0221冷季高架雹暴对流结构及微物理特征

Convective Structure and Microphysical Characteristics of a Cold-season Elevated Hailstorm on 21 February 2024

  • 摘要: 利用分钟级自动气象站、风廓线雷达、微波辐射计及X波段相控阵雷达等多源观测数据,综合分析2024年2月21日上海一次冷季高架雹暴过程。结果表明:此次过程发生于地面冷锋后侧约170 km处,近地层稳定冷垫与中低层西南暖湿急流叠置,构成典型高架对流环境。风廓线雷达监测到降雹前低空急流快速增强,并伴随1.5~3 km高度层垂直风切变显著增大,为对流系统组织化发展提供了有利动力条件;微波辐射计数据揭示中高层湿度和液态水含量提前增强,指示暖湿输送及云中水凝物持续发展;X波段相控阵雷达数据则进一步揭示风暴内部动力与微物理结构演变,发展阶段出现差分反射率ZDR柱与差分相移率KDP柱,成熟阶段0 ℃层以上形成KDP洞并伴随强回波伸展至-20 ℃层以上,表明大冰雹生成与下落,消散阶段低层KDP足与增强的下沉气流相对应,反映冰雹融化及风暴崩塌过程。多源观测数据较好揭示了此次冷季高架雹暴从环境场建立、暖湿输送到冰雹发展演变的完整过程,对冷季强对流天气的监测和临近预警具有较好应用价值。

     

    Abstract: Multi-source observational datasets, including high-frequency, minutely automatic weather stations, an X-band phased-array radar, a wind profiler radar and a microwave radiometer, are employed to analyze a typical cold-season elevated hailstorm occurred over Shanghai on 21 February 2024. The convective system develops approximately 170 km behind a surface cold front, where a stable low-level cold pool coexists with a warm, moist, low to middle-level southwesterly jet, establishing extremely favorable thermodynamic conditions for elevated convection. Prior to hailfall, the wind profiler radar detects a rapid intensification of the low-level jet, accompanied by a significant increase in vertical wind shear between 1.5- and 3-km height, which provides a dynamical environment conducive to organized convective development. Observations from the microwave radiometer reveal an early enhancement of middle to upper-level humidity and liquid water content, indicating persistent warm-moist transport and continuous growth of cloud hydrometeors. The X-band phased-array radar captures high-resolution internal structural and microphysical evolution within the severe storm. During the development stage, prominent ZDR columns and KDP columns indicate vigorous updrafts and abundant supercooled water, promoting hail embryo formation. In the mature stage, KDP holes above 0 ℃ level and high reflectivity extending beyond the -20 ℃ level indicate the generation and subsequent descent of large hail particles. During the dissipation stage, elevated low-level KDP values coincide with enhanced downdrafts, reflecting hail melting and the gradual collapse of the convective system. The integration of these multi-platform observations provides a comprehensive depiction of the hailstorm's complete life cycle, from environmental setup and warm-moist transport to hail development and storm decay. Each observing platform contributes unique complementary information: The wind profiler characterizes low-level dynamic acceleration and shear evolution; the microwave radiometer traces thermodynamic and water content changes; and X-band phased-array radar resolves high-resolution storm microphysics and structural evolution of the storm. Together, these datasets elucidate the key physical mechanisms driving elevated convection and hail formation in a cold-season setting. The combined use of multi-source observations is shown to be highly valuable for investigating elevated hailstorms, and the operational relevance of such integrated data for monitoring and nowcasting severe convective weather during winter and early spring is highlighted. Findings provide critical insight into storm structure and evolution, offering reliable practical guidance for early warning and risk mitigation in densely populated urban regions.

     

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