scholarly journals A Numerical Study of the Beijing Extreme Rainfall of 21 July 2012 and the Impact of Topography

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongxiong Xu ◽  
Wenqing Yao
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Study ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Stratiform Region ◽  
Moist Environment ◽  
The Right ◽  
Convective Cells ◽  
The Impact

The extreme rainfall on 21 July 2012 is the heaviest rainfall that has occurred in Beijing since 1961. Observations and WRF (Weather Research and Forecasting) model are used to study the effect of MCS (mesoscale convective system) and topography on the rainfall. In this high-impact event, a quasi-stationary MCS developed in a favorable moist environment. The numerical simulation successfully reproduced the amount, location, and time evolution of the rainfall despite 4–6 h delay. In particular, the model reproduced the repeat passage of convective cells at the leading convergence line region along Taihang Mountains and the trailing stratiform region, producing the rainfall at nearly the right position. Results indicate the important roles of mesolow and low-level jet in maintaining the conditional instability that lifted the moist air to trigger deep convection and the repeated initiation and movement of the line shaped convective cells that produced the rainfall. The sensitive experiment was then further carried out to examine the effect of topography on this heavy rainfall. The reduction in model elevation field significantly influenced the above mesoscale systems, which lead to convective cells becoming less organized, and the peak rainfall amount in Beijing decreased by roughly 50%.

Dynamics of the Stratiform Sector of a Tropical Cyclone Rainband

2013 ◽  
Vol 70 (7) ◽  
pp. 1891-1911 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anthony C. Didlake ◽  
Robert A. Houze
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Stratiform Region ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Upward Transport ◽  
Radial Outflow ◽  
Convective Cells ◽  
Low Entropy

Abstract Airborne Doppler radar documented the stratiform sector of a rainband within the stationary rainband complex of Hurricane Rita. The stratiform rainband sector is a mesoscale feature consisting of nearly uniform precipitation and weak vertical velocities from collapsing convective cells. Upward transport and associated latent heating occur within the stratiform cloud layer in the form of rising radial outflow. Beneath, downward transport is organized into descending radial inflow in response to two regions of latent cooling. In the outer, upper regions of the rainband, sublimational cooling introduces horizontal buoyancy gradients, which produce horizontal vorticity and descending inflow similar to that of the trailing-stratiform region of a mesoscale convective system. Within the zone of heavier stratiform precipitation, melting cooling along the outer rainband edge creates a midlevel horizontal buoyancy gradient across the rainband that drives air farther inward beneath the brightband. The organization of this transport initially is robust but fades downwind as the convection dissipates. The stratiform-induced secondary circulation results in convergence of angular momentum above the boundary layer and broadening of the storm's rotational wind field. At the radial location where inflow suddenly converges, a midlevel tangential jet develops and extends into the downwind end of the rainband complex. This circulation may contribute to ventilation of the eyewall as inflow of low-entropy air continues past the rainband in both the boundary layer and midlevels. Given the expanse of the stratiform rainband region, its thermodynamic and kinematic impacts likely help to modify the structure and intensity of the total vortex.

scholarly journals Effects of Under-Resolved Convective Dynamics on the Evolution of a Squall Line

2019 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 289-311 ◽  
Author(s):  
Adam Varble ◽  
Hugh Morrison ◽  
Edward Zipser
Keyword(s):  
Early Stage ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Squall Line ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Stratiform Region ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Resolution Simulation

Abstract Simulations of a squall line observed on 20 May 2011 during the Midlatitude Continental Convective Clouds Experiment (MC3E) using 750- and 250-m horizontal grid spacing are performed. The higher-resolution simulation has less upshear-tilted deep convection and a more elevated rear inflow jet than the coarser-resolution simulation in better agreement with radar observations. A stronger cold pool eventually develops in the 250-m run; however, the more elevated rear inflow counteracts the cold pool circulation to produce more upright convective cores relative to the 750-m run. The differing structure in the 750-m run produces excessive midlevel front-to-rear detrainment, reinforcing excessive latent cooling and rear inflow descent at the rear of the stratiform region in a positive feedback. The contrasting mesoscale circulations are connected to early stage deep convective draft differences in the two simulations. Convective downdraft condensate mass, latent cooling, and downward motion all increase with downdraft area similarly in both simulations. However, the 750-m run has a relatively greater number of wide and fewer narrow downdrafts than the 250-m run averaged to the same 750-m grid, a consequence of downdrafts being under-resolved in the 750-m run. Under-resolved downdrafts in the 750-m run are associated with under-resolved updrafts and transport mid–upper-level zonal momentum downward to low levels too efficiently in the early stage deep convection. These results imply that under-resolved convective drafts in simulations may vertically transport air too efficiently and too far vertically, potentially biasing buoyancy and momentum distributions that impact mesoscale convective system evolution.

