Radar precipitation echo motion in Hurricane Donna

Abstract

Radar data consisting of about 3,800 precipitation echoes were obtained by analyzing film from several radars during the same time period in Hurricane Donna. These data are combined to illustrate for the first time the complete field of relatively simultaneous echo motion at almost all ranges and azimuths in a hurricane. The field of radar echo motion in Hurricane Donna on 9 September 1960 is then compared with local surface and other winds; and also on 9 an d 10 September with radar precipitation echo motion data from Hurricanes Edna 1954, Connie, Diane and lone 1955, Audrey 1957, and Daisy and Helene 1958, When storm center velocity is eliminated, it is shown that the resulting relative echo motion maximums occur most often to the left of the direction. Possible explanations for this echo motion behavior are discussed.