Development and behaviour of a radar-based operational tool for hailstorms identification (original) (raw)
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Meteorological Applications
This study investigated the radar-derived parameters in hail-producing storms and compared two hail-detection approaches in order to select the optimal method for real-time hail detection for the southern part of Romania. A statistical analysis of radar parameters was made, and the thresholds for radar-deriver parameters in hailproducing storms were determined. In addition, the hail storms' life cycle and diurnal and seasonal cycles of hail occurrence were investigated. The first algorithm developed in this study was based on the logistic regression model (LRM); the second one on the vertically integrated liquid (VIL) density algorithm. These algorithms were tested for the convective seasons (May-September) of 2014 and 2015. For the construction of the LRM, the composite reflectivity (CR), VIL and echo-top high (ET) were used as predictors for the probability of hail occurrence determination for 43 hail events observed at the synoptic station located in the radar-coverage area. The obtained statistics showed a marked diurnal cycle of hail occurrence with a maximum in the afternoon hours (1500-1800 LT), and the highest occurrence frequency of hail falls was in June. The results revealed that 93% of hail events occurred with 60 dBZ CR, 87% with 13 km ET, 100% with 55 kg/m 2 VIL and 100% with 4.5 g/m 3 VIL density. For the two hail-detection methods' performance comparison, a twoby-two contingency table was constructed and several statistical scores calculated. The LRM algorithm performed better than the VIL density algorithm.
Atmospheric Research, 2009
In order to identify hail into thunderstorms identified with radar data, different kinds of techniques are use based. This paper will evaluate some of these methodologies for the case of the Ebro valley (NE Spain), in order to obtain the best method to identify hail at surface. To achieve this end, an analysis of the 2004 and 2005 hail seasons has been undertaken using C-band radar, MM5 meteorological model outputs and ground observations provided by two hailpad networks. These data were integrated, identifying, characterizing and tracking the convective cells, and obtaining for each one different hail probability equations by means of various radar techniques. Kinetic energy flux was found to be the best parameter for distinguishing between hail and no-hail precipitation, although there was found to exist no significant difference between the various methods used. Moreover, the high correlations between radar parameters obtained by means of cell analyses led us to reduce the initial number of variables in new radar parameters. These new variables are defined and provide new improved models of the intensity of the storm.
Pilot project for intensive surveillance of hail events in Terres de Ponent (Lleida
Atmospheric Research, 2007
Hail is one of the most fearsome meteorological phenomena for agricultural areas. The harvest of the whole year can be destroyed in only a few minutes. A pilot project to characterise hail events and identify hail with the help of radar observations is described in this paper. This pilot project was carried out in Terres de Ponent, an area of about 200,000 ha in Lleida (Catalonia), in the NE of the Iberian Peninsula.
Study of 11 September 2004 hailstorm event using radar identification of 2-D systems and 3-D cells
Advances in Geosciences, 2006
The most important hail event recorded in the region of the Ebro Valley (NE Spain) in 2004 was the 11 September episode. Large hailstones (some of them with a diameter of over 30 mm) caused important damages in agriculture and properties. The hail event affected an area of 3848 ha and was caused by several multicellular systems. The aim of this paper is the analysis of the associated convective structures using the meteorological radar as well as the MM5 mesoscale model, thermodynamic data and a hailpad network. To achieve this end, the new hailstorm analysis tool RHAP (Rainfall events and Hailstorms Analysis Program) has been applied. It identifies tracks and characterises precipitation systems and convective cells, taking into account 2-D and 3-D structures. The event has also been studied with the TITAN software (Thunderstorm Identification, Tracking, Analysis and Nowcasting) in an attempt to compare both methods. Results show that the episode had a strong convective activity with CAPE values over 4000 J/kg and with hail-forming cells characterised by VIL (Vertical Integrated Liguid) exceeding 40 kg/m 2 , VILD (VIL density) over 4 g/m 3 , HP (Hail Probability) of 100% and SHP (Severe Hail Probability) of over 75%. The hail cells evolved into multicellular systems that lasted between 70 and 90 min. Finally, the comparison of RHAP and TITAN has shown significant correlations between methods.
Noteworthy C-band radar parameters of storms on hail days in northwestern Spain
Atmospheric Research, 2001
The data provided by a meteorological C-band radar have been employed in order to analyze the behavior of 224 storms that occurred on hail days in the provinces of León and Zamora, in the northwest of Spain. A network of more than 700 voluntary observers supplied the necessary information to distinguish hailstorms from storms that did not produce hail precipitation. The observers also reported the size of the hailstones found.
Verification of an algorithm (DWSR 2500C) for hail detection
Atmosfera
The aim of this paper is to determine the real-time forecast and warning critera for hail events, using height of maximum reflectivity (Hmax), vertically integrated liquid water (VIL), hail occurrence probability (HailP) and reflectivity radar products (PPIZ). In addition, criteria were sought for use in estimating the size of hail stones. The study is based on data supplied by the Bucharest C-band weather radar along with observation data during the 2001-2008 period. The following radar products: HailP, Hmax, (PPIZ) and VIL, have been determined for each hail event reported by the weather station. A number of 320 cases have been analyzed when hail was determined for 20 weather stations in Muntenia area, Romania. One related result is that in situations when the 0 °C isotherm is between 3000 and 4000 m, the frequency of hail events certified on the ground is 50%. Another conclusion is that if the maximum reflectivity appears at heights between 7000 and 8000 m, there is an approximat...