Potential energy of atmospheric water vapor and the air motions induced by water vapor condensation on different spatial scales

TL;DR

This paper explores how water vapor condensation releases potential energy that drives atmospheric air flows, with velocities reaching up to 160 m/s, especially in tornado-like patterns, across various spatial scales.

Contribution

It provides a quantitative analysis of condensation-induced air velocities across different scales, highlighting the maximum velocities and their relation to tornadoes.

Findings

Maximum velocities reach 160 m/s

Condensation drives significant atmospheric flows

Tornadoes are extreme cases of condensation-induced motion

Abstract

Basic physical principles are considered that are responsible for the origin of dynamic air flow upon condensation of water vapor, the partial pressure of which represents a store of potential energy in the atmosphere of Earth. Quantitative characteristics of such flow are presented for several spatial scales. It is shown that maximum condensation-induced velocities reach 160 m/s and are realized in compact circulation patterns like tornadoes.