lidar observations of atmospheric motion in forest valleys

In connection with studies of aerial insecticide spraying techniques being carried out by the U. S. Forest Service, Stanford Research Institute personnel have been making lidar observations of smoke and spray material discharged by aircraft flying over forest terrain. The motion of the smoke and suspended spray droplet clouds can be tracked by lidar even when they are not visible to the eye. This makes it possible to study the motion and diffusion of parcels of air caused by micrometeorological factors, such as the insolation of valley slopes. While of primary interest in connection with aerial spraying operations, this research provides new quantitative information regarding atmospheric motion in forest valleys. The ruby and neodymium lidar instrumentation used is described and the methods of observation explained. Representative results are presented and discussed.