Extended Abstract (648K)3B.4
Microphysical differences between tornadic and nontornadic supercell rear-flank downdrafts revealed by dual-polarization radar measurements
Matthew R. Kumjian, CIMMS/Univ. of Oklahoma and NOAA/NSSL, Norman, OK ; and A. V. Ryzhkov
Recent research has suggested that tornadogenesis in supercells may be significantly impacted by the thermodynamic characteristics of rear-flank downdrafts (RFDs). These characteristics are governed by microphysical processes within the storm, such as melting and evaporation of hydrometeors. Specifically, colder RFDs have been shown to inhibit tornado development, whereas warmer RFDs (perhaps indicative of less vigorous evaporative cooling) are more conducive to tornadogenesis. Polarimetric radar measurements are sensitive to such phase transitions and in theory may capture subtle differences in evaporation rates between tornadic and nontornadic RFDs. Indeed, such differences have been measured by the research polarimetric prototype WSR-88D in Central Oklahoma (KOUN). Dual-polarization data from a small sample of four tornadic and five nontornadic supercells suggest that the drop size distribution (DSD) in nontornadic storms is more skewed towards larger drops than in tornadic storms, as inferred from higher differential reflectivity ZDR and lower cross-correlation coefficient ρHV for a given reflectivity factor ZH. Physical explanations are provided describing the effect of evaporation and melting on the observed polarimetric variables with the aid of simple explicit spectral microphysical models. Theoretical and modeling results suggest that the polarimetric differences between tornadic and nontornadic RFDs may be amplified in data from C-band radars due to enhanced resonance scattering effects present at smaller wavelengths.
Session 3B, Polarimetric Radar Observations and Lightning
Monday, 27 October 2008, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM, South Ballroom
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