Abstract

AbstractIn this study, we present radar polarimetric characterizations of the storm producing 201.9 mm hourly rainfall on 20 July 2021 in Zhengzhou, China. We employed the separation signatures of enhanced polarimetric observations to investigate hydrometeor size sorting processes, and developed an algorithm to quantify the size sorting directions. Analysis of coupled polarimetric observations unraveled multi‐directional size sorting (MSS) occurred as a low‐level differential reflectivity ZDR backwards arc signature encompassing the rainfall center during the most intensive rainfall period. The rainfall intensification is in step with the increase of size sorting directions. Model simulations with two‐moment microphysics scheme suggest that the presence of arc‐shaped updrafts is conducive to MSS and increased rain rates around the rainfall center. This work sheds novel insights into the kinematics‐driven microphysics in extreme rainfall storms, warranting the potential of using coupled polarimetric signatures for warning catastrophic extreme rainfall events.

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