Studies of Frontal Zone Dynamics with a High-Resolution Wind Profiling System
Abstract
Vertical velocity and reflectivity data obtained with the SOUSY-VHF- Radar located have been compared with the operational analysis data from the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasting, with radiosonde data, as well as the standard synoptic weather maps for the region. Also, the effects of precipitation on VHF and UHF wind profiler data have been investigated. Results have shown that the radar reflectivities at 6 m wavelength are enhanced at the height where the frontal inversion is located. The UHF echoes are dominated by precipitation, even when the rainfall is light, while VHF echoes have nearly equal contributions from precipitation and the clear air, even when the rainfall is heavy. Comparison of the radar vertical velocities and the radiosonde data have made it possible to show the vertical circulations around several fronts. The results are in general agreement with the expected patterns of ascent in the warm air and descent in the cold sectors, but the detailed structures are more complicated and show a banded structure and a significant indirect circulation in connection with the fronts. Comparison of the operational analysis vertical velocities shows that some of the same features are reproduced in both data sets, but there are discrepancies with differences of up to half a day between the times of the appearance of the vertical velocity structures connected with fronts and jet stream passages over the radar.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 15, 1989
- Accession Number
- ADA205988
Entities
People
- M. F. Larson
Organizations
- Clemson University