***Official Weather Thread***

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A rotating wall cloud is a visual indication of the larger mesocyclone. Storms as a whole will experience rotation, but the wall cloud is not the entire storm, for starters. It's the visual indication of the updraft area rotating, which is why tornados often spawn from rotating wall clouds. Non rotating wall clouds are not exhibiting surface rotation, so the updraft causing it is experiencing no significant rotation - meaning there isn't nearly as high of a chance of tornadoes spawning from it. Storm spotters will pay attention to wall clouds because they indicate significant updraft (necessary for tornadoes), but they do not pose a significant threat to spawn a tornado. They are really watching for rotation to be induced into the wall cloud (if one is present).

 
Keep in mind that is time lapse, so you're seeing a far greater rate of rotation in it than you would in a normal video. But there is no question that a more violently rotating wall cloud would indicate a similarly violent rotation of the mesocyclone, and that would increase the chances of any tornadoes coming from it being very powerful. So considering how quickly the cell grew and dropped what increased to a monster tornado, it makes sense.

 
GSG5545 said:
It's pretty rainy here in Fort Collins. That's a good thing. Maybe there won't be any fires this summer.
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Doubt it. Summer hits and it'll probably be prime kindling again. I feel like the greater Denver area has had wild fire issues the last 5 or more years.

 
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