On the Effect of Giant Dielectric Permittivity in the Process of Tornado Generation and Accompanying Phenomena

Based on the system of electrohydrodynamic equations, we investigate the role of trigger-type electromagnetic factors in the generation of tornadoes and jet downbursts: perturbations of the atmospheric electric field under thunderclouds and the effect of giant dielectric permittivity of the cloud as a suspension of water microdroplets with a thin surface double electric layer. The work considers the combined influence of the tripole cloud-charge structure and the effect of the giant dielectric permittivity on the formation of tornado funnels and the occurrence of a number of related specific phenomena: a “collar” at the base of the funnel, “devil’s horns” and the growth of a cascade in the form of a column of droplets and foam towards the descending tornado funnel. Other factors (unidirectional or multidirectional swirl of the center and periphery of a thundercloud, difference in the magnetic properties of atmospheric oxygen and nitrogen, etc.) usually play an auxiliary role in the formation of tornado-like vortices.