Extended Abstract (476K)J4.3
Analysis of Mesoscale Vertical Circulations using WSR-88D VAD and Wind Profiler Data
Steven E. Koch, NOAA/FSL, Boulder, CO
The ability to operationally detect mesoscale phenomena has been made possible by the introduction of the NOAA Profiler Network and the WSR-88D radar network. The profiler data have proven to be extremely useful in weather forecasting through its display on the Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System (AWIPS), and have also positively impacted mesoscale numerical weather prediction models. This paper briefly reviews present capabilities on AWIPS for displaying profiler data, and then presents promising new methods for analysis of two-dimensional vertical circulations associated with such mesoscale phenomena as upper- and lower-level fronts and gravity waves using both profiler data and WSR-88D Velocity-Azimuth Display (VAD). It is shown that the AWIPS displays are useful, but quite limited for being able to directly infer the vertical structure and dynamics of mesoscale phenomena. The new methods are demonstrated through reviews of three case studies. First, two-dimensional circulation analysis from single profiler or VAD time-height displays using a synthesized vertical beam-kinematic method is demonstrated for a well-observed gravity wave case and for a severe storm event along a low-level cold front. It is shown how extremely useful information about the evolving vertical structure of these mesoscale phenomena can be derived from such analyses. Second, simple thermal advection retrieval from VAD displays is used to diagnose the presence and evolving vertical structure of split cold fronts in a major tornadic storm event.
Joint Session 4, Severe Local Storms Forecasting (Joint with 21SLS and 19WAF/15NWP)
Tuesday, 13 August 2002, 9:00 AM-10:00 AM
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