Polarimetric Size Sorting Signatures in the Convective Regions of
Mesoscale Convective Systems in PECAN: Implications on Kinematics,
Thermodynamics, and Precipitation Pathways
Abstract
An object-based technique was utilized to identify hydrometeor
size-sorting signatures at lower levels in the convective regions of 10
mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) during the 2015 Plains Elevated
Convection at Night (PECAN) field campaign. Composite statistical
analysis indicates that the magnitudes of size-sorting signatures (the
separation distances between rain diameter maxima and concentration
maxima) are nonlinearly correlated to the echo-top height, rain mass
beneath the melting level, and precipitation rates at higher
percentiles. To explore this correlation, the WRF model was used to
simulate one of the MCSs (the 20 June 2015 storm) during the PECAN.
Statistical analysis on the model outputs indicates more active riming
growth and quicker graupel fallout at warmer temperatures near areas
with larger separation distances. While updraft intensity above the
melting level was also positively correlated to separation distances,
this correlation was only statistically significant within certain
temperature ranges. Additional analyses reveal that the higher intense
precipitation potential near signatures with large separation distances
could be attributed to precipitation production from the melted graupel.
Finally, spatial correspondence between graupel distribution at the
melting level and rain distribution at the lowest model level
illustrates the critical role of graupel sedimentation and sorting in
creating size-sorting signatures in MCSs during the PECAN field
experiment.