Dynamical and Electrical Studies of Convection

项目摘要 拉特利奇/97-26464 本研究是一项中纬度对流和热带对流的研究。 这项研究的一个特别的优势是它包括云动力学，微观物理学，相关的电气化和闪电在一个综合的方法来解决问题。 具体目标包括：在海洋大陆雷暴实验期间用多参数雷达研究热带深层对流的调查，在STERAO-A项目中取样的中纬度深层对流的类似研究，对严重冰雹风暴的详细调查以及为什么有些产生大量正的云对地闪电，进一步改进用于远程推断云中降水过程的偏振雷达技术，并参与新的实地工作，研究巴西的热带大陆对流和马歇尔群岛上空的海洋对流。 这项研究将为改进物理模型和全球模型中闪电的表现奠定基础，以评估闪电产生的氮氧化物对大气中化学过程的影响。 一个潜在的实际好处是可能使用实时闪电观测来改善对严重风暴行为的预测。 本研究的所有目标依赖于使用现有的技术和新技术的发展多参数极化雷达数据的应用。 NSF表格1358（7~5）

PROJECT SUMMARY Rutledge/97-26464 This research is an investigation of both middle latitude and tropical convection. A particular strength of this research is its inclusion of cloud dynamics, microphysics, associated electrification, and lightning in an integrated approach to the problems. Specific objectives include: an investigation of deep, tropical convection studied with multiparameter radar during the Maritime Continent Thunderstorm Experiment, similar studies of deep, middle latitude convection sampled in the STERAO-A project, a detailed investigation of severe hailstorms and why some produce large numbers of positive cloud-to-ground lightning flashes, further refinement of polarimetric radar techniques for remotely-inferring precipitation processes in clouds, and participation in new field efforts to study tropical continental convection in Brazil and oceanic convection over the Marshall Islands. The research will lay foundations for improved representation of lightning in physical models and in global models to assess effects of NOx produced by lightning on chemical processes in the atmosphere. One potential practical benefit is the possible use of real-time lightning observations to improve predictions of the behavior of severe storms. All of the objectives of this research depend on use of existing techniques and development of new techniques for application of multiparameter polarimetric radar data. NSF FORM 1358(7~5)