Abstract: Convective Mass Flux (CMF) – the vertical transport of air and water by deep convective storms – drives the large-scale circulation, upper tropospheric moistening, high cloud-raditiave feedbacks, surface precipitation rates, and extreme weather. Despite the fundamental role played by CMF, our understanding of the processes controlling CMF is rudimentary, and the representation of CMF remains a major source of error in our numerical models across the scales. Global observations of CMF within tropical and subtropical storms by the INvestigation of Convective UpdraftS (INCUS) mission will address these shortfalls. INCUS is comprised of three SmallSat platforms each carrying a 7-beam Ka-band scanning radar. The satellite platforms will be 30 and 90 seconds apart, thus providing three time intervals (30, 90 and 120 seconds) over which observations will be made. A novel time-differencing approach will allow for the retrieval of CMF and its evolution over time. In addition to the Ka-band radar, a single cross-track-scanning passive microwave radiometer will be housed on the middle SmallSat and will provide storm context for the radar observations, as well as observations of convective anvils. The combination of radars and radiometer on the INCUS platforms will deliver unprecedented three-dimensional views of tropical and subtropical convective storm dynamics, and how it evolves in time. This seminar will focus on the scientific objectives, measurement approach, and products of INCUS. Early insights into tropical and subtropical storm dynamics gained from developing the INCUS mission will also be provided.
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