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S-Band Dual-Polarization Radar Observations of Winter Storms

S-Band Dual-Polarization Radar Observations of Winter Storms This study is based on analyses of dual-polarization radar observations made by the 11-cm-wavelength Colorado State University––University of Chicago––Illinois State Water Survey (CSU––CHILL) system during four significant winter storms in northeastern Colorado. It was found that values of specific differential phase K DP often reached local maxima of ∼∼0.15°°––0.4°° km −−1 in an elevated layer near the −−15°°C environmental temperature isotherm. The passage of these elevated positive K DP areas is shown to be linked to increased surface precipitation rates. Calculations using a microwave scattering model indicate that populations of highly oblate ice particles with moderate bulk densities and diameters in the ∼∼0.8––1.2-mm range can generate K DP (and differential reflectivity Z DR ) values that are consistent with the radar observations. The persistent correlation between the enhanced K DP level and the −−15°°C temperature regime suggests that rapidly growing dendrites likely played a significant role in the production of the observed K DP patterns. The detection of organized regions of S-band K DP values greater than ∼∼0.1°°––0.2°° km −−1 in winter storms may therefore be useful in identifying regions of active dendritic particle growth, as a precursor to aggregate snowfall. http://www.deepdyve.com/assets/images/DeepDyve-Logo-lg.png Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology American Meteorological Society

S-Band Dual-Polarization Radar Observations of Winter Storms

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References (36)

Publisher
American Meteorological Society
Copyright
Copyright © 2010 American Meteorological Society
ISSN
1558-8432
DOI
10.1175/2010JAMC2558.1
Publisher site
See Article on Publisher Site

Abstract

This study is based on analyses of dual-polarization radar observations made by the 11-cm-wavelength Colorado State University––University of Chicago––Illinois State Water Survey (CSU––CHILL) system during four significant winter storms in northeastern Colorado. It was found that values of specific differential phase K DP often reached local maxima of ∼∼0.15°°––0.4°° km −−1 in an elevated layer near the −−15°°C environmental temperature isotherm. The passage of these elevated positive K DP areas is shown to be linked to increased surface precipitation rates. Calculations using a microwave scattering model indicate that populations of highly oblate ice particles with moderate bulk densities and diameters in the ∼∼0.8––1.2-mm range can generate K DP (and differential reflectivity Z DR ) values that are consistent with the radar observations. The persistent correlation between the enhanced K DP level and the −−15°°C temperature regime suggests that rapidly growing dendrites likely played a significant role in the production of the observed K DP patterns. The detection of organized regions of S-band K DP values greater than ∼∼0.1°°––0.2°° km −−1 in winter storms may therefore be useful in identifying regions of active dendritic particle growth, as a precursor to aggregate snowfall.

Journal

Journal of Applied Meteorology and ClimatologyAmerican Meteorological Society

Published: May 18, 2010

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