Topic
Downburst
About: Downburst is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 510 publications have been published within this topic receiving 10221 citations. The topic is also known as: microburst.
Papers published on a yearly basis
Papers
TL;DR: In this paper, a series of five scales, maso, meso, miso (to be read as my-so), moso and muso arranged in the order of the vowels, were proposed to cover a wide range of horizontal dimensions of airflow.
Abstract: In order to cover a wide range of horizontal dimensions of airflow, the paper proposes a series of five scales, maso, meso, miso (to be read as my-so), moso and muso arranged in the order of the vowels, A, E, I, O, U. The dimensions decrease by two orders of magnitude per scale, beginning with the planet's equator length chosen to be the maximum dimension of masoscale for each planet. Mesoscale highs and lows were described on the basis of mesoanalyses, while sub-mesoscale disturbances were depicted by cataloging over 20,000 photographs of wind effects taken from low-flying aircraft during the past 15 years. Various motion thus classified into these scales led to a conclusion that extreme winds induced by thunderstorms are associated with misoscale and mososcale airflow spawned by the parent, mesoscale disturbances.
898 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the morphology of microburst outflows observed in Colorado is described based on analysis of observation by Doppler radars and a surface meteorological network and the vertical and horizontal structure of the microburst life cycle is discussed.
Abstract: Intense, small-scale divergent outflows known as microbursts are held responsible for a number of aircraft accidents. This paper describes the morphology of microburst outflows observed in Colorado. Outflows are categorized into morphological types based on analysis of observation by Doppler radars and a surface meteorological network. Outflow life cycle is discussed, and the vertical and horizontal structure is described. Basic characteristics of microburst outflows are summarized from statistics compiled using both single and multiple Doppler analyses. The microburst outflows are classified into two types: individual microbursts and microburst lines. Examples of observations of each type are shown. Organization of microbursts into microburst lines results in much longer-lasting wind shear than exists with isolated microbursts. The greater lifetime of microburst lines, combined with the much larger area of divergence, can create a much greater potential for hazard to aircraft than is the case fo...
454 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the horizontal and vertical structure of airflow within microbursts has been determined using Doppler weather radar data from the Joint Airport Weather Studies (JAWS) Project.
Abstract: The horizontal and vertical structure of airflow within microbursts has been determined using Doppler weather radar data from the Joint Airport Weather Studies (JAWS) Project. It is shown that the downdraft typically associated with microbursts is about 1 km wide and begins to spread horizontally at a height below 1 km. The median time from initial divergence at the surface to maximum differential wind velocity across the microburst is five minutes. The height of maximum differential velocity is about 75 m, and the median velocity differential is 22 m/s over an average distance of 3.1 km. The outflow of the air is asymmetric, averaging twice as strong along the maximum axis compared to the mininum axis. Some technical requirements for a radar system to detect microbursts and to provide aircraft with early warnings of the onset of windshear are identified.
320 citations
1 May 1978
TL;DR: In this paper, the NIMROD project provided a large area mapping of strong downdrafts that induce an outward burst of damaging winds over or near the earth, including scales of thunderstorm outflow, aerial photographs of downburst damage, microbursts and aviation hazards, radar echo characteristics, infrared imagery from GOES/SMS, and downburts-tornado relationships.
Abstract: Aerial photography, Doppler radar, and satellite infrared imagery are used in the two year National Intensive Meteorological Research on Downburst (NIMROD) project to provide large area mapping of strong downdrafts that induce an outward burst of damaging winds over or near the earth. Topics discussed include scales of thunderstorm outflow; aerial photographs of downburst damage; microbursts and aviation hazards; radar echo characteristics; infrared imagery from GOES/SMS; and downburts-tornado relationships. Color maps of downbursts and tornadoes are included.
260 citations
Related Topics (5)
Performance Metrics
| Year | Papers |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 2 |
| 2021 | 20 |
| 2020 | 17 |
| 2019 | 30 |
| 2018 | 36 |
| 2017 | 21 |