Mesoscale Wave Motions as Revealed by Improved Wind Profile Measurements

Abstract

The mesoscale structure of atmospheric winds between the surface and 20 km is analyzed using data obtained from the FPS-16 radar/Jimsphere precision wind measuring system. The accuracy and resolution of these data are far superior to those obtained from conventional rawinsonde measurements. Preliminary analysis of several series of ascents in which observations were made at 2-hr intervals over 12-hr periods, reveals that significant mesoscale variations in wind speed are common, particularly in and above the region of maximum wind. The observed oscillations frequently have amplitudes exceeding 5 m sec?1 and have periods of from 3 to 15 hr. The vertical extent of any particular perturbation rarely exceeds 2 km.