EFFECT OF TURBULENCE ON VERTICAL WIND PROFILE IN CLOUDS,

An approximate estimate is made of the possible deviations of the wind speeds and directions in clouds stratus and cumulonimbus from the winds in zones located outside of clouds in which the winds are assumed to be geostrophic. These calculations show that the turbulent transfer of momentum causes a significant decrease in the vertical wind gradient within clouds as compared to that outside the clouds. Wind shifts occur simultaneously in the clouds with the change in gradient. Wind data collected by S. M. Schmeter using airborne Doppler equipment are compared with the estimates made in the present paper and are found to be comparable. Author