DYNAMICS OF THERMAL TURBULENCE IN THE LOWER ATMOSPHERE OVER MOSCOW FROM SODAR OBSERVATIONS

M. A. Lokoshchenko

Results of long-term sodar observations of the lower 800-m atmospheric layer carried out at the Meteorological Observatory of Moscow State University are discussed. Thirteen examples of the altitude—time scanning of the echo signal (sodar record) are given to show a variety of the dynamics of small-scale thermal turbulence and related changes of atmospheric stratification at individual hours. Specific features of the turbulent structure of surface and elevated inversions, convective thermals, wave disturbances in the stably stratified boundary layer, etc., are considered in detail. Changes in the turbulent regime of the lower atmo¬sphere caused by frontal passage and hazardous weather events in Moscow (smoke haze, devastating squalls, etc.) are discussed. It is shown that an extremely high space—time resolution of sodar data allows a thorough investigation of the fine structure of the lower atmosphere and its time variations.