Multi-Source Radar Detection Analysis of Effectiveness of a Hail Suppression of Convective Clouds by Rockets
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Abstract:
Based on multi-source radar detection data from an artificial hail suppression operation in Kunming City on 10 August 2023, this study analyzes the differences in catalytic effects between rocket-based spatial and linear seeding modes from the perspectives of radar echo morphology, temporal evolution of radar parameters, and theoretical estimation of rocket consumption. The results indicate that after mixed seeding, C-band radar data showed a decrease in radar reflectivity and a reduction in echo top height within the operation area, while spatial seeding was characterised by intensive echo attenuation. X-band dual-polarisation radar revealed that the echo top height correlated with fluctuations in vertically integrated liquid water content, providing valuable insights for determining the optimal timing of operations. Rocket-based spatial seeding was conducted at lower altitudes, but the explosive power enhanced the diffusion of the catalyst, resulting in a short-term decrease in maximum echo intensity and height, while dual-polarisation measurements showed a reduction in the differential reflectivity factor and an expansion of the low differential phase shift rate region. In contrast, rocket linear seeding reached the 0 ℃ isotherm height, and the longer catalytic process contributed to a sustained decrease in echo top height and vertically integrated liquid water content, with the zero-lag correlation coefficient increasing to above 0.9. The individual effects of either linear or spatial seeding were limited, while a combination of both seeding methods enhanced the overall catalytic effect. Theoretical calculations suggested that the nucleation rate was the primary factor influencing the theoretical consumption of rockets without considering factors such as cloud development and ammunition consumption. The BL-1A linear seeding rocket was more likely to achieve excess catalysis than the JFJ-1A spatial seeding rocket. In practice, the catalytic efficiency of single spatial seeding might have been compromised due to deviations in explosion points and limitations in catalytic altitude.