Research Interests
In the Storm and Tornado Modeling Laboratory (STorMLab), we use high-resolution numerical simulations to study the dynamics, thermodynamics, and precipitation physics of severe convective storms and the tornadoes they produce. Our goal is to better characterize and understand the complex connections between these processes and how they modulate the hazards these storms produce, including large hail, damaging winds, and tornadoes. Additionally, we work on synthesizing model simulations and predictions with remote and in situ observations of these storms, most recently from the 2016-2017 VORTEX-SE field campaigns.
In brief, our group is currently focused on 1) developing and implementing microphysics parameterizations within cloud-resolving models to investigate the interplay between microphysical and dynamical processes in severe thunderstorms, 2) collecting and analyzing rain drop size distributions and other observations in severe convection, 3) developing a regional storm-scale polarimetric radar data assimilation and prediction system, and 4) conducting very high-resolution numerical simulations of tornadoes and their parent thunderstorms.
CV
My CV (PDF).
Publications
Johnson, M., Y. Jung, D. Dawson, T. Supinie, M. Xue, J. Park, and Y.-H. Lee, 2018: Evaluation of Unified Model microphysics in high-resolution NWP simulations using polarimetric radar observations. Adv. Atmos. Sci., Accepted
Snyder, J. C., H. B. Bluestein, D. T. Dawson II, and Y. Jung, 2017: Simulations of Polarimetric, X-Band Radar Signatures in Supercells. Part II: ZDR Columns and Rings and K-DP Columns. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 56, 2001-2026, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-16-0139.1
Snyder, J. C., H. B. Bluestein, D. T. Dawson II, and Y. Jung, 2017: Simulations of Polarimetric, X-Band Radar Signatures in Supercells. Part I: Description of Experiment and Simulated ρhv Rings. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 56, 1977-1999, https://doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-16-0138.1
Roberts, B., M. Xue, A. D. Schenkman, and D. T. Dawson II, 2016: The Role of Surface Drag in Tornadogenesis within an Idealized Supercell Simulation. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 73, 3371–3395, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-15-0332.1
Johnson, M., Y. Jung, D. T. Dawson II, and M. Xue, 2016: Comparison of Simulated Polarimetric Signatures in Idealized Supercell Storms using Two-moment Bulk Microphysics Schemes in WRF. Monthly Weather Review,144, 971-996, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-15-0233.1
Schenkman, A. D., M. Xue, D. T. Dawson II, 2016: The Cause of Internal Outflow Surges in a High-Resolution Simulation of the 8 May 2003 Oklahoma City Tornadic Supercell. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 73, 353-370, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-15-0112.1
Dawson, D. T., II, M. Xue, A. Shapiro, J. Milbrandt, and A. Schenkman, 2016: Sensitivity of Real-data Simulations of the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City Tornadic Supercell and Associated Tornadoes to Multi-moment Microphysics. Part II: Analysis of Buoyancy and Dynamic Pressure Forces in Simulated Tornado-Like Vortices. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 73, 1039-1061, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-15-0114.1
Dawson, D. T., II, M. Xue, J. Milbrandt, and A. Shapiro, 2015: Sensitivity of Real-data Simulations of the 3 May 1999 Oklahoma City Tornadic Supercell and Associated Tornadoes to Multi-moment Microphysics. Part I: Storm- and Tornado-scale Numerical Forecasts.Monthly Weather Review, 143, 2241-2265, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-14-00279.1
Dawson, D. T., II, E. Mansell, and M. Kumjian, 2015: Does Wind Shear Cause Hydrometeor Size Sorting? Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 72, 340-348, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-14-0084.1
Wainwright, C. E., D. T. Dawson II, M. Xue, and G. Zhang, 2014: Diagnosing the Intercept Parameters of the Exponential Drop Size Distributions in a Single-Moment Microphysics Scheme and Impact on Supercell Storm Simulations. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 53, 2072-2090, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-13-0251.1
Dawson, D. T., II, E. Mansell, Y. Jung, L. Wicker, M. Kumjian, and M. Xue, 2014: Low-level ZDR Signatures in Supercell Forward Flanks: the Role of Size Sorting and Melting of Hail. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 71, 276-299, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS-D-13-0118.1
Dawson, D. T., II, L. Wicker, E. Mansell, Y. Jung, and M. Xue, 2013: Low-level Polarimetric Radar Signatures in EnKF Analyses and Forecasts of the 8 May 2003 Oklahoma City Tornadic Supercell: Impact of Multi-moment Microphysics and Comparisons with Observations, Advances in Meteorology, vol. 2013, Article ID 818394, 13 pages, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2013/818394
Reeves, H. D., and D. T. Dawson II, 2013: The Dependence of QPF on the Choice of Microphysical Parameterization for Lake-Effect Snowstorms. Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 52, 363-377, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAMC-D-12-019.1
Tanamachi, R. L., L. J. Wicker, D. C. Dowell, H. B. Bluestein, D. T. Dawson II, and M. Xue, 2013: EnKF Assimilation of High-Resolution, Mobile Doppler Radar Data of the 4 May 2007 Greensburg, Kansas, Supercell into a Numerical Cloud Model. Monthly Weather Review, 141, 625-648, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-12-00099.1
Stensrud, D. J., L. J. Wicker, M. Xue, D. T. Dawson II, N. Yussouf, D. M. Wheatley, T. E. Thompson, N. A. Snook, T. M. Smith, A. D. Schenkman, C. K. Potvin, E. R. Mansell, T. Lei, K. M. Kuhlman, Y. Jung, T. A. Jones, J. Gao, M. C. Coniglio, H. E. Brooks, and K. A. Brewster, 2012: Progress and Challenges with Warn-on-Forecast. Atmospheric Research, 123, 2-16, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2012.04.004
Dawson, D. T., II, L. Wicker, E. Mansell, and R. Tanamachi, 2012: Impact of the environmental low-level wind profile on ensemble forecasts of the 4 May 2007 Greensburg, KS tornadic storm and associated mesocyclones. Monthly Weather Review, 140, 696-712, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-11-00008.1
Dawson, D. T., II, M. Xue, J. Milbrandt, and M. K. Yau, 2010: Comparison of Evaporation and Cold Pool Development between Single-Moment and Multimoment Bulk Microphysics Schemes in Idealized Simulations of Tornadic Thunderstorms. Monthly Weather Review, 138, 1152-1171, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2009MWR2956.1
Zhang, G., M. Xue, Q. Cao, and D. T. Dawson II, 2008: Diagnosing the intercept parameter for exponential raindrop size distribution based on video disdrometer observations, Journal of Applied Meteorology and Climatology, 47, 2983-2992, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/2008JAMC1876.1
Dawson, D. T., II, and M. Xue, 2006: Numerical forecasts of the 15-16 June 2002 Southern Plains severe MCS: Impact of mesoscale data and cloud analysis, Monthly Weather Review, 134, 1607-1629, doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR3141.1