scholarly journals The Spacing of Orographic Rainbands Triggered by Small-Scale Topography

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (12) ◽  
pp. 4222-4245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kirshbaum ◽  
Richard Rotunno ◽  
George H. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Linear Model ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Windward Side ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Moist Convection ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Band Spacing ◽  
Orographic Cloud ◽  
Coastal Range

Abstract A combination of idealized numerical simulations and analytical theory is used to investigate the spacing between convective orographic rainbands over the Coastal Range of western Oregon. The simulations, which are idealized from an observed banded precipitation event over the Coastal Range, indicate that the atmospheric response to conditionally unstable flow over the mountain ridge depends strongly on the subridge-scale topographic forcing on the windward side of the ridge. When this small-scale terrain contains only a single scale (λ) of terrain variability, the band spacing is identical to λ, but when a spectrum of terrain scales are simultaneously present, the band spacing ranges between 5 and 10 km, a value that is consistent with observations. Based on the simulations, an inviscid linear model is developed to provide a physical basis for understanding the scale selection of the rainbands. This analytical model, which captures the transition from lee waves upstream of the orographic cloud to moist convection within it, reveals that the spacing of orographic rainbands depends on both the projection of lee-wave energy onto the unstable cap cloud and the growth rate of unstable perturbations within the cloud. The linear model is used in tandem with numerical simulations to determine the sensitivity of the band spacing to a number of environmental and terrain-related parameters.

scholarly journals Impact Assessment of Orography on the Extreme Precipitation Event of July 2010 over Pakistan: A Numerical Study

2015 ◽  
Vol 2015 ◽  
pp. 1-20 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khan Muhammad Tahir ◽  
Yan Yin ◽  
Yong Wang ◽  
Zaheer A. Babar ◽  
Dong Yan
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Extreme Event ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Temporal Distribution ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Windward Side ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Extreme Rainfall Event ◽  
Synoptic Conditions

The topography influences monsoon precipitation and gives rise to significant rainfall events in South Asia. The physical mechanism involved in such events includes mechanical uplifting, thermodynamics, small scale cloud processes, and large scale atmospheric circulations. The investigation into orographic precipitation is pursued by synoptic and model analysis. Deep convection occurs as warm moist airflow is channeling over steep mountains. WRF model coupled with Morrison double moment scheme is used to assess the relative impact of topography on extreme rainfall event of 26–30 July 2010 in Pakistan. Two sensitivity tests with full topography (CTL) and reduced topography by 50% (LOW) are carried out. Two distinct precipitation zones over Hindukush and Himalaya mountains are identified. The topographic changes significantly affect moisture divergence and spatial and temporal distribution of precipitation. A low level jet is created on windward side of big mountains, yielding enhanced moisture flux and instability. Eddy kinetic energy significantly changes with orographic height. Energy flux created further unstabilized atmosphere and deep convection, producing wide spread heavy rainfall in the area in Himalaya foothills. Under the set synoptic conditions, orographic orientation enhanced the moisture accumulation and deep convection, resulting in occurrence of this extreme event.

scholarly journals Spurious Convective Organization in Simulated Squall Lines Owing to Moist Absolutely Unstable Layers

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (7) ◽  
pp. 1978-1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
George H. Bryan
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Physical Environment ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Numerical Schemes ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Unstable Stratification ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
Squall Lines ◽  
Convective Organization

Abstract A spurious updraft pattern has been documented in some numerical simulations of squall lines. The pattern is notable because of a regular, repeating pattern of updrafts and downdrafts that are three–six grid lengths wide. This study examines the environmental and numerical conditions that lead to this problem. The spurious pattern is found only in simulations of upshear-tilted convective systems. Furthermore, the pattern coincides with deep (2–3 km) and wide (5–20 km) moist absolutely unstable layers (MAULs)—saturated layers of air that are statically unstable. In this physical environment, small-scale perturbations grow rapidly. The necessarily imperfect numerical schemes of the model introduce spurious small-scale perturbations into the MAULs, and these perturbations amplify owing to the unstable stratification. Some techniques are investigated that diffuse the perturbations or minimize their introduction in the statically unstable flow.

