The Use of Inertial Altitude in the Determination of the Convective-Scale Pressure Field over Land

  • LeMone M
  • Tarleton L
N/ACitations
Citations of this article
6Readers
Mendeley users who have this article in their library.

Abstract

Pressure perturbations are measured from an aircraft by subtracting its pressure altitude from its actual altitude. The pressure perturbation is equal to the resulting “D-value” multiplied by the acceleration of gravity and density of air. Normally, the actual altitude is measured using a radar altimeter, but this becomes increasingly difficult over increasingly complex terrain. Here, we document a technique in which inertial altitude is used instead of radar altitude, eliminating the need for extremely accurate navigation or simple terrain, and apply it to document the pressure field at the base of an evolving cumulus congestus in CCOPE. Analysis of both this case study and aircraft self-calibration maneuvers in clear, undisturbed air suggests that a D-value (pressure) accuracy of 2 m (20 Pa) is achievable at cumulus-congestus scales. This accuracy is degraded, however, if the phenomenon of interest is large compared to the flight track.

Cite

CITATION STYLE

APA

LeMone, M. A., & Tarleton, L. F. (1986). The Use of Inertial Altitude in the Determination of the Convective-Scale Pressure Field over Land. Journal of Atmospheric and Oceanic Technology, 3(4), 650–661. https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1986)003<0650:tuoiai>2.0.co;2

Register to see more suggestions

Mendeley helps you to discover research relevant for your work.

Already have an account?

Save time finding and organizing research with Mendeley

Sign up for free