Improving Storm-Scale Analyses of Convection via Assimilation of Polarimetric Radar Observations

A detailed examination of the case study led to new insight into polarimetric field evolution associated with a significantly tornadic supercell thunderstorm. This included the identification of a specific differential phase foot and differential reflectivity shield as well as the first documentation focused on the relationship between polarimetric field evolution relative to surface gust front behavior. A strong but compact cold pool was found on the upshear side of the storm. However, an intriguing discovery was the lack of significant cooling at the surface within the forward flank downdraft region of the storm. Instead, there was an elevated cold pool along the forward storm flank that rested on a capping inversion layer. Comparison of the retrieved atmospheric state variables between the simple and advanced microphysical representation showed significant differences in spatial and temporal evolution, yet retrieved cold pool characteristics were qualitatively quite similar to one another and observations. This is related to the similar treatment of evaporation between the two microphysical schemes along the upshear side of the storm.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ph.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Atmospheric Sciences

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2015

Author dc:creator

• Romine, Glen Scott

Contributors dc:contributor

• Robert Wilhelmson

• Atmospheric Sciences

Language dc:language

eng

Identifier

(MiAaPQ)AAI3314874

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:www.ideals.illinois.edu:2142/85975