Doppler Radar Measurements of Turbulent Kinetic Energy Dissipation Rates in a Northeastern Colorado Convective Storm

Authors:
  • AFA. S. Frisch
    A. S. Frisch
  • RSR. G. Strauch
    R. G. Strauch
Open Access
Publisher website
Google Scholar
Abstract
In this paper we report the results of measurements of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates within a convective storm. The measurements were obtained with two Doppler radars, one scanning the storm from a distance at low elevation angles and the other pointing vertically with the storm passing overhead. With the scanning radar we measured the wind shear in the radial velocity field and the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates within the storm. These dissipation rates showed good agreement with those measured by the zenith-pointing radar data; dissipation rates ranged from 30 cm2 s−3 to greater than 3500 cm2 s−3 in the region between the updraft and downdraft. Abstract In this paper we report the results of measurements of turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates within a convective storm. The measurements were obtained with two Doppler radars, one scanning the storm from a distance at low elevation angles and the other pointing vertically with the storm passing overhead. With the scanning radar we measured the wind shear in the radial velocity field and the turbulent kinetic energy dissipation rates within the storm. These dissipation rates showed good agreement with those measured by the zenith-pointing radar data; dissipation rates ranged from 30 cm2 s−3 to greater than 3500 cm2 s−3 in the region between the updraft and downdraft.