Work

Convectively‐Induced Turbulence: High‐Resolution Aircraft Measurements Over Central Argentina

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: We investigate a convectively‐induced turbulence (CIT) event encountered by the German High‐Altitude Long‐Range research aircraft (HALO) over central Argentina during the Southern Hemisphere Transport, Dynamics, and Chemistry campaign. Convectively‐induced turbulence is analyzed using in situ 1, 10‐, and 100‐Hz flight‐level data, complemented by radar data, satellite imagery, and high‐resolution numerical model outputs. Turbulence intensity is quantified using spectral methods through estimates of turbulent kinetic energy (TKE) and eddy dissipation rate (EDR). The analysis indicates that vertically propagating gravity waves (GWs) generated by deep convection likely contributed to the observed turbulence at flight level, while HALO was flying ∼2.6 km above and up to 100 km away from the most intense convective cells. While TKE values are consistent between the 10‐ and 100‐Hz data sets, EDR differences are more localized: 10‐Hz data may underestimate peak values by 30%–50% in regions of enhanced turbulence, while agreement is otherwise good. Spectral slopes for the vertical velocity component are close to Kolmogorov's law, whereas the across‐track component exhibits a steeper scaling near , consistent with stratified turbulence. These results highlight that convective storms can generate significant turbulence well above and far from the storm core, exceeding current avoidance guidelines, and emphasize the role of convectively generated GWs in turbulence generation.

Source: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres

DOI: 10.1029/2025jd045584

Authors: Juan Ignacio Vera Amor, Paola Rodriguez Imazio, Andreas Dörnbrack, Luciano Vidal, Milagros Alvarez Imaz

Institutions: Universidad de Buenos Aires, National Meteorological Service, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt e. V. (DLR)

Language: English

Topic: Meteorological Phenomena and Simulations

Subfield: Atmospheric Science

Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,070

Funders: Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Agencia Nacional de Promoción Científica y Tecnológica, Fondo para la Investigación Científica y Tecnológica