The Triggering of Orographic Rainbands by Small-Scale Topography

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (5) ◽  
pp. 1530-1549 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kirshbaum ◽  
George H. Bryan ◽  
Richard Rotunno ◽  
Dale R. Durran
Keyword(s):  
Flow Direction ◽  
Cross Flow ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Band Formation ◽  
Lee Waves ◽  
Lee Wave ◽  
Orographic Cloud

Abstract The triggering of convective orographic rainbands by small-scale topographic features is investigated through observations of a banded precipitation event over the Oregon Coastal Range and simulations using a cloud-resolving numerical model. A quasi-idealized simulation of the observed event reproduces the bands in the radar observations, indicating the model’s ability to capture the physics of the band-formation process. Additional idealized simulations reinforce that the bands are triggered by lee waves past small-scale topographic obstacles just upstream of the nominal leading edge of the orographic cloud. Whether a topographic obstacle in this region is able to trigger a strong rainband depends on the phase of its lee wave at cloud entry. Convective growth only occurs downstream of obstacles that give rise to lee-wave-induced displacements that create positive vertical velocity anomalies wc and nearly zero buoyancy anomalies bc as air parcels undergo saturation. This relationship is quantified through a simple analytic condition involving wc, bc, and the static stability N 2m of the cloud mass. Once convection is triggered, horizontal buoyancy gradients in the cross-flow direction generate circulations that align the bands parallel to the flow direction.

scholarly journals Mesoscale Predictability of an Extreme Warm-Season Precipitation Event

2006 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 149-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fuqing Zhang ◽  
Andrew M. Odins ◽  
John W. Nielsen-Gammon
Keyword(s):  
Small Amplitude ◽  
Warm Season ◽  
Forecast Model ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Forecast Errors ◽  
Moist Convection ◽  
Model Errors ◽  
Initial Errors ◽  
Probabilistic Forecasts

Abstract A mesoscale model is used to investigate the mesoscale predictability of an extreme precipitation event over central Texas on 29 June 2002 that lasted through 7 July 2002. Both the intrinsic and practical aspects of warm-season predictability, especially quantitative precipitation forecasts up to 36 h, were explored through experiments with various grid resolutions, initial and boundary conditions, physics parameterization schemes, and the addition of small-scale, small-amplitude random initial errors. It is found that the high-resolution convective-resolving simulations (with grid spacing down to 3.3 km) do not produce the best simulation or forecast. It was also found that both the realistic initial condition uncertainty and model errors can result in large forecast errors for this warm-season flooding event. Thus, practically, there is room to gain higher forecast accuracy through improving the initial analysis with better data assimilation techniques or enhanced observations, and through improving the forecast model with better-resolved or -parameterized physical processes. However, even if a perfect forecast model is used, small-scale, small-amplitude initial errors, such as those in the form of undetectable random noise, can grow rapidly and subsequently contaminate the short-term deterministic mesoscale forecast within 36 h. This rapid error growth is caused by moist convection. The limited deterministic predictability of such a heavy precipitation event, both practically and intrinsically, illustrates the need for probabilistic forecasts at the mesoscales.

scholarly journals Multiscale Mountain Waves Influencing a Major Orographic Precipitation Event

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 711-737 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew F. Garvert ◽  
Bradley Smull ◽  
Cliff Mass
Keyword(s):  
Mesoscale Model ◽  
Precipitation Forecast ◽  
Precipitation Event ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Second Phase ◽  
Mountain Waves ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Orographic Rainfall ◽  
Vertically Propagating ◽  
Horizontal Wavelength

