Significant Variations of Radiosonde Ascent Rates Observed Above a Severe Tornadic Thunderstorm

Lane, et al (2003) examined radiosonde data and showed that changes in the radiosonde ascent rate can be caused by gravity waves generated by nearby thunderstorms. A preliminary report by Blackmore and Kardell (2012) examined more than a dozen cases of radiosonde ascent rates above 20 km where there were strong variations in ascent rate. Gravity waves induced by severe thunderstorms were suspected as a common cause for them.