Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Review Article

A Review of Convection Initiation and Motivation for IHOP_2002

Tammy M. Weckwerth Earth Observing Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Tammy M. Weckwerth in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
and
David B. Parsons Earth Observing Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research,* Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by David B. Parsons in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Jan 2006
Collections:
Review Articles in Monthly Weather Review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR3067.1
Page(s):
5–22
Restricted access

Abstract

The International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) included four complementary research components: quantitative precipitation forecasting, convection initiation, atmospheric boundary layer processes, and instrumentation. This special issue introductory paper will review the current state of knowledge on surface-forced convection initiation and then describe some of the outstanding issues in convection initiation that partially motivated IHOP_2002. Subsequent papers in this special issue will illustrate the value of combining varied and complementary datasets to study convection initiation in order to address the outstanding issues discussed in this paper and new questions that arose from IHOP_2002 observations.

The review will focus on convection initiation by boundaries that are prevalent in the U.S. southern Great Plains. Boundary layer circulations, which are sometimes precursors to deep convective development, are clearly observed by radar as reflectivity fine lines and/or convergence in Doppler velocity. The corresponding thermodynamic distribution, particularly the moisture field, is not as readily measured. During IHOP_2002, a variety of sensors capable of measuring atmospheric water vapor were brought together in an effort to sample the three-dimensional time-varying moisture field and determine its impact on forecasting convection initiation. The strategy included examining convection initiation with targeted observations aimed at sampling regions forecast to be ripe for initiation, primarily along frontal zones, drylines, and their mergers.

A key aspect of these investigations was the combination of varied moisture measurements with the detailed observations of the wind field, as presented in many of the subsequent papers in this issue. For example, the high-resolution measurements are being used to better understand the role of misocyclones on convection initiation. The analyses are starting to elucidate the value of new datasets, including satellite products and radar refractivity retrievals. Data assimilation studies using some of the state-of-the-art datasets from IHOP_2002 are already proving to be quite promising.

Corresponding author address: Tammy M. Weckwerth, NCAR/EOL, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000. Email: tammy@ucar.edu

Abstract

The International H2O Project (IHOP_2002) included four complementary research components: quantitative precipitation forecasting, convection initiation, atmospheric boundary layer processes, and instrumentation. This special issue introductory paper will review the current state of knowledge on surface-forced convection initiation and then describe some of the outstanding issues in convection initiation that partially motivated IHOP_2002. Subsequent papers in this special issue will illustrate the value of combining varied and complementary datasets to study convection initiation in order to address the outstanding issues discussed in this paper and new questions that arose from IHOP_2002 observations.

The review will focus on convection initiation by boundaries that are prevalent in the U.S. southern Great Plains. Boundary layer circulations, which are sometimes precursors to deep convective development, are clearly observed by radar as reflectivity fine lines and/or convergence in Doppler velocity. The corresponding thermodynamic distribution, particularly the moisture field, is not as readily measured. During IHOP_2002, a variety of sensors capable of measuring atmospheric water vapor were brought together in an effort to sample the three-dimensional time-varying moisture field and determine its impact on forecasting convection initiation. The strategy included examining convection initiation with targeted observations aimed at sampling regions forecast to be ripe for initiation, primarily along frontal zones, drylines, and their mergers.

A key aspect of these investigations was the combination of varied moisture measurements with the detailed observations of the wind field, as presented in many of the subsequent papers in this issue. For example, the high-resolution measurements are being used to better understand the role of misocyclones on convection initiation. The analyses are starting to elucidate the value of new datasets, including satellite products and radar refractivity retrievals. Data assimilation studies using some of the state-of-the-art datasets from IHOP_2002 are already proving to be quite promising.

Corresponding author address: Tammy M. Weckwerth, NCAR/EOL, P.O. Box 3000, Boulder, CO 80307-3000. Email: tammy@ucar.edu

Save
Cover Monthly Weather Review
Monthly Weather Review

  • Abdul, J. A., 1955: The atmospheric solitary wave. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 36 , 511–518.

