ISSN 1000-0526
CN 11-2282/P
CN 11-2282/P
Analysis of Dual-polarization Radar Observation of a Left-moving Supercell
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Abstract:
During 14:00–18:00 Beijing Time on 10 May 2021, a rare left-moving supercell generated by storm splitting occurred in north-central Jiangxi Province. This study utilized dual-polarization radar data from the Ji’an CINRAD/SC radar, upper-air and surface observations, and ERA5 reanalysis data to analyze the environmental conditions, structural characteristics, and dynamic mechanisms of this event. The results indicate that the left-moving supercell developed in an environment with high convective available potential energy (CAPE > 3000 J·kg-1) and strong 0–6 km vertical wind shear (>20 m·s-1). The wind shear vector between 3–4.9 km exhibited counterclockwise rotation with height, generating significant negative horizontal vorticity, which was a key factor in the selective intensification of the left-moving supercell. During its mature stage, the storm displayed a “dual-vortex” structure at mid-to-upper levels, with a mesoanticyclone located in the leading (northern) sector corresponding to a strong updraft, and a mesocyclone in the trailing (southern) sector associated with the forward-flank downdraft (FFD), mirroring the structure of classic right-moving supercells. Dual-polarization parameters revealed that the large ZDR region in the lower levels was related to particle sorting under strong vertical wind shear, while the ZDR ring and ZDR column at mid-levels indicated strong rotation and updraft within the mesoanticyclone, respectively. The formation of the mesoanticyclone was attributed to the tilting of negative horizontal vorticity into negative vertical vorticity by the robust updraft. The leftward motion of the storm was closely associated with the Magnus effect resulting from the pressure gradient force induced by the asymmetry between the northern and southern vortices. This study provides a valuable case for understanding the development, structure, and microphysical characteristics of left-moving supercells in China.
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