This research uses commercial aircraft data and high-resolution simulations to study a case in 2005 over the United States where severe turbulence was encountered about 50km away from a large mesoscale convective system. Of relevance, current aviation turbulence avoidance guidelines recommend avoiding storms by 32 km (20 miles).
The proposed project aims to implement this new turbulence diagnostic scheme and evaluate its performance using high-resolution Himawari-8 imagery. Using data from the aviation industry, some preliminary verification of the diagnostic will be undertaken. Additional observational and model data will be used to investigate turbulence-prone atmospheric conditions and processes (e.g. wind shear, mountain waves, etc).
As the end of his masters degree approaches, Ewan Short is at a career crossroads. He studied meteorology, and his main choice is whether to pursue a career as an operational forecaster with the Bureau of Meteorology, or do a PhD. An internship with the Bureau of Meteorology was a step on the way to making that decision.