When hurricanes reach their strongest intensities, their inner structure can become surprisingly complex. One of the most fascinating and lesser-known features that can appear near the eye is called a mesovortex. These are small-scale rotational features that form within or just around the hurricane’s eye, embedded in the larger storm’s circulation.

Mesovortices most often develop during rapid intensification or an eyewall replacement cycle. In simple terms, the extreme differences in wind speed and direction (wind shear) near the calm eye and the roaring eyewall create conditions where smaller rotation of air can break off and start spinning on its own.

These vortices can rotate independently inside the eye, sometimes merging, splitting or orbiting one another, all while being wrapped up inside the hurricane’s massive rotation.

Weather in your inbox

Forecast Location

Sign Up

By signing up you agree to the Terms & Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe at any time.

Though they are small in relation to the hurricane, mesovortices can produce localized wind speeds as much as 10% higher than the average sustained winds within the eyewall. They can also cause the hurricane’s eye to appear wobbly or distorted on radar and satellite imagery. Researchers have linked these features to some of the most intense pressure drops and wind fluctuations ever recorded in hurricanes.

At landfall, these mesovortices play a significant role in tornado formation. They can cause large tornado outbreaks, resulting in even more destruction.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.