How do I simulate a cold front?

Open this page and use the live Tornado Vortex tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.

Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.

Can I use my own numbers?

Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a cold front from your own measurements.

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Tornado Vortex for a cold front

Simulate a cold front live in your browser. This runs the real Tornado Vortex solver — adjust the inputs, watch it respond instantly, and export the result. No install, no account.

For:Students Researchers Educators Engineers Hobbyists & Makers K-12 Students First Responders

Tornado Vortex (Rankine)Live

wind speed vs radius

Controls

Speed1×

Presets

Core radius (m)

Max wind (m/s)

A tornado's winds follow the Rankine vortex model: inside the core the air spins like a solid disk, with speed rising straight out to a peak at the core edge; outside, the wind falls off as 1/r. The fastest, most destructive winds ring the core, not the very center — which is why the eye of a vortex is deceptively calm.

▶ Run in Python

Data Inspector

Peak wind70 m/s

Peak (mph)157 mph

EF ratingEF3

Peak atr = 50 m

Governing equation

v_{θ} = Ω r (r \leq 50), v_{θ} = \frac{Ω R ^{2}}{r} (r > 50), Ω = 1.40 s^{- 1}

Reading this result: The peak 70 m/s wind (EF3) rides the edge of the 50 m core; the calm eye at the center is deceptive.

Runs locally in your browser — free forever. Scale to the cloud when reality gets heavy.

or unlock everything with Pro →

About this simulation

The full Tornado Vortex tool models a cold front with the same numerics engineers and scientists use — running entirely client-side. Change any parameter and the result updates in real time, so you can build intuition, check a design, or teach the concept without spreadsheets or installs.

More you can do with Tornado Vortex

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Other ways to simulate a cold front

Atmospheric Stability for a cold front Coriolis Effect for a cold front Hurricane Model for a cold front Wind Chill & Heat Index for a cold front Psychrometrics for a cold front Geostrophic Wind for a cold front

Frequently asked questions

How do I simulate a cold front?: Open this page and use the live Tornado Vortex tool below — set your inputs and the simulation runs instantly in your browser using real numerics. No install, no account needed.
Is it free?: Yes. The simulation runs free in your browser. A one-time unlock or a Pro plan adds advanced parameters, saved presets, data import, and clean exports.
Can I use my own numbers?: Absolutely — every input is adjustable, and with data import you can drive a cold front from your own measurements.