scholarly journals Ice Microphysics Observations in Hurricane Humberto: Comparison with Non-Hurricane-Generated Ice Cloud Layers

2006 ◽  
Vol 63 (1) ◽  
pp. 288-308 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Heymsfield ◽  
Aaron Bansemer ◽  
Stephen L. Durden ◽  
Robert L. Herman ◽  
T. Paul Bui
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Dual Wavelength ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Temperature Growth ◽  
Radar Observations ◽  
Ice Cloud ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract Measurements are presented that were acquired from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) DC-8 aircraft during an intensive 3-day study of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Humberto on 22, 23, and 24 September 2001. Particle size distributions, particle image information, vertical velocities, and single- and dual-wavelength Doppler radar observations were obtained during repeated sampling of the eyewall and outer eye regions. Eyewall sampling temperatures ranged from −22° to −57°C and peak updraft velocities from 4 to 15 m s−1. High concentrations of small ice particles, in the order 50 cm−3 and above, were observed within and around the updrafts. Aggregates, some larger than 7 mm, dominated the larger sizes. The slope of the fitted exponential size distributions λ was distinctly different close to the eye than outside of that region. Even at low temperatures, λ was characteristic of warm temperature growth (λ < 30 cm−1) close to the eye and characteristic of low temperature growth outside of it as well (λ > 100 cm−1). The two modes found for λ are shown to be consistent with observations from nonhurricane ice cloud layers formed through deep convection, but differ markedly from ice cloud layers generated in situ. It is shown that the median, mass-weighted, terminal velocities derived for the Humberto data and from the other datasets are primarily a function of λ. Microphysical measurements and dual wavelength radar observations are used together to infer and interpret particle growth processes. Rain in the lower portions of the eyewall extended up to the 6- or 7-km level. In the outer eye regions, aggregation progressed downward from between 8.5 and 11.9 km to the melting layer, with some graupel noted in rainbands. Homogeneous ice nucleation is implicated in the high concentrations of small ice particles observed in the vicinity of the updrafts.

scholarly journals Bulk Hook Echo Raindrop Sizes Retrieved Using Mobile, Polarimetric Doppler Radar Observations

2015 ◽  
Vol 54 (2) ◽  
pp. 423-450 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael M. French ◽  
Donald W. Burgess ◽  
Edward R. Mansell ◽  
Louis J. Wicker
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
High Spatial Resolution ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Environmental Data ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Small Drop ◽  
Large Drop ◽  
Radar Observations ◽  
X Band ◽  
Drop Size Distributions

AbstractPolarimetric radar observations obtained by the NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory mobile, X-band, dual-polarization radar (NOXP) are used to investigate “hook echo” precipitation properties in several tornadic and nontornadic supercells. Hook echo drop size distributions (DSDs) were estimated using NOXP data obtained from 2009 to 2012, including during the second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2). Differences between tornadic and nontornadic hook echo DSDs are explored, and comparisons are made with previous observations of estimated hook echo DSDs made from stationary S- and C-band Doppler radars. Tornadic hook echoes consistently contain radar gates that are characterized by small raindrops; nontornadic hook echoes are mixed between those that have some small-drop gates and those that have almost no small-drop gates. In addition, the spatial distribution of DSDs was estimated using the high-spatial-resolution data afforded by NOXP. A unique polarimetric signature, an area of relatively low values of differential radar reflectivity factor ZDR south and east of the tornado, is observed in many of the tornadic cases. Also, because most data were obtained using 2-min volumetric updates, the evolution of approximated hook echo precipitation properties was studied during parts of the life cycles of three tornadoes. In one case, there is a large decrease in the percentage of large-raindrop gates and an increase in the percentage of small-raindrop gates in the minutes leading up to tornado formation. The percentage of large-drop gates generally increases prior to and during tornado dissipation. Near-storm environmental data are used to put forth possible relationships between bulk hook echo DSDs and tornado production and life cycle.

Homogeneous Ice Nucleation in Subtropical and Tropical Convection and Its Influence on Cirrus Anvil Microphysics

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (1) ◽  
pp. 41-64 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Heymsfield ◽  
Larry M. Miloshevich ◽  
Carl Schmitt ◽  
Aaron Bansemer ◽  
Cynthia Twohy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Homogeneous Nucleation ◽  
Cloud Condensation Nuclei ◽  
Sea Breeze ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Ice Nucleation ◽  
Tropical Convection ◽  
Regional Study ◽  
The Core ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
High Concentrations

