Microphysics in severe convective storms

Cloud and precipitation microphysical processes are intimately linked to the kinematics and thermodynamics of deep moist convective storms. As such, microphysics plays a crucial role in governing storm structure, appearance, and behavior and thus is important for our scientific understanding of severe storms and their impacts on our society.

This talk will discuss the current state of microphysics research in deep moist convection, including both observations (with an emphasis on polarimetric radar observations) and numerical modeling. In doing so, the major limitations of our knowledge will be addressed. These include the lack of in-situ measurements (particularly in updraft cores and mixed-phase regions), the role (if any) of microphysics in tornadogenesis or tornadogenesis failure, the predictability and detectability of large and giant hail, and large uncertainties and sources of error in microphysics parameterization schemes used in storm-scale numerical models. Finally, the talk will conclude with an overview of some of the open science questions pertaining to microphysics in deep moist convection as well as an outlook of future research opportunities over the next 5-10 years.