Radar Studies of Aviation Hazards: Part 1 Storm Structure Algorithm.

Abstract

The interactions between the ambient environment, storm dynamics, and precipitation physics are complex but intrinsically deterministic of the types of thunderstorms which develop. These interactions generate the thunderstorms's precipitation and cloud structure which is monitored by Doppler radar. Tile severity of the resultant weather is directly related to the intensity of the thunderstorm. The most intense thunderstorms, supercells, account for a disproportionately high percentage of all thunderstorm-related severe weather events. Byers and Braham (1949) documented the life cycle of the ordinary thunderstorm which begins with an updraft that initiates development of a cumulonimbus cloud. At maturity, the resultant precipitation falls through the generating updraft. This creates a downdraft that overwhelms the updraft in the final stage of the thunderstorm. This life cycle of a single updraft/downdraft thunderstorm cell typically occurs over an one hour period with little if any associated severe weather. little if any associated severe weather.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 15, 1996
Accession Number
ADA320981

Entities

People

  • Alan R. Bohne
  • David J. Smalley
  • F. I. Harris
  • Shu-lin Tung

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Algorithms
  • Atmospheric Sciences
  • Case Studies
  • Detection
  • Doppler Radar
  • Elevation
  • Feature Extraction
  • Identification
  • Pattern Recognition
  • Preprocessing
  • Radar
  • Radar Signatures
  • Recognition
  • Standards
  • Three Dimensional
  • Thunderstorms

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science

Readers

  • Atmospheric Science/Meteorology