Wavelet analysis of dynamical processes in cirrus

Vertical air velocity observations obtained from the NASA DC-8 on 21 April 1996 are analyzed using wavelet and spectral analysis methods. Wavelet analysis yielded a very useful characterization of the complex dynamical structures encountered above, below and within the cirrus clouds observed on this flight. Intermittent small groups of apparent gravity waves were found at length scales ranging from 2 km to greater than 40 km. Within the cloud, patches of convective cells were also found. The hierarchy of dynamical structures was well discriminated by the analysis.