Automated Processing of Doppler Radar Data for Severe Weather Warnings
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Severe Storms in the Midwest
Informational/Education Material 2006-06 Illinois State Water Survey SEVERE STORMS IN THE MIDWEST Stanley A. Changnon Kenneth E. Kunkel SEVERE STORMS IN THE MIDWEST By Stanley A. Changnon and Kenneth E. Kunkel Midwestern Regional Climate Center Illinois State Water Survey Champaign, IL Illinois State Water Survey Report I/EM 2006-06 i This report was printed on recycled and recyclable papers ii TABLE OF CONTENTS Abstract........................................................................................................................................... v Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................. 1 Chapter 2. Thunderstorms and Lightning ...................................................................................... 7 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 7 Causes ................................................................................................................................. 8 Temporal and Spatial Distributions .................................................................................. 12 Impacts.............................................................................................................................. 13 Lightning........................................................................................................................... 14 References ....................................................................................................................... -
Mesoscale Convective Systems
OCTOBER 2007 S T E I G E R E T A L . 3303 Total Lightning Signatures of Thunderstorm Intensity over North Texas. Part II: Mesoscale Convective Systems SCOTT M. STEIGER Department of Earth Sciences, State University of New York at Oswego, Oswego, New York RICHARD E. ORVILLE AND LAWRENCE D. CAREY Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas (Manuscript received 4 April 2006, in final form 25 January 2007) ABSTRACT Total lightning data from the Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR II) research network in addition to cloud-to-ground flash data from the National Lightning Detection Network (NLDN) and data from the Dallas–Fort Worth, Texas, Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) station (KFWS) were examined from individual cells within mesoscale convective systems that crossed the Dallas–Fort Worth region on 13 October 2001, 27 May 2002, and 16 June 2002. LDAR II source density contours were comma shaped, in association with severe wind events within mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) on 13 October 2001 and 27 May 2002. This signature is similar to the radar reflectivity bow echo. The source density comma shape was apparent 15 min prior to a severe wind report and lasted more than 20 min during the 13 October storm. Consistent relationships between severe straight-line winds, radar, and lightning storm cell characteristics (e.g., lightning heights) were not found for cells within MCSs as was the case for severe weather in supercells in Part I of this study. Cell interactions within MCSs are believed to weaken these relationships as reflectivity and lightning from nearby storms contaminate the cells of interest. -
Severe Weather in the United States
Module 18: Severe Thunderstorms in the United States Tuscaloosa, Alabama May 18, 2011 Dan Koopman 2011 What is “Severe Weather”? Any meteorological condition that has potential to cause damage, serious social disruption, or loss of human life. American Meteorological Society: In general, any destructive storm, but usually applied to severe local storms in particular, that is, intense thunderstorms, hailstorms, and tornadoes. Three Stages of Thunderstorm Development Stage 1: Cumulus • A warm parcel of air begins ascending vertically into the atmosphere. • In an unstable environment, the parcel will continue to rise as long as it is warmer than the air around it. • Billowing, puffy Cumulus Congestus Clouds continue to build in towers. Stage 2: Mature • At a certain altitude, the parcel is no longer warmer than its environment. It is unable to rise any further and develops the distinctive “Anvil” shape as seen in this figure. • In cases of particularly strong updrafts, the vertical velocity of the updraft may be sufficient to penetrate this altitude causing an “overshooting top” to develop above the flat top of the anvil. Stage 3: Dissipating • Convective inflow shut off by strong downdrafts, no more cloud droplet formation, downdrafts continue and gradually weaken until light precipitation rains out • Water droplets aloft being to coalesce until they are too heavy to support and begin to fall to the surface, strengthening the downdraft. Basic Ingredients for Thunderstorms • Moisture • Unstable Air • Forcing Mechanism Moisture Thunderstorms development generally requires dewpoints > 50°F Unstable Air Stable is resistant to change. When the air is stable, even if a parcel of air is lifted above its original position (say by a mountain for example), its temperature will always remain cooler than its environment, meaning that it will resist upwards movement. -
Title: Preliminary Reflectivity Analysis of Severe Convective Events in in the Proximity of Goczałkowice-Zdrój
