Spectrum of infrasound radiation from supercell storms

TL;DR

This paper analyzes how supercell storms generate infrasound through turbulent convection and heat release, linking acoustic radiation intensity to tornado-favorable conditions like low LCL and high CAPE.

Contribution

It provides a spectral analysis of infrasound from supercells and explains the correlation between acoustic intensity and tornado formation conditions.

Findings

Infrasound intensity correlates with tornado-favorable parameters.

Low LCL and high CAPE enhance low-frequency acoustic radiation.

Spectral analysis links storm thermodynamics to infrasound generation.

Abstract

We consider the generation of acoustic waves by turbulent convection and perform spectral analysis of a monopole source of sound related to the heat production by condensation of moisture. A quantitative explanation of the correlation between intensity of infrasound generated by supercell storms and later tornado formation is given. It is shown that low lifting condensation level (LCL) and high values of convective available potential energy (CAPE), which are known to favor significant tornadoes, also lead to a strong enhancement of supercell's low frequency acoustic radiation.