Local Torrential Rainfall Event within a Mei-Yu Season Mesoscale Convective System:Importance of Back-Building Processes

An extreme rainfall event occurred over Hangzhou,China,during the afternoon hours on 24 June 2013.This event occurred under suitable synoptic conditions and the maximum 4-h cumulative rainfall amount was over 150 mm.This rainfall event had two major rainbands.One was caused by a quasi-stationary convective line,and the other by a backbuilding convective line related to the interaction of the outflow boundary from the first rainband and an existing low-level mesoscale convergence line associated with a mei-yu frontal system.The rainfall event lasted 4 h,while the back-building process occurred in 2 h when the extreme rainfall center formed.So far,few studies have examined the back-building processes in the mei-yu season that are caused by the interaction of a mesoscale convergence line and a convective cold pool.The two rainbands are successfully reproduced by the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model with fourlevel,two-way interactive nesting.In the model,new cells repeatedly occur at the west side of older cells,and the backbuilding process occurs in an environment with large CAPE,a low LFC,and plenty of water vapor.Outflows from older cells enhance the low-level convergence that forces new cells.High precipitation efficiency of the back-building training cells leads to accumulated precipitation of over 150 mm.Sensitivity experiments without evaporation of rainwater show that the convective cold pool plays an important role in the organization of the back-building process in the current extreme precipitation case.

Dominant Cloud Microphysical Processes of a Torrential Rainfall Event in Sichuan, China

High-resolution numerical simulation data of a rainstorm triggering debris flow in Sichuan Province of China simulated by the Weather Research and Forecasting （WRF） Model were used to study the dominant cloud microphysical processes of the torrential rainfall.The results showed that：（1） In the strong precipitation period,particle sizes of all hydrometeors increased,and mean-mass diameters of graupel increased the most significantly,as compared with those in the weak precipitation period; （2） The terminal velocity of raindrops was the strongest among all hydrometeors,followed by graupel＇s,which was much smaller than that of raindrops.Differences between various hydrometeors＇ terminal velocities in the strong precipitation period were larger than those in the weak precipitation period,which favored relative motion,collection interaction and transformation between the particles.Absolute terminal velocity values of raindrops and graupel were significantly greater than those of air upward velocity,and the stronger the precipitation was,the greater the differences between them were; （3） The orders of magnitudes of the various hydrometeors＇ sources and sinks in the strong precipitation period were larger than those in the weak precipitation period,causing a difference in the intensity of precipitation.Water vapor,cloud water,raindrops,graupel and their exchange processes played a major role in the production of the torrential rainfall,and there were two main processes via which raindrops were generated：abundant water vapor condensed into cloud water and,on the one hand,accretion of cloud water by rain water formed rain water,while on the other hand,accretion of cloud water by graupel formed graupel,and then the melting of graupel formed rain water.

Synoptic Characteristics Related to Warm-Sector Torrential Rainfall Events in South China During the Annually First Rainy Season

Warm-sector torrential rainfall(WSTR)events that occur in the annually first rainy season in south China are characterized by high rainfall intensity and low radar echo centroids.To understand the synoptic characteristics related to these features,16 WSTR events that occurred in 2013-2017 were examined with another 16 squall line(SL)events occurred during the same period as references.Composite analysis derived from ERA-Interim reanalysis data indicated the importance of the deep layer of warm and moist air for WSTR events.The most significant difference between WSTR and SL events lies in their low-level convergence and lifting;for WSTR events,the low-level convergence and lifting is much shallower with comparable or stronger intensity.The trumpet-shaped topography to the north of the WSTR centers is favorable for the development of such shallow convergences in WSTR events.Results in this study will provide references for future studies to improve the predictability of WSTR.

Energy Paths that Sustain the Warm-Sector Torrential Rainfall over South China and Their Contrasts to the Frontal Rainfall: A Case Study

Predicting warm-sector torrential rainfall over South China,which is famous for its destructive power,is one of the most challenging issues of the current numerical forecast field.Insufficient understanding of the key mechanisms underlying this type of event is the root cause.Since understanding the energetics is crucial to understanding the evolutions of various types of weather systems,a general methodology for investigating energetics of torrential rainfall is provided in this study.By applying this methodology to a persistent torrential rainfall event which had concurrent frontal and warm-sector precipitation,the first physical image on the energetics of the warm-sector torrential rainfall is established.This clarifies the energy sources for producing the warm-sector rainfall during this event.For the first time,fundamental similarities and differences between the warm-sector and frontal torrential rainfall are shown in terms of energetics.It is found that these two types of rainfall mainly differed from each other in the lower-tropospheric dynamical features,and their key differences lay in energy sources.Scale interactions(mainly through downscale energy cascade and transport)were a dominant factor for the warm-sector torrential rainfall during this event,whereas,for the frontal torrential rainfall,they were only of secondary importance.Three typical signals in the background environment are found to have supplied energy to the warm-sector torrential rainfall,with the quasi-biweekly oscillation having contributed the most.

