Dust devil winds: Assessing dry convective vortex intensity limits at planetary surfaces

Abstract An estimate of the maximum winds associated with dry convective vortices is determined simply as Vmax = ΔT(2Cp/Ta)0.5, where ΔT equal to half surface-atmosphere temperature contrast, Cp specific heat capacity, and Ta background atmosphere. The estimate, resultant winds, have strong support from a wide range observations on Earth Mars. model results in predicted vortex 29, 53, 2.7 2.0 m/s for Earth, Mars, Titan Venus respectively, values latter two bodies being surface energy balance models. well-documented Mars appear be ~25 m/s and ~ 30 m/s consistent limits.