Observations of Two Colorado Thunderstorms by Means of a Zenith-Pointing Doppler Radar

Abstract

A description is given of the distributions of radar reflectivity, mean Doppler velocity, vertical air velocity and Doppler-velocity variance in two thunderstorms over eastern Colorado. A zenith-pointing Doppler radar was used to obtain data at height intervals of 152 m. It is shown that the storms were composed of a series of turbulent updrafts, resembling those observed in hailstorms in southeastern Arizona. On the basis of similarities with thunderstorms observed elsewhere, it is speculated that the variable nature of the radar reflectivities and updrafts are a characteristic feature of most thunderstorms and that they contribute significantly to the highly variable nature of hail.