Abstract
AbstractMaximum tornado wind speeds and their radii are deduced by least square fitting of the vortex model velocity spectra to those measured with a pulse Doppler radar. Spectra are analysed from the Stillwater, Oklahoma, 13 June 1975, tornado. Simulated spectra are fitted to those measured for pulse volume gates nearest the vortex, and thus a tornado's position relative to those gates is estimated. Estimated maximum tangential velocity is 92ms−1 at an altitude of 630m and 85ms−1 at 1.5km; tornado diameter is 300m. the observed spectra have an asymmetry that suggests targets that are centrifuged outwards, with a velocity of 13ms−1. One spectrum analysed from the Union City, Oklahoma, 24 May 1974, tornado shows a bimodal shape similar to Stillwater spectra. Deduced maximum velocity is 72ms−1 and diameter 200 m.
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