Recent Progresses in the Numerical Simulation of Tornadoes

Numerical simulation is a powerful and feasible method to investigate the genesis and structures of tornadoes, due to their too small sizes and short duration to be captured by observations. This article briefly reviews the progress in simulating tornadoes. Laboratory simulators and highly theoretical tornado simulations are introduced first, followed by idealized simulations initiated with soundings and initial perturbations, as well as real-scenario simulations initiated with reanalysis data and data assimilation techniques. Key scientific issues concerning tornado simulation will be discussed, including the mechanism in tornadogenesis, turbulence and large eddy simulation, sensitivity and predictability, as well as the impact of tornado debris. It is hoped that this review may provide some useful information for performing high-resolution modeling studies of tornadoes in China.