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The Simultaneous Observation of the Near-Dryline Environment (SONDE-2008/2009?) Experiment

The Simultaneous Observation of the Near-Dryline Environment (SONDE-2008/2009?) Experiment. Objectives and Hypotheses New Developments Talking Points Dr. Chris Weiss NCAR mtg 7 September 2006. Objectives (2005 proposal). 1) Variations in dryline vertical structure and cumulus development.

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The Simultaneous Observation of the Near-Dryline Environment (SONDE-2008/2009?) Experiment

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  1. The Simultaneous Observation of the Near-Dryline Environment (SONDE-2008/2009?) Experiment Objectives and HypothesesNew DevelopmentsTalking PointsDr. Chris WeissNCAR mtg7 September 2006

  2. Objectives (2005 proposal) 1) Variations in dryline vertical structure and cumulus development 3) Ancillary dryline formation and along-dryline variability • Secondary circulation, interaction • with ambient shear • Vertical slope of convergence zone • Ñqv, density current dynamics • Buoyancy of parcels in DCZ • Buoyancy below cumulus cloud • base • Detrainment of condensate • into dry free troposphere • Ancillary dryline prominence • Mechanisms for formation • Magnitude of Ñqv • Solenoidal circulation • Potential origin as • horizontal convective rolls • Ancillary/primary dryline • intersection points • GOAL • To determine fine-scale dryline controls: • Genesis • Morphology • - Motion • - Convective initiation 2) Vertical transport of heat and momentum 4) Misovortices • Relation of w to z • Role of tilting/stretching • in z budget • Buoyancy of parcels • within misovortices • Size spectrum • Water vapor transport • Evolution / propagation • Cross-dryline variations in • vertical heat, momentum flux • Relation to weaknesses in • capping inversion, gradients • in land-use properties • Effects on vertical profile of convergence in the DCZ • Inversion height, relation to easternmost reach of dryline Participating Ground-Based Facilities Typical deployment: WTM = West Texas Mesonet MM = Mobile mesonet 200T = 200 m tower VWP = Vertical wind profiler SONDE = Rawinsonde system SR = SMART-R SMART- Radar West TX Mesonet Radar profiler Rawinsonde system Mobile mesonet

  3. Some of my areas of interest… • Relating meso-g variations in vertical heat and momentum transport to dryline propagation and convergence/CI in dryline convergence zone • Local variations in vertical momentum flux help determine strength of convergence in DCZ? • What would explain these variations? Variability in sensible heating? Weaknesses in CBL-top inversion? • Can some meso-g “bulges” in drylines be explained in such a manner? Atkins et al. 1998 Weiss and Bluestein 2002

  4. Some of my areas of interest… • Along-dryline variability Hane et al. 1997 - Can land-use gradients force solenoidal circulations, on which cumulus clouds can develop? Intersection points with dryline often favored for CI!

  5. Dryline (s) Reflectivity warm/dry SE NW Refractivity q dryline u cool/moist Some of my areas of interest… Courtesy B. Demoz (NASA/GSFC) • Along-dryline variability - Can land-use gradients force solenoidal circulations, on which cumulus clouds can develop? Intersection points with dryline often favored for CI!

  6. Dryline (s) Reflectivity Some of my areas of interest… • Along-dryline variability • Ancillary Drylines • Related to land-use gradients? • Solenoidal circulation? • How often do they occur? (Likely more often than commonly thought, but more subtle in most cases) • In WTM and 88D, often have boundaries of unknown origin, esp. in dry air. • A key for CI?

  7. Some of my areas of interest… • Along-dryline variability • Misocyclones • Prevalence • Relation to CI? (l / 4 phase lag between w and z) • Generation Arnott et al. 2004

  8. What has changed since last fall… • Texas Tech Vice President of Research awards grant for the development of a wind power testbed at TTU. • Key item = Two Ka-band mobile Doppler radars (should have partial seed funding for 2008 and possibly 2009). Will need to propose more though… RFP has been issued for completion date of December 2007. • Also, funds available for mobilization of TTU sounding platform • 2) In conjunction with Wind Science and Engineering Research Center, 10 “Stick-Net” platforms have been developed as of August 2006. Plans are in place for the development of 10-20 more by spring 2007.

  9. Some Talking Points • Distinguishing ourselves from IHOP • Data Assimilation • Improvement of dryline forecasts (motion, CI) due to proper capture of sensible heat flux? • Instruments? ISFF? Any others from LOAF? • Model (WRF & HRLDAS)? • The proposal • Timeline? 15 Dec deadline for facility request, proposals due about the same time • Scope same as before, with addition of others? • Role of TTU Ka-band radars, mobile sounding unit • Same location / time period (WCR conflict again) ? • Lubbock area, 1-May to 1-June 2008, maybe 15-May to 15-June, with option for 2009? • Would like to avoid April if at all possible.

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