PX-1000 Observations of Mesoscale Convective Systems During PECAN

The Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) experiment sought to better understand the formation, evolution, and impacts of nocturnal convection in the United States Great Plains. During PECAN, the University of Oklahoma’s PX-1000 radar collected several data sets of Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCSs). The PX-1000 is a transportable, solid-state, dual-polarization X-band radar that utilizes pulse compression to achieve higher sensitivity and range resolution from modest transmitted peak power.

The goal of this study is to analyze and highlight interesting polarimetric characteristics of MCSs observed with the PX-1000. On 25 June 2015, the PX-1000 collected dual-polarization radar data within the leading stratiform rain region and within a trailing stratiform region with high polarimetric variability. The observations also include severe winds associated with an intense rear inflow jet. On 1 July 2015, the PX-1000 collected extensive stratiform rain data while collocated with SMART-R2, providing a unique data set with collocated C- and X-band dual-polarization data. In addition, RHI scans were conducted over Parsivel disdrometer measurements and along a NOAA P-3 flight transect below the melting level. Finally, polarimetric data were collected in a leading line, trailing stratiform MCS on 6 July 2015 that produced very heavy rainfall, severe winds, and a brief tornado. Using these data sets, velocity-azimuth displays and quasi-vertical profiles will be analyzed in conjunction with PPI and RHI scans obtained from PX-1000.