Zur Thermodynamik der Trombenbildung

Summary

Koschmieder's new thermodynamical theory of tornado formation (1940) makes it probable that a tornado (or a waterspout) develops when a warm air packet rises quickly within the convective mother cloud. In the present paper the three principle cases of conditions are indicated under which supplementary amounts of potential energy necessary to start a “daughter convection” in the cumulo-nimbus cloud can become available in the latter. Supply of moister air from below seems to be at least as important as that one of warmer air. However, the suddenness of the release of the said supplementary energy cannot be explained by the abrupt annihilation of an intercepting layer within the main body of the cumulo-nimbus, for the pre-existence of such a layer is incompatible with the general character of this type of cloud.