Comparison of Two Methods for the Retrieval of Thermodynamic and Microphysical Variables from Doppler Radar Measurements: Application to the Case of a Tropical Squall Line

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Abstract
Microphysical and thermodynamic retrieval studies using a specified wind field can provide a means for analysing the different processes occurring within an observed precipitating system. Up to now, the retrieval of microphysical variable fields or thermodynamic fields have been performed separately, though the interest of associating both types of retrieval has been already noted by several authors. The research reported here presents a new retrieval method allowing consistent and simultaneous derivation of the microphysical and thermodynamic variable fields using the whole set of governing equations (momentum, thermodynamic, and microphysical equations) with the wind field specified from Doppler radar observations. The microphysical retrieval makes use of the continuity equation for the total water substance and for the precipitating substance. Two types of precipitating particles are considered (rain and graupel), and a parameterization derived from that proposed by Kessler is chosen. In pract... Abstract Microphysical and thermodynamic retrieval studies using a specified wind field can provide a means for analysing the different processes occurring within an observed precipitating system. Up to now, the retrieval of microphysical variable fields or thermodynamic fields have been performed separately, though the interest of associating both types of retrieval has been already noted by several authors. The research reported here presents a new retrieval method allowing consistent and simultaneous derivation of the microphysical and thermodynamic variable fields using the whole set of governing equations (momentum, thermodynamic, and microphysical equations) with the wind field specified from Doppler radar observations. The microphysical retrieval makes use of the continuity equation for the total water substance and for the precipitating substance. Two types of precipitating particles are considered (rain and graupel), and a parameterization derived from that proposed by Kessler is chosen. In pract...

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