Evaluation of the life cycle of deep convection over mountainous terrain using radar, lidar and lightning observations

• Applicant: Dr. Martin Hagen
• Subject Area: Atmospheric Science
• Term: from 2008 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 72066299

The life cycle of deep convection is variable depending on the atmospheric stratification and the wind profile. Convective cells can live about 30 minutes, other live 10 or 14 hours travelling long distances during that time. The COPS (Convective and Orographically-induced Precipitation Study) field campaign during summer 2007 provides an unique occasion to use advanced remote sensing like polarimetric Doppler weather radar, airborne lidar, and in-situ observations to describe the life cycle in detail from initiation of a cell to the decay. The advantages of a polarimetric Doppler weather radar will be used to evaluate the temporal evolution of the 3-dimensional distribution of hydrometeors and of the size distribution of rain drops. Following the objectives of COPS special emphasis will be put on the modification of the life cycle as well as the raindrop size distribution by orography.

• DFG Programme: Priority Programmes
• Subproject of: SPP 1167: Quantitative Precipitation Forecast PQP (Praecipitationis Quantitativae Praedictio)
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. George Craig; Dr. Hartmut Höller