Definition
A small-scale wind that flows in a tight, curved path where the centrifugal force of the curve is balanced by the pressure gradient force, with the Coriolis force being too small to matter. Cyclostrophic flow is found in intense, small-radius circulations such as tornadoes, dust devils, and waterspouts.
Plain English
A wind that whips around a very tight circle so fast that the only forces that matter are the inward pull of low pressure at the center and the outward push of spinning in a curve. The Earth's rotation has no real effect because the system is too small and too fast.
Context Anchor
Seen in aviation weather and meteorology discussions of very small rotating weather features, such as tornadoes, waterspouts, and dust devils.
Derivation
From the Greek 'kyklos' meaning 'circle' and 'strophe' meaning 'turning.' The name describes a wind defined by its tight circular turning motion, which fits the behavior seen in tornadoes and similar small vortices.
Why Pilots Care
Helps explain extreme localized winds in tornadoes or dust devils that can produce sudden, unpredictable shear hazards to aircraft.
Grounding Statement
Picture a tornado: the air spirals so tightly and so fast that the only forces that count are the suction toward the low-pressure core and the outward force of the curve itself.
Intuition Check
Cyclostrophic wind is not a normal large-scale wind pattern. It applies to small, tight circulations where the curved path matters more than Earth’s rotation.
Example Sentence 1
The forecaster explained that the rotating column inside the tornado was a cyclostrophic wind, driven by the steep pressure drop at its core.
Example Sentence 2
Near the microburst, the pilot recognized that cyclostrophic effects could create rapid changes in wind direction at low altitude.