Diabatic influences on mesoscale structures in extratropical storms
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Manchester
Department Name: Earth Atmospheric and Env Sciences
Abstract
The project is aimed at a better understanding and prediction of mesoscale structures in synoptic-scale storms. Such structures include fronts, rain bands, secondary cyclones, sting jets etc, and are important because much of the extreme weather we experience (e.g. strong winds, heavy rain) comes from such regions. Weather forecasting models are able to capture some of this activity correctly, but there is much still to learn. By a combination of measurements and modelling, mainly using the Met Office Unified Model (UM), we will work to better understand how mesoscale processes in cyclones give rise to severe weather and how they can be better represented in models and better forecast. The project is organised into three broad work packages. The first of these aims to look at real mesoscale structures in the atmosphere, using high-resolution in situ and radar measurements to derive their morphology and dynamics. The key to the latter is to calculate the production of potential vorticity by diabatic processes - especially phase changes of water (vapour/liquid/ice) and air-sea fluxes of sensible and latent heat. The associated high-resolution modelling programme will use the UM to simulate a representative number of events, diagnosing the PV tendency in the model and comparing with the measurements. Sensitivity studies and further diagnostics with the model will reveal the sensitivity of the forecasts to the correct representation of these processes and the dynamical consequences of diabatically-generated PV, both on the mesoscale and larger scales. Two student projects will investigate the role of boundary-layer processes in storm behaviour and conduct a statistical investigation of mesoscale precipitation features, based on archived radar and wind profiler data. The second WP examines particular physical processes and the way these are represented in forecast models. Convection cannot be explicitly represented in current large-scale models (it is just beginning to be resolvable by high-resolution local-area models) so it needs to be parameterised. The schemes that are used are not optimised for mid-latitude storms, where convection often initiates at altitude rather than at the Earth's surface. A combination of novel diagnostics and new (or modified) schemes aimed at improving the representation of convection will be developed in this WP. Also addressed here will be the derivation of air-sea fluxes of heat and momentum from aircraft flights, and their use (as part of a larger, ongoing international project) to derive a better parameterisation for these quantities in high wind conditions. Lastly, microphysical measurements made with the FAAM aircraft will be used to derive latent heating/cooling rates as a function of the microphysical environment and used to improve the model simulations in the first WP and to improve microphysical parameterisations in the UM The final WP addresses the problem of predictability, using a combination of ensemble and data assimilation techniques. A unique archive of forecast ensembles produced at the Met Office will be exploited to determine how well the forecast ensemble actually generates realistic mesoscale features, and the skill with which this is done (using standard measures of skill). Model errors in representing convection, air-sea fluxes and microphysics will be investigated to determine their impact on the forecasts for different flow conditions. The relationship between different model variables on the mesoscale is poorly known at present and this will be investigated using ensembles and the results of the measurement programme. Finally, novel approaches to data assimilation will be investigated through a student project.
Publications
Bannister R
(2011)
Ensemble prediction for nowcasting with a convection-permitting model - II: forecast error statistics
in Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography
Migliorini S
(2011)
Ensemble prediction for nowcasting with a convection-permitting model-I: description of the system and the impact of radar-derived surface precipitation rates
in Tellus A: Dynamic Meteorology and Oceanography
Norris J
(2012)
Snowbands over the English Channel and Irish Sea during cold-air outbreaks
in Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
Bower K
(2014)
Observations of the Origin and Distribution of Ice in Cold, Warm, and Occluded Frontal Systems during the DIAMET Campaign
in Monthly Weather Review
Slater T
(2014)
Acceleration of near-surface strong winds in a dry, idealised extratropical cyclone
in Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society
Antonescu B
(2014)
Searching for the Elusive Cold-Type Occluded Front
in Monthly Weather Review
Norris J
(2014)
Precipitation Banding in Idealized Baroclinic Waves
in Monthly Weather Review
Plant R
(2014)
Distinguishing the Cold Conveyor Belt and Sting Jet Airstreams in an Intense Extratropical Cyclone
in Monthly Weather Review
Dearden C
(2014)
Diabatic Heating and Cooling Rates Derived from In Situ Microphysics Measurements: A Case Study of a Wintertime U.K. Cold Front
in Monthly Weather Review
Baker L
(2014)
Representation of model error in a convective-scale ensemble prediction system
in Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics
Description | We have improved the understanding of the effect of latent heating and surface fluxes on high winds and heavy rain in cyclones |
Exploitation Route | Met Office is using the results to improve the UM |
Sectors | Environment |
URL | https://www.ncas.ac.uk/index.php/en/diamet-publications |
Description | 1. EUMETCAL presentation on sting jets - web broadcast to ~ 60 European weather forecasters explaining this topic 2. Two educational videos on weather forecasting and on DIAMET completed and disseminated via project web site (further dissemination is planned during the next year) 3. Development of new flight planning tools for research aircraft 4. Involvement of Met Office group at Reading in flight campaigns - this helped them evaluate how well the forecast model was performing Impact activities followed the DIAMET Impact plan. The main activity was the production of two educational videos based on our field campaigns, which will be offered to schools together with supporting educational material now being developed.These videos may be seen on the DIAMET web site. We also delivered teaching to EUMETCAL, the European weather forecasting college; helped develop new flight planning tools for research aircraft; and through collaboration with the Met Office mesoscale modelling group during the campaigns helped them evaluate their model products more closely. |
First Year Of Impact | 2011 |
Sector | Education,Environment |
Impact Types | Societal |
Description | DIAMET partnership |
Organisation | Meteorological Office UK |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | We designed the research flights and performed the scientific analysis of the data |
Collaborator Contribution | Provision of flight hours, dropsondes and data |
Impact | See https://www.ncas.ac.uk/index.php/en/diamet-publications |
Start Year | 2011 |