Characterization of extreme storms on the southeastern South America using TRMM observations

LUCIANO VIDAL; PAOLA SALIO

Lanshut - Alemania

Conferencia; 5 European Conference on Severe Storms; 2009

European severe storm laboratory

Global and regional characteristics of deep convection over South America have been analyzed by many authors based on different observing tools. Satellite infrared images have been the primary tool since the GOES constellation satellite was launched over the region. These data make it possible to understand the evolution and behavior of convective systems over many regions, especially over large areas without ground-based observations. Based on geostationary satellite information, Machado et al (1998), Velasco and Frisch (1987), among others showed the characteristics and structure of mesoscale convective systems over South America. However, there is an important lack of knowledge of the internal structure of convective systems over the area due to the sparse groundbased radar network. The study of spatial distribution of more intense or precipitant convective systems is very important to understand which are the most vulnerable regions to be affected by severe storms of short duration or more intense convective systems that produce durable and big accumulated rainfall. The Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) constellation measures visible and infrared radiances (VIRS), microwave radiance from TRMM Microwave Imager (TMI), radar reflectivity from the Precipitation Radar (PR), and flashes from Lightning Imager Sensor (LIS) (Kummerow et al., 1998).