scholarly journals Dynamical Influences of Anvil Shading on Simulated Supercell Thunderstorms

2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (8) ◽  
pp. 2802-2820 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jeffrey Frame ◽  
Paul Markowski
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Time Of Day ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Maximum Temperature ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Advanced Regional Prediction System ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Regional Prediction ◽  
Supercell Thunderstorms ◽  
Gust Front

Abstract Numerical simulations of supercell thunderstorms including parameterized radiative transfer and surface fluxes are performed using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) model to investigate how low-level air temperature deficits within anvil shadows affect the simulated storms. The maximum temperature deficits within the modeled cloud shadows are 1.5–2.0 K, which is only about half that previously observed. Within the shadows, the loss of strong solar heating cools and stabilizes the near-surface layer, which suppresses vertical mixing and modifies the near-surface vertical wind shear. In a case of a stationary storm, the enhanced easterly shear present beneath the anvil leads to a thinning of the outflow layer and corresponding acceleration of the rear-flank gust front far ahead of the overlying updraft, weakening the low-level mesocyclone. It is further shown that the direct absorption and emission of radiation by clouds does not significantly affect the simulated supercells. Varying the time of day of model initialization does not prevent the simulated storms from weakening. This behavior is mirrored for storms that slowly move along the major axis of the anvil shadow. If the rear-flank gust front moves into the anvil shadow and the updraft moves normal to the shadow (i.e., northward movement of the updraft), cyclic periods of intensification and decay can result, although this result is likely highly dependent on the storm-relative wind profile. If the gust front does not advance into the shaded region (i.e., southward movement), or if the storm moves rapidly, the storm is relatively unaffected by anvil shading because the rear-flank gust front speed and outflow depth remain relatively unchanged.

Tornadogenesis in a Simulated Mesovortex within a Mesoscale Convective System

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (11) ◽  
pp. 3372-3390 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexander D. Schenkman ◽  
Ming Xue ◽  
Alan Shapiro
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Surface Friction ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Grid Spacing ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Advanced Regional Prediction System ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Regional Prediction ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

Abstract The Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) is used to simulate a tornadic mesovortex with the aim of understanding the associated tornadogenesis processes. The mesovortex was one of two tornadic mesovortices spawned by a mesoscale convective system (MCS) that traversed southwestern and central Oklahoma on 8–9 May 2007. The simulation used 100-m horizontal grid spacing, and is nested within two outer grids with 400-m and 2-km grid spacing, respectively. Both outer grids assimilate radar, upper-air, and surface observations via 5-min three-dimensional variational data assimilation (3DVAR) cycles. The 100-m grid is initialized from a 40-min forecast on the 400-m grid. Results from the 100-m simulation provide a detailed picture of the development of a mesovortex that produces a submesovortex-scale tornado-like vortex (TLV). Closer examination of the genesis of the TLV suggests that a strong low-level updraft is critical in converging and amplifying vertical vorticity associated with the mesovortex. Vertical cross sections and backward trajectory analyses from this low-level updraft reveal that the updraft is the upward branch of a strong rotor that forms just northwest of the simulated TLV. The horizontal vorticity in this rotor originates in the near-surface inflow and is caused by surface friction. An additional simulation with surface friction turned off does not produce a rotor, strong low-level updraft, or TLV. Comparison with previous two-dimensional numerical studies of rotors in the lee of mountains shows striking similarities to the rotor formation presented herein. The findings of this study are summarized in a four-stage conceptual model for tornadogenesis in this case that describes the evolution of the event from mesovortexgenesis through rotor development and finally TLV genesis and intensification.

scholarly journals A Numerical Simulation Study of the Effects of Anvil Shading on Quasi-Linear Convective Systems

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (3) ◽  
pp. 767-793 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrew J. Oberthaler ◽  
Paul M. Markowski
Keyword(s):  
Solar Radiation ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Wind Profile ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Vertical Wind ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Gust Front

