Analysis and Application of MST Radar Turbulence Data in Qinzhou, Guangxi, China

Atmospheric turbulence refers to the random and irregular airflow in the three-dimensional Earth’s atmosphere, and the atmospheric refractive index structure constant Cn2 is often used to quantitatively express the intensity of atmospheric turbulence. In this study, we first analyze the atmospheric wind field profiles and Cn2 profiles measured by the Mesosphere–Stratosphere–Troposphere (MST) radar station in Qinzhou, Guangxi, which was established under the National Meridian Project. The results are compared with the calculation results from the NCEP dataset, confirming the stability and reliability of the data from the Qinzhou, Guangxi MST radar station. Furthermore, we statistically analyzed its diurnal variation characteristics on 4 October 2024, and monthly seasonal distribution characteristics from August 2024 to July 2025. The results show that the diurnal variation of the atmospheric refractive index structure constant is stronger during the day than at night, and stronger in spring and autumn than in summer and winter, which is consistent with the expected results. Finally, we separately analyzed the capture of the intensely turbulent typhoon “Capricorn” on 7 September 2024, by the MST radar-measured wind field, atmospheric refractive index structure constant, and surface meteorological stations. Linear fitting was performed on the horizontal wind vertical shear perturbations and atmospheric refractive index structure constant perturbations caused by the turbulence event, with a coefficient of determination R2=0.70128. This result suggests that, during severe typhoon events, vertical wind shear serves as the primary driving mechanism for the enhancement of atmospheric optical turbulence.