CASE STUDY OF THE 20 MAY 2008 TORNADIC STORM IN HUNGARY

A case study was performed to investigate a tornadic thunderstorm, which occurred on 20 May 2008 over Hungary. The synoptic situation was analysed. The paper is focused on remote sensing measurements: METEOSAT single channel data, different types of RGBs together with Hungarian radar network data, and lightning data from the SAFIR detection system were used. First, we have analysed satellite and radar imagery separately; then satellite, radar and lightning data together. In METEOSAT imagery we analysed both the high-level cloud top characteristics, and the low-level features. By the analysis of the cloud top characteristics, we found cold ring and cold U shapes in IR images; as well as strong overshooting tops, plumes, radial cirrus, gravity waves in several visible images. The cloud top microphysics were investigated both qualitatively and quantitatively. The imagery showed many small ice crystals on the cloud tops, referring to a high probability of strong updraft. By the analysis of the visible images at the early life cycle of the storm we have found some low-level features, which might also refer to the severe nature of the system. On some radar images bow echo features were observed, which often refer to severe storm. At last we have analysed the satellite, radar and lightning data together. We have visualized them jointly to see the relative locations of the different features.