Title: Preliminary reflectivity analysis of severe convective events in in the proximity of Goczałkowice-Zdrój Author: Wojciech Pilorz, Philip Ciaramella Citation style: Pilorz Wojciech, Ciaramella Philip. (2019). Preliminary reflectivity analysis of severe convective events in in the proximity of Goczałkowice-Zdrój. "Environmental and Socio-Economic Studies" Vol. 7, iss. 2 (2019), s. 32-38. doi: 10.2478/environ-2019-0010 Environmental & Socio-economic Studies DOI: 10.2478/environ-2019-0010 Environ. Socio.-econ. Stud., 2019, 7, 2: 32-38 © 2019 Copyright by University of Silesia in Katowice ________________________________________________________________________________________________ Original article Preliminary reflectivity analysis of severe convective events in in the proximity of Goczałkowice-Zdrój, Poland Wojciech Pilorz1, 2*, Philip Ciaramella3 1Department of Climatology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, University of Silesia, Będzińska Str. 60, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland 2Ecoenergy – Water – Safety Technology Park, Żeliwna Str. 38, 40-599 Katowice, Poland 3Department of Animal Physiology and Ecotoxicology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Silesia, Jagiellońska Str. 28, 40-032 Katowice, Poland E–mail address (*corresponding author): [email protected] ORCID iD: Wojciech Pilorz: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9204-0680; Philip Ciaramella: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1679-125X _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT At the beginning of 2018, the X-band radar in Goczałkowice-Zdrój (southern Poland) was launched. The scanning area corresponds with the scanning area of the POLRAD C-band radar system operated by the Polish Institute of Meteorology and Water Management. New opportunities were created for imaging phenomena by comparing some reflectivity features from C-Band radar and X-Band local weather radar. Moreover, some of the signatures located in the lower troposphere can be better documented by local X-Band radar. -
Multiple Sensor Severe Weather Application
P8R.4 STATUS ON THE FOUR-DIMENSIONAL RADAR ANALYSIS TOOL FOR AWIPS Gregory J. Stumpf1,2,*, Kurt D. Hondl3, Stephan B. Smith2 Robert Toomey1,3, M. Thomas Filiaggi2, V. Lakshmanan1,3 1Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorology Studies, Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman, OK. 2NOAA/National Weather Service Meteorological Development Laboratory, Silver Spring, MD. 3NOAA/National Severe Storms Laboratory, Norman, OK. 1. INTRODUCTION frequently portrayed with 2D dimensional representations and with 2D cross-sections. Stumpf et al. (2004) reported on a project being coordinated to integrate a 3D base radar data display For example, the seminal NWS training document to tool developed at the National Severe Storms identify features associated with supercell Laboratory (NSSL) into the Advanced Weather thunderstorms using radar, known as the “Lemon Interactive Processing System (AWIPS) (Wakefield, Technique”, was based on radar display technology of 1998). This prototype AWIPS radar display tool is the time (Lemon, 1977). The old Weather Surveillance currently known as the Four-Dimensional Stormcell Radar – 1957 (WSR-57) radar control and display Investigator (FSI). consoles allowed meteorologists to manually control the radar beam azimuth and elevation. This allowed radar Since that publication, some progress has been made to operators to cut both quasi-horizontal cross-sections in improve the NSSL 3D radar display. However, the work the form of the Plan Position Indicator (PPI) display, as to integrate the NSSL tool into AWIPS has unfortunately well as quasi-vertical cross-sections in the form of the been put on hold due to lack of resources. The Range Height Indicator (RHI) display. Figure 1 following manuscript will detail the status of this work illustrates some of the features associated with a classic done to adapt the WDSSII display system as a 3D, and supercell as they would be depicted on both a PPI and four-dimensional (animate in three dimensions), base an RHI display. -
On the Need for Volumetric Radar Data When Issuing Severe Thunderstorm and Tornado Warnings
ON THE NEED FOR VOLUMETRIC RADAR DATA WHEN ISSUING SEVERE THUNDERSTORM AND TORNADO WARNINGS David A. Imy* NOANNEXRAO/OSF Norman, OK Kevin J. Pence NOANNWS Forecast Office Jackson, MS Charles A. Doswell III NOANERLlNational Severe Storms Laboratory Norman, OK Abstract a tornado warning was necessary for this storm. No other warnings were issued by JAN in the three Mississippi count On 28 February 1987, a violent tornado (F4) struck Jones ies which the storm had moved through prior to this time. COl/nty in southeast Mississippi. The radar echo associated This paper briefly investigates the environment that pro with this storm exhibited low-level features that only can be duced the event and then describes the evolution of the storm speculated upon, because a volumetric radar scan was not at low levels (0.5") as observed by the WSR-57 radar at done. This paper focuses on reasons why examining the JAN. Following the examination of the radar echo, a short three-dimensional structure of a storm is necessary for issu summary delineating the significant storm-structural features ing effective warnings. The volumetric or "tilt" scan also indicative of severe and tornadic storms is included. Lastly, (~ids meteorologists in understanding the origins of low -level a brief description of some tilt techniques for use with con features, such as those that will be illustrated in this manu ventional radars and the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 script. This strategy will be a routine, automatic part of .Qoppler (WSR-88D) system (Alberty et al. 1991) will be pre warning operations with the Weather Surveillance Radar- sented. -
