Polarimetric Debris Signature Spatial and Temporal Characteristics

Debris lofted by tornadoes may be detected in polarimetric radar data, now available nation-wide. For the seventeen months from January 2012 – May 2013, data was examined for each tornado which occurred in the domain of an operational polarimetric WSR-88D. The work presented here will quantify how often a debris signature was observed, and the spatial extent of the signature, for tornadoes of varying intensity ratings. The impact of increased range on the debris signature will be discussed. Degree of temporal overlap between the tornado and the polarimetric debris signature will be described. Geographic differences will be briefly explored, and a few case studies will be presented which show especially noteworthy manifestations of the signature. This work will provide operational meteorologists with a preliminary quantified look at typical characteristics of the polarimetric debris signature for tornadoes of varying intensity.