Jerry M. Straka

Bulk Hydrometeor Classification and Quantification Using Polarimetric Radar Data: Synthesis of Relations

Abstract A new synthesis of information forming the foundation for rule-based systems to deduce dominant bulk hydrometeor types and amounts using polarimetric radar data is presented. The information is valid for a 10-cm wavelength and consists of relations that are based on an extensive list of previous and recent observational and modeling studies of polarimetric signatures of hydrometeors. The relations are expressed as boundaries and thresholds in a space of polarimetric radar variables. Thus, the foundation is laid out for identification of hydrometeor types (species), estimation of characteristics of hydrometeor species (size, concentrations, etc.), and quantification of bulk hydrometeor contents (amounts). A fuzzy classification algorithm that builds upon this foundation will be discussed in a forthcoming paper.

Direct Surface Thermodynamic Observations within the Rear-Flank Downdrafts of Nontornadic and Tornadic Supercells

Abstract Despite the long-surmised importance of the hook echo and rear-flank downdraft (RFD) in tornadogenesis, only a paucity of direct observations have been obtained at the surface within hook echoes and RFDs. In this paper, in situ surface observations within hook echoes and RFDs are analyzed. These “mobile mesonet” data have unprecedented horizontal spatial resolution and were obtained from the Verifications of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX) and additional field experiments conducted since the conclusion of VORTEX. The surface thermodynamic characteristics of hook echoes and RFDs associated with tornadic and nontornadic supercells are investigated to address whether certain types of hook echoes and RFDs are favorable (or unfavorable) for tornadogenesis. Tornadogenesis is more likely and tornado intensity and longevity increase as the surface buoyancy, potential buoyancy (as measured by the convective available potential energy), and equivalent potential temperature in the R...

Precipitation Uncertainty Due to Variations in Precipitation Particle Parameters within a Simple Microphysics Scheme

This work reports on the sensitivity of accumulated precipitation to the microphysical parameterization in simulations of deep convective storms using a three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic cloud model with a simple liquid‐ice microphysics scheme. Various intercept parameters from an assumed Marshall‐Palmer exponential size distribution are tested along with two particle densities for the hail/graupel (qh) category. These variations allow testing of unique qh distributions that have been observed and documented in previous literature. Tests are conducted for a single thermodynamic profile and three idealized wind shear profiles. The amount of accumulated precipitation at the ground is very sensitive to the way the qh category is parameterized. Distributions characterized by larger intercepts and/or smaller particle density have a smaller mass-weighted mean terminal fall velocity and produce smaller qh mixing ratios spread over a larger area. For example, for a qh category weighted toward graupel, only a fourth as much precipitation accumulates on the ground over 2 h (and none is hail) compared to a qh category weighted toward large hail (with baseball-sized stones common). The inherent uncertainty within the qh distribution for this simple cloud-scale three-class ice microphysics scheme suggests limited usefulness in the forecasting of ground-accumulated precipitation and damaging hail.

Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment: VORTEX

Abstract This paper describes the Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment planned for 1994 and 1995 to evaluate a set of hypotheses pertaining to tornadogenesis and tornado dynamics. Observations of state variables will be obtained from five mobile mesonet vehicles, four mobile ballooning laboratories, three movie photography teams, portable Doppler radar teams, two in situ tornado instruments deployment teams, and the T-28 and National Atmospheric and Oceanic Administration P-3 aircraft. In addition, extensive use will be made of the new generation of observing systems, including the WSR-88D Doppler radars, demonstration wind profiler network, and National Weather Service rawinsondes.

Design and Deployment of a Portable, Pencil-Beam, Pulsed, 3-cm Doppler Radar

Abstract A portable, pencil-beam, pulsed, Doppler, 3-cm wavelength radar has been constructed to study a wide variety of meteorological phenomena including tornadoes, severe storms, and boundary layer processes. The new radar, the Doppler on Wheels (DOW), has full scanning capability, a real-time display and archiving, and is mounted on a truck for easy portability and full mobility. This portability allows the radar to be brought to within a kilometer of rare meteorological phenomena. At this range, the pencil beam of the radar is very narrow, permitting significantly higher-resolution measurements (at 3-km range, 64 m × 64 m × 75 m) than are usually possible with stationary or airborne systems. The radar employs a new high-powered, PC-based, digital intermediate frequency (IF) data acquisition scheme called the PIRAQ. The radar has successfully collected data in several tornadoes and tornadic storms and has been used to detect dust devils and other boundary layer structures. The sensitivity and mobility...

