Ceilometer and Sonic Anemometer Observations of Undulatus Asperatus/Gravity Wave at the Savannah River Site

The Savannah River National Laboratory at the U.S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site conducts an onsite meteorological monitoring program. On 30 March 2015 a series of gravity waves marked by a distinct Undulatus Asperatus cloud formation (a newly established cloud type by the World Meteorological Organization), formed ahead of an advancing complex of prefrontal thunderstorms and advanced across central Georgia and South Carolina. The ceilometer was used to determine that the base of the clouds of the six waves making up the event fluctuated between approximately 915 meters and 1765 meters above ground level, an amplitude of 850 m (~2800 ft). This unique event was observed with a variety of sensor platforms including sonic anemometers sampled at 10Hz, to provide physical context to this unusual event, as well as to characterize the associated boundary layer turbulence. Analysis of the data in relation to the Undulatus Asperatus event will be discussed.