scholarly journals Seven-Doppler Radar and In Situ Analysis of the 25–26 June 2015 Kansas MCS during PECAN

2019 ◽  
Vol 148 (1) ◽  
pp. 211-240 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rachel L. Miller ◽  
Conrad L. Ziegler ◽  
Michael I. Biggerstaff
Keyword(s):  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Stable Layer ◽  
Kinematic Evolution ◽  
Stratiform Region ◽  
Stationary Front ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Convective Cells

Abstract This case study analyzes a nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) that was observed on 25–26 June 2015 in northeastern Kansas during the Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) project. Over the course of the observational period, a broken line of elevated nocturnal convective cells initiated around 0230 UTC on the cool side of a stationary front and subsequently merged to form a quasi-linear MCS that later developed strong, surface-based outflow and a trailing stratiform region. This study combines radar observations with mobile and fixed mesonet and sounding data taken during PECAN to analyze the kinematics and thermodynamics of the MCS from 0300 to 0630 UTC. This study is unique in that 38 consecutive multi-Doppler wind analyses are examined over the 3.5 h observation period, facilitating a long-duration analysis of the kinematic evolution of the nocturnal MCS. Radar analyses reveal that the initial convective cells and linear MCS are elevated and sustained by an elevated residual layer formed via weak ascent over the stationary front. During upscale growth, individual convective cells develop storm-scale cold pools due to pockets of descending rear-to-front flow that are measured by mobile mesonets. By 0500 UTC, kinematic analysis and mesonet observations show that the MCS has a surface-based cold pool and that convective line updrafts are ingesting parcels from below the stable layer. In this environment, the elevated system has become surface based since the cold pool lifting is sufficient for surface-based parcels to overcome the CIN associated with the frontal stable layer.

scholarly journals Dominant processes of extreme rainfall-producing mesoscale convective system over southeastern Korea: 7 July 2009 case

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (10) ◽  
pp. 6459-6489
Author(s):  
J.-H. Jeong ◽  
D.-I. Lee ◽  
C.-C. Wang ◽  
I.-S. Han
Keyword(s):  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Frontal Surface ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Outflow Boundary

Abstract. An extreme rainfall-producing mesoscale convective system (MCS) associated with the Changma front in southeastern Korea was investigated using observational data. This event recorded historic rainfall and led to devastating flash floods and landslides in the Busan metropolitan area on 7 July 2009. The aim of the present study is to analyze and better understand the synoptic and mesoscale environment, and the behavior of quasi-stationary MCS causing extreme rainfall. Synoptic and mesoscale analyses indicate that the MCS and heavy rainfall occurred association with a stationary front which resembled a warm front in structure. A strong southwesterly low-level jet (LLJ) transported warm and humid air and supplied the moisture toward the front, and the air rose upwards above the frontal surface. As the moist air was conditionally unstable, repeated upstream initiation of deep convection by back-building occurred at the coastline, while old cells moved downstream parallel to the convective line with training effect. Because the motion of convective cells nearly opposed the backward propagation, the system as a whole moved slowly. The back-building behavior was linked to the convectively produced cold pool and its outflow boundary, which played an essential role in the propagation and maintenance of the rainfall system. As a result, the quasi-stationary MCS caused a prolonged duration of heavy rainfall, leading to extreme rainfall over the Busan metropolitan area.

Initiation and Organizational Modes of an Extreme-Rain-Producing Mesoscale Convective System along a Mei-Yu Front in East China

2014 ◽  
Vol 142 (1) ◽  
pp. 203-221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Luo ◽  
Yu Gong ◽  
Da-Lin Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Spatial Scales ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Early Morning ◽  
East China ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Convective Initiation ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Extreme Rain ◽  
Convective Cells

Abstract The initiation and organization of a quasi-linear extreme-rain-producing mesoscale convective system (MCS) along a mei-yu front in east China during the midnight-to-morning hours of 8 July 2007 are studied using high-resolution surface observations and radar reflectivity, and a 24-h convection-permitting simulation with the nested grid spacing of 1.11 km. Both the observations and the simulation reveal that the quasi-linear MCS forms through continuous convective initiation and organization into west–east-oriented rainbands with life spans of about 4–10 h, and their subsequent southeastward propagation. Results show that the early convective initiation at the western end of the MCS results from moist southwesterly monsoonal flows ascending cold domes left behind by convective activity that develops during the previous afternoon-to-evening hours, suggesting a possible linkage between the early morning and late afternoon peaks of the mei-yu rainfall. Two scales of convective organization are found during the MCS's development: one is the east- to northeastward “echo training” of convective cells along individual rainbands, and the other is the southeastward “band training” of the rainbands along the quasi-linear MCS. The two organizational modes are similar within the context of “training” of convective elements, but they differ in their spatial scales and movement directions. It is concluded that the repeated convective backbuilding and the subsequent echo training along the same path account for the extreme rainfall production in the present case, whereas the band training is responsible for the longevity of the rainbands and the formation of the quasi-linear MCS.

