Editorial Type:
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Article Type:
Research Article

Characterization of the 14 June 2011 Norman, Oklahoma, Downburst through Dual-Polarization Radar Observations and Hydrometeor Classification

Vivek N. Mahale School of Meteorology, and Advanced Radar Research Center, and Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Guifu Zhang School of Meteorology, and Advanced Radar Research Center, and Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Ming Xue School of Meteorology, and Center for Analysis and Prediction of Storms, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma

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Print Publication:
01 Dec 2016
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-16-0062.1
Page(s):
2635–2655
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Abstract

On 14 June 2011, thunderstorms developed along a cold front in central Oklahoma in a thermodynamic environment that was conducive for downbursts. One of the thunderstorms produced a wet downburst in Norman, Oklahoma, that resulted in surface winds in excess of 35 m s−1 (>80 mi h−1) and hailstones in excess of 4 cm in diameter. Unique 1-min observations of the downburst were recorded by an Oklahoma Mesonet station. These observations indicated a 6.6-hPa pressure rise that was coincident with a rain rate of 213 mm h−1 at the center of the downburst. In this event, both the research KOUN (Norman) and operational KTLX (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) instruments were scanning this downburst and its parent storm at close range (<30 km). KOUN provided polarimetric radar data (PRD) while both radars provided limited dual-Doppler coverage. The evolution of the downburst is analyzed mostly through the use of reconstructed range–height indicators of the PRD. A hydrometeor classification algorithm (HCA) is applied to the PRD to gain further understanding of the microphysical evolution of the downburst. Through the analyses, it is seen that graupel aloft made a transition to a nearly all rain and hail mixture above the 0°C level. This large area of mixed rain and hail eventually descended to the ground, causing the downburst. In this study, the HCA analyses are utilized to develop a conceptual model that characterizes the hydrometeor evolution of the parent downburst storm.

Corresponding author e-mail: Vivek N. Mahale, vmahale@ou.edu

Abstract

On 14 June 2011, thunderstorms developed along a cold front in central Oklahoma in a thermodynamic environment that was conducive for downbursts. One of the thunderstorms produced a wet downburst in Norman, Oklahoma, that resulted in surface winds in excess of 35 m s−1 (>80 mi h−1) and hailstones in excess of 4 cm in diameter. Unique 1-min observations of the downburst were recorded by an Oklahoma Mesonet station. These observations indicated a 6.6-hPa pressure rise that was coincident with a rain rate of 213 mm h−1 at the center of the downburst. In this event, both the research KOUN (Norman) and operational KTLX (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma) Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) instruments were scanning this downburst and its parent storm at close range (<30 km). KOUN provided polarimetric radar data (PRD) while both radars provided limited dual-Doppler coverage. The evolution of the downburst is analyzed mostly through the use of reconstructed range–height indicators of the PRD. A hydrometeor classification algorithm (HCA) is applied to the PRD to gain further understanding of the microphysical evolution of the downburst. Through the analyses, it is seen that graupel aloft made a transition to a nearly all rain and hail mixture above the 0°C level. This large area of mixed rain and hail eventually descended to the ground, causing the downburst. In this study, the HCA analyses are utilized to develop a conceptual model that characterizes the hydrometeor evolution of the parent downburst storm.

Corresponding author e-mail: Vivek N. Mahale, vmahale@ou.edu
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