Use of Polarimetric Radar Measurements to Initialize Moisture Fields in Cloud/Mesoscale Numerical Weather Prediction Models: The Severe Hailstorm

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9311911 Straka Research tasks that are crucial for advancements in short term weather forecasting are improvements in model initialization and assimilation of data. An important first step is to develop methods for determining cloud hydrometeor types within storms through remote sensing. The Principal Investigators will use a variety of information from advanced weather research radars to determine hydrometeor distribution within convective storms. Using this information, the Principal Investigators will make a first attempt to initialize moisture fields in a cloud/mesoscale numerical weather prediction model. Specific objectives include: (1) Refine and test an algorithm designed to deduce precipitating hydrometeor types and amounts from reflectivity, dual-wavelength, polarimetric and Doppler radar measurements; (2) Use precipitation information from radar measurements with combined velocity/thermodynamic/microphysical retrieval and dynamic initialization schemes to initialize cloud/mesoscale numerical prediction model; (3) Test the sensitivity of numerical model to initialization with observed and retrieved wind, thermodynamic, cloud and precipitation information; (4) examine popular theories on the formation and growth of hail using information from radar analyses. ***