Observed Association between measured Optical Turbulence and Suspected Meteorological Sources

The United States Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) with sponsorship from the Airborne Laser Program (ABL) has conducted worldwide balloon-based and aircraft based experiments to record mechanical and optical turbulence. Optical turbulence is the small index of refraction changes that affects laser propagation and astronomical seeing. Weather features and derived parameters are analyzed in conjunction with the optical turbulence measurements to determine if certain weather features correlate with high optical turbulence. Over 100 case studies have been compiled so far from data taken in the United States, Korea, and the Persian Gulf. A connection between weather patterns and high optical turbulence has been observed. Jet streaks, mountain waves, and thunderstorms have all been observed in conjunction with high optical turbulence measurements. High optical turbulence data appears to occur most frequently in conjunction with jet streaks. These comparison help form the focus of further research.