Recorded presentation19.1
High-resolution, mobile Doppler radar observations of cyclic mesocyclogenesis in a supercell
Michael M. French, Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK ; and H. B. Bluestein, D. C. Dowell, L. J. Wicker, M. R. Kramar, and A. L. Pazmany
On 15 May 2003, two ground-based, mobile, Doppler radars scanned a supercell that moved through the Texas Panhandle and cyclically produced mesocyclones. The two radars collected data from the storm during a rapid cyclic mesocyclogenesis stage and a more slowly-evolving tornadic period. A 3-cm wavelength radar (the UMass X-Pol radar) scanned the supercell continuously for a short time after it was cyclic but close to the time of tornadogenesis. A 5-cm wavelength radar (SMART Radar 1) scanned the supercell the entire time it exhibited cyclic behavior and for an additional 30 min after that. The ~90 min of volumetric data obtained with the 5-cm wavelength radar allowed for the individual circulations to be analyzed at multiple levels in the supercell. Various aspects of both the low- and mid-level circulations will be discussed including time series of their individual movements, storm-relative movements, diameters, and radial wind shear. In addition, observations from both mobile, Doppler radars will be used to assess the differences between the pre-tornadic circulations and the tornadic circulations. The results will be compared with other relevant studies of the cyclic mesocyclogenesis process. Recorded presentation
Session 19, High-resolution radar observations of supercells and tornadoes
Friday, 31 October 2008, 10:15 AM-11:45 AM, North & Center Ballroom
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