Microphysical Characteristics of Precipitation during Pre-monsoon,Monsoon, and Post-monsoon Periods over the South China Sea

Raindrop size distribution (RSD) characteristics over the South China Sea (SCS) are examined with onboard Parsivel disdrometer measurements collected during marine surveys from 2012 to 2016. The observed rainfall is divided into premonsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods based on the different large-scale circumstances. In addition to disdrometer data, sounding observation, FY-2E satellite, SPRINTARS (Spectral Radiation-Transport Model for Aerosol Species), and NCEP reanalysis datasets are used to illustrate the dynamical and microphysical characteristics associated with the rainfall in different periods. Significant variations have been observed in respect of raindrops among the three periods. Intercomparison reveals that small drops (D < 1 mm) are prevalent during pre-monsoon precipitation, whereas medium drops (1?3 mm) are predominant in monsoon precipitation. Overall, the post-monsoon precipitation is characterized by the least concentration of raindrops among the three periods. But, several large raindrops could also occur due to severe convective precipitation events in this period. Classification of the precipitation into stratiform and convective regimes shows that the lg(Nw) value of convective rainfall is the largest (smallest) in the pre-monsoon (post-monsoon) period, whereas the Dm value is the smallest (largest) in the pre-monsoon (post-monsoon) period. An inversion relationship between the coefficient A and the exponential b of the Z?R relationships for precipitation during the three periods is found. Empirical relations between Dm and the radar reflectivity factors at Ku and Ka bands are also derived to improve the rainfall retrieval algorithms over the SCS. Furthermore, the possible causative mechanisms for the significant RSD variability in different periods are also discussed with respect to warm and cold rain processes, raindrop evaporation, convective activities, and other meteorological factors.

Light-scattering model for aerosol particles with irregular shapes and inhomogeneous compositions using a parallelized pseudo-spectral time-domain technique

To improve the modeling accuracy of radiative transfer,the scattering properties of aerosol particles with irregular shapes and inhomogeneous compositions should be simulated accurately.To this end,a light-scattering model for nonspherical particles is established based on the pseudo-spectral time domain(PSTD)technique.In this model,the perfectly matched layer with auxiliary differential equation(ADE-PML),an excellent absorption boundary condition(ABC)in the finite difference time domain generalized for the PSTD,and the weighted total field/scattered field(TF/SF)technique is employed to introduce the incident light into 3 D computational domain.To improve computational efficiency,the model is further parallelized using the Open MP technique.The modeling accuracy of the PSTD scheme is validated against Lorenz–Mie,Aden–Kerker,T-matrix theory and DDA for spheres,inhomogeneous particles and nonspherical particles,and the influence of the spatial resolution and thickness of ADE-PML on the modeling accuracy is discussed as well.Finally,the parallel computational efficiency of the model is also analyzed.The results show that an excellent agreement is achieved between the results of PSTD and well-tested scattering models,where the simulation errors of extinction efficiencies are generally smaller than 1%,indicating the high accuracy of our model.Despite its low spatial resolution,reliable modeling precision can still be achieved by using the PSTD technique,especially for large particles.To suppress the electromagnetic wave reflected by the absorption layers,a six-layer ADE-PML should be set in the computational domain at least.

Review of Chinese atmospheric science research over the past 70 years: Atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment

Since the founding of the People’s Republic of China 70 years ago,the subject of atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment has developed rapidly in China,providing important support for the development of atmospheric science and guarantee for the development of national economy.In this paper,the general advancement of atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment in last 70 years was described.The main research progress of atmospheric physics and atmospheric environment in the past 40 years of reform and opening-up was reviewed,the outstanding research achievements since the 21 st century were summarized,the major problems and challenges are pointed out,and the key directions and suggestions for future development are put forward.