Tornadoes are incredibly powerful and destructive natural events,yet the microphysical characteristics of the parent storm and its effects on tornadogenesis remain unclear.This study analyzed polarization radar data o...Tornadoes are incredibly powerful and destructive natural events,yet the microphysical characteristics of the parent storm and its effects on tornadogenesis remain unclear.This study analyzed polarization radar data of a tornadic supercell that occurred in Jiangsu Province of China on 14 May 2021,in comparison with another tornadic supercell and two non-tornadic supercells that occurred in the same region in 2023.The two tornadic supercells exhibited lower differential reflectivity(ZDR)in the hook echo region compared with the non-tornadic supercells,indicating smaller median drop sizes.A distinct increase in ZDR from the melting of frozen hydrometeors,observed between2.5-and 4.0-km altitude in the non-tornadic storms,was absent in the tornadic cases.The non-tornadic supercells also displayed substantially higher specific differential phase(KDP)below the melting level,likely aroused from enhanced melting and cooling.These findings suggest fundamental microphysical contrasts between tornadic and nontornadic supercells.Specifically,tornadic supercells have smaller droplets and may reduce melting in hook echoes.Moreover,greater separation between the ZDR arc and the KDP foot was observed during tornadogenesis.The vertical gradient of KDP related to the cooling pool strength of the hook echo,regulating rear-flank downdraft thermodynamics.Despite the limited number of cases investigated,the findings of this study indicate that monitoring ZDR,KDP,and drop size distribution trends could assist with tornado prediction and warnings.展开更多
In this study,single Doppler radar data were used to examine the structure and evolution of a high precipitation（HP） supercell embedded in a cold front near Jianyang,Fujian Province on 12 April 2003.The synoptic env...In this study,single Doppler radar data were used to examine the structure and evolution of a high precipitation（HP） supercell embedded in a cold front near Jianyang,Fujian Province on 12 April 2003.The synoptic environment was characterized by high humidity at low levels,moderate CAPE（convective available potential energy;1601 J kg^（-1））,moderate wind shear（22 m s^（-1） in 0-5 km）,and veering of the horizontal winds with height,similar to those HP supercells previously observed in midlatitudes.In addition,the calculated bulk Richardson number was only 16,suggesting favorable environmental conditions for supercell development. The documented storm was located at the leading edge of a squall line.It was initiated from a single cell at 0732 UTC.It evolved into a bow shape gradually,and then split into two separate storms along the storm motion direction through the apex of the bow echo.The left-moving storm dissipated rapidly, but the right-moving storm strengthened and evolved into an HP supercell,lasting for more than 1 h.The radar reflectivity of the HP supercell during its mature stage showed a typical low-level hook echo at the front flank of the storm with its maximum reflectivity beyond 70 dBZ.Above the hook echo,an elevated maximum reflectivity core accompanied by a bounded weak-echo region（BWER） and a down-shear echo overhanging aloft were clearly identified.The elevated BWER,marked by 40-50-dBZ reflectivity values,was surrounded by values of 60-70 dBZ.A well-defined mesocyclone lasted about 1 h and was collocated with the low-level WER and middle-level BWER.The radar-estimated time-height profiles of mesocyclone rotational velocity and diameter indicated that this mesocyclone formed initially at middle level,then deepened and strengthened rapidly with the vertical depth deeper than 8 km and rotational velocity stronger than 24 m s^（-1） at the mature stage,and later decayed rapidly.The GBVTD（ground-based velocity track display）-derived primary circulation showed that the maximum tangential wind of the mesocyclone appeared at middle level （3-5 km） with a value of about 20 m s^（-1）.The mean radial wind field was characterized with a low-level inflow below 4 km,and accompanied by stronger updraft near the mesocyclone center.Between 4 and 7 km.the tangential wind profile resembled a Rankine combined vortex with the radius of maximum wind （RMW） at 3 km.and there was outflow/inflow inside/outside of the RMW.Correspondingly,the vertical velocity indicated a stronger updraft at the RMW and a weak downdraft inside the RMW.Above 7 km,the outflow strengthened and extended outside the RMW. In summary,the reflectivity structures of the storm and the accompanying mesocyclone were similar to those midlatitude HP supercells proposed in Miller＇s paper in 1994.However,the evolution of the HP supercell,including its three stages：ordinary storm,bow echo,and storm splitting,was quite different from those documented before.展开更多
