A PRELIMINARY REPORT ON DOPPLER RADAR OBSERVATION OF TURBULENCE IN A THUNDERSTORM
Abstract
Vertical-incidence observations by Doppler radar of velocities in a thunderstorm reveal some regions in which the spread of velocities is unusually broad. The widths of the vertical velocity spectra are generally greatest along the edges of a major updraft, where the maximum shear in updraft speed also occurs. The observations indicate that turbulence is an important cause of the abnormally wide velocity spectra, and suggest the utility of Doppler radar measurements of the vertical velocity spectrum as an indicator of severe cloudy- air turbulence. Furthermore, vertical velocity spectra in the more convective regions of thunderstorms, where they may be seriously affected by turbulence and wind shear, probably give an exaggerated picture of the particle size distribution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 1967
- Accession Number
- AD0649779
Entities
People
- Ralph J. Donaldson Jr.
Organizations
- Air Force Cambridge Research Laboratories