scholarly journals Characteristics of mesoscale-convective-system-produced extreme rainfall over southeastern South Korea: 7 July 2009

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 927-939 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jong-Hoon Jeong ◽  
Dong-In Lee ◽  
Chung-Chieh Wang ◽  
In-Seong Han
Keyword(s):  
South Korea ◽  
Metropolitan Area ◽  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Frontal Surface ◽  
Mesoscale Convective

Abstract. An extreme-rainfall-producing mesoscale convective system (MCS) associated with the Changma front in southeastern South Korea was investigated using observational data. This event recorded historic rainfall and led to devastating flash floods and landslides in the Busan metropolitan area on 7 July 2009. The aim of the present study is to analyse the influences for the synoptic and mesoscale environment, and the reasons that the quasi-stationary MCS causes extreme rainfall. Synoptic and mesoscale analyses indicate that the MCS and heavy rainfall occurred in association with a stationary front which resembled a warm front in structure. A strong southwesterly low-level jet (LLJ) transported warm and humid air and supplied the moisture toward the front, and the air rose upwards above the frontal surface. As the moist air was conditionally unstable, repeated upstream initiation of deep convection by back-building occurred at the coastline, while old cells moved downstream parallel to the convective line with training effect. Because the motion of convective cells nearly opposed the backward propagation, the system as a whole moved slowly. The back-building behaviour was linked to the convectively generated cold pool and its outflow boundary, which played a role in the propagation and maintenance of the rainfall system. As a result, the quasi-stationary MCS caused a prolonged duration of heavy rainfall, leading to extreme rainfall over the Busan metropolitan area.

scholarly journals Study of Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCC) and its impact over the Makassar Strait (case study: 9 December 2014)

2021 ◽  
Vol 893 (1) ◽  
pp. 012021
Author(s):  
A Ni’amillah ◽  
P Ismail ◽  
E L Siadari ◽  
I J A Saragih
Keyword(s):  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Thermal Conditions ◽  
Cloud Formation ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Atmospheric Conditions ◽  
Weather Forecasts ◽  
South Sulawesi ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Convective Cells ◽  
The Impact

Abstract A mesoscale Convective System (MCS) is a system consisting of groups of convective cells in the mesoscale. One of the largest types of MCS subclass is Mesoscale Convective Complex (MCC) occurred in the eastern part of the Makassar Strait near the Madjene and Polewali Mandar regions on 9 December 2014, morning to evening (09.00-15.00 LT). Using MTSAT-2 Satellite Imagery data, reanalysis of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) interim era, the Global Satellite Mapping of Precipitation (GsMap) rainfall, sea surface temperature, surface air observation, and upper air observation, the author will examine the existence of MCC in the Makassar Strait in terms of atmospheric conditions when MCC enters the initial until extinct and the accompanying effects of precipitation. In general, it is known that the MCC formed in the waters of the Makassar Strait in the morning, and then it moved westward. The mechanism of its formation was through a process of convergence of the lower layers in the waters of the Makassar Strait and its surroundings to trigger the process of cloud formation. Warm thermal conditions also gave a big influence on the lower layers to the top and activate convective in the study area. Meanwhile, the MCC occurrence region also has high relative humidity, negative divergence values, and maximum vorticity values. The impact of the emergence of MCC on that date resulted in areas with very large humidity and cloud formation and produced rain in the surrounding area, in this case using rainfall data from Hasanuddin Meteorological Station, Makassar, South Sulawesi. With a duration of up to seven hours extinct, MCC in the Makassar Strait produces heavy rainfall in the Makassar Strait waters.

Mesoscale Processes Contributing to Extreme Rainfall in a Midlatitude Warm-Season Flash Flood

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (10) ◽  
pp. 3964-3986 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russ S. Schumacher ◽  
Richard H. Johnson
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Wave ◽  
Flash Flood ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Extreme Rainfall ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Moist Environment

