Influence of Irregular Coastlines on a Tornadic Mesovortex in the Pearl River Delta during the Monsoon Season. Part Ⅰ:Pre-storm Environment and Storm Evolution

The Pearl River Delta(PRD),a tornado hotspot,forms a distinct trumpet-shaped coastline that concaves toward the South China Sea.During the summer monsoon season,low-level southwesterlies over the PRD’s sea surface tend to be turned toward the west coast,constituting a convergent wind field along with the landward-side southwesterlies,which influences regional convective weather.This two-part study explores the roles of this unique land–sea contrast of the trumpet-shaped coastline in the formation of a tornadic mesovortex within monsoonal flows in this region.Part I primarily presents observational analyses of pre-storm environments and storm evolutions.The rotating storm developed in a lowshear environment(not ideal for a supercell)under the interactions of three air masses under the influence of the land–sea contrast,monsoon,and storm cold outflows.This intersection zone(or“triple point”)is typically characterized by local enhancements of ambient vertical vorticity and convergence.Based on a rapid-scan X-band phased-array radar,finger-like echoes were recognized shortly after the gust front intruded on the triple point.Developed over the triple point,they rapidly wrapped up with a well-defined low-level mesovortex.It is thus presumed that the triple point may have played roles in the mesovortex genesis,which will be demonstrated in Part II with multiple sensitivity numerical simulations.The findings also suggest that when storms pass over the boundary intersection zone in the PRD,the expected possibility of a rotating storm occurring is relatively high,even in a low-shear environment.Improved knowledge of such environments provides additional guidance to assess the regional tornado risk.

Forecasting tropical cyclone tornadoes and impacts:Report from IWTC-X

This report synthesizes global tropical cyclone(TC)tornado research and operational practices to date.Tornadoes are one of the secondary(and lesser researched)hazards contributing to the devastation TCs leave in their wake.While gale-force winds and storm surge produce the majority of damage and fatalities globally,TC tornadoes also pose a fatal threat,complicating evacuation plans and protective actions as the storm moves inland.Climatological studies characterize TC-spawned tornadoes as usually weak and short-lived,primarily originating from miniature supercells in the outer rainbands.These tornadic features pose challenges to forecasting and radar detection.Additionally,TC tornadoes can pose a threat to communities 12 h prior to and beyond 48 h after a TC makes landfall.Research,both basic and operational,has increased globally over the last few years in efforts to move from a climatological to ingredientsbased approach to detect and forecast TC tornadoes.While the United States has led the charge,given the increased exposure to tornadoes year round,other nations such as China,Japan,and Australia have increased their efforts to record and detect TC tornadoes.Despite these advancements,more work needs to be done globally to understand the TC environment conducive for tornadic activity.Recommendations for future forecasting and research for TC tornadoes include i)develop a comprehensive global tornado database to improve research and forecasting efforts;ii)apply innovative technology to detect tornadoes;and iii)conduct field campaigns to thoroughly sample TC tornado environments,particularly along coastlines.

Understanding the precipitation mechanism of copper-bearing phases in Al-Mg-Si system during thermo-mechanical treatment

Al-Mg-Si alloys(6000 series)exhibit a promising prospect as conductive materials due to their high specific strength,high electrical conductivity,excellent formability,good weldability,corrosion resistance and relatively low cost[1-3].These optimum properties are largely attributed to the formation of small-sized,coherent or semi-coherent and metastable phases brought by aging treatment[1,4].