Abstract Numerical simulations are used to investigate how the attenuation of solar radiation by the intervening cumulonimbus cloud, particularly its large anvil, affects the structure, intensity, and evolution of quasi-linear convective systems and the sensitivity of the effects of this “anvil shading” to the ambient wind profile. Shading of the pre-gust-front inflow environment (as opposed to shading of the cold pool) has the most important impact on the convective systems. The magnitude of the low-level cooling, associated baroclinicity, and stabilization of the pre-gust-front environment due to anvil shading generally increases as the duration of the shading increases. Thus, for a given leading anvil length, a slow-moving convective system tends to be affected more by anvil shading than does a fast-moving convective system. Differences in the forward speeds of the convective systems simulated in this study are largely attributable to differences in the mean environmental wind speed over the depth of the troposphere. Anvil shading reduces the buoyancy realized by the air parcels that ascend through the updrafts. As a result, anvil shading contributes to weaker updrafts relative to control simulations in which clouds are transparent to solar radiation. Anvil shading also affects the convective systems by modifying the low-level (nominally 0–2.5 km AGL) vertical wind shear in the pre-gust-front environment. The shear modifications affect the slope of the updraft region and system-relative rear-to-front flow, and the sign of the modifications is sensitive to the ground-relative vertical wind profile in the far-field environment. The vertical wind shear changes are brought about by baroclinic vorticity generation associated with the horizontal buoyancy gradient that develops in the shaded boundary layer (which makes the pre-gust-front, low-level vertical wind shear less westerly) and by a reduction of the vertical mixing of momentum due to the near-surface (nominally 0–300 m AGL) stabilization that accompanies the shading-induced cooling. The reduced mixing makes the pre-gust-front, low-level vertical shear more (less) westerly if the ambient, near-surface wind and wind shear are westerly (easterly).

scholarly journals An Idealized Numerical Study of Shear-Relative Low-Level Mean Flow on Tropical Cyclone Intensity and Size

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (8) ◽  
pp. 2309-2334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Buo-Fu Chen ◽  
Christopher A. Davis ◽  
Ying-Hwa Kuo
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Inner Core ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Development Stage ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Core Convection

Abstract Given comparable background vertical wind shear (VWS) magnitudes, the initially imposed shear-relative low-level mean flow (LMF) is hypothesized to modify the structure and convective features of a tropical cyclone (TC). This study uses idealized Weather Research and Forecasting Model simulations to examine TC structure and convection affected by various LMFs directed toward eight shear-relative orientations. The simulated TC affected by an initially imposed LMF directed toward downshear left yields an anomalously high intensification rate, while an upshear-right LMF yields a relatively high expansion rate. These two shear-relative LMF orientations affect the asymmetry of both surface fluxes and frictional inflow in the boundary layer and thus modify the TC convection. During the early development stage, the initially imposed downshear-left LMF promotes inner-core convection because of high boundary layer moisture fluxes into the inner core and is thus favorable for TC intensification because of large radial fluxes of azimuthal mean vorticity near the radius of maximum wind in the boundary layer. However, TCs affected by various LMFs may modify the near-TC VWS differently, making the intensity evolution afterward more complicated. The TC with a fast-established eyewall in response to the downshear-left LMF further reduces the near-TC VWS, maintaining a relatively high intensification rate. For the upshear-right LMF that leads to active and sustained rainbands in the downshear quadrants, TC size expansion is promoted by a positive radial flux of eddy vorticity near the radius of 34-kt wind (1 kt ≈ 0.51 m s−1) because the vorticity associated with the rainbands is in phase with the storm-motion-relative inflow.

scholarly journals Properties of a Simulated Convective Boundary Layer in an Idealized Supercell Thunderstorm Environment

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (11) ◽  
pp. 3955-3976 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher J. Nowotarski ◽  
Paul M. Markowski ◽  
Yvette P. Richardson ◽  
George H. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Convective Boundary Layer ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Convective Boundary ◽  
Eddy Simulation ◽  
Sensitivity Tests ◽  
Supercell Thunderstorms ◽  
Background Shear

