Article Type:
Research Article

VVP Technique Applied to an Alberta Storm

L. Xin Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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G. W. Reuter Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

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Print Publication:
01 Apr 1998
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0426(1998)015<0587:VTATAA>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
587–592
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Abstract

The volume velocity processing (VVP) technique is used with a simulated wind field to determine the accuracy of kinematic quantities for different numbers of wind parameters and different sizes of analysis volumes. Accurate estimates of divergence, deformation, and vertical shear are obtained if the VVP method contains seven wind parameters and the analysis volumes have a range of about 20 km and an azimuthal extent of about 40°. The seven-parameter VVP method is applied to a convective storm in central Alberta, Canada. The analysis showed that low-level convergence and moderate vertical shear preceded the enhancement of precipitation, while low-level divergence suppressed the convection.

Corresponding author address: Gerhard W. Reuter, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada.

Abstract

The volume velocity processing (VVP) technique is used with a simulated wind field to determine the accuracy of kinematic quantities for different numbers of wind parameters and different sizes of analysis volumes. Accurate estimates of divergence, deformation, and vertical shear are obtained if the VVP method contains seven wind parameters and the analysis volumes have a range of about 20 km and an azimuthal extent of about 40°. The seven-parameter VVP method is applied to a convective storm in central Alberta, Canada. The analysis showed that low-level convergence and moderate vertical shear preceded the enhancement of precipitation, while low-level divergence suppressed the convection.

Corresponding author address: Gerhard W. Reuter, Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB T6G 2E3, Canada.

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