SPP 2115:  Polarimetric Radar Observations meet Atmospheric Modelling (PROM) - Fusion of Radar Polarimetry and Numerical Atmospheric Modelling Towards an Improved Understanding of Cloud and Precipitation Processes

• Subject Area: Geosciences ; Computer Science, Systems and Electrical Engineering
• Term: since 2018
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 359922472

The priority programme SPP2115 „Polarimetric Radar Observations meet Atmospheric Modelling (PROM)“ is a coordinated effort to challenge and improve the representation of cloud and precipitation processes in atmospheric models by exploiting the information content of polarimetric radar observations. In PROM experts in radar polarimetry, atmospheric modelling, and data assimilation work together to facilitate and accelerate the fusion of observations and atmospheric modelling. The first funding phase engaged in an as complete as possible exploitation and understanding of nation-wide polarimetric radar observations complemented by state-of-the-art measurement devices and techniques available at supersites. For the first time, modellers hold three-dimensional microphysics-related observational data in their hands to improve parameterisations. In addition, Phase 1 developed new microphysical retrievals accompanied by uncertainties and started their exploitation for model evaluation and radar-informed parameterizations. Some tools developed still require refinements, e.g. the radar observation operator requires an interface to a scattering data base with more realistic representations of ice and snow particles. In Phase 2 more projects will exploit the observational insights and tools developed with the goal to improve parameterizations and assimilate polarimetric information; thus the fusion of radar polarimetry and atmospheric modelling can now be approached even more aggressively.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• International Connection: Finland, Switzerland

Projects

• A Low-cost Mechanically-Steered Phased-Array Polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar, Phase 2 (Applicant Turso, Stefano )
• Characterization of orography-influenced riming and secondary ice production and their effects on precipitation rates using radar polarimetry and Doppler spectra (CORSIPP) (Applicants Kalesse-Los, Heike ;  Maahn, Maximilian )
• Climate model PArameterizations informed by RAdar (PARA) (Applicants Quaas, Johannes ;  Trömel, Ph.D., Silke )
• Combining radar POlarimetry, weather forecast MOdel outputs and DOppler radar observations for Riming analysis~(POMODORI) (Applicants Frech, Michael ;  Kneifel, Stefan )
• Coordination Funds (Applicant Trömel, Ph.D., Silke )
• Effective use of three-dimensional polarimetric radar network data (Applicant Helmert, Kathleen )
• Evaluating and Improving Convection-Permitting Simulations of the Life Cycle of Convective Storms using Polarimetric Radar Data (Applicant Barrett, Andrew )
• FRAGILE: Exploring the role of FRAGmentation of ice particles by combining super-partIcle modelling, Laborotary studies, and polarimEtric radar observations (Applicants Kneifel, Stefan ;  Seifert, Axel ;  Szakáll, Miklós )
• Investigating the impact of Land-use and land-cover change on Aerosol-Cloud-precipitation interactions Using Polarimetric Radar retrievals (ILACPR) (Applicant Shrestha, Ph.D., Prabhakar )
• Investigation of Convective Evolution towards stratiform Precipitation using simulatiOns and poLarimetric radar observations at C- and Ka-band (IcePolCKa - Phase 2) (Applicants Ewald, Florian ;  Zinner, Tobias )
• Polarimetric Radar Signatures of Ice Formation Pathways from Controlled Aerosol Perturbations (PolarCAP) (Applicants Seifert, Patric ;  Senf, Fabian )
• Polarimetric signatures of ice microphysical processes and their interpretation using in-situ observations and cloud modeling (POLICE) (Applicants Simmer, Clemens ;  Trömel, Ph.D., Silke ;  Voigt, Christiane )
• PRISTINE - Polarimetric Radar simulations with realistic Ice and Snow properties and mulTI-frequeNcy consistency Evaluation (Applicants Blahak, Ulrich ;  Ori, Ph.D., Davide )
• PROM–IMPRINT: Understanding Ice Microphysical Processes by combining multi-frequency and spectral Radar polarImetry aNd super-parTicle modelling (Applicants Kneifel, Stefan ;  Seifert, Axel )
• Representing model error and observation error uncertainty for data assimilation of polarimetric radar measurements (Applicants Janjic Pfander, Ph.D., Tijana ;  Seifert, Axel )
• Synergie eines effizienten polarimetrischen Radarvorwärtsoperators und eines hochentwickelten Klassifizierungsalgorithmus zur verbesserten Repräsentierung von Hydrometeoren im ICON-Modell (Operation Hydrometeors Part II) (Applicants Blahak, Ulrich ;  Trömel, Ph.D., Silke )

• Spokesperson: Privatdozentin Silke Trömel, Ph.D.