Polarimetric signatures in the stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system

D. S. Zrnic, N. Balakrishnan, C. L. Ziegler, V. N. Bringi, K. Aydin, T. Matejka

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    102 Scopus citations

    Abstract

    Four polarimetric measurands were collected in the stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system. The four are the reflectivity factor, the differential reflectivity, the correlation coefficient between orthogonal copolar echoes, and the differential propagation constant. Most striking is a signature of large aggregates (about 10 mm in size) seen in the differential phase through the melting layer. Another significant feature is an abrupt notch in the correlation coefficient that occurs towards the bottom of the bright band. Aircraft observations and a one-dimensional cloud model are used to explain some polarimetric measurements and to infer the presence of aggregates, graupel, and supercooled cloud water in the stratiform region. These unique observations and model data provide inferences concerning the presence of graupel and the growth of large aggregates in the melting layer. -Authors

    Original languageEnglish (US)
    Pages (from-to)678-693
    Number of pages16
    JournalJournal of Applied Meteorology
    Volume32
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    StatePublished - 1993

    All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

    • Atmospheric Science

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