Hail and Small-Drop DSD Variability by Environment in Supercell Storms

Hail and small-drop-dominant particle distributions have preferred formation and fallout regions in supercell storms, and can be located using analysis of polarimetric radar variables such as differential reflectivity (Z_DR) and co-polar cross-correlation coefficient (ρ_hv). Placement of these hydrometeor species may vary by environment, including the vertical wind and moisture profiles. The work presented here will include an analysis of several tornadic and non-tornadic supercells within 75 km of a polarimetric radar characterized by very different environments. Spatial extent of polarimetrically-inferred hail and small-drop-dominant distributions will be quantified, and related to environmental factors. These factors include a subset which measure synoptic-scale variability, and a subset related to the mesoscale environment such as vertical wind shear and moisture content in several layers, and hodograph shape. Findings will be related to expected microphysical distributions from prior observational and modeling work.