The 12 May 2004 Harper, KS tornado: Analysis of DOW radar observations of the low level wind field

The objective of this study is to quantify tornadic wind characteristics below 100 meters using DOW radar data. Results will be presented from the 12 May 2004 Harper, KS tornado that was observed during the ROTATE 2004 field campaign. Using an axisymmetric vortex model and the continuity equation, the tangential, radial, and vertical winds are retrieved from single Doppler velocity observations. The pressure field is derived from the horizontal momentum equations. The wind and pressure fields as a function of height and time are presented. Also, the limited damage resulting from this tornado is analyzed with respect to the wind characteristics.