10.3
Mobile Integrated Profiling System (MIPS) observations of boundary layer and water vapor variations around boundaries and storms
Kevin Knupp, University of Alabama, Huntsville, AL
The UAH Mobile Integrated Profiling System (MIPS ) played an important role in measuring boundaries, boundary layer properties, and temperature / water vapor profiles during the International H2O Project (IHOP-2002). On 15 June 2002 a complex dry line boundary was sampled three times by the MIPS and other mobile platforms. During the first deployment the MIPS sampled southwesterly flow west of the eastern wind-shift boundary. On the second deployment southerly flow east of this boundary, and the boundary passage was sampled. The air was several about 2 C warmer on the east side of the boundary, but the dewpoint was similar. The third deployment was completed in advance of the same boundary, but close to intensifying deep convection. By this time deep convection was entering the domain from the north, but the boundary passage was sampled just before intensifying deep convection altered the original boundary. Visual observations indicated that the storm intensified in the region where the storm intersected the boundary. Blowing dust within strong low-level inflow was observed, and distinct changes in BL structure were noted. A gustnado vortex was observed within the storm inflow about 2 km west of the MIPS. It appeared that the MIPS sampled a change in the inflow boundary layer resulting from storm scale influence. Radiometer data documented a rapid destabilization near the storm. It also appears that the storm intensified upon intersection with the boundary that the mobile team had sampled for the previous 3 hr. As the storm approached, the MIPS sampled a strong outflow (again with blowing dust) from the storm. A vigorous gust front with updraft to 10 m/s accompanied this storm, and winds behind the gust front peaked at about 25 m/s.
We will present an analysis demonstrating the MIPS capabilities in a rapidly changing environment in which temperature and water vapor profiles changed rapidly adjacent to an intensifying severe storm. We are particularly interested in evaluating the performance of the MIPS 12-channel microwave profiling radiometer such a rapidly changing environment The analysis will include S-Pol and multiple Doppler analyses based on data from four mobile Doppler radars. These analyses will provide a detailed depiction of the evolving boundary and its interaction with a pre-existing storm.
Session 10, Remote Sensing Measurements: Observations and Applications I
Wednesday, 12 February 2003, 1:30 PM-3:00 PM
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