In this study, the kinematic and precipitation structures of a mesocyclone associated with a hook echo were analyzed using single Doppler radar data. The mesocyclone was embedded in a mesoscale convective rainband nea...In this study, the kinematic and precipitation structures of a mesocyclone associated with a hook echo were analyzed using single Doppler radar data. The mesocyclone was embedded in a mesoscale convective rainband near northern Taiwan coastline on 10 September 2004. The synoptic environment was characterized by a moderate convective available potential energy （CAPE） and a moderate ambient vertical shear from surface to 5 km. In addition, a pronounced low-level mesoscale shear/convergence zone, which resulted from the interaction of two tropical depressions, was also identified in the northwest coast of Taiwan, providing a favorable dynamic condition for the development of the mesocyclone. Analyzing single Doppler dipole signature shows that this mesocyclone formed initially at low levels, then deepened and strengthened rapidly into mature stage with the vertical depth exceeding 8 km. The diameter of the mesocyclone decreased with the height at the time of vortexgenesis, and then evolved into columnar structure accompanied with the broader diameter in middle layer. The mesocyclone lasted for about 2 h. The Ground-Based Velocity Track Display （GBVTD） method was applied to retrieve the ax- isymmetric circulation of the mesocyclone. The GBVTD-derived primary circulation showed the radius of maximum wind （RMW） of the mesocyclone was about 5-6 km and varied from inward tilting to outward tilting with time. The axisymmetric radial wind field was initially characterized by a low-level inflow inside the RMW and outflow outside the RMW, respectively. The strongest reflectivity was associated with a stronger updraft near the RMW, and a weak downdraft was located at the center of the mesocyclone. Subsequently the downdraft and reflectivity near the mesocyclone center strengthened obviously, accompanied with the low-level outflow, strong updraft as well as high reflectivity extending outside the RMW. The relative tangential wind initially exhibited a wavenumber 1 asymmetric structure with the maximum wind region at the left portion of the meso cyclone and shifted counterclockwise with height. The axisymmetric tangential wind strengthened and reached its maximum intensity with a value about 20 m s^-1 at z=1 km. After that the axisymmetric tangential wind decreased rapidly, meanwhile the wave-1 asymmetric structure redeveloped with the maximum wind at the left-front of motion. In summary, the evolution and structure of the mesocyclone is similar to that observed within a non-supercell mesocyclone. It is worth to mention that the axisymmetric circulation characteristics of the mesocyclone at its mature stage are very similar to those observed in a mature typhoon. However, there are significant differences, i.e., the size is much smaller, the lifetime is much shorter, and the downdraft in the center is produced by precipitation instead of compensating subsidence.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42305013)Joint Research Project for Meteorological Capacity Improvement(23NLTSQ002)+2 种基金China Meteorological Administration Tornado Key Laboratory Fund(TKL202307)China Meteorological Administration Youth Innovation Team Fund(CMA2024QN05)China Meteorological Administration Special Innovation and Development Program(CXFZ2022J003 and CXFZ2022J059)。
文摘Tornadoes are incredibly powerful and destructive natural events,yet the microphysical characteristics of the parent storm and its effects on tornadogenesis remain unclear.This study analyzed polarization radar data of a tornadic supercell that occurred in Jiangsu Province of China on 14 May 2021,in comparison with another tornadic supercell and two non-tornadic supercells that occurred in the same region in 2023.The two tornadic supercells exhibited lower differential reflectivity(ZDR)in the hook echo region compared with the non-tornadic supercells,indicating smaller median drop sizes.A distinct increase in ZDR from the melting of frozen hydrometeors,observed between2.5-and 4.0-km altitude in the non-tornadic storms,was absent in the tornadic cases.The non-tornadic supercells also displayed substantially higher specific differential phase(KDP)below the melting level,likely aroused from enhanced melting and cooling.These findings suggest fundamental microphysical contrasts between tornadic and nontornadic supercells.Specifically,tornadic supercells have smaller droplets and may reduce melting in hook echoes.Moreover,greater separation between the ZDR arc and the KDP foot was observed during tornadogenesis.The vertical gradient of KDP related to the cooling pool strength of the hook echo,regulating rear-flank downdraft thermodynamics.Despite the limited number of cases investigated,the findings of this study indicate that monitoring ZDR,KDP,and drop size distribution trends could assist with tornado prediction and warnings.
