scholarly journals The Role of Mesoscale Convective Systems in Precipitation in the Tibetan Plateau region

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Kukulies ◽  
Deliang Chen ◽  
Julia Curio
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Plateau Region ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

scholarly journals Statistical Characteristics of Mesoscale Convective Systems Initiated over the Tibetan Plateau in Summer by Fengyun Satellite and Precipitation Estimates

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (9) ◽  
pp. 1652
Author(s):  
Xidi Zhang ◽  
Wenqiang Shen ◽  
Xiaoyong Zhuge ◽  
Shunan Yang ◽  
Yun Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Statistical Characteristics ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Lower Cloud ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Precipitation Estimates ◽  
High Level

In order to investigate the key characteristics of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) initiated over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) in recent years and the main differences in circulation and environmental factors between different types of MCSs, an automatic MCS identification and tracking method was applied based on the data from China’s Fengyun satellite and precipitation estimates. In total, 8820 MCSs were found to have been initiated over the TP during the summers from 2013 to 2019, and a total of 9.3% of them were able to move eastward out of the TP (EO). The number of MCSs showed a monthly variation, with a maximum in July and a minimum in June, while most EOs occurred in June. Compared with other types of MCSs, EOs usually had a lower cloud-top temperature, a greater rainfall intensity, a longer life duration, more rapid development, larger areas of rainfall and convective clouds, longer tracks and a wider influence range, indicating that EOs are more vigorous than the other types of MCSs. The movement of MCSs is mainly due to the mid- to high-level dynamic conditions, and moisture is an essential factor in their development and maintenance.

A 10-Year Climatology of Mesoscale Convective Systems and Their Synoptic Circulations in the Southwest Mountain Area of China

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 23-41
Author(s):  
Yanan Meng ◽  
Jianhua Sun ◽  
Yuanchun Zhang ◽  
Shenming Fu
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Temperature Data ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Contribution Rate ◽  
Indochina Peninsula ◽  
The West ◽  
Mountain Area ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

AbstractHourly blackbody temperature data from the warm seasons (May–September) of 2009–18 were used to detect mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) generated in the southwest mountain area (elevation ≥ 500 m) of China. A total of 3059 MCSs were grouped into four categories (C1, C2, C3, and C4) according to their generation positions using K-means clustering. Major characteristics of the four types of MCSs and their synoptic environmental conditions were investigated. The MCSs had a peak in July and a minimum in May, and usually lasted from 3 to 21 h. The C1 MCSs generated in the northeast of the Tibetan Plateau developed faster, were largest, and had a longer lifespan. The C2 and C4 MCSs had greater intensity and were initiated in the southeast of the Tibetan Plateau and the west of the Yungui Plateau, and near the Wuling and Xuefeng Mountains, respectively. The C3 MCSs initiated in the Qinling, Ta-pa, and Wushan Mountains were smallest. The C1 and C2 MCSs contributed more than 30% to total precipitation, which was more than the C3 and C4 MCSs (<25%), and the contribution rate of MCSs to short-duration heavy rainfall affected by local MCSs was over 60%. Composite synoptic circulations of the four types of MCSs showed several factors, including the locations and intensities of cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and high pressure in the Indochina Peninsula in the low-to-middle troposphere, and vortexes or southwesterly winds in the low-level troposphere, regulate the location and intensity of convection.

A Flash-Flooding Storm at the Steep Edge of High Terrain: Disaster in the Himalayas

2012 ◽  
Vol 93 (11) ◽  
pp. 1713-1724 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kristen L. Rasmussen ◽  
Robert A. Houze
Keyword(s):  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
High Mountain ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Mountain River ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Northern India ◽  
Mesoscale System ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Convective Cells ◽  
The Town

Flash floods on the edge of high terrain, such as the Himalayas or Rocky Mountains, are especially dangerous and hard to predict. The Leh flood of 2010 at the edge of the Himalayan Plateau in India is an example of the tragic consequences of such storms. The flood occurred over a high mountain river valley when, on three successive days, diurnally generated convective cells over the Tibetan Plateau gathered into mesoscale convective systems and moved off the edge of the Plateau over Leh. An easterly midlevel jet associated with a midlevel monsoon vortex over northern India and a high over Asia helped the convection organize into propagating mesoscale systems that moved over the edge of the Plateau. On the third day the mesoscale system moving off the plateau was greatly invigorated when it suddenly drew on moisture flowing upslope over the terrain. It gained maximum strength from this intake of moisture near Leh, and the heavy rains washed over the surrounding mountains and down and over the town.

scholarly journals Long-Lived Mesoscale Systems in a Low–Convective Inhibition Environment. Part I: Upshear Propagation

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (11) ◽  
pp. 4297-4318 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd P. Lane ◽  
Mitchell W. Moncrieff
Keyword(s):  
Standard Model ◽  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Propagation Speed ◽  
Mesoscale Convective Systems ◽  
Dynamical Models ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
The Standard Model ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Convective Inhibition

Abstract Dynamical models of organized mesoscale convective systems have identified the important features that help maintain their overarching structure and longevity. The standard model is the trailing stratiform archetype, featuring a front-to-rear ascending circulation, a mesoscale downdraft circulation, and a cold pool/density current that affects the propagation speed and the maintenance of the system. However, this model does not represent all types of mesoscale convective systems, especially in moist environments where the evaporation-driven cold pools are weak and the convective inhibition is small. Moreover, questions remain about the role of gravity waves in creating and maintaining organized systems and affecting their propagation speed. This study presents simulations and dynamical models of self-organizing convection in a moist, low–convective inhibition environment and examines the long-lived convective regimes that emerge spontaneously. This paper, which is Part I of this study, specifically examines the structure, kinematics, and maintenance of long-lived, upshear-propagating convective systems that differ in important respects from the standard model of long-lived convective systems. Linear theory demonstrates the role of ducted gravity waves in maintaining the long-lived, upshear-propagating systems. A steady nonlinear model approximates the dynamics of upshear-propagating density currents that are key to the maintenance of the mesoscale convective system.

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