FINE-SCALE DOPPLER RADAR OBSERVATIONS OF TORNADOES

Observations obtained with a mobile pencil-beam Doppler radar revealed many previously unresolved structures within tornadic storms and torn adoes and helped verify various aspects of conceptual models. Radar da ta from the parent circulations indicate the existence of spiral refle ctivity bands, intense radial wind shear zones, and multiple larger-sc ale velocity maxima. Tornado structures observed include debris shield s, clear axial (eye) regions, multiple reflectivity bands surrounding the center of the eye, and occasional reflectivity protrusions into th e eye. Velocity and reflectivity data from tornado-scale circulations show evidence of axial downdrafts.