MIPS observations of boundary layer and precipitation processes during HEAT

 

Abstract

This one-year proposal requests supplemental funds for participation in the planning, field campaign, and initial post analysis phases of the Houston Environmental Aerosol Thunderstorm (HEAT) project. We propose to utilize the Mobile Integrated Profiling System (MIPS) to investigate microscale characteristics of sea breeze convergence zones and related convective initiation, and to acquire measurements of thunderstorm core surface properties and storm proximity soundings. Specific objectives include the following:

1. 1. Characterize the microscale kinematic and thermodynamic properties of sea breezes (and gust fronts) in the Houston area during the two-month HEAT field campaign.
2. 2. Acquire and document detailed, multi-sensor case study data sets of significant convective initiation (CI) events produced by the sea breeze and other boundaries.
3. 3. Provide support to other HEAT scientists in characterizing the atmospheric boundary layer associated with the urban heat island (UHI) around Houston, and the interaction between sea breeze and UHI circulations.
4. 4. Acquire vertically pointing Doppler radar (spectra) profiles and electric field measurements within and around thunderstorms to support other HEAT radar studies examining differences between the microphysics and kinematics of deep convection within and outside the Houston urban region.

These goals will be accomplished through measurements from the MIPS, plus a supporting array of polarimetric Doppler radar, mobile Doppler radar, aircraft, surface, and sounding systems, within and around the Houston region.

Intellectual merit: The MIPS is an ideal and unique tool to investigate variations in fine-scale kinematics (vertical motion in particular) and thermodynamics (water vapor enhancement in particular) of sea breezes, other convergent boundary zones, air mass aerosol properties (e.g., aerosol backscatter), convective initiation, and thunderstorm properties. This research will improve our understanding of sea breeze circulations, convective initiation, urban heat island thermodynamics, and thunderstorm processes.

Broader impacts: The MIPS will provide important data sets to other HEAT scientists with interests in thunderstorm and associated precipitation/lightning processes, UHI thermodynamics, and related boundary layer processes. This project will expose students to a variety or remote sensing technologies used to measure atmospheric processes, and methodologies used to acquire, validate, and interpret the measurements. Longer term benefits of this project will include improved understanding (and forecasting) of convective initiation and transport/dispersion in the complex urban environment.