C-band polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar observations during an extreme precipitation event and associated dynamics over Peninsular India

Kandula V. Subrahmanyam () and K. Kishore Kumar
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Kandula V. Subrahmanyam: National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), ISRO
K. Kishore Kumar: Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2022, vol. 114, issue 2, No 9, 1307-1322

Abstract: Abstract Recently, the state of Kerala (India) experienced extreme rainfall events during August 2018. These heavy rains led to major flooding, which was one of the worst natural disasters experienced by the state in the last hundred years. The present study focuses on investigating the spatial and vertical structure of precipitating clouds and their microphysical properties during this extreme precipitation event using C-band polarimetric Doppler Weather Radar (DWR) observations over Thumba (8.5°N, 77°E), India. This is the first time that DWR polarimetric observations have been used for investigating an extreme weather event in India. The DWR observations were carried out during several episodes of extreme rainfall (i.e. 12th to 17th August 2018), and the time evolution of the radar reflectivity structure is examined very closely to understand the structure and dynamics of this unprecedented event. Apart from the DWR observations, prevailing dynamics such as tropical easterly jet (TEJ), low-level jet (LLJ) along with vertical velocity are also investigated, which showed distant signatures leading to the extreme event. It is observed that the low-level convergence during the event played a key role in the development of persistent convection. The weakening of TEJ at the upper troposphere resulted in the decrease of vertical wind shear, which is a favourable condition for the vertical growth of convective clouds. The significance of the present study lies in delineating the structure and dynamics of the extreme precipitation event using C-band polarimetric DWR observations and discussing the potential candidates in triggering the event.

Keywords: Extreme precipitation; Indian summer monsoon; C-band DWR; Reflectivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-022-05426-4

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