Observation and Analysis of the Structure of Tornadoes by Means of High Resolution Data from Mobile Doppler Radars and Photogrammetry

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9616417 Wurman The Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX) was held in the Central U.S. during Springs of 1994 and 1995. The objectives of VORTEX were to further our understanding of tornadogenesis, tornado dynamics, storm environment relationships, and numerical prediction of severe tornadic storms. Data was collected from a variety of sensors including aircraft, ground based surface stations and upper air sites, and radars. Several of these sensors were stationary, but many were mobile, thus the scientists were able to intercept and follow a large number of tornadic storms. Data collected from a mobile 3-cm Doppler radar and video during the VORTEX and during a smaller scale data collection effort during 1996 will be used by the Ppincipal Investigator to study the detailed structure of tornado vortices. The radar data were obtained with unprecedented resolution at distances ranging from 2 to 12 km for eight separate tornadoes. Two of the radar data sets were of very large tornadoes at a ranges of about 3 km with resolution volumes of 60 x 60 x 75 m. One of the data sets is of a large but relatively mild tornado at 30 x 30 x 75 m resolution. These radar data sets along with extensive video and photographic footage will be used to document detailed tornado structures and evolution as depicted from radar reflectivity, Doppler winds, and photogrammetry. ***