PRIMUS
r
880
Digital
W
eather
Radar
System
A28-1146-102-00
Radar Facts
5-68
Additional Hazards
TURBULENCE VERSUS DISTANCE FROM STORM CORE
The stronger the return, the further the turbulence will be encountered
from the storm core at any altitude. Severe turbulence is often found in
the tenuous anvil cloud 15 to 20 miles downwind from a severe storm
core. Moreover, the storm cloud is only the visible portion of a turbulent
system whose up and down drafts often extend outside of the storm
proper.
TURBULENCE VERSUS DISTANCE FROM STORM EDGE
Severe clear-air turbulence can occur near a storm, most often on the
downwind side. Tornadoes are located in a variety of positions with
respect to associated echoes, but many of the most intense and
enduring occur on the up-relative-windside. The air rising in atornado
can contribute to a downwind area of strong echoes, while the tornado
itself may or may not return an echo. Echo hooks and appendages,
though useful indexes of tornadoes, are not infallible guides.
The appearanceof a hook warnsthe pilot tostay away, but justbecause
the tornado cannot be seen is no assurance that there is no tornado
present.
Expect severe turbulence up to 20 NM away from severe storms; this
turbulence often has a well-defined radar echo boundary. This
distance decreases somewhat with weaker storms that display
less well-defined echo boundaries.
The last section of this manual contains several advisory circulars. It is
recommended that the pilot become familiar with them.