Simulations of Polarimetric, X-Band Radar Signatures in Supercells. Part II: ZDR Columns and Rings and KDP Columns
A high-resolution numerical model and polarimetric forward operator allow one to examine simulated convective storms from the perspective of observable polarimetric radar quantities, enabling a better comparison of modeled and observed deep moist convection. Part I of this two-part study described t...
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| Published in: | Journal of applied meteorology and climatology Vol. 56; no. 7; pp. 2001 - 2026 |
|---|---|
| Main Authors: | , , , |
| Format: | Journal Article |
| Language: | English Japanese |
| Published: |
01.07.2017
|
| ISSN: | 1558-8424, 1558-8432 |
| Online Access: | Get full text |
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| Summary: | A high-resolution numerical model and polarimetric forward operator allow one to examine simulated convective storms from the perspective of observable polarimetric radar quantities, enabling a better comparison of modeled and observed deep moist convection. Part I of this two-part study described the model and forward operator used for all simulations and examined the structure and evolution of rings of reduced copolar cross-correlation coefficient (i.e.,
ρ
hv
rings). The microphysical structure of upward extensions of enhanced differential reflectivity (
Z
DR
columns and
Z
DR
rings) and enhanced specific differential phase (
K
DP
columns) near and within the updrafts of convective storms serve as the focus of this paper. In general, simulated
Z
DR
columns are located immediately west of the midlevel updraft maximum and are associated with rainwater lofted above the 0°C level and wet hail/graupel, whereas
Z
DR
rings are associated with wet hail located near and immediately east of the midlevel updraft maximum. The deepest areas of
Z
DR
> 1 dB aloft are associated with supercells in the highest shear environments and those that have the most intense updrafts; the upper extent of the
Z
DR
signatures is found to be positively correlated with the amount and mean-mass diameter of large hail aloft likely as a by-product of the shared correlations with updraft intensity and wind shear. Large quantities of rain compose the
K
DP
columns, with the size and intensity of the updrafts directly proportional to the size and depth of the
K
DP
columns. |
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| ISSN: | 1558-8424 1558-8432 |
| DOI: | 10.1175/JAMC-D-16-0139.1 |