Report on the Analysis of Data from the NOAA/Alaskan MST Radar System
Abstract
During this period the investigation of mesoscale eddy spectra was completed as well as a study of objective analysis schemes using geostrophic wind adjustments. Both depend upon the continuous data of the NOAA MST radar at Poker Flat, Alaska. The atmospheric power spectral studies revealed a k to the minus 5/3 inertial subrange at time scales of hours. The implication in this essentially two dimensional eddy regime is a source of energy existing at spatial scales of less than 100 km, propagating energy up the spectrum toward lower wavenumbers. At smaller scales, in the fully 3-d turbulent spectrum, the classic Kolmogorov inertial spectrum is found with energy cascading towards smaller scales. Again, a source of energy is suggested on the scale of 10-100 km. The candidate is convection. In the study of objective analysis techniques, Cressman, and Gandin and other approaches are analyzed using the continuous radar data record. No significant differences were found between the Cressman and Gandin schemes. Knowing the character of the radar data with respect to these well-known analyses now permits comparison to more sophisticated and less trivial techniques and may lead to suggestions for entirely new concepts. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1981
- Accession Number
- ADA109056
Entities
People
- D. T. Farley
- M. C. Kelley
- M. F. Larsen
Organizations
- Cornell University College of Engineering