Visualization of Turbulence Layers

The AWC produces the Graphical Turbulence Guidance as part of its suite of automated supplemental aviation forecast products.  A forecast of eddy dissipation rate is produced at 21 different horizontal flight levels, and is typically visualized either on these 21 flight levels or as a composite, which is the maximum value in the atmospheric column.

15 GTG forecast from 19 Feb, valid at 21Z.  Loop starts at the bottom of the atmosphere and shows the EDR values at each vertical level between FL100 and FL450.

15 GTG forecast from 19 Feb, valid at 21Z.  This composite chart shows the maximum value between FL100 and FL450.

Only viewing the GTG product in this manner necessitates an analysis of each of the vertical levels to ascertain the vertical characteristics of where the turbulence is forecast.  Since turbulence forecasts at the AWC are issued for high-level and low-level turbulence, which are split at 18,000 ft MSL.  Shown below are the probability of moderate or greater (MOG) turbulence above, and below FL180, respectively.  Probability in this application is defined as the percent of layers with MOG turb.

Probability of Moderate or Greater Turbulence above FL180. The probability is defined as the percentage of layers that have moderate or greater.

Probability of Moderate or Greater Turbulence below FL180.  The probability is defined as the percentage of layers that have moderate or greater.

An additional visualization that is being tested is the base and tops of moderate turbulence.  This is computed using a top-down (bottom-up) search for the first level of moderate or greater turbulence.  Un-shaded portions of these plots are regions where forecast turbulence does not reach a moderate intensity.  This can provide a quick view of the vertical extent of turbulence, although there may be layers between the tops and bases that do not reach a moderate intensity.

Bases of Moderate or Greater Turbulence.

Tops of Moderate or Greater Turbulence.