Abstract This study combines high-resolution mesoscale model simulations and comprehensive airborne Doppler radar observations to identify kinematic structures influencing the production and mesoscale distribution of precipitation and microphysical processes during a period of heavy prefrontal orographic rainfall over the Cascade Mountains of Oregon on 13–14 December 2001 during the second phase of the Improvement of Microphysical Parameterization through Observational Verification Experiment (IMPROVE-2) field program. Airborne-based radar detection of precipitation from well upstream of the Cascades to the lee allows a depiction of terrain-induced wave motions in unprecedented detail. Two distinct scales of mesoscale wave–like air motions are identified: 1) a vertically propagating mountain wave anchored to the Cascade crest associated with strong midlevel zonal (i.e., cross barrier) flow, and 2) smaller-scale (<20-km horizontal wavelength) undulations over the windward foothills triggered by interaction of the low-level along-barrier flow with multiple ridge–valley corrugations oriented perpendicular to the Cascade crest. These undulations modulate cloud liquid water (CLW) and snow mixing ratios in the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–National Center for Atmospheric Research (PSU–NCAR) Mesoscale Model (MM5), with modeled structures comparing favorably to radar-documented zones of enhanced reflectivity and CLW measured by the NOAA P3 aircraft. Errors in the model representation of a low-level shear layer and the vertically propagating mountain waves are analyzed through a variety of sensitivity tests, which indicated that the mountain wave’s amplitude and placement are extremely sensitive to the planetary boundary layer (PBL) parameterization being employed. The effects of 1) using unsmoothed versus smoothed terrain and 2) the removal of upstream coastal terrain on the flow and precipitation over the Cascades are evaluated through a series of sensitivity experiments. Inclusion of unsmoothed terrain resulted in net surface precipitation increases of ∼4%–14% over the windward slopes relative to the smoothed-terrain simulation. Small-scale waves (<20-km horizontal wavelength) over the windward slopes significantly impact the horizontal pattern of precipitation and hence quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) accuracy.

Quasi-idealized numerical simulations of processes involved in orogenic convection initiation over the Sierras de Córdoba mountains

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher A. Davis
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Moist Convection ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Physical Mechanisms ◽  
Convergence Line ◽  
Synoptic Conditions ◽  
Deep Moist Convection ◽  
Outflow Boundary ◽  
Convection Initiation

Abstract The Sierras de Córdoba (SDC) mountain range in Argentina is a hotspot of deep moist convection initiation (CI). Radar climatology indicates that 44% of daytime CI events that occur near the SDC in spring and summer seasons and that are not associated with the passage of a cold front or an outflow boundary involve a northerly LLJ, and these events tend to preferentially occur over the southeast quadrant of the main ridge of the SDC. To investigate the physical mechanisms acting to cause CI, idealized convection-permitting numerical simulations with a horizontal grid spacing of 1 km were conducted using CM1. The sounding used for initializing the model featured a strong northerly LLJ, with synoptic conditions resembling those in a previously postulated conceptual model of CI over the region, making it a canonical case study. Differential heating of the mountain caused by solar insolation in conjunction with the low-level northerly flow sets up a convergence line on the eastern slopes of the SDC. The southern portion of this line experiences significant reduction in convective inhibition, and CI occurs over the SDC southeast quadrant. Thesimulated storm soon acquires supercellular characteristics, as observed. Additional simulations with varying LLJ strength also show CI over the southeast quadrant. A simulation without background flow generated convergence over the ridgeline, with widespread CI across the entire ridgeline. A simulation with mid- and upper-tropospheric westerlies removed indicates that CI is minimally influenced by gravity waves. We conclude that the low-level jet is sufficient to focus convection initiation over the southeast quadrant of the ridge.

