Articles | Volume 2, issue 4
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-2-1225-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-2-1225-2021
© Author(s) 2021. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Research article
| 
16 Dec 2021
Research article |
| 16 Dec 2021
| 16 Dec 2021
A characterisation of Alpine mesocyclone occurrence
LTE, EPFL, GR C2 565, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
RSN, MeteoSwiss, Via ai Monti 146, 6605 Locarno, Switzerland
Urs Germann
RSN, MeteoSwiss, Via ai Monti 146, 6605 Locarno, Switzerland
Marco Gabella
RSN, MeteoSwiss, Via ai Monti 146, 6605 Locarno, Switzerland
Alexis Berne
LTE, EPFL, GR C2 565, 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
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Cited
24 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Thunderstorm Nowcasting With Deep Learning: A Multi‐Hazard Data Fusion Model J. Leinonen et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101626
- Hailstorms and rainstorms versus supercells—a regional analysis of convective storm types in the Alpine region M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-023-00352-z
- Exploiting radar polarimetry for nowcasting thunderstorm hazards using deep learning N. Rombeek et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-133-2024
- Cell-tracking-based framework for assessing nowcasting model skill in reproducing growth and decay of convective rainfall J. Ritvanen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-1851-2025
- Observed hailstorm characteristics and emerging trends in the western Alpine region: a 20-year storm-scale analysis A. Schulte-Fischedick et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2026.1783155
- Orographically induced flows contributing to convective storm initiation: A review R. Kvak & M. Kašpar https://doi.org/10.14712/23361980.2026.7
- Identifying lightning processes in ERA5 soundings with deep learning G. Ehrensperger et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-1141-2025
- Amplification of annual and diurnal cycles of alpine lightning T. Simon et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-023-06786-8
- An object-based and Lagrangian view on an intense hailstorm day in Switzerland as represented in COSMO-1E ensemble hindcast simulations K. Brennan et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-645-2025
- An observational analysis of two companion supercell storms over complex terrain T. Rigo et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2022.106149
- A Case Study of the Tornadic Supercell in the Province of Pampanga, Philippines (27 May 2024) G. Capuli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-025-07915-8
- A pan-European analysis of large-scale drivers of severe convective outbreaks M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-1089-2025
- Building a high-resolution hail database for Austria and estimating hail hazard using a metastatistical approach G. Ehrensperger et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2026.100916
- European supercell thunderstorms—A prevalent current threat and an increasing future hazard M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adx0513
- Evaluation of semi-implicit and explicit sedimentation approaches in the two-moment cloud microphysics scheme of ICON S. Bolt & N. Omanovic https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-595-2026
- Weather Radar in Complex Orography U. Germann et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14030503
- Invited perspectives: Thunderstorm intensification from mountains to plains J. Fischer et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2629-2025
- Hydrometeorological triggers of debris flows derived from historical archives and tree-ring data: Insights from the Swiss National Park J. Qie et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178880
- Spatial distribution and precipitation intensity of supercells: Response to terrain asymmetry in the Western Carpathians, Central Europe R. Kvak et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2023.106885
- Characteristics of warm season left-moving supercells over the Highveld of South Africa C. Liesker et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107234
- Assessment of two approaches for very short range precipitation prediction for a convection-dominant period at different scales E. Ghaemi et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107522
- Analysis of convective cell evolution with split and merge events using a graph-based methodology J. Ritvanen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1853-2026
- Left- and right-moving supercell dynamics, environments and hazards – today and in future M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-7-615-2026
- Reconstructing hail days in Switzerland with statistical models (1959–2022) L. Wilhelm et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-3869-2024
24 citations as recorded by crossref.
- Thunderstorm Nowcasting With Deep Learning: A Multi‐Hazard Data Fusion Model J. Leinonen et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2022GL101626
- Hailstorms and rainstorms versus supercells—a regional analysis of convective storm types in the Alpine region M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41612-023-00352-z
- Exploiting radar polarimetry for nowcasting thunderstorm hazards using deep learning N. Rombeek et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-133-2024
- Cell-tracking-based framework for assessing nowcasting model skill in reproducing growth and decay of convective rainfall J. Ritvanen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-1851-2025
- Observed hailstorm characteristics and emerging trends in the western Alpine region: a 20-year storm-scale analysis A. Schulte-Fischedick et al. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2026.1783155
- Orographically induced flows contributing to convective storm initiation: A review R. Kvak & M. Kašpar https://doi.org/10.14712/23361980.2026.7
- Identifying lightning processes in ERA5 soundings with deep learning G. Ehrensperger et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-1141-2025
- Amplification of annual and diurnal cycles of alpine lightning T. Simon et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-023-06786-8
- An object-based and Lagrangian view on an intense hailstorm day in Switzerland as represented in COSMO-1E ensemble hindcast simulations K. Brennan et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-645-2025
- An observational analysis of two companion supercell storms over complex terrain T. Rigo et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2022.106149
- A Case Study of the Tornadic Supercell in the Province of Pampanga, Philippines (27 May 2024) G. Capuli et al. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11069-025-07915-8
- A pan-European analysis of large-scale drivers of severe convective outbreaks M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-6-1089-2025
- Building a high-resolution hail database for Austria and estimating hail hazard using a metastatistical approach G. Ehrensperger et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wace.2026.100916
- European supercell thunderstorms—A prevalent current threat and an increasing future hazard M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adx0513
- Evaluation of semi-implicit and explicit sedimentation approaches in the two-moment cloud microphysics scheme of ICON S. Bolt & N. Omanovic https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-595-2026
- Weather Radar in Complex Orography U. Germann et al. https://doi.org/10.3390/rs14030503
- Invited perspectives: Thunderstorm intensification from mountains to plains J. Fischer et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-25-2629-2025
- Hydrometeorological triggers of debris flows derived from historical archives and tree-ring data: Insights from the Swiss National Park J. Qie et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2025.178880
- Spatial distribution and precipitation intensity of supercells: Response to terrain asymmetry in the Western Carpathians, Central Europe R. Kvak et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2023.106885
- Characteristics of warm season left-moving supercells over the Highveld of South Africa C. Liesker et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107234
- Assessment of two approaches for very short range precipitation prediction for a convection-dominant period at different scales E. Ghaemi et al. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2024.107522
- Analysis of convective cell evolution with split and merge events using a graph-based methodology J. Ritvanen et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-19-1853-2026
- Left- and right-moving supercell dynamics, environments and hazards – today and in future M. Feldmann et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/wcd-7-615-2026
- Reconstructing hail days in Switzerland with statistical models (1959–2022) L. Wilhelm et al. https://doi.org/10.5194/nhess-24-3869-2024
Saved (final revised paper)
Latest update: 10 Sep 2026
Short summary
Mesocyclones are the rotating updraught of supercell thunderstorms that present a particularly hazardous subset of thunderstorms. A first-time characterisation of the spatiotemporal occurrence of mesocyclones in the Alpine region is presented, using 5 years of Swiss operational radar data. We investigate parallels to hailstorms, particularly the influence of large-scale flow, daily cycles and terrain. Improving understanding of mesocyclones is valuable for risk assessment and warning purposes.
Mesocyclones are the rotating updraught of supercell thunderstorms that present a particularly...
