Investigating the Structure of Tornadoes and the Near-tornado Environment Using Mobile High-frequency Ka-band Doppler Radar Technology

本研究的智力价值在于将高频移动多普勒雷达技术引入旋涡2号现场计划。这是一个大型野外项目，将于2010年5月至6月进入第二个野外作业期，涉及多个移动平台，重点研究大平原上游地区的龙卷风雷暴。这一现场项目将涉及两台德克萨斯理工大学的ka波段（35 GHz） （TTUKa）雷达。这些雷达的观测结果将用于解决许多与旋涡2号有关的目标，这些目标与更好地理解近龙卷风环境、龙卷风气旋和次龙卷风尺度涡旋的环流性质有关。由于使用非线性脉冲压缩，这是第一个用于移动高频雷达，这些雷达系统比其他此类雷达具有更高的灵敏度。TTUKa雷达的高角度分辨率和高灵敏度将提供以前未解决的细节，并覆盖龙卷风尺度的空气运动。两个主要的观测目标是(1)龙卷风涡旋的水平和垂直结构，(2)在龙卷风形成之前已经存在的垂直涡度最大值。这项研究的广泛影响将在几个方面表现出来。研究生和本科生将在规划和执行TTUKa数据收集和在特派团简报会上介绍初步结果方面得到大量利用。其中一些学生在气象以外的领域有背景（例如土木工程、风力工程、数学），因此有机会扩展他们的知识基础。鉴于德州理工大学学生群体的典型种族多样性，传统上代表性不足的群体将有机会为该项目做出贡献，特别是那些西班牙裔。提出的研究的最终目标之一是提高对龙卷风旋涡结构的认识，从而提高对龙卷风危害的认识。研究的另一个目的是通过认识到龙卷风前超级单体环境中可探测的变率对随后风暴演变的影响来改进龙卷风预报。预报技能的提高对保护生命和财产至关重要。通过在期刊出版物和会议报告中广泛传播研究成果，所有研究目标的实现将对社区产生重大影响。

The intellectual merit of this study will be in the introduction of high frequency mobile Doppler radar technology to the VORTEX 2 field program. This is a large field program entering its second field operations period in May-June 2010 involving multiple mobile platforms focused on the study of tornadic thunderstorms in the upper Great Plains region. This contribution to the field program will involve two Texas Tech University Ka-band (35 GHz) (TTUKa) radars. Observations with these radars will be used to address many VORTEX 2 objectives related to better understanding the nature of circulations in the near-tornado environment, in tornado cyclones, and in sub-tornado-scale vortices. Owing to the use of non-linear pulse compression, a first for mobile high-frequency radar, these radar systems feature higher sensitivity than other such radars. The fine angular resolution and high sensitivity of the TTUKa radars will provide previously unresolved detail and coverage of air motions at the tornado scale. Two primary observational objectives are (1) horizontal and vertical structure of tornado vortices, and (2) pre-existing vertical vorticity maxima prior to tornadogenesis. The broader impacts of the study will be manifested in several ways. Graduate and undergraduate students will be heavily utilized in the planning and execution of TTUKa data collection and the presentation of preliminary results at mission briefings. Some of these students have a background in fields other than meteorology (e.g., civil engineering, wind engineering, mathematics), and therefore have the opportunity to expand their knowledge base. Given the typical ethnic diversity of the student population at Texas Tech University, traditionally underrepresented groups will have the opportunity to contribute to the project, particularly those of Hispanic descent.One ultimate goal of the proposed research is the improved understanding of tornado vortex structure, leading to advancement in understanding of hazards due to tornados. Another objective of the research is to improve tornado forecasts through the recognition of the influence of detectable variability in the pre-tornadic supercell environment on subsequent storm evolution. This increase in forecast skill is vital for the protection of life and property. Through the broad dissemination of research results in journal publications and conference presentations, all research objectives that are met will have significant impact in the community.