Reproducing tornadoes in laboratory using proper scaling

Experimentally simulated tornado-like vortices are related to field tornadoes in order to: (i) establish proper kinematic and dynamic scaling and (ii) attempt to determine a relationship between laboratory parameters and the Enhanced Fujita Scale (EF-Scale). Data from recent in-situ Doppler radar campaigns are analyzed using the Ground-Based Velocity Track Display (GBVTD) method and a unique dataset of three-dimensional axisymmetric tornado flow fields is generated. In parallel, Particle Image Velocimetry (PIV) results of the most recent experimental simulations of tornado vortices performed in the model WindEEE Dome (MWD) are analyzed and then compared with the GBVTD-retrieved full-scale data. Based on these comparisons, the swirl ratio of the full-scale tornadoes, as well as the length and velocity scaling ratios of the simulated tornadoes are identified. It is concluded that the MWD apparatus can generate tornado-like vortices equivalent to EF0 to low-end EF3 rated tornadoes in nature.