EGU24-6900, updated on 08 Mar 2024
https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6900
EGU General Assembly 2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Analysis of convective storm characteristics to classify the storm severity information using weather radar variables

Eunbi Kang, Soohyun Kwon, and Seungwoo Lee
Eunbi Kang et al.
  • Radar analysis division, Weather Radar Center, Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA), Seoul, Korea, Republic of

  Recently, the increase in convective storms that develop rapidly within a short period of time and on a very small area causes severe damage to property and human life. Thus, it is important to understand the characteristics of convective activities and to provide the information about severity of the developing storms.  In order to address these issues, object-based analysis of convective systems is essential to provide severity information on convective precipitation systems including their life-cycle from initiation to dissipation. 
  In this study, we analyzed the developing stage of convective storms by using the statistics of storms detected by the Fuzzy Logic Algorithm for Storm Tracking (FAST). The Column Maximum (CMAX) was used to provide the information on detection and severity of storms. A convective storm was defined as a CMAX values above 35dBZ and small convective cells with an area less than 20km2 were filtered out. The identified storm was tracked on a fuzzy basis using storm speed and its morphological characteristics. Within the detected storm area, we analyzed the characteristics of the storm by averaging variables such as reflectivity (ZH), echo top height corresponding to ZH, rainfall rate at 1.5km altitude, VIL (Vertical Integrated Liquid) contents, etc.
  This study aims to provide quantitative information on severity of individual storms by using these radar variables and storm characteristics. We calculated and modified the threshold values of each predictor for determining the severity of the convective storms. Furthermore, we plan to analyze the intensity and frequency of severe precipitation storms in associated with the occurrence or absence of lightning event during their life cycle.

Key words : Weather Radar, convective storms, Radar parameter, storm severity

※ This research was supported by the "Development of radar based severe weather monitoring technology (KMA2021-03121)" of "Development of integrated application technology for Korea weather radar" project funded by the Weather 

How to cite: Kang, E., Kwon, S., and Lee, S.: Analysis of convective storm characteristics to classify the storm severity information using weather radar variables, EGU General Assembly 2024, Vienna, Austria, 14–19 Apr 2024, EGU24-6900, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-egu24-6900, 2024.