T-REX

The Terrain-induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) is the second phase of a coordinated effort to explore the structure and evolution of atmospheric rotors (intense low-level horizontal vorticies that form along an axis parallel to, and downstream of, a mountain ridge crest) as well as associated phenomena in complex terrain. The initial, exploratory, phase of this effort, the Sierra Rotors Project, completed its Special Observation Period (SOP) in early spring 2004 in Owens Valley, California. Experience gained and data collected in the Phase I SOP have been instrumental in formulating both the sceintific objectives and experimental design of T-REX.