Simulated three‐dimensional branched lightning in a numerical thunderstorm model

Received 8 December 2000; revised 27 August 2001; accepted 7 September 2001; published 2 May 2002 [1] Lightning discharges are simulated by using a stochastic dielectric breakdown model within a numerical thunderstorm model with extensive parameterizations of electrification mechanisms. The lightning model simulates the macroscopic bidirectional extension of discharges as a step-by-step stochastic process. Discharge channels are propagated on a uniform grid, and the direction of propagation (including diagonals) for a particular step is chosen randomly, with the probability for choosing a particular direction depending on the net electric field. After each propagation step the electric fields are recomputed via Poisson’s equation to account for the effect of the conducting channel. The lightning parameterization produces realistic looking, three-dimensional, branched lightning discharges. A variety of lightning types have been produced, including intracloud discharges, negative cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning, and positive CG lightning. The model simulations support the hypothesis that negative CG flashes occur only when a region of positive charge exists below the main negative charge region. Similarly, simulated positive CG flashes were found to occur only in regions of storms where the two significant charge layers closest to ground had roughly a ‘‘normal dipole’’ structure (i.e., positive charge above negative). INDEX TERMS: 3300 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics; 3304 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Atmospheric electricity; 3324 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Lightning; 3337 Meteorology and Atmospheric Dynamics: Numerical modeling and data assimilation; KEYWORDS: lightning, thunderstorm electrification, numerical thunderstorm model

The Occurrence of Tornadoes in Supercells Interacting with Boundaries during VORTEX-95

Abstract During the Verifications of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment, nearly 70% of the significant tornadoes occurred near low-level boundaries not associated with the forward or rear flank downdrafts of supercells. In general, these were preexisting boundaries readily identified using conventional data sources. Most of the tornadoes occurred on the cool side of these low-level boundaries and generally within 30 km of the boundaries. It is likely that the low-level boundaries augmented the “ambient” horizontal vorticity, which, upon further generation in the forward-flank region, became sufficient to be associated with tornadic low-level mesocyclones. Some implications for forecasting and further research are discussed.

Precipitation and Evolution Sensitivity in Simulated Deep Convective Storms: Comparisons between Liquid-Only and Simple Ice and Liquid Phase Microphysics*

Abstract Weisman and Klemp suggested that their liquid-only, deep convective storm experiments should be repeated with a liquid-ice microphysics scheme to determine if the solutions are qualitatively the same. Using a three-dimensional, nonhydrostatic cloud model, such results are compared between three microphysics schemes: the “Kessler” liquid-only scheme (used by Weisman and Klemp), a Lin–Farley–Orville-like scheme with liquid and ice parameterization (Li), and the same Lin–Farley–Orville-like microphysics scheme but with only liquid processes turned on (Lr). Convection is simulated using a single thermodynamic profile and a variety of shear profiles. The shear profiles are represented by five idealized half-circle wind hodographs with arc lengths (Us) of 20, 25, 30, 40, and 50 m s−1. The precipitation, cold pool characteristics, and storm evolution produced by the different schemes are compared. The Kessler scheme produces similar accumulated precipitation over 2 h compared to Lr for all shear regimes...

TELEX The Thunderstorm Electrification and Lightning Experiment

Measurements during TELEX by a lightning mapping array, polarimetric and mobile Doppler radars, and balloon-borne electric-field meters and radiosondes show how lightning and other electrical properties depend on storm structure, updrafts, and precipitation formation.

Testing a procedure for automatic classification of hydrometeor types

Abstract Examples of automatic interpretation of polarimetric measurements made with an algorithm that classifies precipitation, from an Oklahoma squall line and a Florida airmass storm are presented. Developed in this paper are sensitivity tests of this algorithm to various polarimetric variables. The tests are done subjectively by comparing the fields of hydrometeors obtained using the full set of available polarimetric variables with a diminished set whereby some variables have been left out. An objective way to test the sensitivity of the algorithm to variables and rank their utility is also devised. The test involves definition of a measure, which is the number of data points classified into a category using subsets of available variables. Ratios of various measures (similar to probabilities) define the percentage of occurrence of a class. By comparing these percentages for cases in which some variables are excluded to those whereby all are included, a relative merit can be assigned to the variables....