wind shear

In addition to moisture, “you need the combination of lift, you need some instability and you need some wind shear. We saw all of those things come together for a brief period of time this morning.”

The reason this area is key is because it hosts the best wind shear and instability.

That’s because it tends to reduce wind shear in the tropics, enabling hurricanes to grow in strength, and keeps Atlantic Ocean water warm, which helps fuel storms.

“This is because of the anticipated onset of La Niña, which suppresses wind shear, and the anomalous lingering warmth that’s expected to remain in the tropical Atlantic and in the Caribbean,” Grow Cei said.

"Yes, more water vapor in the air can foster stronger convection, but a tornado is a very local feature and requires a very specific set of meteorological conditions, such as the right wind shear."