ABSTRACT Tornadoes are characterized by short duration and small spatial scales, while conventional observational data exhibits inadequate spatiotemporal resolution for detailed analysis, presenting a significant challenge to mechanistic studies. In this study, the June 23, 2016, EF4 Funing tornado was simulated using the WRF model driven by ERA5 reanalysis data, by employing hectometer‐scale grid spacing and optimized numerical schemes. Based on the simulation results, the structural characteristics of the occurrence and development of the tornado were analyzed. The three‐dimensional dynamics of the tornado vortex and the intensification of its rotation were further investigated through diagnostic equations. Results show that the Funing tornado occurred under the typical circulation situation of the Meiyu period, and the hook‐shaped echoes and other features of the individual tornado were successfully reproduced on the 111 m grid. The cyclonic circulation driven by gust fronts and cold surges played a crucial role, revealing that the main energy for the formation and development of tornadoes originated from the lower troposphere. In addition, during the genesis and evolution of tornadoes, there were two tornado‐like vortices (TLV), accompanied by an increase in the vertical acceleration of low‐level small‐scale airflows and an enhancement of near‐surface vortices. The mature TLV exhibited the typical characteristics of sinking in the middle and rising in the periphery. The stretching term of the vorticity equation played a dominant role in the intensity variation of the TLV near the ground, while the tilting term affected the vertical structure formation of the tornado vortex at upper levels. Together, they drove the tornado from its inception to maturity. These results have significant implications for better understanding and analysis of tornadoes.
Ying et al. (Sun,) studied this question.