Experimental Modelling of Downburst and Downburst line Outflows

The outflow velocity vector fields of simulated stationary thunderstorm downbursts and downburst lines were resolved in two plane orientations, vertical and horizontal, using a dense fluid release system and Particle Image Velocimetry. Single event releases were scaled to show agreement with past studies based on radial velocity magnitude and location and radial and vertical front propagation. The vortex trajectory of a single event using the vortex aspect ratio supported density\u27s role in the outflow after the time and location of the maximum radial velocity. The interaction between two release events varied temporally and spatially and showed that the interaction region\u27s lateral outflow produces the highest velocities of up to 1.5 times that of a single event while velocities in the vertical plane remained unaffected. Scaled separation distances greater than 3 km produce weak outflow interactions with no increased velocities beyond those of a single event