Satellite-observed cold-ring-shaped features atop deep convective clouds

0435011 - ÚFA 2015 RIV NL eng J - Journal Article
Setvák, M. - Lindsey, D. T. - Novák, P. - Wang, P. K. - Radová, Michaela - Kerkmann, J. - Grasso, L. - Su, S.-H. - Rabin, R. M. - Šťástka, J. - Charvát, Z.
Satellite-observed cold-ring-shaped features atop deep convective clouds.
Atmospheric Research. Roč. 97, 1-2 (2010), s. 80-96. ISSN 0169-8095. E-ISSN 1873-2895
R&D Projects: GA ČR GA205/07/0905; GA MŠMT ME09033
Institutional research plan: CEZ:AV0Z30420517
Keywords : convective storm * storm top * cloud top height * cold-ring shape * cold-U shape * enhanced-V feature * overshooting top * lower stratosphere * Meteosat second generation
Subject RIV: DG - Athmosphere Sciences, Meteorology
Impact factor: 1.597, year: 2010
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S016980951000058X

This paper focuses on deep convective storms which exhibit a distinct long-lived cold ring at their cloud top, as observed in enhanced infrared (IR) window satellite imagery. The feature seems to be closely linked to a similar phenomenon, cold-U/V (enhanced-V) shape, or in general to storms which exhibit an enclosed warm spot or larger warm area downwind of the overshooting tops, surrounded by colder parts of the storm anvil. While storms exhibiting some form of warm spots seem to be quite common, storms exhibiting distinct cold rings or cold-U/Vs are significantly less frequent. The cold-ring feature is described here for storms which occurred above the Czech Republic and Austria on 25 June 2006. Compared to other cold-ring-shaped storms, this case was extraordinary not only by the magnitude and duration of the cold ring and its central warm spot, but also by storm cloud-top heights, reaching 16-17 km, as determined from ground-based C-band radar observations.
Permanent Link: http://hdl.handle.net/11104/0239063