Observations and numerical simulations are used to investigate the atmospheric processes that led to extreme rainfall and resultant destructive flash flooding in eastern Missouri on 6–7 May 2000. In this event, a quasi-stationary mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed near a preexisting mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) in a very moist environment that included a strong low-level jet (LLJ). This nocturnal MCS produced in excess of 300 mm of rain in a small area to the southwest of St. Louis, Missouri. Operational model forecasts and simulations using a convective parameterization scheme failed to produce the observed rainfall totals for this event. However, convection-permitting simulations using the Weather Research and Forecasting Model were successful in reproducing the quasi-stationary organization and evolution of this MCS. In both observations and simulations, scattered elevated convective cells were repeatedly initiated 50–75 km upstream before merging into the mature MCS and contributing to the heavy rainfall. Lifting provided by the interaction between the LLJ and the MCV assisted in initiating and maintaining the convection. Simulations indicate that the MCS was long lived despite the lack of a convectively generated cold pool at the surface. Instead, a nearly stationary low-level gravity wave helped to organize the convection into a quasi-linear system that was conducive to extreme local rainfall amounts. Idealized simulations of convection in a similar environment show that such a low-level gravity wave is a response to diabatic heating and that the vertical wind profile featuring a strong reversal of the wind shear with height is responsible for keeping the wave nearly stationary. In addition, the convective system acted to reintensify the midlevel MCV and also caused a distinct surface low pressure center to develop in both the observed and simulated system.

scholarly journals Mesoscale Features Associated with Tropical Cyclone Formations in the Western North Pacific

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (6) ◽  
pp. 2006-2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cheng-Shang Lee ◽  
Kevin K. W. Cheung ◽  
Jenny S. N. Hui ◽  
Russell L. Elsberry
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
North Pacific Ocean ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Synoptic Patterns ◽  
The Mean

Abstract The mesoscale features of 124 tropical cyclone formations in the western North Pacific Ocean during 1999–2004 are investigated through large-scale analyses, satellite infrared brightness temperature (TB), and Quick Scatterometer (QuikSCAT) oceanic wind data. Based on low-level wind flow and surge direction, the formation cases are classified into six synoptic patterns: easterly wave (EW), northeasterly flow (NE), coexistence of northeasterly and southwesterly flow (NE–SW), southwesterly flow (SW), monsoon confluence (MC), and monsoon shear (MS). Then the general convection characteristics and mesoscale convective system (MCS) activities associated with these formation cases are studied under this classification scheme. Convection processes in the EW cases are distinguished from the monsoon-related formations in that the convection is less deep and closer to the formation center. Five characteristic temporal evolutions of the deep convection are identified: (i) single convection event, (ii) two convection events, (iii) three convection events, (iv) gradual decrease in TB, and (v) fluctuating TB, or a slight increase in TB before formation. Although no dominant temporal evolution differentiates cases in the six synoptic patterns, evolutions ii and iii seem to be the common routes taken by the monsoon-related formations. The overall percentage of cases with MCS activity at multiple times is 63%, and in 35% of cases more than one MCS coexisted. Most of the MC and MS cases develop multiple MCSs that lead to several episodes of deep convection. These two patterns have the highest percentage of coexisting MCSs such that potential interaction between these systems may play a role in the formation process. The MCSs in the monsoon-related formations are distributed around the center, except in the NE–SW cases in which clustering of MCSs is found about 100–200 km east of the center during the 12 h before formation. On average only one MCS occurs during an EW formation, whereas the mean value is around two for the other monsoon-related patterns. Both the mean lifetime and time of first appearance of MCS in EW are much shorter than those developed in other synoptic patterns, which indicates that the overall formation evolution in the EW case is faster. Moreover, this MCS is most likely to be found within 100 km east of the center 12 h before formation. The implications of these results to internal mechanisms of tropical cyclone formation are discussed in light of other recent mesoscale studies.

scholarly journals Comprehensive Analysis of a Coast Thunderstorm That Produced a Sprite over the Bohai Sea

Atmosphere ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (6) ◽  
pp. 718
Author(s):  
Cong Pan ◽  
Jing Yang ◽  
Kun Liu ◽  
Yu Wang
Keyword(s):  
Bohai Sea ◽  
Mesoscale Convective System ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Return Stroke ◽  
Absolute Value ◽  
Transient Luminous Events ◽  
Stratiform Region ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Mesoscale Convective ◽  
Cloud To Ground Lightning

Sprites are transient luminous events (TLEs) that occur over thunderstorm clouds that represent the direct coupling relationship between the troposphere and the upper atmosphere. We report the evolution of a mesoscale convective system (MCS) that produced only one sprite event, and the characteristics of this thunderstorm and the related lightning activity are analyzed in detail. The results show that the parent flash of the sprite was positive cloud-to-ground lightning (+CG) with a single return stroke, which was located in the trailing stratiform region of the MCS with a radar reflectivity of 25 to 35 dBZ. The absolute value of the negative CG (−CG) peak current for half an hour before and after the occurrence of the sprite was less than 50 kA, which was not enough to produce the sprite. Sprites tend to be produced early in the maturity-to-dissipation stage of the MCS, with an increasing percentage of +CG to total CG (POP), indicating that the sprite production was the attenuation of the thunderstorm and the area of the stratiform region.

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