Applications of a Doppler Radar to Diagnose a Frontal Zone Prior to Thunderstorms

Abstract

Mean kinematic wind properties are obtained from the analysis of clear-air Doppler radar data along circles, a few hours prior to thunderstorm development. A variety of information is found to complement synoptic analysis. Besides updated profiles of mean wind above the radar, the analysis provides horizontal and vertical gradients of wind over a wide area, which determine the position, slope, and intensification of a front. Destabilization of air above the frontal zone, which leads to storms, is diagnosed from an initial sounding of temperature and humidity, and areal averaged vertical air velocity deduced from the radar.