GoAmazon - 2014 IARA-ARM-ACRIDICON-CHUVA

The GoAmazon experiment seeks to understand the interaction of aerosol and cloud life cycles. The GoAmazon experiment will be performed in Manaus, a megacity of almost 1.8 million people in the central Amazon.

Two intensive operating periods (IOP) are being prepared for 2014, one in February-March, during the wet season, and another in September-October, at the end of the dry season. The GoAmazon experiment consists of several combined efforts, including the deployment of the ARM mobile facility , the Grumman Gulfstream 159 (G-1) aircraft (from the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory) to collect chemistry and microphysical properties, ACRIDICON (Aerosol, Cloud, Precipitation, and Radiation Interactions and Dynamics of Convective Cloud Systems) with the High Altitude and Long Range Research Aircraft (HALO), which is the new research aircraft of the German Science Community and the CHUVA project.

The CHUVA campaign will employ an X-Pol measurement strategy, which provides volume scans and several RHIs over the sites in coordination with the ARM cloud radar. It is important to note that the GPM core observatory will be launched during the first IOP and operational at the second IOP. Hence, there will be an

opportunity to combine data from the TRMM and GPM core satellites with those collected during GoAmazon to study clouds and precipitation processes over one of the rainiest regions of the planet.

Instruments Employed

Dual Polarization X-Band Radar

Equipment description: With dual polarization as a standard feature, the magnetron based system is a fully fledged high-end weather radar system, which delivers high quality data for a large variety of applications. The METEOR 50DX can be used for regional campaigns in hydrological forecasting and scientific research, as a gap-filler in existing meteorological networks or to fulfill general meteorological functions in the X-Band range.

Microwave Profiling Radiometer (MP3000)

Equipment description: Measurement: Surface-based passive microwave and infrared remote sensing at 35 Channels (Frequency: 22.00 � 30.00 GHz and 51.00 � 59.00 GHz). Surface sensor (Temperature, Relative Humidity, and Barometric Pressure). Temperature, relative, cloud liquid water, water vapor profiles. Time-resolution: 2-6 minutes.

Parsivel Disdrometer

Equipment description: Ott Inc. PARSIVEL Optical Laser Disdrometer, Disdrometer for the classification of the drop spectrum. The device works on the extinction principle and measures precipitation particles using the shadowing effects they cause when they pass through a laser band. Parsivel captures both the size and the rate of fall in detail of the individual hydrometeors and classifies them into a range of 32 classes each. Depending on the measuring interval set, the resulting precipitation spectrum covers a time between 10 seconds and one hour. A fast signal processor uses the raw data to calculate the type of precipitation as well as the amount and intensity of the precipitation, the visibility in precipitation, the kinetic energy of the precipitation and the equivalent radar reflectivity. Optical precipitation measuring instrument for rain quantity and intensity as alternative to conventional collecting rain gauges.

Radiosondes (temperature, humidity and wind profiles)

Equipment description: Operational Air Force launchings at 00 e 12 UTC.

Anemometric Tower: wind speed and direction and meteorological ground station

Equipment description: 70 m with 6 height leves and meteorological ground station.

Disdrometer THIES

Equipment description: A disdrometer measures the size and fall speed of precipitation. A laser diode and some optics produce a parallel infrared light sheet of 0.75 mm thickness with a detection area of 20 x 228 mm2. When the precipitation particles fall through this beam, the receiving signal is reduced. The amplitude of the reduction is related to the size of the particles, and the duration of the reduction is related to the fall speed. Precipitation type is then determined from known statistics of particle size and velocity for the different precipitation types. A rough temperature constraint is also used; all precipitation above 9 �C is considered liquid (except hail) and all precipitation below is solid. The output consists of many parameters, including 1- minute SYNOP, METAR codes, precipitation intensity and amount, and full particle size and velocity distributions.

Estação de Fluxos de Superfície

Equipment description: Medidas dos fluxos turbulentos de momentum, calor sens�vel, latente e di�xido de carbono usando a t�cnica de correla��o de v�rtices. Os instrumentos (anemometro sonico e analisador de g�s infravermelho IRGA da firma Campbell Scientific) s�o coletados a uma taxa de amostragem de 20 Hz e calculados os fluxos on line.

Joss-Waldvogel Acoustic Impact Disdrometer Model RD 80

Equipment description: The Distromet disdrometer (model RD-80) measures the character and amount of liquid precipitation . The main purpose of the disdrometer is to measure drop size distribution, which it captures over 20 size classes from 0.3mm to 5.4mm, and to determine rain rate. Disdrometer results can also be used to infer several properties including drop number density, radar reflectivity, liquid water content, and energy flux. Rain that falls on the disdrometer sensor moves a plunger on a vertical axis. The disdrometer transforms the plunger motion into electrical impulses whose strength is proportional to drop diameter. Data are collected once a minute.

Micro Rain Radar (MRR)

Equipment description: The unique and innovative Micro Rain Radar (MRR) is a small, portable and easy to operate. It can be used for now-casting of precipitation ie, it will detect the start of rain from ground level to high above the radar several minutes before the start of rain at ground level. It is a highly reliable system

suitable for use in remote and extreme environments, requiring minimal maintenance and is well adapted for long term unattended operation. Statistically stable drop size distributions can be derived within a few seconds due to the size of the scattering volume. The Micro Rain Radar (MRR) can detect very small amounts of precipitation (below the threshold of conventional rain gauges) detecting drop sizes between 0.25 mm and 4.53 mm. This covers the size range of atmospheric occurring precipitation drops as larger drops in the atmosphere are affected by the air resistance as they fall and will split into smaller drops. The droplet number concentration in each drop-diameter bin is derived from the backscatter intensity in each corresponding frequency bin. In this procedure the relation between terminal falling velocity and drop size is exploited.

Locations

Radar Strategy

TRAINING CHUVA

The training activities associated with the CHUVA field campaign in Manaus (Feb-Mar) will be developed in partnership with SIPAM (Amazon Protection System, in portuguese) and it will be focused on the areas of remote sensing (satellite and radar) and nowcasting applications.

Classes will be held at the SIPAM - Manaus Regional Center - Avenida do Turismo, 1350 Tarum� Manaus - AM on 10, 17 and March 24, 2014 during the afternoon period according to the following schedule:

Date: 10/03/2014 - 14:00 - 16:00 Course: Introdução ao Sensoriamento Remoto: Produtos de Satelite e Radar Teacher: Dr. Daniel Vila

Date: 17/03/2014 - 14:00 - 16:00 Course: Técnicas Avançadas de Nowcasting Teacher: Dr. Luiz Augusto Toledo Machado

Date: 17/03/2014 - 16:00 - 18:00

Course: Microfisica de nuvens Teacher: Dra. Rachel Albrecht

Date: 31/03/2014 - 14:00 - 16:00 Course: Processos de eletrificação Teacher: Dr. Carlos Augusto Morales Rodriguez

Place: Sistema de Proteção da Amazônia - SIPAM Adress: Av. Do Turismo, 1350, Manaus - AM, 69037-005

SOS-Manaus

Screen capture as example of the product

Site Pictures

Manacupuru UEA – Site

Manacupuru T3 site.

Embrapa Site

Container Installation in Manacupuru

Daily weather reports were produced by the CHUVA Team. Also the radiosonde intensive

operation allows the support aircraft operation and flight definition. The radiosonde shows the air

masse trajectories defining the expect location of the polluted plume from Manaus.

Radiosonde's trajectóries observed during CHUVA/GoAmazon campaign at February/2014 (the

color scale indicates the altitude of the radiosonde).

This Figure shows the trajectories of radiosondes launched in Ponta Pelada at February 2014.

Below 5000 meters the displacement observed in most of the cases were to southwest. At

altitudes between 10000 meters and 15000 meters the displacement in most of the cases, were to

northwest. Above 20000 meters the component from west was more pronounced and contributed

to displacement of radiosondes to the east, northeast and southeast. The displacement shown by

radiosondes, at altitudes below 5000 meters, presents similarities with the propagation of most

precipitation systems observed in the region, with the radars S-band (SIPAM) and X-Band (CHUVA

Project), during the month of February. This shows that the winds in this layer were an important

modulator of propagation of precipitation.

Typical Weather reports daily prepared

March, 10 - 2014

Summary

1. General weather condition ................................................................................................... 2

2. Synoptic Scale ........................................................................................................................ 2

3. Radar images ......................................................................................................................... 8

4. Other instruments .................................................................................................................9

1. General weather condition

In March 10 the maximum and minimum temperatures observed in Manacapuru were 33.9°C

and 25.0°C, respectively. The temperatures, in Manaus, ranged between 24.5°C and 33.5°C

registered by INMET weather station. The synoptic conditions for March 10 notes moisture

convergence zone acts betweens north of the Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo, east and

northwestern Minas Gerais, northeastern Goiás, southeastern Bahia and southeaster

Tocantins. In the Atlantic Ocean, Moisture convergence zone mates to the frontal system. The

frontal wave is observed over the Atlantic Ocean with cold branch in the west and southern

Rio Grande do Sul. ITCZ didn’t acts over Manaus region. At the 850 hPa (high) level, it’s

possible to observe winds blowing from northeast (east/southeast) over Manaus city. CAPE

increased from 1231 J/Kg to 1286 J/Kg from 1200 to 1800 UTC. CINE values decreased from 24

to 7 from 1200 to 1800 UTC. The TT index has show high values along the day (greater than

40). That day, X-Band Radar observed a convective rain cell growing and moving to

Manacapuru radar-T3 and UEA sites, with reflectivity (rain rate) values around 40 dBZ (30

mm/hr). The satellite images shows the stability conditions, associated with a large area with

dry air over the Manaus region, it’s possible to note clear sky conditions over the Manaus

region, especially during the morning. In the afternoon, over eastern Amazonas state (around

Manaus region), convective clouds moving from east were observed.

2. Synoptic Scale

Figure 2.1 shows synoptic conditions for March 10 at the a) surface, b) 850 hPa and c) 250 hPa

levels at 1800 UTC. Moisture convergence zone acts betweens north of the Rio de Janeiro,

Espirito Santo, east and northwestern Minas Gerais, northeastern Goiás, southeastern Bahia

and southeaster Tocantins. In the Atlantic Ocean, Moisture convergence zone mates to the

frontal system. The frontal wave is observed over the Atlantic Ocean with cold branch in the

west and southern Rio Grande do Sul. ITCZ didn’t acts over Manaus region. At the 850 hPa

(high) level, it’s possible to observe winds blowing from northeast (east/southeast) over

Manaus city.

a)

b)

c)

Figure 2.1: Synoptic conditions for March 10 on a) surface, b) 850 hPa and c) 250 hPa levels.

Source: CPTEC/INPE.

Figure 2.2 shows satellite images (from IR and WV channels), at a) 1200 and b) 2000 UTC in

March 10. Due the stability conditions, associated with a large area with dry air over the

Manaus region, it’s possible to note clear sky conditions over the Manaus region, especially

during the morning (Figure 2.2 a-b). In the afternoon (Figure 2.2 c-d), over eastern Amazonas

state (around Manaus region), convective clouds moving from east were observed.

a) b)

c) d)

Figure 2.2 – Channel 4-IR (left) and WV (right) GOES-13 images for 1200 (a-b) and 2000 (c-d)

UTC in March 10. Source: DSA/INPE

Figure 2.3 shows thermodynamic profiles (by Skew-T diagram) for Ponta Pelada site at (a) 1200

and (b) 1800 UTC (March 10). CAPE increased from 1231 J/Kg to 1286 J/Kg from 1200 to 1800

UTC. CINE values decreased from 24 to 7 from 1200 to 1800 UTC. The TT index has show high

values along the day (greater than 40), suggesting presence of local convective clouds during

the day around the Manaus city.

a)

b)

Figure 2.3: Thermodynamic profiles for Ponta Pelada site at a) 1200 and b) 1800 UTC. Source:

CHUVA/GOAmazon.

Figure 2.4 ilustrates the radiosonde trajectory at (a) 1200 and (b) 1800 UTC (March 10) – both

for Manaus region (Ponta Pelada site). It is noticeable that the radiosonde trajectory showed

an northeasterly component at low levels, southeasterly at medium levels and at high levels

the radiosonde trajectory changes for westerly component.

a) b)

Figura 2.4 – Balloon trajectories at March 10 for the times: a) 1200 and b) 1800 UTC. The

balloon trajectories of the Ponta Pelada site.

3. Radar images

Figure 3.1 shows X-band Radar images (CAPPI-2km and RHI products) located at Manacapuru

city, for a) 2220 and b) 2230 UTC and, their respective RHI’s at c) 2236 and d) 2346 UTC. It was

observed a convective rain cell growing and moving to Manacapuru radar-T3 and UEA sites,

with reflectivity (rain rate) values around 40 dBZ (30 mm/hr).

a) b)

c) d)

Figure 3.1 – Radar (X-band) reflectivity (dBZ)/rain rate (mm/hr) from CAPPI-2km (a-b) and RHI

(c-d) products.

4. Other instruments

Figure 4.1 illustrates a simulation of particles trajectories at different heights at 00 UTC (March

10) for Manaus area. It is noticeable that the radiosonde trajectory showed an easterly

component at low levels, and this information is according to the simulations of particles

trajectories at low levels (which indicated easterly winds over the launch region around 00 UTC

in March 10).

Figura 4.1 – Simulations of the evolution of the particles trajectories during 10.3hs (610

meters, in orange), 12.5hs (223.1 meters, in red), 17.3hs (124.4 meters, in green) and 21.5hs

(38.6 meters, in purple) realized by MASTER/USP for Manaus area.