Abstract: This chapter examines radar signatures associated with important modes of severe thunderstorm organization—mesoscale convective systems (MCS), frontal squall lines, and supercells. It also considers radar signatures associated with downbursts. Downbursts are extremely hazardous to aircraft during takeoff and landing because the strong horizontal wind shear across a downburst can lead to a rapid reduction in true air speed as an aircraft traverses across it. Thunderstorms forming along subtle boundaries in the warm season often undergo self-organization that leads to the formation of a MCS. The chapter focuses on radar signatures associated with severe weather hazards detectable with operational radars (Weather Surveillance Radar-88Doppler (WSR-88D) and Terminal Doppler Weather Radars (TDWRs)). It also examines features of these storms deduced from research radars that have the capability and advantage of rapid scanning and/or scanning in range-height indicator (RHI) or other modes not associated with the standard Volume Coverage Patterns of the WSR-88D and TDWR radars.
Publication Year: 2018
Publication Date: 2018-04-20
Language: en
Type: other
Indexed In: ['crossref']
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