Start
May 3, 2024 - 3:00 pm
End
May 3, 2024 - 3:30 pm
Categories
Convective Meteorology (Mesoscale Dynamics)Convective Meteorology (Mesoscale Dynamics)
Mobile Lidar Observations of Supercell Inflow During the TORUS-LItE Field Campaign
Bobby Saba
NWC 1350 / 3:00 PM
Abstract: During the Targeted Observations using Radars and UAS of Supercells – Left-flank Intensive Experiment (TORUS – LItE), the National Severe Storms Laboratory operated a single doppler wind lidar (DWL). The research goal of this instrument was to observe the evolution of storm inflow properties to gain a better understanding of the storm environment surrounding an evolving supercell. The single DWL in 2023 operated in a continuous scanning mode (CSM). While operating in CSM, post processed profiles can be computed on much finer temporal scales compared to previously used retrieval methods. This scanning strategy yielded vertical profiles of derived horizontal winds every ~16 m with the first usable data point around 75 m AGL after filtering based on a signal-to-noise ratio threshold. Early analysis from previous campaign operations have shown 1) a narrow inflow channel in the inflow environment, 2) potential differences in the inflow strength between tornadic and non-tornadic
supercells, and 3) a lack of a constant increase in wind shear in the presence of a constant increase in storm-relative wind.
Data preparation includes using collocated radiosonde launches to both provide context to the lidar observations and quantify the base environment in the far-field. In the inflow region, the extrapolation of the lowest usable data point from the lidar to the surface will allow for the quantification of kinematic severe parameters such as storm-relative helicity, storm-relative winds, etc. Analysis of the previously mentioned data includes comparing the background environment as defined by relevant far-field soundings or Rapid Refresh (RAP) model-based analysis to the evolution of the storm environment. This presentation will also discuss a new post processing technique: an optimal estimation of wind (WINDoe). Observations from the 2023 season will be analyzed and used to reevaluate the aforementioned results.