Abstract Nearly all previous numerical simulations of supercell thunderstorms have neglected surface fluxes of heat, moisture, and momentum. This choice precludes horizontal inhomogeneities associated with dry boundary layer convection in the near-storm environment. As part of a broader study on how mature supercell thunderstorms are affected by a convective boundary layer (CBL) with quasi-two-dimensional features (i.e., boundary layer rolls), this paper documents the methods used to develop a realistic CBL in an idealized environment supportive of supercells. The evolution and characteristics of the modeled CBL, including the horizontal variability of thermodynamic and kinematic quantities known to affect supercell evolution, are presented. The simulated rolls result in periodic bands of perturbations in temperature, moisture, convective available potential energy (CAPE), vertical wind shear, and storm-relative helicity (SRH). Vertical vorticity is shown to arise within the boundary layer through the tilting of ambient horizontal vorticity associated with the background shear by vertical velocity perturbations in the turbulent CBL. Sensitivity tests suggest that 200-m horizontal grid spacing is adequate to represent rolls using a large-eddy simulation (LES) approach.

Observations of a Squall Line and Its Near Environment Using High-Frequency Rawinsonde Launches during VORTEX2

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (11) ◽  
pp. 4076-4097 ◽  
Author(s):  
George H. Bryan ◽  
Matthew D. Parker
Keyword(s):  
Wind Shear ◽  
Deep Layer ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Vertical Wind ◽  
Squall Line ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Stratiform Region ◽  
Gust Front

Abstract Rawinsonde data were collected before and during passage of a squall line in Oklahoma on 15 May 2009 during the Second Verification of the Origins of Rotation in Tornadoes Experiment (VORTEX2). Nine soundings were released within 3 h, allowing for unprecedented analysis of the squall line’s internal structure and nearby environment. Four soundings were released in the prestorm environment and they document the following features: low-level cooling associated with the reduction of solar isolation by a cirrus anvil; abrupt warming (1.5 K in 30 min) above the boundary layer, which is probably attributable to a gravity wave; increases in both low-level and deep-layer vertical wind shear within 100 km of the squall line; and evidence of ascent extending at least 75 km ahead of the squall line. The next sounding was released ∼5 km ahead of the squall line’s gust front; it documented a moist absolutely unstable layer within a 2-km-deep layer of ascent, with vertical air velocity of approximately 6 m s−1. Another sounding was released after the gust front passed but before precipitation began; this sounding showed the cold pool to be ∼4 km deep, with a cold pool intensity C ≈ 35 m s−1, even though this sounding was located only 8 km behind the surface gust front. The final three soundings were released in the trailing stratiform region of the squall line, and they showed typical features such as: “onion”-shaped soundings, nearly uniform equivalent potential temperature over a deep layer, and an elevated rear inflow jet. The cold pool was 4.7 km deep in the trailing stratiform region, and extended ∼1 km above the melting level, suggesting that sublimation was a contributor to cold pool development. A mesoscale analysis of the sounding data shows an upshear tilt to the squall line, which is consistent with the cold pool intensity C being much larger than a measure of environmental vertical wind shear ΔU. This dataset should be useful for evaluating cloud-scale numerical model simulations and analytic theory, but the authors argue that additional observations of this type should be collected in future field projects.

External Influences on Nocturnal Thermally Driven Flows in a Deep Valley

2009 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-23 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juerg Schmidli ◽  
Gregory S. Poulos ◽  
Megan H. Daniels ◽  
Fotini K. Chow
Keyword(s):  
Measurement Data ◽  
Owens Valley ◽  
Valley Wind ◽  
Advanced Regional Prediction System ◽  
Low Level ◽  
External Influences ◽  
Regional Prediction ◽  
Thermally Driven ◽  
Flow Features ◽  
Flow Evolution

