Doppler-Radar Measurements of Clear Air Atmospheric Turbulence at 1290 MHz

Abstract

We present Doppler-radar observations for the refractivity turbulence structure constant CN2 obtained with the Chatanika Radar Facility, near Fairbanks, Alaska, during a 7-day observing period in October 1976. We find that 1) CN2 typically decreases with altitude above 10 km at a rate of ?1.3 dB km?1. This is considerably less rapid than at low latitudes. 2) Patches of irregularities appear to be advected with the wind. 3) Azimuthal variations of CN2 show no aspect sensitivity with respect to either the topography or the wind direction. 4) Radar echoes do not show evidence of specular reflection at this frequency, in contrast to findings at lower frequencies.