Abstract This study uses a unique set of microphysical measurements obtained in a vigorous, convective updraft core at temperatures between −33° and −36°C, together with a microphysical model, to investigate the role of homogeneous ice nucleation in deep tropical convection and how it influences the microphysical properties of the associated cirrus anvils. The core and anvil formed along a sea-breeze front during the Cirrus Regional Study of Tropical Anvils and Cirrus Layers–Florida Area Cirrus Experiment (CRYSTAL–FACE). The updraft core contained two distinct regions as traversed horizontally: the upwind portion of the core contained droplets of diameter 10–20 μm in concentrations of around 100 cm−3 with updraft speeds of 5–10 m s−1; the downwind portion of the core was glaciated with high concentrations of small ice particles and stronger updrafts of 10–20 m s−1. Throughout the core, rimed particles up to 0.6-cm diameter were observed. The anvil contained high concentrations of both small particles and large aggregates. Thermodynamic analysis suggests that the air sampled in the updraft core was mixed with air from higher altitudes that descended along the upwind edge of the cloud in an evaporatively driven downdraft, introducing free-tropospheric cloud condensation nuclei into the updraft below the aircraft sampling height. Farther downwind in the glaciated portion of the core, the entrained air contained high concentrations of ice particles that inhibit droplet formation and homogeneous nucleation. Calculations of droplet and ice particle growth and homogeneous ice nucleation are used to investigate the influence of large ice particles lofted in updrafts from lower levels in this and previously studied tropical ice clouds on the homogeneous nucleation process. The preexisting large ice particles act to suppress homogeneous nucleation through competition via diffusional and accretional growth, mainly when the updrafts are < 5 m s−1. In deep convective updrafts > 5–10 m s−1, the anvil is the depository for the small, radiatively important ice particles (homogeneously nucleated) and the large ice particles from below (heterogeneously or secondarily produced, or recycled).

Transport of isoprene and its oxidation products by deep convective clouds in the Amazon

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roman Bardakov ◽  
Joel Thornton ◽  
Ilona Riipinen ◽  
Radovan Krejci ◽  
Annica Ekman
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Convective Cloud ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Lightning Activity ◽  
Oxidation Products ◽  
Gas Uptake ◽  
Convective Clouds ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
Volatile Oxidation Products ◽  
Deep Convective Clouds

<p>Transport of organic trace gases by deep convective clouds plays an important role for new particle formation (NPF) and particle growth in the upper atmosphere. Isoprene accounts for a major fraction of the global volatile organic vapor emissions and a significant fraction is emitted in the Amazon. We examined transport and chemical processing of isoprene and its oxidation products in a deep convective cloud over the Amazon using a box model. Trajectories of individual air parcels of the cloud derived from a large eddy simulation are used as input to the model. Our results show that there exist two main pathways for NPF from isoprene associated with deep convection. The first one is when the gas transport occurs through a cloud with low lightning activity and with efficient gas uptake of low-volatile oxidation products by ice particles. Some of the isoprene will reach the cloud outflow where it is further aged and produces low volatile species capable of forming and growing new particles. The second way is via transport through clouds with high lightning activity and with low gas uptake by ice. For this case, low volatile oxidation products will reach the immediate outflow in concentrations close to the values observed in the boundary layer. The efficiency of gas condensation on ice particles is still uncertain and further research in this direction is needed.</p>

Investigating the contribution of polarimetry in retrieving ice microphysical properties using Dual-Wavelength radar observations

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eleni Tetoni ◽  
Florian Ewald ◽  
Gregor Möller ◽  
Martin Hagen ◽  
Tobias Zinner ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Radar Reflectivity ◽  
Dual Wavelength ◽  
Dual Frequency ◽  
Ka Band ◽  
Radar Observations ◽  
Microphysical Properties ◽  
Ice Particles ◽  
T Matrix ◽  
Linear Depolarization Ratio ◽  
German Aerospace

