Kinematic Quantities Derived from a Triangle of VHF Doppler Wind Profilers.
Abstract
Using Data from a triangle of VHF Doppler wind profilers, various kinematic quantities are calculated to investigate the mesoscale and synoptic-scale wind structure of jet streams, upper-level fronts, and synoptic-scale troughs. Hourly winds are used to compute horizontal divergence, relative vorticity, vertical velocity, and geostrophic and ageostrophic wind velocities. Kinematic vertical velocities are obtained at levels from the surface to 9 km by vertically integrating the horizontal divergence, applying the continuity equation for incompressible flow. As lower boundary conditions, orographic and frictional effects are applied from the surface to approximately 1.0 km above ground level. As an upper boundary condition, vertical velocities are forced to diminish to zero in the lower stratosphere. Three case studies are presented, using conventional rawinsonde, surface, and radar observations together with the winds and derived quantities obtained from the profiler network. Comparison of the synoptic-scale data with the profiler network data reveals that the two data sets are generally consistent. Also, the profiler-derived kinematic quantities exhibit coherent vertical and temporal patterns, and these patterns change in a manner consistent with conceptual and theoretical models of the flow fields of various meteorological phenomena. (rh)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA207542
Entities
People
- Catherine A. Carlson
Organizations
- Pennsylvania State University