ISSN 1000-0526
CN 11-2282/P
CN 11-2282/P
Early warning of hailfall based on analysis characteristics of differential reflectivity (ZDR): Three cases of hailfalls in Shandong Province
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Abstract:
The differential reflectivity (ZDR) column is a radar observation feature capable of indicating severe convective weather, but it is still not used extensively to inform warning decisions. To address this research focus, radar data features and hailstorm warning studies are conducted via the cold layer composite differential reflectivity (CZDRC) map and the ZDR echo area time?height plot on the basis of three hailstorm cases observed in Shandong Province in recent years. The results indicate that even when the radar echo area is relatively small, a 3 dB ZDR column feature can be observed within the cloud near the hailfall points in the CZDRC map. The ZDR column feature appears 20–40 minutes before the first hailfall time during a hail event, which is 10–20 minutes earlier than the traditional way by using 45 dBZ or 55 dBZ reflectivity threshold, indicating its potential as an early warning indicator for hailstorms. Weather radars of different wavelengths and scanning systems, including X-band dual-polarization phased-array radar (X-PAR), S-band, and C-band radars, present the ZDR column feature necessary for strong convective weather warnings in both the CZDRC map and ZDR echo area time?height plot. Additionally, the ZDR column feature on the CZDRC map is closely situated and surrounds the hailfall points in all three case studies. These ZDR column features are located northwest of the hailfall points, which are in the mid-tropospheric upwind direction, and could serve as a reference for identifying hail locations.
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