METEOROLOGIST JEFF HABY
Thunderstorm tilting occurs in an environment in which there is strong speed shear with height. This can occur when thunderstorms occur
in the vicinity of jet stream winds or winds associated with a strong trough of low pressure. In this situation, the wind speeds in the
upper troposphere are very strong while the winds in the lower troposphere are not as strong. The diagram below shows a thunderstorm
interacting with strong speed shear with height. The stronger wind aloft result in the thunderstorm tilting as it builds in the vertical. This
helps displace the updraft from the downdraft. This is important since it can promote a longer lived and more intense updraft and this
can increase the severity of the thunderstorm. Thus, strong speed shear is one factor that can enhance the chances for severe weather
from thunderstorms.
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