Physical simulation of atmospheric microbursts

A laboratory simulation of atmospheric microbursts is presented. The physical model of the atmospheric phenomenon is reproduced at a reduced scale in a rotating tank (TURLab, Italy), the similitude is based on the Froude number. Different experiments were carried out varying the Rossby number, and the analysis of four significant cases is presented. The velocity, vorticity, and turbulent kinetic energy fields are evaluated together with the swirling strength analysis. The comparison with the natural prototype is eventually shown and discussed. Key Points An atmospheric microburst was reproduced in laboratory Turbulence and entrainment were investigated by analyzing the experimental data Measurements giving high temporal and spatial resolutions were performed ©2014. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.