Structure and Momentum Fluxes of Warm Pool Oceanic MesoscaleConvective Systems

本研究主要对暖池中尺度对流系统(MCS)的机载多普勒雷达资料和现场(即飞行高度)资料进行分析和解释，并记录这些系统内的三维气流。过去的观测场计划(如GATE、Pre-Storm)已经清楚地表明，MCSs是大气中的一种基本现象。将特别强调垂直运动的诊断：MCS活动积云区域的对流尺度和层状雨区的中尺度。准确地量化垂直运动对于计算动量通量和加热垂直廓线是很重要的。对多谱勒和现场数据的分析结果将通过使用几个数值模式的一系列数值模拟进行检验、补充和扩展，其中包括克拉克模式和克莱姆普-威廉森模式。这些模型的初始化将由飞机数据和探空观测数据相结合提供。这种方法结合了数据分析和数值模拟，应该能够更好地理解MCS的结构、气流、通量和生命周期，以及MCS与环境之间的相互作用。该提案还涉及适当规划和执行飞机飞行，以及在TOGA/COARE外地阶段完成后的数据验证和数据管理活动。其他实地项目(如风暴前飓风、TAMEX和EMEX)的经验表明，实时决策在选择适当的飞行轨迹以充分利用机载多普勒雷达的能力方面具有价值。因此，进行这项研究的科学家还将以机载首席科学家和多普勒雷达操作员的身份参加野外计划。所有的飞机科学家都在共同努力，通过一个协调的研究飞行计划来实现他们各自的研究目标。这项研究很重要，因为它是对西太平洋暖池对流过程的主要TOGA/COARE研究之一，它在更大尺度上的相互作用是世界上一个特别气候敏感的地区，西太平洋是TOGA/COARE的现场地点。

This research focuses on the analysis and interpretation of airborne Doppler radar and in-situ (i.e., flight level) data from warm pool mesoscale convective systems (MCS) and on the documentation of the three-dimensional airflow within these systems. Past observational field programs (e.g. GATE, PRE-STORM) have clearly shown that MCSs are a fundamental phenomenon in the atmosphere. Particular emphasis will be given to the diagnosis of vertical motions: convective-scale in the active cumulus regions of the MCS and mesoscale in the stratiform rain regions. The accurate quantification of vertical motions is important for the computation of fluxes of momentum and vertical profiles of heating. The results from analysis of both Dopple and in-situ data will be tested, supplemented and extended by using a series of numerical simulations from several numerical models including both the Clark and the Klemp-Wilhelmson. Initialization for these models will be provided by a combination of data from aircraft and sounding observations. This approach, combining data analysis and numerical modeling, should lead to a better understanding of MCS structure, airflow, fluxes, and life-cycle and of the interactions between the MCS and the environment. This proposal is also concerned with proper planning and execution of the aircraft flights, as well as data validation and data management activities following the completion of the field phase of TOGA/COARE. Experience in other field projects (e.g., PRE-STORM hurricanes, TAMEX, and EMEX) has shown the value of real- time decision making in the selection of proper flight tracks to fully utilize the capabilites of the airborne Doppler radar. Therefore, the scientists performing this research will also participate in the field program as airborne Chief Scientists and Doppler radar operators. All aircraft scientists are working together to meet their individual research objectives through a coordinated research flight plan. This research is important because it serves as one of the principal TOGA/COARE studies of the processes responsible for convection in the western Pacific warm pool and its interaction on larger scales is an especially climate sensitive region of the world, the western Pacific Ocean, the field site of TOGA/COARE.