Detection of Severe Storms by Doppler Weather Radar
摘要
Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) has been utilized during last 30 years for weather related phenomena and especially for Thunderstorms and Severe Convective activities associated with thunderstorms. Nowcasting (Short Term Weather Forecast) is possible with the “High Resolution” data received from DWR. Strong winds, Microburst, Tornado and Hailstorms are the severe weather activities which can be monitored and predicted at least few hours in advance with continuous monitoring by DWR. As Severe Weather Activities like Mesoscale Convective systems (MCS) greatly influence the aviation sector (public and Defense), utilization of DWR data is of immense use in the aviation sector. DWR measured Radar reflectivity (Z)—a measure of intensity of precipitation, Radial Velocity (V)—the velocity with which the sample volume moves (towards or away from radar) and the Spectrum Width (W)—a measure of turbulence within the sample volume, are quite useful in tracking and monitoring the severity and direction of movement of the severe storms in the range of 250 km. With the introduction of Dual Polarization DWRs, a great improvement has been noticed in the prediction of Hailstorms and Heavy rainfall associated with the severe storms during a short duration of time. This facility may be utilized in the short-term alert of the “Cloudburst” kind of the systems in the Hilly regions where Cloud Burst is very commonly observed during the occurrences of Western Disturbance (WDs) in the Northen sector of India during winter and early summer season. DWR has become an indispensable tool for weather observations world wide and being used in Hydrology (Heavy rainfall, Flood forecast, Water lever in the sub-catchment areas), research, avalanche prediction and Defense purposes. So far, in India 36 DWRs have been installed and 21 more Radars are in the process of installation, thus covering the whole country under an umbrella of 57 Radars in near future.