Final answer:
The statement that a mesocyclone often precedes tornado development is True. Mesocyclones are the precursors to tornadoes, arising in supercells when certain wind conditions are met, initiating a vertical shift in rotation that can lead to a tornado.
Step-by-step explanation:
A mesocyclone often precedes tornado development: A. True.
Mesocyclones are large-scale rotations within supercells that give rise to tornadoes. When conditions are right, the difference in wind speeds at different altitudes, such as strong colder winds in the jet stream and weaker warmer winds from the Gulf of Mexico, can cause the rotation to shift from a horizontal to a vertical axis, leading to the formation of a tornado. These violent storms can descend from clouds in funnel-like shapes, spinning with high speed, especially at the narrower bottom, and are associated with wind speeds that can exceed 500 km/h.
Understanding the rotational motion and the formation of mesocyclones is crucial for weather prediction and storm chasing, which involves following tornadoes to gather data or for media reporting. Despite the excitement, it is a dangerous activity as tornadoes can quickly change course without warning. The central United States, known as tornado alley, is the most active area for tornadoes.