Tornado Warnings: Delivery, Economics, & Public Perception
Tornado Warnings: Delivery, Economics, & Public Perception Bibliography Katie Rowley, Librarian, NOAA Central Library Trevor Riley, Head of Public Services, NOAA Central Library Christine Reed, Librarian, Oklahoma University/NOAA NCRL subject guide 2018-15 10.7289/V5/SG-NCRL-18-15 June 2018 U.S. Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research NOAA Central Library – Silver Spring, Maryland Table of Contents Background & Scope ................................................................................................................................. 3 Sources Reviewed ..................................................................................................................................... 3 Section I: Economic Impact, Risk & Mitigation ......................................................................................... 4 Section II: Public Perception & Behavior ................................................................................................ 11 Section III: Tornado Identification & Technology ................................................................................... 30 Section IV: Warning Process, Development, & Delivery ......................................................................... 36 2 Background & Scope The Weather Research and Forecasting Innovation Act of 2017 requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to prioritize weather research to improve weather data, modeling, computing, forecasts, -
Thunderstorm Anatomy and Dynamics
THUNDERSTORM ANATOMY AND DYNAMICS An Overview Prepared by LCDR Bill Nisley MR 3421 • Cloud Physics Naval Postgraduate School • Monterey, California [email protected] Photo credits: Thunderstorm Cell and Mammatus Clouds by: Michael Bath; Tornado by Daphne Zaras / NSSL; Supercell Thunderstorm by: AMOS; Wall Cloud by: Greg Michels 1. Introduction The purpose of this paper is to present a broad overview of the various cloud structures displayed during the life cycle of a thunderstorm and the atmospheric dynamics associated with each. Knowledge of atmospheric dynamics provides for a keener understanding of the physical processes related to the “why and how” certain cloud features form. Accordingly, observation of cloud features presents visual queuing of changes in the atmosphere. 2. Thunderstorm Formation and Stages of Development Thunderstorm development is dependent on three basic components: moisture, instability, and some form of lifting mechanism. 2.1 Moisture – As air near the surface is lifted higher in the atmosphere and cooled, available water vapor condenses into small water droplets which form clouds. As condensation of water vapor occurs, latent heat is released making the rising air warmer and less dense than its surroundings (figure 1). The added heat allows the air (parcel) to continue to rise and form an updraft within the developing cloud structure. 2.1.1 In general1, low level moisture increases instability simply by making more latent heat available to the lower atmosphere. Increasing mid level moisture can decrease instability in the atmosphere because moist air is less dense than dry air and therefor is unable to evaporate • Figure 1 – Positive buoyancy / instability as a result of precipitation and cloud droplets as condensation and release of latent heat. -
Satellite INVESTIGATION INTO the JUNE 10, 1984 THUNDERSTORM VINCENNES, INDIANA
National Weather Digest Satellite INVESTIGATION INTO THE JUNE 10, 1984 THUNDERSTORM VINCENNES, INDIANA by Mark S. Binkley (1) Department of Geography Indiana State University Terre Haute, Indiana 47809 ABSTRACT SYNOPTIC SETTING On June 10, 1984, a thunderstorm of unusual severity produced heavy precipitation in a small area As is evident in the 160 I GMT image, Vincennes centered on Vincennes, Indiana. Sequential analysis (in southwestern Indiana) has not e xperienced any of the development of the storm using satellite type of significant weathe r. However, several imagery and radar data indicates its origin as part of variables might suggest trouble in the near future. a weak cold front. The active storm cell resulted from the merging of two active cells. Full As is common in summer, the Azores-Bermuda explanation of the event draws upon examination of High has increased in strength and has begun to block prevailing synoptic conditions following the approaching frontal systems. This resulted in a weakening of a blocking High. prolonged period of dry weather in much of the eastern United States during the summer of I 98 If. Terre Haute, IN (55 miles north of Vincennes) went 21f days without precipitation (May 28 through June INTRODUCTION 21, including June 10). The State of Indiana on this date was between At midnight, Sunday, June 10, 1981f, the United the blocking Be rmuda High and the cold front States was bisected by a long, nar row cold front. advancing from the plains. Pressures had fallen This front extended from a Low in northern Wisconsin slightly during this period as the 1020.0 millibar line and stretched southwest to the Texas Panhandle. -
Life Cycle Characteristics of Warm-Season Severe Thunderstorms in Central United States from 2010 to 2014
