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Items 2007 Supercell and multi-cell storms targeted by mobile radars
Two shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching radars (SMART-radars) are being deployed in concert with multifunction phased array radar (MPAR) operations during the spring 2007 National Weather Radar Testbed Demonstration. The deployment is part of two small field experiments co-sponsored by the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) to collect data on supercell and multicell thunderstorms.
The phased array SMART-R Spring Experiment (PASSE) is deploying SMART-R’s in central and western Oklahoma to collect data on supercell storms at low altitudes. Researchers will determine if assimilating rapidly updating surface data into models will improve storm scale forecasts. Scientists are also positioning the SMART-radars to provide double radar coverage (MPAR and SMART-R) on hazardous weather targets to compare differences in radar parameters.
The Data Assimilation Resolution Experiment (DARE) is deploying SMART-R’s to target data collection on the vertical structure of multicell storms, especially in the mid levels of the storm where the storm’s updraft and downdraft structure can rapidly evolve. Better diagnosis of this part of the storm system should improve our ability to model multicell storms for lightning research, quantitative precipitation forecasting, and hail prediction.
Since each field project focuses on a different type of storm, they are run separately from each other -- PASSE has priority on supercell days, and DARE has priority on multicell days.
Background: The spring 2007 NWRT Demonstration experiments investigate the utility of multi-mission PAR in forecasting, modeling, and warning environments.
Significance: Supports goal to use science for informed decision making.
6/11/07