基金Supported by the National Special Fund for Meteorology(GYHY200706033)National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.40505004,40405012,and 40333025+1 种基金National Fundamental Research"973"Program of China(2004CB418301) the Natioual Meteorological Center of China TIGGE Program(GYHY(QX) 2007-232 6-1)
文摘In this study,single Doppler radar data were used to examine the structure and evolution of a high precipitation（HP） supercell embedded in a cold front near Jianyang,Fujian Province on 12 April 2003.The synoptic environment was characterized by high humidity at low levels,moderate CAPE（convective available potential energy;1601 J kg^（-1））,moderate wind shear（22 m s^（-1） in 0-5 km）,and veering of the horizontal winds with height,similar to those HP supercells previously observed in midlatitudes.In addition,the calculated bulk Richardson number was only 16,suggesting favorable environmental conditions for supercell development. The documented storm was located at the leading edge of a squall line.It was initiated from a single cell at 0732 UTC.It evolved into a bow shape gradually,and then split into two separate storms along the storm motion direction through the apex of the bow echo.The left-moving storm dissipated rapidly, but the right-moving storm strengthened and evolved into an HP supercell,lasting for more than 1 h.The radar reflectivity of the HP supercell during its mature stage showed a typical low-level hook echo at the front flank of the storm with its maximum reflectivity beyond 70 dBZ.Above the hook echo,an elevated maximum reflectivity core accompanied by a bounded weak-echo region（BWER） and a down-shear echo overhanging aloft were clearly identified.The elevated BWER,marked by 40-50-dBZ reflectivity values,was surrounded by values of 60-70 dBZ.A well-defined mesocyclone lasted about 1 h and was collocated with the low-level WER and middle-level BWER.The radar-estimated time-height profiles of mesocyclone rotational velocity and diameter indicated that this mesocyclone formed initially at middle level,then deepened and strengthened rapidly with the vertical depth deeper than 8 km and rotational velocity stronger than 24 m s^（-1） at the mature stage,and later decayed rapidly.The GBVTD（ground-based velocity track display）-derived primary circulation showed that the maximum tangential wind of the mesocyclone appeared at middle level （3-5 km） with a value of about 20 m s^（-1）.The mean radial wind field was characterized with a low-level inflow below 4 km,and accompanied by stronger updraft near the mesocyclone center.Between 4 and 7 km.the tangential wind profile resembled a Rankine combined vortex with the radius of maximum wind （RMW） at 3 km.and there was outflow/inflow inside/outside of the RMW.Correspondingly,the vertical velocity indicated a stronger updraft at the RMW and a weak downdraft inside the RMW.Above 7 km,the outflow strengthened and extended outside the RMW. In summary,the reflectivity structures of the storm and the accompanying mesocyclone were similar to those midlatitude HP supercells proposed in Miller＇s paper in 1994.However,the evolution of the HP supercell,including its three stages：ordinary storm,bow echo,and storm splitting,was quite different from those documented before.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant Nos.40505004,40405012,and 40333025the National Grand Fundamental Research 973 Program of China(973:2004CB418301)+1 种基金the GYHY(QX) 200706033and the NMCTIGGE Program GYHY(QX) 2007-232 6-1.
文摘In this study, the kinematic and precipitation structures of a mesocyclone associated with a hook echo were analyzed using single Doppler radar data. The mesocyclone was embedded in a mesoscale convective rainband near northern Taiwan coastline on 10 September 2004. The synoptic environment was characterized by a moderate convective available potential energy （CAPE） and a moderate ambient vertical shear from surface to 5 km. In addition, a pronounced low-level mesoscale shear/convergence zone, which resulted from the interaction of two tropical depressions, was also identified in the northwest coast of Taiwan, providing a favorable dynamic condition for the development of the mesocyclone. Analyzing single Doppler dipole signature shows that this mesocyclone formed initially at low levels, then deepened and strengthened rapidly into mature stage with the vertical depth exceeding 8 km. The diameter of the mesocyclone decreased with the height at the time of vortexgenesis, and then evolved into columnar structure accompanied with the broader diameter in middle layer. The mesocyclone lasted for about 2 h. The Ground-Based Velocity Track Display （GBVTD） method was applied to retrieve the ax- isymmetric circulation of the mesocyclone. The GBVTD-derived primary circulation showed the radius of maximum wind （RMW） of the mesocyclone was about 5-6 km and varied from inward tilting to outward tilting with time. The axisymmetric radial wind field was initially characterized by a low-level inflow inside the RMW and outflow outside the RMW, respectively. The strongest reflectivity was associated with a stronger updraft near the RMW, and a weak downdraft was located at the center of the mesocyclone. Subsequently the downdraft and reflectivity near the mesocyclone center strengthened obviously, accompanied with the low-level outflow, strong updraft as well as high reflectivity extending outside the RMW. The relative tangential wind initially exhibited a wavenumber 1 asymmetric structure with the maximum wind region at the left portion of the meso cyclone and shifted counterclockwise with height. The axisymmetric tangential wind strengthened and reached its maximum intensity with a value about 20 m s^-1 at z=1 km. After that the axisymmetric tangential wind decreased rapidly, meanwhile the wave-1 asymmetric structure redeveloped with the maximum wind at the left-front of motion. In summary, the evolution and structure of the mesocyclone is similar to that observed within a non-supercell mesocyclone. It is worth to mention that the axisymmetric circulation characteristics of the mesocyclone at its mature stage are very similar to those observed in a mature typhoon. However, there are significant differences, i.e., the size is much smaller, the lifetime is much shorter, and the downdraft in the center is produced by precipitation instead of compensating subsidence.
