Joined: Jun 20, 2005 Posts: 476 Location: Cape Coral, Fl.
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 1:37 pm Post subject: Re: Odd radar off Citrus County
I maybe way off base but could it have been some kind of inversion that suddenly broke down causing us to see the strange radar pattern. Am I even close?
Capping inversion
From Wikipedia
A capping inversion is an elevated inversion layer that caps a convective boundary layer.
The boundary layer is the part of the atmosphere which is closest to the ground. Normally, the sun heats the ground, which in turn heats the air just above it. Thermals form when this warm air rises into the cold air (warm air is less dense than cold air), a process known as convection. A convective layer such as this has the potential for cloud formation, since condensation occurs as the warm air rises and cools.
An inversion layer is when the normal temperature (warm air below, cold air above) profile is reversed, creating a stable configuration of dense, cold air sitting below lighter, warm air.
An elevated inversion layer is thus a region of warm air above a region of cold air, but higher in the atmosphere (generally not touching the surface).
A capping inversion occurs when there is a boundary layer with a normal temperature profile (warm air rising into cooler air) and the layer above that is an inversion layer (cooler air below warm air). Cloud formation from the lower layer is "capped" by the inversion layer. If the capping inversion layer or "cap" is too strong (too close to the surface), it will prevent thunderstorms from developing. A strong cap can result in foggy conditions.
However, if the air at the surface is unstable enough, strong updrafts can be forced through the capping inversion. This selective process of only allowing the strongest updrafts to form thunderstorms often results in outbreaks of severe weather.
bob _________________ Sit back, relax and enjoy the show!
Posted: Sun Jul 13, 2008 5:40 pm Post subject: Re: Odd radar off Citrus County
By crude measure, that radar return circle expanded initially at greater than 100MPH (well, >50MPH per radius) and it continued to grow until nearly 80 miles in diameter, mostly to the northwest. I fished the entire series of images and built a larger, faster loop here: http://rightime.com/images/TBW_loop_2.gif
Someone who lives near Crystal River says all is well there.
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Weather
Radar
Satellite
Lightning
Forecast
Tropics
Almanac
Live Products
Fishing Reports
Other Info
Weblinks
Site Sponsors
Forum FAQ
Search
Usergroups
Profile
Check your private messages
Log in
New Today: 0
Online Stats: 
