numbers above are updraft speeds - not wind
> speeds.

You can get an idea of the necessary updraft if you look at the
terminal velocity of hailstones of various sizes. Tennis-ball sized
hail (which I have witnessed) has a terminal velocity of more than 100
mph.

Mike

[Tony[_5_]]

This is an interesting paper about a Grunau Baby in a thunderstorm in
Australia

http://adsabs.harvard.edu/full/1949AuSRA...2..550R

[Mike[_28_]]

And then there's the paraglider pilot who got sucked up to 32,000' and
survived. Another paraglider caught in the same storm wasn't so
lucky.

http://www.flightlevel350.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=10400