Thunderstorm Cloud Top Dynamics as Inferred from Satellite Observations and a Cloud Top Parcel Model

Adler, Robert F.; Mack, Robert A.

doi:10.1175/1520-0469(1986)043<1945:tctdai>2.0.co;2

Cited by 64 publications

(61 citation statements)

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“…Cirrus plumes above the anvil level as described by Setvák et al (2007), for instance, may have a strong influence on the shape of cold U/warm center structures. Our explanation for the formation of the cold U/warm center structure based on small-scale mixing processes is in good agreement with the thunderstorm cloud top dynamics presented by Schlesinger (1984) and Adler and Mack (1986). The finding that the observed structure was due to dynamic rather than radiative effects supports results from studies of regular convection that showed a dominant role of dynamic effects in forming cold U/warm center structures (Wang et al, 2002a,b).…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Based on these observational results, and the simulation of the Chisholm pyroCb presented here, we infer that the warm center originated from subsidence and mixing of stratospheric air masses induced by gravity wave activity. This explanation is in good agreement with those proposed in earlier studies by Adler and Mack (1986) and Schlesinger (1984). This paper is structured as follows: In the next section, observations of the Chisholm pyroCb are presented.…”

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 89%

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Small-scale mixing processes enhancing troposphere-to-stratosphere transport by pyro-cumulonimbus storms

et al. 2007

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Abstract. Deep convection induced by large forest fires is an efficient mechanism for transport of aerosol particles and trace gases into the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UT/LS). For many pyro-cumulonimbus clouds (pyroCbs) as well as other cases of severe convection without fire forcing, radiometric observations of cloud tops in the thermal infrared (IR) reveal characteristic structures, featuring a region of relatively high brightness temperatures (warm center) surrounded by a U-shaped region of low brightness temperatures.We performed a numerical simulation of a specific case study of pyroCb using a non-hydrostatic cloud resolving model with a two-moment cloud microphysics parameterization and a prognostic turbulence scheme. The model is able to reproduce the thermal IR structure as observed from satellite radiometry. Our findings establish a close link between the observed temperature pattern and small-scale mixing processes atop and downwind of the overshooting dome of the pyroCb. Such small-scale mixing processes are strongly enhanced by the formation and breaking of a stationary gravity wave induced by the overshoot. They are found to increase the stratospheric penetration of the smoke by up to almost 30 K and thus are of major significance for irreversible transport of forest fire smoke into the lower stratosphere.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Introductionsupporting

confidence: 89%

Small-scale mixing processes enhancing troposphere-to-stratosphere transport by pyro-cumulonimbus storms

et al. 2007

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“…In the literature there are several observations of turrets reaching this altitude (Alcala and Dessler, 2002;Adler and Mack, 1986;Ebert and Holland, 1992;Simpson et al, 1993). As shown in Sect.…”

Section: Turret Altitudementioning

confidence: 89%

“…On the other hand, deep convective penetration into the TTL happens occasionally (Alcala and Dessler, 2002;Adler and Mack, 1986;Ebert and Holland, 1992;Simpson et al, 1993;Knollenberg et al, 1993), but it is unclear what the role of such events is with respect to dehydration of air entering into the stratosphere. Radiometer measurements Wu et al (2005) show that convectively lofted ice particles contribute significantly to the total water content at the tropical cold point, and evidence for convection as source of stratospheric water has been derived from measurements of deuterated water in the TTL in e.g.…”

Section: How Suchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Solid particles in the tropical lowest stratosphere

et al. 2007

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Abstract. We report in situ and remote observations proving occasional occurrence of solid particles in the tropical lowest stratosphere, 200 km from deep convective events. The particles were found during field campaigns in Southeast Brazil (49.03 W 22.36 S). They occur in the altitude range from 17.5 to 20.8 km, at temperatures up to at least 10 K above the expected frost point temperature. While stability of ice particles at these altitudes is unexpected from a theoretical point of view, it is argued that these observations are indications of tropospheric air masses penetrating into the stratosphere during convective overshoots. It is argued that the intrusion of tropospheric air must have carried a large amount of water with it, which effectively hydrated the lowest stratosphere, and consequently suppressed sublimation. This conclusion is further supported by a separate water vapor mixing ratio profile obtained at the same observation site.

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“…Difficulties notwithstanding, it is essential to be able to make accurate and timely forecasts of these storms in order to save lives and mitigate property losses. Satellite imagery can help the forecaster in this process by providing indications of where a thunderstorm or group of thunderstorms might form, identifying factors affecting storm evolution, furnishing clues regarding severe weather potential, and hinting as to how the storms(s) might propagate (Adler and Fenn 1979;McCann 1983;Scofield and Purdom 1986;Heymsfield and Blackmer 1988;Bunkers et al 2000;Weaver et al 2002). In particular, storm-scale cloud features on the order of 1-10 km are resolved in 1-km visible satellite imagery and have been shown to be influential in storm evolution (Lemon 1976;Weaver et al 1994;Weaver and Purdom 1995;Weaver and Lindsey 2004).…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

A Preliminary Statistical Study of Correlations between Inflow Feeder Clouds, Supercell or Multicell Thunderstorms, and Severe Weather

Mazur

Weaver

Haar

2009

Weather and Forecasting

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This study examines the relationship between severe weather and organized lines of cumulus towers, called feeder clouds, which form in the inflow region of supercell and multicell thunderstorms. Using Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite (GOES) imagery, correlations between the occurrence of feeder clouds and severe weather reports are explored. Output from the Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler (WSR-88D) mesocyclone detection algorithm (MDA) is also assessed for a subset of the satellite case days. Statistics from the satellite and radar datasets are assembled to estimate not only the effectiveness of feeder cloud signatures as sole predictors of severe weather, but also the potential utility of combining feeder cloud analysis with the radar's MDA output.Results from this study suggest that the formation of feeder clouds as seen in visible satellite imagery is often followed by the occurrence of severe weather in a storm. The study finds that feeder cloud signatures by themselves have low skill in predicting severe weather. However, if feeder clouds are observed in a storm, there is a 77% chance that severe weather will occur within 30 min of the observation. For the cases considered, the MDA turns out to be the more effective predictor of severe weather. However, results show that combined predictions (feeder clouds plus mesocyclones) outperform both feeder cloud signatures and the MDA as separate predictors by ;10%-20%. Thus, the presence of feeder clouds as observed in visible imagery is a useful adjunct to the MDA in diagnosing a storm's potential for producing severe weather.

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Thunderstorm Cloud Top Dynamics as Inferred from Satellite Observations and a Cloud Top Parcel Model

Cited by 64 publications

References 0 publications

Small-scale mixing processes enhancing troposphere-to-stratosphere transport by pyro-cumulonimbus storms

Small-scale mixing processes enhancing troposphere-to-stratosphere transport by pyro-cumulonimbus storms

Solid particles in the tropical lowest stratosphere

A Preliminary Statistical Study of Correlations between Inflow Feeder Clouds, Supercell or Multicell Thunderstorms, and Severe Weather

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