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Structure of an internal bore and dissipating gravity current as revealed by Raman lidarThe Raman lidar observations of a weak gravity current and an internal bore associated with a thunderstorm gust front are presented. These observations have been complemented by conventional surface meteorologial analyses, special radiosonde data, spectral and bandpass filter analysis of barograph data, and infrared satellite imagery. Results obtained reveal the time-space continuity and dynamic nature of two boundary-layer disturbances seen in the lidar data. A comparison of the lidar display with the rawinsonde data makes it possible to determine the thermal fields associated with these disturbances at high temporal resolution (2 min) and an altitude of 6 km. The airflow associated with the disturbances was inferred by synthesizing the lidar and rawinsonde data. One of the two disturbances represents a dissipating outflow boundary (gust front) and can be characterized as a gravity current. The second disturbance represents an internal bore propagating ahead of the gravity current on a surface-based stable layer, which acted as a waveguide. The lidar revealed a mean bore depth of 1.9 km, observed and calculated speeds were in good agreement (about + or - 20 percent).
Document ID
19910051678
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Koch, Steven E.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Melfi, S. H.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Skillman, William C.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Whiteman, D.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Dorian, Paul B.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center Greenbelt; General Sciences Corp., Laurel, MD, United States)
Ferrare, R.
(NASA Goddard Space Flight Center; Universities Space Research Association, Greenbelt, MD, United States)
Date Acquired
August 15, 2013
Publication Date
April 1, 1991
Publication Information
Publication: Monthly Weather Review
Volume: 119
ISSN: 0027-0644
Subject Category
Meteorology And Climatology
Accession Number
91A36301
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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