Radar and balloon data analyses of turbulent layers
within the lower atmosphere

*Hubert Luce [1] ,Shoichiro Fukao [1],Francis Dalaudier [2]
Michel Crochet [3]
Radio Science Center for space and atmosphere, Kyoto University[1]
Service d'Aeronomie, Paris VI University, France[2]
Lab. de Sondages Electromagnetiques de l'Environnement Terrestre, Toulon Univ.[3]

In the present work, results of analyses of radar and balloon data collected during the MUTSI (MU radar, Temperature Sheets and Interferometry) campaign are shown. In particular, high-resolution ( -- 10 cm) temperature profiles have been collected near the Japanese MU radar. Such fine measurements permitted us to study in detail characteristics of the intense turbulent layers.
The relationship of these turbulent events with gravity wave activity and the possible underlying generation mechanisms are also discussed. The MU radar was operated in different observational modes in order to get complementary information on the properties of some of these turbulent layers.

In the present work, characteristics of turbulent layers within the lower atmosphere are analysed owing to data collected during two balloon flights of the MUTSI (MU radar, Temperature Sheets and Interferometry; 10-26 May 2000) campaign.
High-resolution ( -- 10 cm) temperature measurements by balloon have been collected near the Middle and Upper atmosphere (MU) radar site (Shigaraki, Japan, 34.85N, 136.10E).
Such fine temperature measurements could permit us to study in detail the occurrence of the intense turbulent layers, their vertical extent, their distribution along the vertical, for example.
The relationship of these turbulent events with gravity wave activity and the possible underlying generation mechanisms such as wind shear instability are also discussed in light of wind observations by balloon and radar.
The MU radar was operated in different observational modes (Multi-Beam Scanning and Frequency Domain Interferometry modes) permitting us to get complementary information on the properties of the scatterers associated with some of these turbulent layers.