Circulation Reference Vectors

[dfsteinhoff]

When plotting a vertical cross section with circulation vectors (feld=uuu,vvv,www; ptyp=vv), a set of reference vectors appears on the bottom right corner of the plot, one is directed upwards, and the other is directed to the left. What quantities do these vectors represent? They are clearly not the maximum horizontal and vertical vector values. Is it some standard value in each dimension, or is there a setting I am missing somewhere?

Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!

Dan

[lindsay]

Hi Dan,

I believe they are the maximum vector in the horizontal and vertical directions. The vertical is given in cm/s whereas the horizontal is in m/s. So as soon as you start to get updrafts the vertical vectors get very large.

Why do you think they are not what they say they are?

Lindsay

[dfsteinhoff]

Thanks Lindsay...I'm not sure why I didn't make the connection before. Now that I looked at the plots a bit closer it makes sense. I might have been focusing on the wrong part of the plot, wondering why the vertical component was so large.

Dan

[lindsay]

No problem. I've been making those kind of plots recently, and though they are not the "nicest" looking plots if you're looking at strong convective updrafts, they do at least give you an idea of the vertical circulations. Good luck with it.