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UNIVERSITY OF BUCHAREST
FACULTY OF PHYSICS Guest
2025-08-21 0:26 |
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Conference: Bucharest University Faculty of Physics 2025 Meeting
Section: Atmosphere and Earth Science; Environment Protection
Title:
Analysis of severe weather episodes in Romania using Cloudnet data and synoptic maps
Authors:
Genica–Liliana SĂFTOIU (GOLEA) (1,2)
*
Affiliation:
(1) University of Bucharest, Faculty of Physics, PO Box MG-11, 077125, Bucharest, Romania
(2) “Horia Hulubei” National Institute for Nuclear Physics and Engineering, IFIN-HH, Reactorului 30, 077125, Bucharest-Magurele, Romania
E-mail
liliana.golea@nipne.ro
Keywords:
clouds, Cloudnet, thunderstorms, CAPE, synoptic maps
Abstract:
Severe weather is a key area in operational meteorology and climate studies, especially in the context of climate change and accelerated urbanization. The aim of the work was to highlight the radar, optical and microphysical characteristics of convective clouds in distinct and severe meteorological contexts (thunderstorms, hail, mixed precipitation) to identify signals associated with atmospheric instability and how they can be used for early warning and applied research. This study uses data from the Cloudnet network to analyse a few severe weather episodes produced in Romania between January - December 2021, a year also marked by the restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. The study is based on observations from Cloudnet's Bucharest-Măgurele station and covers significant episodes such as convective storms with hail, prolonged rain, mixed precipitation and thunderstorms, each with distinct characteristics. For each case, I analyzed the meteorological target classification using the Cloudnet algorithm, cloud radar parameters (Doppler velocity, Radar reflectivity factor), LIDAR data (attenuated backscatter coefficient) and microwave radiometer measurements (liquid water content - LWC) in correlation with synoptic maps, which provided key parameters such as CAPE, LI, precipitation distribution and relative vorticity. The analysis revealed the presence of well-developed convective columns reaching altitudes up to 12 km and Doppler velocities of ±4 m/s, intense radar and LIDAR signals, and significant accumulations of liquid water and ice in clouds. The high CAPE values (~ 2800 J/kg) and precipitation amounts (~ 40 mm) confirmed the unstable and violent character of some episodes, and the comparison of Cloudnet data with synoptic information allowed their validation. All these data helped me to diagnose cloud microphysical processes and to monitor severe weather episodes. This study will allow a better understanding of severe weather episodes with a decisive role in early warning, numerical model validation, climate change risk anticipation and climate adaptation.
Acknowledgement:
GLSG work was supported by the Romanian Nucleu Programme.
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