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Roles of divergent and rotational winds in the kinetic energy balance during intense convective activityContributions of divergent and rotational wind components to the synoptic-scale kinetic energy balance are described using rawinsonde data at 3 and 6 h intervals from NASA's fourth Atmospheric Variability experiment. Two intense thunderstorm complexes occurred during the period. Energy budgets are described for the entire computational region and for limited volumes that enclosed storm-induced, upper level wind maxima located poleward of convection. Although small in magnitude, the divergent wind component played an important role in the cross-contour generation and horizontal flux divergence of kinetic energy. The importance of V(D) appears directly related to the presence and intensity of convection. Although K(D) usually comprised less than 10 percent of the total kinetic energy content, generation of kinetic energy by V(D) was a major factor in the creation of upper-level wind maxima to the north of the storm complexes. Omission of the divergent wind apparently would lead to serious misrepresentations of the energy balance. A random error analysis is presented to assess confidence limits in the various energy parameters.
Document ID
19840038182
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Fuelberg, H. E.
(Saint Louis Univ. MO, United States)
Browning, P. A.
(Saint Louis University St. Louis, MO, United States)
Date Acquired
August 12, 2013
Publication Date
November 1, 1983
Publication Information
Publication: Monthly Weather Review
Volume: 111
ISSN: 0027-0644
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
84A20969
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NAS8-33370
CONTRACT_GRANT: NSF ATM-82-00456
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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