Sukumarapillai, A: Tropical Mesoscale Convective Systems

Weather in the tropical region is characterized by mesoscale organization of clouds. Tropical convection occurs on various spatial and temporal scales. So far, no comprehensive observational and modeling campaign on severe thunderstorm has been conducted over Indian region. Realizing the importance of improved understanding and prediction of these weather events, an effort has been made to study the structure and evolution of thunderstorms. Time and height variation of the radar reflectivity and vertical velocity has been used to classify various forms of convective clouds such as single cell, multi cell and supercell storms. Sensitivity of different single moment bulk microphysical schemes to Quantitative Precipitation Forecasting (QPF) and hydrometeor structure has also been investigated. Forcing mechanisms responsible for the generation of the spectrum of convectively generated gravity waves and their spectral and spatial structure is also investigated. Assimilation of Indian Doppler Radar reflectivity and wind observations has been carried out for the first time over Indian region and shows positive impact on the short range prediction of convective systems.