Estimating Velocity Turbulence Magnitudes Using the Thermosonde

Abstract

Equations are developed to estimate velocity turbulence from index of refraction turbulence as measured by the thermosonde. Using an adaptation of the radar "power" method to estimate velocity fluctuations from backscattered radar return and concurrently measured atmospheric data, the method is applied to optical turbulence measured by the thermosonde. The method is then used to compare velocity turbulence levels as estimated by the thermosonde to those estimated by the "Groundwinds" lidar in the lee of Mt. Washington in New Hampshire. There is reasonable agreement in identification of the areas of high turbulence.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 09, 2003
Accession Number
ADA423151

Entities

People

  • G. Jumper
  • J. Roadcap
  • John P. Mchugh
  • P. Tracy

Organizations

  • Air Force Research Laboratory

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerodynamic Characteristics
  • Air Force
  • Air Force Research Laboratories
  • Aircrafts
  • Altitude
  • Atmospheric Motion
  • Equations
  • Jet Streams
  • Kinetic Energy
  • Measurement
  • Military Research
  • New Hampshire
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Richardson Number
  • Turbulence
  • Water Vapor

Fields of Study

  • Environmental science
  • Physics

Readers

  • Aerosol Science/Aerosol Physics
  • Atmospheric Science / Meteorology, specifically Wind Wave Turbulence.
  • Radar Systems Engineering.