NSSL Mobile radar being used to help understand Dust Storms

[Howard Robinson]

Don't know if anyone saw this article from the NSSL, but figured it be worth posting here.
I wonder if they are going to study haboobs

https://secure.nssl.noaa.gov/briefi...ar-being-used-to-help-understand-dust-storms/

 

[David Wolfson]

Sounds more like they're calibrating the new dual-pol radar for dust fronts, since a "shadow" at the leading edge isn't physically mysterious IMO, as they imply. Sounds good for the public though, and a Good Thing overall. One and the same with the "haboobs".

 

[rbstokes]

they are not really that hard to forecast. Have you guys ever seen the dust loop satellite?

 

[rdale]

The satellite doesn't (well, can't) show the shadow that they are seeing on radar. I think that's why they deployed it.

David - what is "un"mysterious about these shadows? Can you post a sample from that event?

 

[David Wolfson]

I probably spoke too casually. But my impression is that the front edge or just behind is the place where most of the heavier debris is naturally lofted. Maybe this is not what they mean by shadow. By personal observation, the urban gust front is where all the burger wrappers and a lot of other trash get picked up, so it didn't strike me at first as surprising.

 

[rdale]

Gotcha - I read that too "scientifically"

 

[David Wolfson]

FWIW their mobile radar unit and instrument tripod were located a few hours ago just west of Gilbert Road and south of SR87 on indian reservation land north of Mesa. It's hotter (109F) and almost as humid here now as the south-central Plains, so I take my hat off, so to speak, to those guys sitting all day in a truck waiting for haboobs.