Low-Altitude Wind Shear Detection With Doppler Radar
Abstract
The feasibility of using the next generation weather radar (NEXRAD) system to detect low-altitude horizontal wind shear airports is investigated. We compare surface-measured horizontal shear with that observed aloft with Doppler radar to determine how the radar-estimated shear above the surface relates to the surface-measured shear. For five Oklahoma gust fronts, the Doppler radar to determine how the radar estimate of shear (at heights between 50-600 m) averaged 1.6 times the shear measured at the surface. For none of 43 comparisons was the surface radial velocity difference across the gust front stronger than the radial velocity difference measured by Doppler radar aloft. When the five gust fronts passed an instrumented tower a vertical profile through the lowest 440 m of the gust front could be determined. In all cases the wind speed and wind shear increased in the lowest 90 m of the atmosphere. In one case, the 90 m height had the peak wind shear; in all other cases the peak wind shear was at a much higher altitude.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA181900
Entities
People
- Michael D. Eilts
Organizations
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration