Single-and dual-doppler radar analysis of misovortices within snowband in Japan Sea Coastal region on 17 January 2017

Abstract

The characteristics and finescale evolution of misovortices within a snowband were examined using low-level high-resolution single-and dual-Doppler radar analysis. From 02:00 to 06:00 JST on 17 January 2017, many misovortices developed within three snowbands in the Japan Sea coastal region. The vortices developed along the shear line between the offshore north-northwesterly and the coastal northeasterly. As discussed in several previous studies of misovortices along airmass boundaries, horizontal shearing instability was considered to be a possible mechanism responsible for misovortex formation. A detailed investigation was performed on the most distinct snowband and misovortices embedded within it. Dual-Doppler analysis revealed a detailed behavior of vortex during merger, such as the morphological change from quasicircular to elliptical shape, and the counterclockwise rotation which caused high-amplitude inflection of the shear line in less than 10 minutes. During the decay stage, the vortices weakened along with weakening convergence. The results suggest that evolution of the misovortex appears to have been closely tied to the low-level convergence within the vortex.