1. Preparing for VORTEX2 using TWOLF with phased array radar D. Emmitt and H. Bluestein WG-SBLW Meeting February 3, 2010

2. VORTEX2 2010 NSF/NOAA field program (1 May – 15 June) with participation by other agencies and institutions. VORTEX2 is fully nomadic with no home base. Scientists will roam from state to state following severe weather outbreaks through the Plains. NPS (CIRPAS) is participating by providing a vehicle with a radar and Doppler wind lidar P3DWL goal is to investigate the PBL circulations prior to and during tornado development.

3. Science Questions How, when, and why do tornadoes form? Why some are violent and long lasting while others are weak and short lived? What is the structure of tornadoes? How strong are the winds near the ground? How exactly do they do damage? How can we learn to forecast tornadoes better? Current warnings have an only 13 minute average lead time and a 70% false alarm rate.

4. TWOLF Truck (or Tornado) Wind Observing Lidar Facility Using much of the TODWL system with exceptions: – Hemispherical scanner borrowed from ARL (Dave Ligon) – Modified software for +- 125m/s wind measurements

5. CIRPAS Mobile Weather Radar- X-band phased array

6. TWOLF X band Phased-array Bob Bluth