Using a vertical integration of Doppler-derived divergence to assess thunderstorm updraft/downdraft characteristics

Analyses of thunderstorm updraft and downdraft characteristics, such as magnitude and size, can reveal essential information pertaining to the strength of the thunderstorm itself. Such information can aid in assessing the threats that the storm of interest poses (or does not pose). Observing short-term trends in updraft and downdraft characteristics allows for better very-short-term forecasts (nowcasts) of thunderstorm intensity. Measuring vertical motion in the atmosphere is not easily attainable without expensive instrumentation. This project aimed to obtain thunderstorm updraft/downdraft magnitude using a vertical integration of Doppler-derived radial divergence (convergence) in accordance with the mass continuity equation. Three different cases representing three convective modes, ordinary, multicell, and supercell, were examined using this technique. The technique produced vertical velocity magnitudes that may not be accurate due to sources of error. Both the multicell and supercell case showed inconsistencies with the placement of the updrafts/downdrafts with respect to conceptual models of storm structure, but size and shape showed aligned well. Nevertheless, repeated magnitudes lead to the belief that there is precision in the results opening the door to operational feasibility.