High Resolution Microburst Outflow Vertical Profile Data from Huntsville, Alabama, and Denver, Colorado
Abstract
The purpose of this report is to present detailed data on microburst outflows recorded by the TDWR testbed radar (FL-2) in Huntsville, Alabama (1986) and Denver, Colorado (1987-88). Whenever possible, a microburst detected within 10 km of the radar was scanned in a vertical direction (RHI) at 1 to 2 degree azimuthal intervals about the center of divergence. The vertical profile of the outflow is pertinent to the detection capability and siting strategy of a single Doppler radar observing the microburst from a horizontal viewing angle. Additionally, outflow features are important in assessing the hazard associated with microbursts as well as the capability of other wind shear detection (LLWAS or ASR). Of particular interest is the variability of outflow depths from case to case and site to site. If the depth across the maximum velocity differential is shallow, an outflow might go undetected or underestimated by a radar, the beam of which was not viewing the axis of peak divergence. Previous research projects in Denver reported the highest winds in a microburst typically occur near the surface with an average outflow depth (1/2 peak velocity) ranging between 500 and 600 meters; however, the vertical resolution of these data was fairly crude due to the scan strategies utilized. This report provides detailed high resolution microburst outflow vertical profile data pertinent to TDWR system studies based on RHI and closely spaced PPI scans.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 10, 1991
- Accession Number
- ADA236486
Entities
People
- M. A. Isaminger
- P. J. Biron
Organizations
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology