Radar and Thermodynamic Properties of Isolated Convective Cells in the Rainband Region

In this study, datasets from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) hurricane research aircraft over the last decade were used to identify and document the thermodynamic and kinematic conditions in the vicinity of convective cells within the rainband regions of tropical cyclones. Both the NOAA N43RF and N42RF WP-3D aircrafts' lower fuselage and composited tail radar data were used to identify convective cells, focusing primarily on cells isolated from primary rainbands. Close proximity thermodynamic soundings were selected by comparing the radar imagery and the dropwindsonde locations at similar times. For each radar-identified convective cell, the selected soundings were then classified as belonging to an initiation environment or convective cell-inflow environment. After compiling the proximity soundings, thermodynamic variables and vertical wind profiles of these cells' environments were calculated and compared with other similar land-based events.

The final goal of this research is to gain a better understanding of environmental characteristics associated with the initiation, morphology, and dynamics of convective clouds in tropical cyclones. This study should lead to a better understanding of the physical processes responsible for these cells' evolution and maintenance, especially compared to those environments meteorologists are familiar with in other non-tropical cyclone convective situations.