Polarimetric radar observations of mesoscale convective systems in West Africa

The NASA 10-cm polarimetric Doppler radar (NPOL) was deployed in West Africa in the country of Senegal during the NASA African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analyses (NAMMA) field campaign. The experiment was conducted between 15 August and 30 September 2006. The radar operated continuously during the experiment and observed 19 distinct events. Events ranged from short-lived unorganized convection to long-lived mesoscale convective systems. The goal of the study is to examine the convective systems as they transition from land to ocean. The study will attempt to better understand the evolution of size, intensity, vertical structure, storm duration, diurnal variability, and other attributes that describe the events. The polarimetric fields will be used to estimate surface rainfall, liquid water in the cloud, and the distribution of hydrometeors within the convective systems. When possible, NPOL observations will be compared to other coincident observations such as rain gauges, disdrometers, and satellite. A summary of the analysis of the events will be discussed in the presentation.