Microphysical Insights into a Tornadic Supercell from Dual-Polarization Radar Observations in Jiangsu, China on 14 May 2021  

作　　者：Chao YUAN Yang BAI Pengfei SUN Hua BAI Lu XIA 

机构地区：[1]China Meteorological Administration Tornado Key Laboratory,Foshan 528315 [2]Institute of Atmospheric Environment,China Meteorological Administration,Shenyang 110166 [3]Panjin National Climate Observatory,Panjin 124010 [4]Yangzhou Meteorological Bureau of Jiangsu Province,Yangzhou 225100 [5]Yichun Meteorological Bureau of Heilongjiang Province,Yichun 153000

出　　处：《Journal of Meteorological Research》2024年第2期303-320,共18页气象学报（英文版）

基　　金：Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42305013);Joint Research Project for Meteorological Capacity Improvement(23NLTSQ002);China Meteorological Administration Tornado Key Laboratory Fund(TKL202307);China Meteorological Administration Youth Innovation Team Fund(CMA2024QN05);China Meteorological Administration Special Innovation and Development Program(CXFZ2022J003 and CXFZ2022J059)。

摘　　要：Tornadoes are incredibly powerful and destructive natural events,yet the microphysical characteristics of the parent storm and its effects on tornadogenesis remain unclear.This study analyzed polarization radar data of a tornadic supercell that occurred in Jiangsu Province of China on 14 May 2021,in comparison with another tornadic supercell and two non-tornadic supercells that occurred in the same region in 2023.The two tornadic supercells exhibited lower differential reflectivity(ZDR)in the hook echo region compared with the non-tornadic supercells,indicating smaller median drop sizes.A distinct increase in ZDR from the melting of frozen hydrometeors,observed between2.5-and 4.0-km altitude in the non-tornadic storms,was absent in the tornadic cases.The non-tornadic supercells also displayed substantially higher specific differential phase(KDP)below the melting level,likely aroused from enhanced melting and cooling.These findings suggest fundamental microphysical contrasts between tornadic and nontornadic supercells.Specifically,tornadic supercells have smaller droplets and may reduce melting in hook echoes.Moreover,greater separation between the ZDR arc and the KDP foot was observed during tornadogenesis.The vertical gradient of KDP related to the cooling pool strength of the hook echo,regulating rear-flank downdraft thermodynamics.Despite the limited number of cases investigated,the findings of this study indicate that monitoring ZDR,KDP,and drop size distribution trends could assist with tornado prediction and warnings.

关 键 词：TORNADO polarimetric radar SUPERCELL hook echo drop size distribution 

分 类 号：P412.25[天文地球—大气科学及气象学] P445