Comparing Observed and Modeled Fields for the 9-10 June 2003 MCS Sampled During BAMEX

The 2003 Bow Echo and Mesoscale Convective Vortex Experiment (BAMEX) provides a high resolution, multi-sensor dataset that can serve as an excellent basis for improving the understanding of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) through comparisons against model simulations. In this work, radar observations acquired during the June 9-10, 2003 MCS are compared against output from numerical simulations performed using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. In particular, statistical distributions of variables such as radar reflectivity (Z) and Doppler velocity (V_dop) are compared.

Contour Frequency by Altitude Diagrams (CFADs) of observed and modeled Z and V_dop are compared at varying times in the MCS evolution to assess the degree to which the simulated and observed MCS morphology, kinematics, and microphysics agree. In addition to examining the vertical structure of MCSs with CFADs, a new technique called Contour Frequency by Distance Diagrams (CFDDs) is used to assess how observed and simulated microphysics and kinematics vary with distance behind the convective line. Using these analysis techniques will ultimately permit an understanding of the physical processes responsible for the evolution of MCSs.