Using high-resolution simulations to quantify underestimates of tornado intensity from in situ observations

Large-eddy simulations are used to produce realistic, high-resolution depictions of near-surface winds in translating tornadoes. The translation speed, swirl ratio, and vertical forcing are varied to provide a range of vortex intensities and structural types. Observation experiments are then performed in which the tornadoes are passed over groups of simulated sensors. Some of the experiments use indestructible, error-free anemometers while others limit the range of observable wind speeds to mimic the characteristics of damage indicators specified in the enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. Also, in some of the experiments the sensors are randomly placed while in others they are positioned in regularly spaced columns perpendicular to the vortex tracks to mimic field project deployments.

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Author Dahl, N. A.
Nolan, D. S.
Bryan, George H.
Rotunno, Richard
Publisher UCAR/NCAR - Library
Publication Date 2017-05-01T00:00:00
Digital Object Identifier (DOI) Not Assigned
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Topic Category geoscientificInformation
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Metadata Date 2025-07-11T19:49:29.512825
Metadata Record Identifier edu.ucar.opensky::articles:20883
Metadata Language eng; USA
Suggested Citation Dahl, N. A., Nolan, D. S., Bryan, George H., Rotunno, Richard. (2017). Using high-resolution simulations to quantify underestimates of tornado intensity from in situ observations. UCAR/NCAR - Library. https://n2t.org/ark:/85065/d70v8g7q. Accessed 03 August 2025.

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