mesocyclone
noun
me·so·cy·clone
ˌme-zə-ˈsī-ˌklōn 
ˌmē-,
-sə-ˈsī-
: a rapidly rotating air mass within a thunderstorm that often gives rise to a tornado
Examples of mesocyclone in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The tornado forms as the mesocyclone accelerates from the bottom up—and the feature intensifies its rotation, in a way similar to an ice skater who pulls her arms into her body to spin faster, says Jana Houser, a supercell thunderstorm and tornado radar analysis expert at Ohio State University.
—
Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
Exceptionally strong wind shear — winds that change in direction or speed with altitude — is needed for mesocyclones to develop, but the strongest shear Saturday afternoon remained well north of the region; there were tornadoes reported in New England.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 30 July 2023
Some research suggests that a wider mesocyclone is more likely to create a stronger, longer-lasting tornado than other storms.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for mesocyclone
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Apr. 2024
Exceptionally strong wind shear — winds that change in direction or speed with altitude — is needed for mesocyclones to develop, but the strongest shear Saturday afternoon remained well north of the region; there were tornadoes reported in New England.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 30 July 2023
Some research suggests that a wider mesocyclone is more likely to create a stronger, longer-lasting tornado than other storms.
—CBS News, 3 Apr. 2023
See All Example Sentences for mesocyclone
Cite this Entry
“Mesocyclone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mesocyclone. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share