Observing phase changes and 3.9µm reflectivity patterns on severe storm tops.
Observing glaciation in stronger convection
Several growing towers were analyzed with the reflectivity product, 10.7 micron and WSR-88D reflectivities from Dodge City for the May 31, 1996 case.
Most of the towers appeared to glaciate before the echoes exceeded 18dBZ.
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Only about half of the towers showed 10.7 temperature minima below freezing before the onset of the first 18dBZ echoes.
Results:
Here is a sample of two growing CB's just north of KDDC. They develop in the middle of the images.
Visible image |
KDDC reflectivity 1.4° Coloring begins at 18 dBZ |
 |
10.7µm image Coloring starts at freezing. |
3.9µm reflectivity |
Still images below
| 1925 UTC | 1925 UTC | 1935 UTC | 1939 UTC | 1945 UTC | 1955 UTC | 2004 UTC | 2008 UTC |
Next page shows the time trends of 3.9µm reflectivity relative to the onset of the 18dBZ echoes for several storms this day.