climate Article Life Cycle Characteristics of Warm-Season Severe Thunderstorms in Central United States from 2010 to 2014 Weibo Liu 1 and Xingong Li 2,* 1 Department of Geosciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, FL 33431, USA; [email protected] 2 Department of Geography and Atmospheric Science, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS 66045, USA * Correspondence: [email protected]; Tel.: +1-785-864-5545 Academic Editor: Christina Anagnostopoulou Received: 17 July 2016; Accepted: 6 September 2016; Published: 8 September 2016 Abstract: Weather monitoring systems, such as Doppler radars, collect a high volume of measurements with fine spatial and temporal resolutions that provide opportunities to study many convective weather events. This study examines the spatial and temporal characteristics of severe thunderstorm life cycles in central United States mainly covering Kansas, Oklahoma, and northern Texas during the warm seasons from 2010 to 2014. Thunderstorms are identified using radar reflectivity and cloud-to-ground lightning data and are tracked using a directed graph model that can represent the whole life cycle of a thunderstorm. Thunderstorms were stored in a GIS database with a number of additional thunderstorm attributes. Spatial and temporal characteristics of the thunderstorms were analyzed, including the yearly total number of thunderstorms, their monthly distribution, durations, initiation time, termination time, movement speed and direction, and the spatial distributions of thunderstorm tracks, initiations, and terminations. Results revealed that thunderstorms were most frequent across the eastern part of the study area, especially at the borders between Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. Finally, thunderstorm occurrence is linked to land cover, including a comparison of thunderstorms between urban and surrounding rural areas. -
Bunkers, M. J., and C. A. Doswell III, 2016
OCTOBER 2016 C O R R E S P O N D E N C E 1715 CORRESPONDENCE Comments on ‘‘Double Impact: When Both Tornadoes and Flash Floods Threaten the Same Place at the Same Time’’ MATTHEW J. BUNKERS NOAA/National Weather Service, Rapid City, South Dakota CHARLES A. DOSWELL III Doswell Scientific Consulting, Norman, Oklahoma (Manuscript received 14 June 2016, in final form 1 September 2016) 1. Introduction However, this is not necessarily true, especially with respect to precipitation efficiency (e.g., Davis 2001). Nielsen et al. (2015) studied the environments of Although these items are minor, we believe that in total concurrent, collocated tornado and flash flood (hereafter they are sufficient to be addressed formally. Therefore, our TORFF) events that occurred across the continental goals in this comment are to 1) discuss the importance of United States from 2008 to 2013. They found that storm (and supercell) motion in potentially helping to an- TORFF events are difficult to distinguish from tornado ticipate TORFF events; 2) provide examples contrary to the events that do not produce flash flooding, although the notion that tornadic storms are necessarily fast moving, as TORFF environments tended to possess greater moisture well as discuss briefly the characteristics of slow-moving and synoptic-scale forcing for ascent. tornadic supercell environments; and 3) clarify the re- Although we agree with most of the content of the paper lationship of CAPE with rainfall and precipitation efficiency. by Nielsen et al. (2015), one thing that they did not address was storm motion as it relates to these TORFF events; neither the mean wind nor any other proxy for storm or 2. -
Operational Observations of Extreme Reflectivity Values in Convective Cells
OPERATIONAL OBSERVATIONS OF EXTREME REFLECTIVITY VALUES IN CONVECTIVE CELLS Alan E. Gerard NOAA/National Weather Service Forecast Office Jackson, Mississippi Abstract WRIST technique was designed to find was the height of the Digital Video Integrated Processor (DNIP) level 5. The observation of high reflectivity values aloft as an Lemon (1980) found that the presence ofDNIP level 5 or indicator of the potential for a convective storm to produce higher above 27 Kft had a strong correlation with a thun severe weather has been widely known for many years. derstorm cell's capability to produce severe weather The advent of the Weather Surveillance Radar-88 Doppler (winds of 50 kt or greater, hail 0.75 in. or larger in diam (WSR-88D) has given operational forecasters a new tool eter, or tornadoes). This was because the presence of high for looking at reflectivity data, and a greater spectrum of DNIP levels aloft was an indication of the presence of a values at which to look. In the use of these new data, anec strong updraft in the storm, and the strength of the dotal evidence has suggested to some radar operators that updraft has a direct correlation to the ability of a thun extremely high reflectivity values (65 dBZ or greater) derstorm to produce severe weather. appear to have a correlation with the production of severe Although the WSR-88D allows for relatively easy weather. Data from the Cleveland, Ohio and Jackson, examination of many meteorological parameters to deter Mississippi WSR-88D radars were examined to observe mine a storm's severity, the height of high reflectivities in the formation of extremely high values of reflectivity in a particular storm cell continues to be an important fac convective cells, and to determine any correlation with the tor in the warning decision, especially when warning for production of severe weather.