  • Achtemeier, G. L., 1983: The relationship between the surface wind field and convective precipitation over the St. Louis area. J. Climate Appl. Meteor, 22 , 982–999.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Anthes, R. A., Y-H. Kuo, S. G. Benjamin, and Y-F. Li, 1982: The evolution of the mesoscale environment of severe local storms: Preliminary modeling results. Mon. Wea. Rev, 110 , 1187–1213.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Arnott, N. R., Y. P. Richardson, J. M. Wurman, and E. M. Rasmussen, 2006: Relationship between a weakening cold front, misocyclones, and cloud development on 10 June 2002 during IHOP. Mon Wea. Rev, 134 , 311–335.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Atkins, N. T., R. M. Wakimoto, and T. M. Weckwerth, 1995: Observations of the sea-breeze front during CaPE. Part II: Dual-Doppler and aircraft analysis. Mon. Wea. Rev, 123 , 944–969.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Atkins, N. T., R. M. Wakimoto, and C. L. Ziegler, 1998: Observations of the finescale structure of a dryline during VORTEX 95. Mon. Wea. Rev, 126 , 525–550.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Balaji, V., and T. L. Clark, 1988: Scale selection in locally forced convective fields and the initiation of deep cumulus. J. Atmos. Sci, 45 , 3188–3211.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Benjamin, S. G., 1986: Some effects of surface heating and topography on the regional severe storm environment. Part II: Two-dimensional idealized experiments. Mon. Wea. Rev, 114 , 330–343.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Benjamin, S. G., and T. N. Carlson, 1986: Some effects of surface heating and topography on the regional severe storm environment. Part I: Three-dimensional simulations. Mon. Wea. Rev, 114 , 307–329.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bluestein, H. B., and S. S. Parker, 1993: Modes of isolated, severe convective storm formation along the dryline. Mon. Wea. Rev, 121 , 1354–1372.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bluestein, H. B., E. W. McCaul Jr., G. P. Byrd, and G. R. Woodall, 1988: Mobile sounding observations of a tornadic storm near the dryline: The Canadian, Texas, storm of 7 May 1986. Mon. Wea. Rev, 116 , 1790–1804.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Bluestein, H. B., E. W. McCaul Jr., G. P. Byrd, R. L. Walko, and R. P. Davies-Jones, 1990: An observational study of splitting convective clouds. Mon. Wea. Rev, 118 , 1359–1370.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Byers, H. R., and R. R. Braham Jr., 1949: The Thunderstorm. U.S. Government Printing Office, 287 pp.

  • Cai, H., W-C. Lee, T. M. Weckwerth, C. Flamant, and H. V. Murphey, 2006: Observations of the 11 June dryline during IHOP_2002—A null case for convective initiation. Mon Wea. Rev, 134 , 336–354.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carbone, R. E., 1982: A severe frontal rainband. Part I: Stormwide hydrodynamic structure. J. Atmos. Sci, 39 , 258–279.

  • Carbone, R. E., 1983: A severe frontal rainband. Part II: Tornado parent vortex circulation. J. Atmos. Sci, 40 , 2639–2654.

  • Carbone, R. E., J. W. Conway, N. A. Crook, and M. W. Moncrieff, 1990: The generation and propagation of a nocturnal squall line. Part I: Observations and implications for mesoscale predictability. Mon. Wea. Rev, 118 , 26–49.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carbone, R. E., J. W. Wilson, T. D. Keenan, and J. M. Hacker, 2000: Tropical island convection in the absence of significant topography. Part I: Life cycle of diurnally forced convection. Mon. Wea. Rev, 128 , 3459–3480.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carbone, R. E., J. D. Tuttle, D. A. Ahijevych, and S. B. Trier, 2002: Inferences of predictability associated with warm season precipitation episodes. J. Atmos. Sci, 59 , 2033–2056.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Carlson, T. N., and F. H. Ludlam, 1968: Conditions for the occurrence of severe local storms. Tellus, 20 , 203–226.

  • Carlson, T. N., S. G. Benjamin, G. S. Forbes, and Y-F. Lin, 1983: Elevated mixed layers in the regional severe storm environment: Conceptual model and case studies. Mon. Wea. Rev, 111 , 1453–1474.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Charba, J., 1974: Application of gravity current model to analysis of squall-line gust front. Mon. Wea. Rev, 102 , 140–156.

  • Childs, P. P., A. L. Qureshi, S. Raman, K. Alapaty, R. Ellis, R. Boyles, and D. Niyogi, 2006: Simulation of convective initiation during IHOP_2002 using the Flux-Adjusting Surface Data Assimilation System (FASDAS). Mon Wea. Rev, 134 , 134–148.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Christian, T. W., and R. M. Wakimoto, 1989: The relationship between radar reflectivities and clouds associated with horizontal roll convection on 8 August 1982. Mon. Wea. Rev, 117 , 1530–1544.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Christie, D. R., K. J. Muirhead, and A. L. Hales, 1979: Intrusive density flows in the lower troposphere: A source of atmospheric solitons. J. Geophys. Res, 84 , 4959–4970.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ciesielski, P. E., R. H. Johnson, P. T. Haertel, and J. Wang, 2003: Corrected TOGA COARE sounding humidity data: Impact on diagnosed properties of convection and climate over the warm pool. J. Climate, 16 , 2370–2384.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Crawford, T. M., and H. B. Bluestein, 1997: Characteristics of dryline passage during COPS-91. Mon. Wea. Rev, 125 , 463–477.

