A case study of hailstorm dynamics during mountain ridge crossing

Data from lightning detection sensors and dual-polarized weather radars are used for high-resolution analysis of hailstorms developing around the Ore Mountains ridge. Measured radar and lightning parameters provide information on storm dynamics and are indicative of severe hailfall occurrence. Our case study deals with a multicellular hailstorm that developed during a summer afternoon near the ridge of the Ore Mountains from Germany to Czechia.

On 27 June 2022, hailstorms formed on both the windward and leeward sides of the Ore Mountains ridge. The multicellular storm evolved in warm air ahead a warm front advancing to the east. Severe hail was reported in many places, with hailstones up to 5 cm in diameter. And high lightning activity was detected.

Both radar and lightning detection data were used to study the hailstorm evolution thoroughly. Lightning data from the ENTLN network provide lightning activity parameters from the entire area of interest. Radar data from the Czech weather service C-band radar network are covering the area of interest as well. Data from the X-band radar situated on the Milesovka hill are used in the radar range, which is 30 km from the Milesovka observatory. This measurement does not cover the entire study area of the storms, but provides more detailed information, also due to the frequent RHI scanning in the scanning strategy.