Speed and Directional Shear and Common Hodographs
There are four basic combinations of speed and directional shear that are commonly observed and produce severe weather. The combinations are consisted of two types of shear. Shear is simply the difference between two similar observations. In severe weather, we pay close attention to the “speed shear” and “directional shear” of a given atmospheric setup
Speed shear is the difference in wind speed that the atmosphere changes between two points, or heights. For example at the surface, the wind may be light at 3 knots, however at 900 Millibars, (2,500 feet in the atmosphere) the wind may be strong at 55 knots. Thus, the net change would be (55-3) to equal a speed shear value between the two layers to be 52 knots.
Directional shear is the change in wind direction between two points. In an example, at the surface the mean wind direction may be from the southwest, at 235 degrees. However at 2,500 feet it may be from the east at 90 degrees. To have a healthy severe thunderstorm, a finite combination of speed and directional shear must be present.
These will be explained in detail below:
1.) Weak Speed Shear – Weak Directional Shear
First, you are probably wondering “how do I read this thing?” Not to fear. Although intimidating, the hodograph is very easy to comprehend once you know how to read it.
The circular shape represents the 360 degrees that wind cal travel in. It is “sliced” into four main sections, each indicating North, East, South, or West.
(Note as these are just examples, no set orientation of the hodograph nor quantitative values of the degree measurements are given).
The small numbers, (1,2,3,4,5) are the measurements of the speed shear and the directional shear at given heights.
For example, “1″ may be read at 900 Millibars (2000 feet), and read (55kts @ 125 degrees).
The values (20, 40, 60, etc…) represent equal values of wind speeds for any degree of measured wind speed.
Figure 7: This figure shows the hodograph for weak speed shear – weak directional shear
We see that there is little speed or directional shear in the hodograph above, so lacking the two suggests that this setup will most likely produce a weak, short lived thunderstorm that will be of weak to moderate strength.
2.) Strong Speed Shear – Weak Directional Shear
Figure 8: This figure shows the hodograph for strong speed shear – weak directional shear
In a situation where there is strong speed shear and weak directional shear, the thunderstorm certainly is being prevented from collapsing on itself. However, it is getting sheared apart by the strong winds from level to level. This setup produces short lived thunderstorms that are often not severe, and carry small hail as well as the threat for heavy rain.
3.) Strong Speed Shear – Strong Directional Shear
Figure 9: This figure shows a hodograph for strong speed shear – strong directional shear
If you see this setup, watch out! This is a prime setup for dangerous supercells as well as tornadoes. The thunderstorm is well ventilated as well as a strong rotating mechanism defined by the strong directional shear. This setup also is the most likely to produce large hail, and damaging winds at the surface.