  • Crook, N. A., 1996: Sensitivity of moist convection forced by boundary layer processes to low-level thermodynamic fields. Mon. Wea. Rev, 124 , 1768–1785.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Crook, N. A., T. L. Clark, and M. W. Moncrieff, 1991: The Denver Cyclone. Part II: Interaction with the convective boundary layer. J. Atmos. Sci, 48 , 2109–2126.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dabberdt, W. F., and T. W. Schlatter, 1996: Research opportunities from emerging atmospheric observing and modeling capabilities. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 77 , 305–323.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dailey, P. S., and R. G. Fovell, 1999: Numerical simulation of the interaction between the sea-breeze front and horizontal convective rolls. Part I: Offshore ambient flow. Mon. Wea. Rev, 127 , 858–878.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Demoz, B., and Coauthors, 2006: The dryline on 22 May 2002 during IHOP_2002: Convective–scale measurements at the profiling site. Mon Wea. Rev, 134 , 294–310.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dorien, P. B., S. Koch, and W. C. Skillman, 1988: The relationship between satellite-inferred frontogenesis and squall line formation. Wea. Forecasting, 3 , 319–342.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Doswell III, C. A., 1987: The distinction between large-scale and mesoscale contribution to severe convection: A case study example. Wea. Forecasting, 2 , 3–16.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Doviak, R. J., and R. Ge, 1984: An atmospheric solitary gust observed with a Doppler radar, a tall tower and a surface network. J. Atmos. Sci, 41 , 2559–2573.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Doviak, R. J., S. S. Chen, and D. R. Christie, 1991: A thunderstorm-generated solitary wave observation compared with theory for nonlinear waves in a sheared atmosphere. J. Atmos. Sci, 48 , 87–111.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Droegemeier, K. K., and R. B. Wilhelmson, 1985: Three-dimensional numerical modeling of convection produced by interacting thunderstorm outflows. Part I: Control simulation and low-level moisture variation. J. Atmos. Sci, 42 , 2381–2403.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Emanuel, K., and Coauthors, 1995: Report of first prospectus development team of the U.S. weather research program to NOAA and the NSF. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 76 , 1194–1208.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fabry, F., 2004: Meteorological value of ground target measurements by radar. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol, 21 , 591–604.

  • Fabry, F., 2006: The spatial variability of moisture in the boundary layer and its effect on convection initiation: Project-long characterization. Mon Wea. Rev, 134 , 79–91.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fabry, F., C. Frush, I. Zawadzki, and A. Kilambi, 1997: On the extraction of near-surface index of refraction using radar phase measurements from ground targets. J. Atmos. Oceanic Technol, 14 , 978–987.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fankhauser, J. C., N. A. Crook, J. Tuttle, L. J. Miller, and C. G. Wade, 1995: Initiation of deep convection along boundary layer convergence lines in a semitropical environment. Mon. Wea. Rev, 123 , 291–313.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fovell, R. G., and P. S. Dailey, 2001: Numerical simulation of the interaction between the sea-breeze front and horizontal convective rolls. Part II: Alongshore ambient flow. Mon. Wea. Rev, 129 , 2057–2072.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fritsch, J. M., and R. E. Carbone, 2004: Improving quantitative precipitation forecasts in the warm season: A USWRP research and development strategy. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 85 , 955–966.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Fulton, R., D. S. Zrnic, and R. J. Doviak, 1990: Initiation of a solitary wave family in the demise of a nocturnal thunderstorm density current. J. Atmos. Sci, 47 , 319–337.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Garstang, M., and H. J. Cooper, 1981: The role of near surface outflow in maintaining convective activity. Proc. Nowcasting-I Symp., Copenhagen, Denmark, European Space Agency, 161–168.

  • Geerts, B., and R. Damiani, 2006: Finescale vertical structure of a cold front as revealed by an airborne Doppler radar. Mon Wea. Rev, 134 , 251–271.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Goff, R. C., 1976: Vertical structure of thunderstorm outflows. Mon. Wea. Rev, 104 , 1429–1440.

  • Grossman, R. L., 1982: An analysis of vertical velocity spectra obtained in the BOMEX fair-weather, trade-wind boundary layer. Bound.-Layer Meteor, 23 , 323–357.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Guichard, F., D. Parsons, and E. Miller, 2000: Thermodynamic and radiative impact of the correction of sounding humidity bias in the tropics. J. Climate, 13 , 3611–3624.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Haase, S. P., and R. K. Smith, 1984: Morning glory wave clouds in Oklahoma: A case study. Mon. Wea. Rev, 112 , 2078–2089.

  • Hane, C. E., C. J. Kessinger, and P. S. Ray, 1987: The Oklahoma squall line of 19 May 1977. Part II: Mechanisms for maintenance of the region of strong convection. J. Atmos. Sci, 44 , 2866–2886.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hane, C. E., C. L. Ziegler, and H. B. Bluestein, 1993: Investigation of the dryline and convective storms initiated along the dryline: Field experiments during COPS-91. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc, 74 , 2133–2145.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hane, C. E., H. B. Bluesein, T. M. Crawford, M. E. Baldwin, and R. M. Rabin, 1997: Severe thunderstorm development in relation to along-dryline variability: A case study. Mon. Wea. Rev, 125 , 231–251.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hane, C. E., M. E. Baldwin, H. B. Bluestein, T. M. Crawford, and R. M. Rabin, 2001: A case study of severe storm development along a dryline within a synoptically active environment. Part I: Dryline motion and an Eta Model forecast. Mon. Wea. Rev, 129 , 2183–2204.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hane, C. E., R. M. Rabin, T. M. Crawford, H. B. Bluestein, and M. E. Baldwin, 2002: A case study of severe storm development along a dryline within a synoptically active environment. Part II: Multiple boundaries and convection initiation. Mon. Wea. Rev, 130 , 900–920.