Polarimetric Radar Characteristics of Tornadogenesis Failure in Supercell Thunderstorms

Broeke, Matthew Van Den

doi:10.3390/atmos12050581

Cited by 4 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…We identify supercells through local maxima in azimuthal shear fields computed from Doppler velocity measurements using the SPORK‐SPIN algorithms (Van Den Broeke, 2021; M. Wilson and Van Den Broeke, 2021; Wilson et al., 2020). We use a threshold of 1.0 m s −1 km −1 for identifying mesocyclones.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strange Storms: Rainfall Extremes From the Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021) in the Northeastern US

Smith

Baeck

et al. 2023

Water Resources Research

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On 1 September 2021, the remnants of Hurricane Ida transformed into a lethal variant of tropical cyclone in which unprecedented short‐duration rainfall from clusters of supercells produced catastrophic flooding in watersheds of the Northeastern US. Short‐duration rainfall extremes from Ida are examined through analyses of polarimetric radar fields and rain gauge observations. Rainfall estimates are constructed from a polarimetric rainfall algorithm that is grounded in specific differential phase shift (KDP) fields. Rainfall accumulations at multiple locations exceed 1000‐year values for 1–3 hr time scales. Radar observations show that supercells are the principal agents of rainfall extremes. Record flood peaks occurred throughout the eastern Pennsylvania—New Jersey region; the peak discharge of the Elizabeth River is one of the most extreme in the eastern US, based on the ratio of the peak discharge to the sample 10‐year flood at the gaging station. As with other tropical cyclones that have produced record flooding in the Northeastern US, Extratropical Transition was a key element of extreme rainfall and flooding from Ida. Tropical and extratropical elements of the storm system contributed to extremes of atmospheric water balance variables and Convective Available Potential Energy, providing the environment for extreme short‐duration rainfall from supercells.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Strange Storms: Rainfall Extremes From the Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021) in the Northeastern US

Smith

Baeck

et al. 2023

Water Resources Research

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“…Lastly, enormous potential may exist in using shape metrics to quantify the Z DR arc, which is a radar signature that is sometimes observed in supercell thunderstorms. Researchers have tied the area, width, area change, and degree of curvature of the Z DR arc to a storms’ tornadogenesis potential (Crowe et al, 2012; Kumjian et al, 2010; Van Den Broeke and Jauernic, 2014; Van Den Broeke, 2021). Thus far, researchers have primarily explored Z DR arc area metrics.…”

Section: ⅴ Emergence Of Shape Analysis In Meteorology and Climatologymentioning

confidence: 99%

Anatomy of a storm: A review of shape analysis research that fuses form and function in weather forecasting and analysis

Zick

2022

Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment

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Features in the natural and built environment can be viewed as objects, and an object’s shape provides valuable information about the physical processes that generate those features. Formally, shape is defined as an object’s characteristics independent of rotation, translation, and scale. Shape analysis involves quantification of an object’s form. Shape metrics, or indices, are mathematical quantities that characterize the object’s size and shape. Shape analysis has a rich history in geography and, more specifically, in meteorology and climatology research, with early examples in the identification of comma-shaped clouds in satellite imagery and “hook echoes” in radar reflectivity imagery. At its basis, shape analysis can be characterized as image analysis, which involves processing an image to extract meaningful information. Shape analysis usually involves image segmentation to isolate objects of interest and region analysis to calculate statistical data about these object(s). Current shape analysis research in meteorology and climatology can be split into two broad themes: (1) verification studies to compare model forecasts with observations and (2) process studies that provide information about the dynamical structure of a particular weather or climate phenomenon. In this report, I provide examples of emerging research that uses shape analysis to study tropical cyclones, mesoscale weather phenomena, and atmospheric rivers. Thus far, most of the process studies have been related to TC structure. Future research should also consider innovative approaches to image segmentation, new spatial verification methods for ensemble forecasting products, and more shaped-based process studies in mesoscale meteorology.

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“…Some investigations also show that storm mergers may disrupt an ongoing tornado [13], or appear to slow or cease the tornado's production [19]. Furthermore, a number of observational studies have investigated the relationship between storm mergers and the formation, development, and dissipation of a tornado [11,13,[18][19][20]. Based on radar observations from non-tornadic storms in Illinois, Westcott and Kennedy (1989) described two storm merger types [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Dual-Polarization Radar Observations of the Evolution of a Supercell Tornado and Analysis of the Echo Mechanisms

Bin

Wei

2022

Atmosphere

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To gain a deeper understanding of the structural and evolutionary characteristics of supercell tornadoes that occurred in eastern China on 14 May 2021, observations from the S-band dual-polarization radars, soundings and other instruments are used to investigate the evolutionary process of the tornado formation by the mergering and strengthening of supercell storms. The results are described as follows. The updraft by upper divergence and vertical thermal instability induced by the cold source at the tropopause provided the environmental conditions suitable for tornado formation. The tornado event involved three storm merger processes, each of which was associated with an increase in the echo intensity, vertical rising speed, and vertical vorticity of the supercell. Furthermore, during the last merger, the merging of the two vortices resulted in the reduction of the rotation radius of the new vortex, which also provided a favorable condition for tornadogenesis. A schematic was proposed to describe storm mergers. The characteristics of the velocity spectrum width were indicative of the occurrence and evolution of the tornado in this case. During the tornado stage, distinct polarimetric variable signatures (e.g., a tornado debris signature and a differential reflectivity arc) and radial velocity signatures (i.e., a tornadic vortex signature) were observed.

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Polarimetric Radar Characteristics of Tornadogenesis Failure in Supercell Thunderstorms

Cited by 4 publications

References 38 publications

Strange Storms: Rainfall Extremes From the Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021) in the Northeastern US

Strange Storms: Rainfall Extremes From the Remnants of Hurricane Ida (2021) in the Northeastern US

Anatomy of a storm: A review of shape analysis research that fuses form and function in weather forecasting and analysis

Dual-Polarization Radar Observations of the Evolution of a Supercell Tornado and Analysis of the Echo Mechanisms

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