A statistical analysis of characteristics of mesocyclone products from Nanjing radar

Using radar data collected at Nanjing from 2005 to 2013, characteristics of mesocyclone products were statistically analyzed. Characteristics and structures of mesocyclones that last three volume scans or more were also analyzed. The results show that mesocyclones often appear under the condition of high CAPE and strong wind shear, and mainly occur in June and July and from afternoon to the first half of the night. The results also show that the characteristics of the mesocyclone base, top and maximum shear were similar to that of mesocyclones in central Europe. High-centroid mesocyclones are favorable for the generation of hails, while low-centroid mesocyclones favor the generation of tornadoes.