Insights in Hailstorm Dynamics through Polarimetric High-Resolution X-Band and Operational C-Band Radar: A Case Study for Vienna, Austria

Data from a dual-polarized, solid-state X-band radar and an operational C-band weather radar are used for high-resolution analyses of two hailstorms in the Vienna, Austria, region. The combination of both radars provides rapid-update (1 min) polarimetric data paired with wind field data of a dual-Do...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Monthly weather review 2023-04, Vol.151 (4), p.913-929
Main Authors: Klaus, Vinzent, Rieder, Harald, Kaltenböck, Rudolf
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
C band
Doppler sonar
Dual polarization radar
Dynamics
Evolution
Hail
Hail formation
Hailstones
Hailstorms
High resolution
Large hail
Lightning
Lightning activity
Meteorological radar
Polarimetry
Precipitation
Radar
Resolution
Squalls
Storm forecasting
Storms
Superhigh frequencies
Terrain
Thunderstorms
Updraft
Weather
Weather radar
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Summary:Data from a dual-polarized, solid-state X-band radar and an operational C-band weather radar are used for high-resolution analyses of two hailstorms in the Vienna, Austria, region. The combination of both radars provides rapid-update (1 min) polarimetric data paired with wind field data of a dual-Doppler analysis. This is the first time that such an advanced setup is used to examine severe storm dynamics at the eastern Alpine fringe, where the influence of local topography is particularly challenging for thunderstorm prediction. We investigate two storms transitioning from the pre-Alps into the Vienna basin with different characteristics: 1) A rapidly evolving multicell storm producing large hail (5 cm), with observations of an intense Z DR column preceding hail formation and the rapid development of multiple pulses of hail; and 2) a cold pool–driven squall line with small hail, for which we find that the updraft location inhibited the formation of larger hailstones. For both cases, we analyzed the evolution of different Z DR column metrics as well as updraft speed and size and found that (i) the 90th percentile of Z DR within the Z DR column was highest for the cell later producing large hail, (ii) the peak 90th percentile of Z DR preceded large hailfall by 20 min and highest updraft size and speed by 10 min, and (iii) sudden drops of the 90th percentile of Z H within the Z DR column indicated imminent hailfall.
ISSN:0027-0644
1520-0493
DOI:10.1175/MWR-D-22-0185.1