Highlights of the storm-scale radar data from VORTEX2—2010

The second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2) fieldwork concluded in June 2010. The four main foci of VORTEX2 are: tornadogenesis, the near-ground wind field in tornadoes, the relationship between supercell storms and their environment, and storm-scale numerical weather prediction.

Most of the data analyses require storm-scale radar observations, especially studies on supercell dynamics, supercell evolution and interactions, and storm-scale forecasting. The storm-scale radar observations will also provide context for the finer scale observations obtained from the other observational platforms, such as the mobile mesonets, sticknets, UAVs, mesocylone- and tornado-scale radars. This presentation provides an overview of the storm-scale radar data collected during VORTEX2 in 2010.

The two C-band Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching (SMART) radars (Biggerstaff et al. 2005) were used to collect storm-scale observations of over 30 supercells. These observations included a variety of cases including tornadogenesis, tornadogenesis failure, storm mergers, and upscale growth into mesoscale convective systems containing strong circulations. Several interesting data sets were obtained during the week after the VORTEX2 program officially ended. An overview of all the data collected will be presented to exhibit the body of storm-scale radar data that is available for future collaborative research projects. Data collection timelines with descriptions of the phenomenon observed will be presented. An introduction to some of the most interesting cases will also be presented.