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Preparing for VORTEX2 using TWOLF with phased array radar. D. Emmitt and H. Bluestein WG-SBLW Meeting February 3, 2010. VORTEX2. 2010 NSF/NOAA field program (1 May – 15 June) with participation by other agencies and institutions.
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Preparing for VORTEX2 using TWOLF with phased array radar D. Emmitt and H. Bluestein WG-SBLW Meeting February 3, 2010
VORTEX2 • 2010 NSF/NOAA field program (1 May – 15 June) with participation by other agencies and institutions. • VORTEX2 is fully nomadic with no home base. Scientists will roam from state to state following severe weather outbreaks through the Plains. • NPS (CIRPAS) is participating by providing a vehicle with a radar and Doppler wind lidar • P3DWL goal is to investigate the PBL circulations prior to and during tornado development.
Science Questions • How, when, and why do tornadoes form? Why some are violent and long lasting while others are weak and short lived? • What is the structure of tornadoes? How strong are the winds near the ground? How exactly do they do damage? • How can we learn to forecast tornadoes better? Current warnings have an only 13 minute average lead time and a 70% false alarm rate.
TWOLF • Truck (or Tornado) Wind Observing Lidar Facility • Using much of the TODWL system with exceptions: • Hemispherical scanner borrowed from ARL (Dave Ligon) • Modified software for +- 125m/s wind measurements
X band Phased-array TWOLF Bob Bluth