Insights in Hailstorm Dynamics through Polarimetric High-Resolution X-Band and Operational C-Band Radar: A Case Study for Vienna, Austria

Abstract

Abstract Data from a dual-polarized, solid-state X-band radar and an operational C-band weather radar are used for high-resolution analyses of two hailstorms in the Vienna, Austria, region. The combination of both radars provides rapid-update (1 min) polarimetric data paired with wind field data of a dual-Doppler analysis. This is the first time that such an advanced setup is used to examine severe storm dynamics at the eastern Alpine fringe, where the influence of local topography is particularly challenging for thunderstorm prediction. We investigate two storms transitioning from the pre-Alps into the Vienna basin with different characteristics: 1) A rapidly evolving multicell storm producing large hail (5 cm), with observations of an intense ZDR column preceding hail formation and the rapid development of multiple pulses of hail; and 2) a cold pool–driven squall line with small hail, for which we find that the updraft location inhibited the formation of larger hailstones. For both cases, we analyzed the evolution of different ZDR column metrics as well as updraft speed and size and found that (i) the 90th percentile of ZDR within the ZDR column was highest for the cell later producing large hail, (ii) the peak 90th percentile of ZDR preceded large hailfall by 20 min and highest updraft size and speed by 10 min, and (iii) sudden drops of the 90th percentile of ZH within the ZDR column indicated imminent hailfall. Significance Statement Thunderstorm evolution on the transition from complex terrain into the Vienna basin in northeastern Austria varies strongly. In some instances, thunderstorm cells intensify once they reach flat terrain, while in most cases there is a weakening tendency. To improve our process understanding and short-term forecasting methods, we analyze two representative cases of hail-bearing storms transitioning into the Vienna basin. We mainly build our study on data from a new, cost-efficient weather radar, complemented by an operational radar, lightning observations, and ground reports. Our results show which radar variables could be well suited for early detection of intensification, and how they relate to thunderstorm updraft speeds and lightning activity.