1

Cloud Dynamical and Microphysical Problems that Could be Addressed by an

Integrated Remote Sensing System

R. A. Houze

Presented at NCAR CAPRIS Discussion, 30 Oct 2006

2

Entrainment

3

Growing cumulus

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Mixed-layer Stratocumulus

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200 km

closed cells

open cellsopen cells

Example of subtropical oceanic stratocumulus

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Mesoscale dynamics driven by latent heating by precipitation can influence the coverage and radiative properties

of stratocumulus

(Comstock et al. 2006)

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Deep Convection- Hail, Graupel, Electrification

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Deep convection near the Himalayas

Himalayas

40 dBZ at 16+ km

Houze et al. 2006

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Mesoscale convective systems

10 Bryan & Fritsch 2000

Deep Layer Overturning in Mesoscale Convective Systems

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Precipitation Particle Growth in MCSs

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Precipitation Particle Growth in Mesoscale Convective Systems

Yuter and Houze 1995

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Cirrus Generation

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AcAs

*** **

***

After Houze et al. (1980)

Cirrus generation by mesoscale convective systems

Idealized composite water budget of

MCS over its lifecycle

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PV generation in midlevels of MCSs

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Heating Processes in a Mesoscale Convective System

Houze 1982

17 Fritsch et al. 1994

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Midlevel mesoscale vortex in mesoscale convective system

Houze et al. 1989

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Mesoscale Processes in Hurricanes

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Hurricane Rita in RAINEX

ELDORA

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Orographic Precipitation

22 28 Nov 2001

Frontal system passing over west coast mountains

Sukovich et al. 2006

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Frontal system passing over west coast mountains

S-Prof Reflectivity S-Prof Radial Velocity

Sukovich et al. 2006

24 Houze & Medina 2005, Rotunno & Houze 2007

Hypothesized orographic precipitation-enhancement mechanism

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An incomplete list of phenomena that could be addressed by an integrated remote sensing system such as CAPRIS:

•Stratocumulus—drizzle •Deep convection—graupel, hail•Mesoscale convective systems

•Layer lifting•Entrainment—developing cumulus

•Microphysics of precipitation•Production of anvil cirrus•Mesoscale vortices

•Hurricane intensity changes•Orographic precipitation mechanisms•Tornadogenesis•Other

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X-B

and

For

eX-B

and Aft

C-Band ForeC-Band Aft

1

1

H2 O

DIA

L/A

ero

sol

H2 O

DIA

L/A

ero

sol

CAPRIS schematics

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Lower X-band

Upper X-band

Starboard C-band

Port C-band

W, Ka band Pod

C-130 front view

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Scanning sectors for the centimeter radars

Scanning +/- 50 degrees

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Instrument Science

Polarimetric airborne centimeter Doppler Radar – C, X bands

Hurricane, severe storms, Convection initiation, tropical meteorology. Kinematics and microphysical processes.

Pod based dual-wavelength, dual-polarization, millimeter wave Doppler radar – W, Ka Bands

Cloud and drizzle microphysics, ice microphysics, and cloud radiation properties

IR water vapor DIAL & Aerosol Lidar; 1.4-1.5 m – eye-safe Climate change, fluxes and

transport of water vapor, ozone, and pollutants from boundary layer to UTLS, gravity waves

UV ozone DIAL: 0.24 - 0.30 m

Clear air UV Lidar: 0.355 m

CAPRIS Instruments