Ionospheric S-shaped Doppler fluctuations produced by the tornadoesA three-dimensional nine element HF-CW Doppler sounder array has been used to detect ionospheric disturbances which may be due to tornadoes. The typical events chosen in the present study occurred on November 20 and 27, 1973. Both events are apparently associated with tornadoes sighted in the Huntsville, Alabama area. The Doppler records show S-shaped waves rather than the quasi-sinusoidal waves observed in conjunction with and apparently due to thunderstorms. The wave-periods are in the range of 6 to 8 minutes instead of the 3 to 5 minute periods associated with thunderstorms. Dissipation of waves is mostly due to the evanescent effect and they cannot propagate very far from the path of the tornado center. A theory is presented which is in good agreement with the observations.
Document ID
19750038614
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Conference Proceedings
Authors
Hung, R. J.
Rao, G. L. (Alabama, University Huntsville, Ala., United States)
Smith, R. E. (NASA Marshall Space Flight Center Huntsville, Ala., United States)
Date Acquired
August 8, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 1974
Subject Category
Geophysics
Meeting Information
Meeting: International Symposium on Solar-Terrestrial Physics