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- Author or Editor: Youngsun Jung x
- Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology x
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Abstract
A new general polarimetric radar simulator for nonhydrostatic numerical weather prediction (NWP) models has been developed based on rigorous scattering calculations using the T-matrix method for reflectivity, differential reflectivity, specific differential phase, and copolar cross-correlation coefficient. A continuous melting process accounts for the entire spectrum of varying density and dielectric constants. This simulator is able to simulate polarimetric radar measurements at weather radar frequency bands and can take as input the prognostic variables of high-resolution NWP model simulations using one-, two-, and three-moment microphysics schemes. The simulator was applied at 10.7-cm wavelength to a model-simulated supercell storm using a double-moment (two moment) bulk microphysics scheme to examine its ability to simulate polarimetric signatures reported in observational studies. The simulated fields exhibited realistic polarimetric signatures that include Z DR and K DP columns, Z DR arc, midlevel Z DR and ρhυ rings, hail signature, and K DP foot in terms of their general location, shape, and strength. The authors compared the simulation with one employing a single-moment (SM) microphysics scheme and found that certain signatures, such as Z DR arc, midlevel Z DR, and ρhυ rings, cannot be reproduced with the latter. It is believed to be primarily caused by the limitation of the SM scheme in simulating the shift of the particle size distribution toward larger/smaller diameters, independent of mixing ratio. These results suggest that two- or higher-moment microphysics schemes should be used to adequately describe certain important microphysical processes. They also demonstrate the utility of a well-designed radar simulator for validating numerical models. In addition, the simulator can also serve as a training tool for forecasters to recognize polarimetric signatures that can be reproduced by advanced NWP models.
Abstract
A new general polarimetric radar simulator for nonhydrostatic numerical weather prediction (NWP) models has been developed based on rigorous scattering calculations using the T-matrix method for reflectivity, differential reflectivity, specific differential phase, and copolar cross-correlation coefficient. A continuous melting process accounts for the entire spectrum of varying density and dielectric constants. This simulator is able to simulate polarimetric radar measurements at weather radar frequency bands and can take as input the prognostic variables of high-resolution NWP model simulations using one-, two-, and three-moment microphysics schemes. The simulator was applied at 10.7-cm wavelength to a model-simulated supercell storm using a double-moment (two moment) bulk microphysics scheme to examine its ability to simulate polarimetric signatures reported in observational studies. The simulated fields exhibited realistic polarimetric signatures that include Z DR and K DP columns, Z DR arc, midlevel Z DR and ρhυ rings, hail signature, and K DP foot in terms of their general location, shape, and strength. The authors compared the simulation with one employing a single-moment (SM) microphysics scheme and found that certain signatures, such as Z DR arc, midlevel Z DR, and ρhυ rings, cannot be reproduced with the latter. It is believed to be primarily caused by the limitation of the SM scheme in simulating the shift of the particle size distribution toward larger/smaller diameters, independent of mixing ratio. These results suggest that two- or higher-moment microphysics schemes should be used to adequately describe certain important microphysical processes. They also demonstrate the utility of a well-designed radar simulator for validating numerical models. In addition, the simulator can also serve as a training tool for forecasters to recognize polarimetric signatures that can be reproduced by advanced NWP models.
Abstract
With the development of multimoment bulk microphysical schemes and polarimetric radar forward operators, one can better examine convective storms simulated in high-resolution numerical models from a simulated polarimetric radar perspective. Subsequently, relationships between observable and unobservable quantities can be examined that may provide useful information about storm intensity and organization that otherwise would be difficult to obtain. This paper, Part I of a two-part sequence, describes the bulk microphysics scheme, polarimetric radar forward operator, and numerical model configuration used to simulate supercells in eight idealized, horizontally homogenous environments with different wind profiles. The microphysical structure and evolution of copolar cross-correlation coefficient (ρhv) rings associated with simulated supercells are examined in Part I, whereas Part II examines Z DR columns, Z DR rings, and K DP columns. In both papers, some systematic differences between the signature seen at X and S bands are discussed. The presence of hail is found to affect ρhv much more at X band than at S band (and is found to affect Z DR more at S band than at X band), which corroborates observations. The ρhv half ring is found to be associated with the presence of large, sometimes wet, hail aloft, with an ~20-min time lag between increases in the size of the ρhv ring aloft and the occurrence of a large amount of hail near the ground in some simulations.
Abstract
With the development of multimoment bulk microphysical schemes and polarimetric radar forward operators, one can better examine convective storms simulated in high-resolution numerical models from a simulated polarimetric radar perspective. Subsequently, relationships between observable and unobservable quantities can be examined that may provide useful information about storm intensity and organization that otherwise would be difficult to obtain. This paper, Part I of a two-part sequence, describes the bulk microphysics scheme, polarimetric radar forward operator, and numerical model configuration used to simulate supercells in eight idealized, horizontally homogenous environments with different wind profiles. The microphysical structure and evolution of copolar cross-correlation coefficient (ρhv) rings associated with simulated supercells are examined in Part I, whereas Part II examines Z DR columns, Z DR rings, and K DP columns. In both papers, some systematic differences between the signature seen at X and S bands are discussed. The presence of hail is found to affect ρhv much more at X band than at S band (and is found to affect Z DR more at S band than at X band), which corroborates observations. The ρhv half ring is found to be associated with the presence of large, sometimes wet, hail aloft, with an ~20-min time lag between increases in the size of the ρhv ring aloft and the occurrence of a large amount of hail near the ground in some simulations.
Abstract
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.
Abstract
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.
