Validation of Simulated Hurricane Drop Size Distributions using Polarimetric Radar

Abstract:

Recent upgrades to the U.S. radar network now allow for polarimetric measurements of landfalling hurricanes, providing a new dataset to validate cloud microphysical parameterizations used in tropical cyclone simulations. Polarimetric radar variables simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting model were compared with real radar observations from 2014 in Hurricanes Arthur and Ana. Six different microphysics parameterizations were tested that were able to capture the major features of both hurricanes, including accurate tracks, asymmetric distributions of precipitation, and the approximate intensity of the storms. However, most of the schemes produced a higher frequency of larger raindrops than observed. The Thompson aerosol-aware bulk and a spectral bin microphysical (SBM) scheme showed the best fidelity to the observed joint probability distribution of horizontal and differential reflectivity. The SBM also produced the most accurate intensity and lowest rainfall accumulation, but required much higher computational resources than the bulk schemes.