mesovortex

[ mez-oh-vawr-teks, mes- ]

/ ˌmɛz oʊˈvɔr tɛks, ˌmɛs- /

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noun, plural mes·o·vor·ti·ces

[mez-oh-vawr-tuh-seez, mes-], /ˌmɛz oʊˈvɔr təˌsiz, ˌmɛs-/, mes·o·vor·tex·es

Meteorology. a violent swirl of wind, or cyclonic circulation, measuring 10–100 miles (16–161 kilometers) in diameter and developing within the mid-level area of a large storm’s convective activity, especially as the storm intensifies:The most devastating effects of Hurricane Andrew were caused largely by the storm system’s intense mesovortices.

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Origin of mesovortex

First recorded in 1945–50; meso- + vortex

Words nearby mesovortex

mesotherapy, mesothorax, mesothorium, mesotron, mesovarium, mesovortex, Mesozoa, mesozoan, Mesozoic, mesquite, mess