Abstract The dynamics that govern the evolution of nighttime flows in a deep valley, California’s Owens Valley, are analyzed. Measurements from the Terrain-Induced Rotor Experiment (T-REX) reveal a pronounced valley-wind system with often nonclassical flow evolution. Two cases with a weak high pressure ridge over the study area but very different valley flow evolution are presented. The first event is characterized by the appearance of a layer of southerly flow after midnight local time, sandwiched between a thermally driven low-level downvalley (northerly) flow and a synoptic northwesterly flow aloft. The second event is characterized by an unusually strong and deep downvalley jet, exceeding 15 m s−1. The analysis is based on the T-REX measurement data and the output of high-resolution large-eddy simulations using the Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS). Using horizontal grid spacings of 1 km and 350 m, ARPS reproduces the observed flow features for these two cases very well. It is found that the low-level along-valley forcing of the valley wind is the result of a superposition of the local thermal forcing and a midlevel (2–2.5 km MSL) along-valley pressure forcing. The analysis shows that the large difference in valley flow evolution derives primarily from differences in the midlevel pressure forcing, and that the Owens Valley is particularly susceptible to these midlevel external influences because of its specific geometry. The results demonstrate the delicate interplay of forces that can combine to determine the valley flow structure on any given night.

Views on Applying RKW Theory: An Illustration Using the 8 May 2009 Derecho-Producing Convective System

2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (3) ◽  
pp. 1023-1043 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael C. Coniglio ◽  
Stephen F. Corfidi ◽  
John S. Kain
Keyword(s):  
Normal Component ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Companion Paper ◽  
System Structure ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Shear Component

Abstract This work presents an analysis of the vertical wind shear during the early stages of the remarkable 8 May 2009 central U.S. derecho-producing convective system. Comments on applying Rotunno–Klemp–Weisman (RKW) theory to mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) of this type also are provided. During the formative stages of the MCS, the near-surface-based shear vectors ahead of the leading convective line varied with time, location, and depth, but the line-normal component of the shear in any layer below 3 km ahead of where the strong bow echo developed was relatively small (6–9 m s−1). Concurrently, the midlevel (3–6 km) line-normal shear component had magnitudes mostly >10 m s−1 throughout. In a previous companion paper, it was hypothesized that an unusually strong and expansive low-level jet led to dramatic changes in instability, shear, and forced ascent over mesoscale areas. These mesoscale effects may have overwhelmed the interactions between the cold pool and low-level shear that modulate system structure in less complex environments. If cold pool–shear interactions were critical to producing such a strong system, then the extension of the line-normal shear above 3 km also appeared to be critical. It is suggested that RKW theory be applied with much caution, and that examining the shear above 3 km is important, if one wishes to explain the formation and maintenance of intense long-lived convective systems, particularly complex nocturnal systems like the one that occurred on 8 May 2009.

The Influence of Environmental Low-Level Shear and Cold Pools on Tornadogenesis: Insights from Idealized Simulations

2013 ◽  
Vol 71 (1) ◽  
pp. 243-275 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Markowski ◽  
Yvette P. Richardson
Keyword(s):  
Heat Sink ◽  
Wind Shear ◽  
Vertical Wind Shear ◽  
Heat Sinks ◽  
Streamwise Vorticity ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Cold Pools ◽  
Cyclonic Vortex ◽  
Negative Buoyancy

Abstract Idealized, dry simulations are used to investigate the roles of environmental vertical wind shear and baroclinic vorticity generation in the development of near-surface vortices in supercell-like “pseudostorms.” A cyclonically rotating updraft is produced by a stationary, cylindrical heat source imposed within a horizontally homogeneous environment containing streamwise vorticity. Once a nearly steady state is achieved, a heat sink, which emulates the effects of latent cooling associated with precipitation, is activated on the northeastern flank of the updraft at low levels. Cool outflow emanating from the heat sink spreads beneath the updraft and leads to the development of near-surface vertical vorticity via the “baroclinic mechanism,” as has been diagnosed or inferred in actual supercells that have been simulated and observed. An intense cyclonic vortex forms in the simulations in which the environmental low-level wind shear is strong and the heat sink is of intermediate strength relative to the other heat sinks tested. Intermediate heat sinks result in the development (baroclinically) of substantial near-surface circulation, yet the cold pools are not excessively strong. Moreover, the strong environmental low-level shear lowers the base of the midlevel mesocyclone, which promotes strong dynamic lifting of near-surface air that previously resided in the heat sink. The superpositioning of the dynamic lifting and circulation-rich, near-surface air having only weak negative buoyancy facilitates near-surface vorticity stretching and vortex genesis. An intense cyclonic vortex fails to form in simulations in which the heat sink is excessively strong or weak or if the low-level environmental shear is weak.

