Low-level vertical wind structure in tornadoes

DOW radars have obtained data below 50 m AGL in dozens of tornadoes, and in many cases, multiple levels below 50 m AGL, allowing vertical profiles of wind speed and convergence/divergence to be deduced using GBVTD. In some instances proximal surface thermodynamic and wind data and dual-polarization data are available and are incorporated to investigate buoyancy, near-surface wind directions, and debris shape, respectively. A generalized relationship for tornado wind speeds vs height will be developed. Preliminary results, which suggest that the strongest wind speeds are very near the surface, will be presented.