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Subtropical South American Hailstorm Characteristics and Environments
Zachary S Bruick1, Kristen L Rasmussen1, Daniel J Cecil2
1Department of Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO.
Monthly Weather Review
|May 23, 2020
Summary
This study reveals that subtropical South American hailstorms, often occurring overnight, are larger and deeper than previously thought. Findings aid in forecasting severe storms and mitigating agricultural damage.
Area of Science:
- Atmospheric Science
- Meteorology
- Climatology
Background:
- Subtropical South America experiences frequent, damaging hailstorms, with limited prior research due to sparse observational networks.
- Previous hailstorm studies in the region were restricted by insufficient ground-based radar coverage, preventing objective radar-derived climatologies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To produce the first objective climatology of hailstorms in subtropical South America.
- To identify hailstorm characteristics, including diurnal cycles, storm structure, and environmental support.
- To support improved forecasting and damage mitigation for severe convective storms in the region.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a 16-year dataset from TRMM Precipitation Radar and Microwave Imager observations.
- Employed 37-GHz brightness temperature as a remote sensing proxy for hail detection.
- Integrated satellite data with ERA-Interim reanalysis for comprehensive storm analysis.
Main Results:
- Identified an extended diurnal cycle for hailstorms, with a tendency for overnight occurrences.
- Characterized hailstorms as predominantly multi-cellular rather than discrete.
- Found that high-probability hailstorms are significantly deeper and horizontally larger than low-probability storms.
Conclusions:
- Hailstorms in subtropical South America exhibit distinct characteristics, including overnight activity and multi-cellular structures.
- Storm depth and horizontal extent are key indicators of hail probability.
- Synoptic support from strong jets, warm/moist low levels, and instability are crucial for hailstorm development.
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