Earth-Sun System Division National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Earth-Sun System Division National Aeronautics and Space Administration NSSTC ARMOR Dual-Polarimetric Doppler Radar: A Supporting Resource for SPo. RT Dr. Walt Petersen ESSC/NSSTC/UAH November 21, 2005 ARMOR: Advanced Radar for Meteorological and Operational Research • C-band • Upgrade to dual-polarimetry and solid state transmitter ; finished 3/05 • Control from NSSTC (data archived here also) • Real time data to NWS and Web • Flexible/adaptable tool for interrogation and research of Cloud Physics and ABL within the greater context of SPo. RT objectives [SUPPORTING TOOL] SPo. RT SAC Nov 21 -22, 2005

Earth-Sun System Division CBL National Aeronautics and Space Administration ARMOR “Boiling Pot”: Convective Initiation CI CP • Tools • ARMOR (Flexible high resolution scanning) • LMA/NLDN • SATELLITE • Applications • Improved threat detection • CI detection, shortterm forecast • WRF Validation/DA SPo. RT SAC Nov 21 -22, 2005

Earth-Sun System Division 2. 0 km CAPPI d. BZ 6. 0 km CAPPI d. BZ Severe Storms: ARMOR February 21 2005 ARMOR HID X-Z Cross Section Y=-18 km Height (km) National Aeronautics and Space Administration -40 -10 X (km) Sources “cap” the most intense core at top of updraft column and in graupel/small hail (not large hail). Tools: ARMOR, NEXRAD, LMA Lightning Processes: 3 -D Dynamics/Microphysics What does lightning data characterize? Warning Decision Model Validation, DA Satellite Validation SPo. RT SAC Nov 21 -22, 2005

Extension to Space and Model DA What is there? What can be assimilated? Earth-Sun System Division National Aeronautics and Space Administration E. g. , 21 Feb. 2005 Convection from NASA TRMM Satellite e. g. Lightning flash rate DA GLM The future + GPM Present/Future satellite precipitation retrievals PMW (also model-based) TRMM-PR TMI 85 GHz PMW + IR + Lightning? Virtual Radar? VIRS IR SPo. RT SAC Nov 21 -22, 2005

National Aeronautics and Space Administration Incorporation of Lightning into Models: ICE! Physical basis for improved forecasts STORM SCALE Cloud Model Flash Rate Earth-Sun System Division IC flash rate controlled by graupel (ice mass) production (and vertical velocity) ARMOR-LMA • Observational Validation: • IWP Flash Density Ice mass Global to Cloud Scale • Use in WRF? (ice is a prognostic) GLOBAL TRMM REGIONAL SCALE HOUSTON SPo. RT SAC Nov 21 -22, 2005