Kinematics and Microphysics of Convection in the Outer Rainband of Typhoon Nida (2016) Revealed by Polarimetric Radar

Dan Wu Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather/MOE, and School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, and State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, and Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research, China Meteorological Administration/Nanjing University, Beijing, China
Shanghai Typhoon Institute, Shanghai, China

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Kun Zhao Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather/MOE, and School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, and State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, and Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research, China Meteorological Administration/Nanjing University, Beijing, China

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Matthew R. Kumjian Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

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Xiaomin Chen Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather/MOE, and School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, and State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, and Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research, China Meteorological Administration/Nanjing University, Beijing, China

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Hao Huang Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather/MOE, and School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, and State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, and Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research, China Meteorological Administration/Nanjing University, Beijing, China

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Mingjun Wang Key Laboratory of Mesoscale Severe Weather/MOE, and School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, and State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, and Joint Center for Atmospheric Radar Research, China Meteorological Administration/Nanjing University, Beijing, China

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Anthony C. Didlake Jr. Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

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Yihong Duan State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing, China

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Fuqing Zhang Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

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Abstract

This study analyzes the microphysics of convective cells in an outer rainband of Typhoon Nida (2016) using data collected by a newly upgraded operational polarimetric radar in China. The life cycle of these convective cells is divided into three stages: developing, mature, and decaying according to the intensity of the corresponding updraft. Composite analysis shows that deep columns of ZDR and KDP collocate well with the enhanced updraft as the cells develop to their mature stage. A layered microphysical structure is observed in the ice region with riming near the −5°C level within the updraft, aggregation around the −15°C level, and deposition anywhere above the 0°C level. These ice-phase microphysical processes are important pathways of particle growth in the outer rainbands. In particular, riming contributes significantly to surface heavy rainfall. These contrast to previously documented inner rainbands, where warm-rain processes are the predominant pathway of particle growth.

© 2018 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Dr. Kun Zhao, zhaokun@nju.edu.cn

Abstract

This study analyzes the microphysics of convective cells in an outer rainband of Typhoon Nida (2016) using data collected by a newly upgraded operational polarimetric radar in China. The life cycle of these convective cells is divided into three stages: developing, mature, and decaying according to the intensity of the corresponding updraft. Composite analysis shows that deep columns of ZDR and KDP collocate well with the enhanced updraft as the cells develop to their mature stage. A layered microphysical structure is observed in the ice region with riming near the −5°C level within the updraft, aggregation around the −15°C level, and deposition anywhere above the 0°C level. These ice-phase microphysical processes are important pathways of particle growth in the outer rainbands. In particular, riming contributes significantly to surface heavy rainfall. These contrast to previously documented inner rainbands, where warm-rain processes are the predominant pathway of particle growth.

© 2018 American Meteorological Society. For information regarding reuse of this content and general copyright information, consult the AMS Copyright Policy (www.ametsoc.org/PUBSReuseLicenses).

Corresponding author: Dr. Kun Zhao, zhaokun@nju.edu.cn
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