Synoptic and mesoscale features leading to the 10 March 1992 Charlotte, North Carolina tornado: a low-top, weak-reflectivity, severe weather event

On 10 March 1992, a tornado of F2 intensity tracked through Charlotte, North Carolina, causing one fatality, numerous injuries, and significant damage. This study focuses on the synoptic and mesoscale features that created an environment favorable for tornado formation. An overview of the echo structure as viewed from the WSR-74C radar at Charlotte (CLT) is presented. The convection with this case was characterized by low-tops (less than 25,000 ft) and weak reflectivity (Digital Video Integrator and Processor [DVIP] level 3 or less), confirming that tornadoes are possible with relatively weak thunderstorms if there is strong low-level wind shear.