An enhanced-V is a V-shaped region over and downwind from strong to severe thunderstorms on infrared imagery. The V signature is seen best on color enhanced infrared satellite images. The cold cloud tops and anvil form a V-shape. Think of how smoke fans out downwind from a chimney. The process is similar in a strong to severe storms. An intense updraft lifts moisture high into the troposphere and strong upper level winds move the now extremely cold moisture (ice crystals) downwind. The moisture fans out as it moves downwind. The image below shows an example of an enhanced-V: Enhanced-V The term V-notch is used to refer to this same phenomena but on radar imagery. Strong upper level winds move moisture downwind on each side of the storm, producing a V shape. The storm represents a barrier to the windflow thus the flow diverges around the edges of the storm and forces precipitation to move downwind. The image below shows an example of a V-notch: V-notch |