Investigation of observational error sources in multi-Doppler-radar three-dimensional variational vertical air motion retrievals
Multi-Doppler-radar network observations have been used in different configurations over the last several decades to conduct three-dimensional wind retrievals in mesoscale convective systems. Here, the impacts of the selected radar volume coverage pattern (VCP), the sampling time for the VCP, the nu...
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Veröffentlicht in: | Atmospheric measurement techniques 2019-03, Vol.12 (3), p.1999-2018 |
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Sprache: | eng |
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Zusammenfassung: | Multi-Doppler-radar network observations have been used
in different configurations over the last several decades to conduct
three-dimensional wind retrievals in mesoscale convective systems. Here, the
impacts of the selected radar volume coverage pattern (VCP), the sampling
time for the VCP, the number of radars used, and the added value of
advection correction on the retrieval of the vertical air motion in the
upper part of convective clouds are examined using the Weather Research and
Forecasting (WRF) model simulation, the Cloud Resolving Model Radar
SIMulator (CR-SIM), and a three-dimensional variational multi-Doppler-radar
retrieval technique. Comparisons between the model truth (i.e., WRF
kinematic fields) and updraft properties (updraft fraction, updraft
magnitude, and mass flux) retrieved from the CR-SIM-generated multi-Doppler-radar field are used to investigate these impacts. The findings are that (1) the
VCP elevation strategy and sampling time have a significant effect on the
retrieved updraft properties above 6 km in altitude; (2) 2 min or shorter VCPs
have small impacts on the retrievals, and the errors are comparable to
retrievals using a snapshot cloud field; (3) increasing the density of
elevation angles in the VCP appears to be more effective to reduce the
uncertainty than an addition of data from one more radar, if the VCP is
performed in 2 min; and (4) the use of dense elevation angles combined
with an advection correction applied to the 2 min VCPs can effectively
improve the updraft retrievals, but for longer VCP sampling periods (5 min)
the value of advection correction is challenging. This study highlights
several limiting factors in the retrieval of upper-level vertical velocity
from multi-Doppler-radar networks and suggests that the use of rapid-scan
radars can substantially improve the quality of wind retrievals if conducted
in a limited spatial domain. |
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ISSN: | 1867-8548 1867-1381 1867-8548 |
DOI: | 10.5194/amt-12-1999-2019 |