Abstract
An evaluation of the COMMAS (COllaborative Model for Multiscale Atmospheric Simulation) model's ability to simulate the dynamics and microphysics of a multicellular storm was conducted using data from the 19 September storm observed during the Keys Area Microphysics Project (KAMP) in the summer of 2001. This evaluation involved radar data from the P3 Tail Radar, the ER-2 Doppler Radar (EDOP), and the Shared Mobile Atmospheric Research and Teaching Radar (SMART-R), and radiometer data from the Advanced Microwave Precipitation Radiometer (AMPR). The model generated a storm system with more organization and strong convection than was observed on 19 September. The model reproduced the general trends observed with height in the wind fields, but often overestimated the magnitude of the horizontal components and underestimated those of the vertical components. Despite possessing weaker updrafts than found in the observed storm, the simulation produced stronger, deeper cores with inflated reflectivities aloft and depressed microwave brightness temperatures. These reflectivities and brightness temperatures can be attributed to the high graupel concentrations found in the simulated storm. Considering its simplicity, this model reproduced the 19 September storm fairly well, but a few alterations may increase its ability to generate more realistic storm systems.
Chadwick, Virginia Alyson (2003). A microphysical and dynamical comparison of the observed and simulated structure of a Florida area thunderstorm. Master's thesis, Texas A&M University. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /ETD -TAMU -2003 -THESIS -C421.