Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Atmospheric Science
Committee Chair
Larry D. Carey
Committee Member
Kevin Knupp
Committee Member
Phillip Bitzer
Subject(s)
Hail, Radar meteorology, Doppler radar, Polariscope, Convection (Meteorology)
Abstract
This study was conducted to provide insight into the ability to nowcast severe convective winds using C-band dual polarimetric radar. C-band polarimetric radar was used to identify hail melting signatures. These signatures are observed as increasing differential reflectivity (Zdr) below the melting level. The use of C-band polarimetric radar was also used to identify and quantify small hail or graupel available for the hail melting process. The study found that Zdr values increasing to at least 3 dB and a quantifiable precipitation ice of at least 6 kg/m2 were observed for each convective wind case. Compared to the null cases, the ice precipitation was higher for 3 out of 4 of the confirmed convective wind cases. An overlap between estimated enhanced melting layer and the steep sub-cloud lapse rate was observed. Polarimetric radar can provide greater detail in precipitation processes than what is provided with single polarimetric, Doppler radars.
Recommended Citation
White, Patrick Wayne, "An exploratory study in nowcasting convective winds using c-band dual polarimetric radar" (2015). Theses. 104.
https://louis.uah.edu/uah-theses/104