High-Speed Volumetric Observation of a Wet Microburst Using X-Band Phased Array Weather Radar in Japan

Abstract

This paper reports a high-speed volumetric observation of a wet microburst event using X-band phased array weather radar (PAWR) in Japan. On 10 September 2014, PAWR observed the three-dimensional structure of a convection cell, which had a vertical extent of 5–6 km and a horizontal dimension of 2–10 km, moving toward the east-northeast. At 2310 Japan standard time (JST), a precipitation core with a radar reflectivity of >40 dBZ appeared at 3–5 km above ground level. The core then increased in size and intensity and rapidly descended to the ground. During this time, a reflectivity notch associated with midlevel inflow was initially formed near the top of the precipitation core and, subsequently, at lower altitudes. A strong low-level outflow with a radial divergence of >4 × 10−3 s−1 appeared just below the notch at around 2321 JST. The outflow lasted for approximately 13 min and eventually disappeared after 2333 JST along with dissipation of the causative storm cell. These results suggest that, in addition to hydrometeor loading, evaporative cooling due to the entrainment of midlevel relatively dry air played an additional role in driving a strong downdraft. The preceding signatures including descending precipitation core, reflectivity notch, and midlevel convergence observed by PAWR are useful precursors to forecast the occurrence of low-level wind shear 5–10 min ahead, which is important for safe air traffic operation.