scholarly journals Evolution of an Axisymmetric Tropical Cyclone before Reaching Slantwise Moist Neutrality

2019 ◽  
Vol 76 (7) ◽  
pp. 1865-1884 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ke Peng ◽  
Richard Rotunno ◽  
George H. Bryan ◽  
Juan Fang
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Phase I ◽  
Radial Velocity ◽  
Phase Ii ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Internal Gravity Waves ◽  
Surface Fluxes ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract In a previous study, the authors showed that the intensification process of a numerically simulated axisymmetric tropical cyclone (TC) can be divided into two periods denoted by “phase I” and “phase II.” The intensification process in phase II can be qualitatively described by Emanuel’s intensification theory in which the angular momentum (M) and saturated entropy (s*) surfaces are congruent in the TC interior. During phase I, however, the M and s* surfaces evolve from nearly orthogonal to almost congruent, and thus, the intensifying simulated TC has a different physical character as compared to that found in phase II. The present work uses a numerical simulation to investigate the evolution of an axisymmetric TC during phase I. The present results show that sporadic, deep convective annular rings play an important role in the simulated axisymmetric TC evolution in phase I. The convergence in low-level radial (Ekman) inflow in the boundary layer of the TC vortex, together with the increase of near-surface s* produced by sea surface fluxes, leads to episodes of convective rings around the TC center. These convective rings transport larger values of s* and M from the lower troposphere upward to the tropopause; the locally large values of M associated with the convective rings cause a radially outward bias in the upper-level radial velocity and an inward bias in the low-level radial velocity. Through a repetition of this process, the pattern (i.e., phase II) gradually emerges. The role of internal gravity waves related to the episodes of convection and the TC intensification process during phase I is also discussed.

scholarly journals Sensitivity of Convective Initiation Prediction to Near-Surface Moisture When Assimilating Radar Refractivity: Impact Tests Using OSSEs

2013 ◽  
Vol 30 (10) ◽  
pp. 2281-2302 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Gasperoni ◽  
Ming Xue ◽  
Robert D. Palmer ◽  
Jidong Gao
Keyword(s):  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Wrf Model ◽  
Observation Error ◽  
Convective Initiation ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Advanced Regional Prediction System ◽  
Model Experiments ◽  
Surface Moisture ◽  
Regional Prediction ◽  
Data Coverage

Abstract The Advanced Regional Prediction System (ARPS) three-dimensional variational (3DVAR) system is enhanced to include the analysis of radar-derived refractivity measurements. These refractivity data are most sensitive to atmospheric moisture content and provide high-resolution information on near-surface moisture that is important to convective initiation (CI) and precipitation forecasting. Observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) are performed using simulated refractivity data. The impacts of refractivity on CI and subsequent forecasts are investigated in the presence of varying observation error, radar location, data coverage, and different uncertainties in the background field. Cycled refractivity assimilation and forecasts are performed and the results compared to the truth. In addition to the perfect model experiments, imperfect model experiments are performed where the forecasts use the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model instead of the ARPS. A simulation for the 19 May 2010 central plain convection case is used for the OSSEs. It involves a large storm system, large convective available potential energy, and little convective inhibition, allowing for CI along a warm front in northern Oklahoma and ahead of a dryline later to the southwest. Emphasis is placed on the quality of moisture analyses and the subsequent forecasts of CI. Results show the ability of refractivity assimilation to correct low-level moisture errors, leading to improved CI forecasts. Equitable threat scores for reflectivity are generally higher when refractivity data are assimilated. Tests show small sensitivity to increased observational error or ground clutter coverage, and greater sensitivity to the limited data coverage of a single radar.

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