Open AccessRadar observations of the kinematic, microphysical, and precipitation characteristics of two MCSs in TRMM LBA
Author(s) -
Cifelli Robert,
Petersen Walter A.,
Carey Lawrence D.,
Rutledge Steven A.,
da Silva Dias Maria A. F.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2000jd000264
Subject(s) - mesoscale meteorology , squall line , geology , mesoscale convective system , convection , troposphere , precipitation , radar , atmospheric sciences , radiosonde , storm , climatology , meteorology , physics , telecommunications , oceanography , computer science
Dual‐Doppler and polarimetric radar observations are used to analyze two mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) that occurred during the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Large‐Scale Biosphere‐Atmosphere field campaign. The MCSs formed in different meteorological regimes, based on profiles of atmospheric wind and thermodynamic data. The first MCS event (26 January 1999) was a squall line that formed in low‐level easterly flow and had an intense leading line of convection. In contrast, the 25 February 1999 MCS formed in low‐level westerly flow and was best characterized by stratiform precipitation with embedded convective elements. The radar analyses suggest that the MCSs were distinct in terms of overall vertical structure characteristics. In particular, polarimetric radar cross sections indicated the presence of an active mixed phase zone in the easterly MCS that was largely absent in the westerly case. The easterly MCS had considerably more precipitation ice in the middle to upper troposphere compared to the westerly MCS. Composite analyses showed that the easterly MCS had higher peak reflectivities and a smaller reflectivity gradient above the 0°C level in convective regions of the storm compared to the westerly MCS event. Moreover, mean profiles of both vertical air motion and vertical mass transport in the convective portion of the easterly MCS were larger (over a factor of 2 at some heights below the 0°C level) than those in the westerly event. These observations suggest that the easterly and westerly wind regimes in the southwest Amazon region produce convection with different vertical structure characteristics, similar to regimes elsewhere in the global tropics (e.g., maritime continent).