Automatic detection of gust fronts.

Abstract

The automatic detection method developed does not rely on a single method but requires simultaneous operation of two related algorithms. The convergence algorithm measures radial convergence and only gusts propagating along radials can be readily detected. The mesocyclone shear algorithm measures azimuthal shear and is suitable for detecting gust parallel with radials as well as low level vortices. Long shear lines that these algorithms detect are classified as gusts, whereas symmetric shear features are rejected if their shear and flux or 'momentum' are insignificant; otherwise they are classified as low level vortices. To locate gusts, second order polynomials in the range azimuth plane are used. (from authors' abstract)