What Is Hook Echo?
A hook shape on radar reflectivity at the back corner of a supercell, formed by rain wrapping around the storm's rotation. Tornadoes often form near the tip. In technical terms: A hook- or appendage-shaped reflectivity pattern, usually on the right-rear (southwest) flank of a supercell, formed by precipitation advected around the mesocyclone by the rear-flank downdraft; the tip is often collocated with low-level rotation and possible tornadoes.
Hook Echo In Plain English
A hook shape on radar reflectivity at the back corner of a supercell, formed by rain wrapping around the storm's rotation. Tornadoes often form near the tip.
The Technical Definition
A hook- or appendage-shaped reflectivity pattern, usually on the right-rear (southwest) flank of a supercell, formed by precipitation advected around the mesocyclone by the rear-flank downdraft; the tip is often collocated with low-level rotation and possible tornadoes.
Lessons That Use Hook Echo
- Finding Tornadoes On Radar Unit 8: Tornadoes