2D and 2.5D Numerical Simulations for Vortex-Induced Vibration (VIV) of a 1.5:1 Rectangular Cylinder

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bowen Yan ◽  
Yangjin Yuan ◽  
Dalong Li ◽  
Ke Li ◽  
Qingshan Yang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wind Speed ◽  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Phase Difference ◽  
Vortex Shedding ◽  
Lift Force ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Aerodynamic Damping ◽  
Displacement Response ◽  
Wind Speeds ◽  
Rectangular Cylinder

The semi-periodic vortex-shedding phenomenon caused by flow separation at the windward corners of a rectangular cylinder would result in significant vortex-induced vibrations (VIVs). Based on the aeroelastic experiment of a rectangular cylinder with side ratio of 1.5:1, 2-dimensional (2D) and 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) numerical simulations of the VIV of a rectangular cylinder were comprehensively validated. The mechanism of VIV of the rectangular cylinder was in detail discussed in terms of vortex-induced forces, aeroelastic response, work analysis, aerodynamic damping ratio and flow visualization. The outcomes showed that the numerical results of aeroelastic displacement in the cross-wind direction and the vortex-shedding procedure around the rectangular cylinder were in general consistence with the experimental results by 2.5D numerical simulation. In both simulations, the phase difference between the lift and displacement response increased with the reduced wind speed and the vortex-induced resonance (VIR) disappeared at the phase difference of approximately 180∘. The work done by lift force shows a close relationship with vibration amplitudes at different reduced wind speeds. In 2.5D simulations, the lift force of the rectangular cylinder under different wind speeds would be affected by the presence of small-scale vortices in the turbulence flow field. Similarly, the phase difference between lift force and displacement response was not a constant with the same upstream wind speed. Aerodynamic damping identified from the VIV was mainly dependent on the reduced wind speed and negative damping ratios were revealed at the lock-in regime, which also greatly influenced the probability density function (PDF) of wind-induced displacement.

Metal Flow and Die Filling in Coining of Micro Structures with and without Flash

2005 ◽  
Vol 6-8 ◽  
pp. 631-638 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Thome ◽  
Gerhard Hirt ◽  
B. Rattay
Keyword(s):  
Numerical Simulations ◽  
Sheet Metal ◽  
Metal Forming ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Metal Flow ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Die Filling ◽  
Metal Plates ◽  
Micro Structures ◽  
Channel Structures

The continuing miniaturization of production systems and products poses a challenge for metal forming technologies to produce precise small scale products with microscopic geometric details. Thin metal plates with channel structures are considered to be typical examples for microfluidic applications [1,2]. In this study the coining process of sheet metal to produce channel and rib structures is examined in terms of geometrical die parameters and tool design. For this reason extensive experimental series and numerical simulations have been realized and evaluated.

Atmospheric Factors Governing Banded Orographic Convection

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (10) ◽  
pp. 3758-3774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel J. Kirshbaum ◽  
Dale R. Durran
Keyword(s):  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Heavy Precipitation ◽  
Thermal Fluctuations ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Vertical Shear ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Small Scale ◽  
Atmospheric Structure ◽  
Orographic Convection ◽  
Orographic Cloud

Abstract The three-dimensional structure of shallow orographic convection is investigated through simulations performed with a cloud-resolving numerical model. In moist flows that overcome a given topographic barrier to form statically unstable cap clouds, the organization of the convection depends on both the atmospheric structure and the mechanism by which the convection is initiated. Convection initiated by background thermal fluctuations embedded in the flow over a smooth mountain (without any small-scale topographic features) tends to be cellular and disorganized except that shear-parallel bands may form in flows with strong unidirectional vertical shear. The development of well-organized bands is favored when there is weak static instability inside the cloud and when the dry air surrounding the cloud is strongly stable. These bands move with the flow and distribute their cumulative precipitation evenly over the mountain upslope. Similar shear-parallel bands also develop in flows where convection is initiated by small-scale topographic noise superimposed onto the main mountain profile, but in this case stronger circulations are also triggered that create stationary rainbands parallel to the low-level flow. This second dominant mode, which is less sensitive to the atmospheric structure and the strength of forcing, is triggered by lee waves that form over small-scale topographic bumps near the upstream edge of the main orographic cloud. Due to their stationarity, these flow-parallel bands can produce locally heavy precipitation amounts.

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