Storm structure and precipitation features of RELAMPAGO IOP17 simulated by WRF in two convection-permitting resolutions

The unique combination of the steep and complex topography, interactions of moist air masses from surrounding oceans, and the Amazon forests makes the southern Andes and associated downwind plain a hotspot for strong organized convective storms that produce severe hail damages. To improve our understanding of the physical processes associated with these unique strong convective systems, the Remote sensing of Electrification, Lightning, And Mesoscale/microscale Processes with Adaptive Ground Observations (RELAMPAGO) and Cloud, Aerosol, and Complex Terrain Interactions (CACTI) field campaigns were conducted in the Sierras de Córdoba mountain range of north-central Argentina from 2018 summer to 2019 spring.

The Intensive Observing Period (IOP) 17 of RELAMPAGO (2018-12-13 22:00 to 2018-12-14 03:00) observed a unique type of convective storms seen in South America with backbuilding and fast upscale growing features. Flooding, strong winds, large hail, and a tornado (near San Francisco east of Cordoba) were all reported during this event. This presentation will show results of 1-km and 4-km WRF simulations of this IOP with special emphasis on differences in storm dynamics, microphysical properties and precipitation features and extremes between these resolutions.