P1.37
Precipitation structures observed in CAMEX hurricanes
Daniel J. Cecil, University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL; and G. M. Heymsfield, F. J. LaFontaine, M. G. Bateman, E. J. Zipser, and F. D. Marks
The Third and Fourth Convection And Moisture Experiments (CAMEX-3 and CAMEX-4) featured a wide variety of observations of Atlantic hurricanes during 1998 and 2001. Observations from several instruments are combined to study the precipitation structures in selected storms. Taken together, these observations reveal a more complete picture of the storms than any of the individual instruments could. Additionally, the different instruments aid in interpretation of each other. Many of these instruments are similar to spaceborne counterparts, so improved interpretations can be applied to more routinely available satellite data.
Hurricane Bonnie (1998) was particularly well observed during CAMEX-3. Figure 1 shows a juxtaposition of radar reflectivity (from EDOP), passive microwave brightness temperatures (from AMPR), and electric fields (from LIP). These are taken from a flight leg extending from near the center of the eye (at left) to the stratiform region (with embedded convective rainbands) on the southwest side (at right). Some relationships between these fields are apparent from the cross section. These relationships can be refined with the addition of other fields observed by the aircraft for this cross section along with consideration of the four dimensional nature of the storm.
In CAMEX-4, Hurricane Humberto seems especially suited for such investigation. Hurricane Erin is also a candidate. Observations from one or both of these storms, in addition to a more detailed look at Hurricane Bonnie, will be presented at the conference.
Poster Session 1, Tropical Cyclones, Large-scale Dynamics and Convection
Monday, 29 April 2002, 11:00 AM-12:30 PM
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Extended Abstract (168K)