Comparison of Simulated Polarimetric Signatures in Idealized Supercell Storms Using Two-Moment Bulk Microphysics Schemes in WRF

Microphysics parameterization becomes increasingly important as the model grid spacing increases toward convection-resolving scales. The performance of several partially or fully two-moment (2M) schemes within the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model, version 3.5.1, chosen because of their welldocumented advantages over one-moment (1M) schemes, is evaluated with respect to their ability in producing the well-known polarimetric radar signatures found within supercell storms. Such signatures include the ZDR and KDP columns, the ZDR arc, the midlevel ZDR and rHV rings, the hail signature in the forwardflank downdraft, and the KDP foot. Polarimetric variables are computed from WRF Model output using a polarimetricradarsimulator.Itisfoundthatmicrophysicsschemeswitha1Mrimed-icecategoryareunableto simulate theZDRarc, despitecontaininga2Mrain category.It is alsofoundthat ahail-likerimed-icecategory (in addition to graupel) may be necessary to reproduce the observed hail signature. For the microphysics schemes that only contain a graupel-like rimed-ice category, only very wet graupel particles are able to reach the lowest model level, which did not adequately reduce ZDR in this signature. The most realistic signatures overall are found with microphysics schemes that are fully 2M with a separate hail category.

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