<p>Many studies have shown that multi-wavelength radar measurements can be valuable in inferring information about the size of observed hydrometeors in the atmosphere. Dual-wavelength radar method is widely known in such retrievals as it takes advantage of the different scattering behavior of hydrometeors in Rayleigh and MIE regime. Hydrometeors with sizes much smaller than the radar wavelength, act like Rayleigh scatterers and their radar reflectivity Z is proportional to the sixth power of their size. While these particles become larger due to riming or aggregation processes, with sizes comparable or larger than the radar wavelength, MIE effects can occur and thus, Z is proportional to the second power of their size. In the framework of IcePolCKa (Investigation of the initiation of Convection and the Evolution of Precipitation using simulatiOns and poLarimetric radar observations at C- and Ka-band) project, the evolution of ice in the precipitation formation will be studied exploiting these differences in both scattering regimes. Except for the logarithmic radar reflectivity difference, known as Dual-Wavelength Ratio (DWR) or Dual-Frequency Ratio (DFR), between C-band POLDIRAD weather radar from German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Oberpfaffenhofen and the Ka-band MIRA-35 cloud radar from Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich (LMU), other measured polarimetric variables from both radars, i.e. Differential Reflectivity (Z<sub>DR</sub>), Reflectivity Difference (Z<sub>DP</sub>), Linear Depolarization Ratio (LDR) will be also used. In addition to observations, scattering algorithms, i.e. T-matrix, will provide scattering simulations for a variety of ice particles shapes, sizes and mass-size relations. Combining DWR, polarimetric measurements and simulations the shape and/or the density of the observed ice particles will be retrieved. In this presentation, we will describe the instrumentation setup as well as the measuring methods in detail. Furthermore, we will present preliminary results of the retrieval approach using T-matrix calculations and measurements. Our first dataset consist of observations during snow events over Munich in January 2019 in order to avoid strong attenuation effects in the Ka-band.</p>

scholarly journals Evaluation of convective cloud microphysics in numerical weather prediction model with dual-wavelength polarimetric radar observations: methods and examples

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregor Köcher ◽  
Tobias Zinner ◽  
Christoph Knote ◽  
Eleni Tetoni ◽  
Florian Ewald ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Dual Wavelength ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Polarimetric Radar ◽  
Particle Size Distributions ◽  
Radar Observations ◽  
Numerical Weather ◽  
Numerical Weather Model ◽  
Weather Model ◽  
A Cell

Abstract. The representation of cloud microphysical processes contributes substantially to the uncertainty of numerical weather simulations. In part, this is owed to some fundamental knowledge gaps in the underlying processes due to the difficulty to observe them directly. On the path to close these gaps we present a setup for the systematic characterization of differences between numerical weather model and radar observations for convective weather situations. Radar observations are introduced which provide targeted dual-wavelength and polarimetric measurements of convective clouds with the potential to provide more detailed information about hydrometeor shapes and sizes. A convection permitting regional weather model setup is established using 5 different microphysics schemes (double-moment, spectral bin (FSBM), and particle property prediction (P3)). Observations are compared to hindcasts which are created with a polarimetric radar forward simulator for all measurement days. A cell-tracking algorithm applied to radar and model data facilitates comparison on a cell object basis. Statistical comparisons of radar observations and numerical weather model runs are presented on a dataset of 30 convection days. In general, simulations show too few weak and small-scale convective cells. Contoured frequency by altitude distributions of radar signatures reveal deviations between the schemes and observations in ice and liquid phase. Apart from the P3 scheme, simulated reflectivities in the ice phase are too high. Dual-wavelength signatures demonstrate issues of most schemes to correctly represent ice particle size distributions, producing overly large graupel particles. Comparison of polarimetric radar signatures reveal issues of all schemes except the FSBM to correctly represent rain particle size distributions.

scholarly journals A 3D study on the amplification of regional haze and particle growth by local emissions

2021 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Du ◽  
Lubna Dada ◽  
Jian Zhao ◽  
Xueshun Chen ◽  
Kaspar R. Daellenbach ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Atmospheric Stability ◽  
Ground Level ◽  
Particle Growth ◽  
Chemical Compositions ◽  
Size Distributions ◽  
Aerosol Composition ◽  
Regional Haze ◽  
Haze Formation ◽  
Beijing China

AbstractThe role of new particle formation (NPF) events and their contribution to haze formation through subsequent growth in polluted megacities is still controversial. To improve the understanding of the sources, meteorological conditions, and chemistry behind air pollution, we performed simultaneous measurements of aerosol composition and particle number size distributions at ground level and at 260 m in central Beijing, China, during a total of 4 months in 2015–2017. Our measurements show a pronounced decoupling of gas-to-particle conversion between the two heights, leading to different haze processes in terms of particle size distributions and chemical compositions. The development of haze was initiated by the growth of freshly formed particles at both heights, whereas the more severe haze at ground level was connected directly to local primary particles and gaseous precursors leading to higher particle growth rates. The particle growth creates a feedback loop, in which a further development of haze increases the atmospheric stability, which in turn strengthens the persisting apparent decoupling between the two heights and increases the severity of haze at ground level. Moreover, we complemented our field observations with model analyses, which suggest that the growth of NPF-originated particles accounted up to ∼60% of the accumulation mode particles in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei area during haze conditions. The results suggest that a reduction in anthropogenic gaseous precursors, suppressing particle growth, is a critical step for alleviating haze although the number concentration of freshly formed particles (3–40 nm) via NPF does not reduce after emission controls.

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