Mesoscale Dynamics and Its Application in Torrential Rainfall Systems in China

Progress over the past decade in understanding moisture-driven dynamics and torrential rain storms in China is reviewed in this paper. First, advances in incorporating moisture effects more realistically into theory are described, including the development of a new parameter, generalized moist potential vorticity（GMPV） and an improved moist ageostrophic Q vector（Qum）. Advances in vorticity dynamics are also described, including the adoption of a ＂parcel dynamic＂ approach to investigate the development of the vertical vorticity of an air parcel; a novel theory of slantwise vorticity development, proposed because vorticity develops easily near steep isentropic surfaces; and the development of the convective vorticity vector（CVV）as an effective new tool. The significant progress in both frontal dynamics and wave dynamics is also summarized, including the geostrophic adjustment of initial unbalanced flow and the dual role of boundary layer friction in frontogenesis, as well as the interaction between topography and fronts, which indicate that topographic perturbations alter both frontogenesis and frontal structure. For atmospheric vortices, mixed wave/vortex dynamics has been extended to explain the propagation of spiral rainbands and the development of dynamical instability in tropical cyclones. Finally, we review wave and basic flow interaction in torrential rainfall, for which it was necessary to extend existing theory from large-scale flows to mesoscale fields, enriching our knowledge of mesoscale atmospheric dynamics.

A Modeling Study of Surface Rainfall Processes Associated with a Torrential Rainfall Event over Hubei,China,during July 2007

The surface rainfall processes associated with the torrential rainfall event over Hubei,China,during July 2007 were investigated using a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model.The model integrated the large-scale vertical velocity and zonal wind data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction（NCEP）/Global Data Assimilation System（GDAS） for 5 days.The time and model domain mean surface rain rate was used to identify the onset,mature,and decay periods of rainfall.During the onset period,the descending motion data imposed in the lower troposphere led to a large contribution of stratiform rainfall to the model domain mean surface rainfall.The local atmospheric drying and transport of rain from convective regions mainly contributes to the stratiform rainfall.During the mature periods,the ascending motion data integrated into the model was so strong that water vapor convergence was the dominant process for both convective and stratiform rainfall.Both convective and stratiform rainfalls made important contributions to the model domain mean surface rainfall.During the decay period,descending motion data input into the model prevailed,making stratiform rainfall dominant.Stratiform rainfall was mainly caused by the water vapor convergence over raining stratiform regions.

Mesoscale Diagnosis of a Torrential Rainfall Caused by a Tropical Depression

On August 5, 2001, Shanghai was struck by a torrential rainfall due to thepassage of a tropical depression (TD). The rainfall intensity has been the strongest in recent 50years. In this paper, a set of mesoscale re-analyses data and the planetary boundary layerobservation from a wind profiler are used to understand the possible mechanism of such a heavy rain.Results show that the outburst of a southerly jet in the lower atmosphere triggered the explosivedevelopment of cyclonically vertical vorticity in the region with steep potential temperaturesurfaces in front of the TD; while the cyclonic vorticity increased notably at higher levels due tpthe small atmospheric vertical stability of westerly currents in the vicinity of Shanghai. Thesimultaneous sharp development of cyclonic vorticity at different levels should be the main causefor the torrential rainfall.

Role of a Meso-γ Vortex in Meiyu Torrential Rainfall over the Hangzhou Bay,China:An Observational Study

A mesoscale torrential rainfall event that occurred over eastern China in June 2013 is analyzed by using observational data.The results show that a mesoscale convergence line and a weak convective cloud line formed over the northern part of the Hangzhou Bay during the onset of the torrential rainfall event.A meso-vortex appeared over the confluence point of northeasterly flow associated with the Yellow-Sea high,easterly flow from rainfall area,and southeasterly flow from the Hangzhou Bay.The meso-vortex with a horizontal scale of 10-20 km lasted for about 1 h for stable surface circulations.The analysis of radar retrieval reveals that the meso-vortex in the boundary layer occurred at the south of strong radar echo.The formation of the meso-vortex turned to enhance convergence and cyclonic vorticity in the lower troposphere,which strengthened updrafts that are tilted into convective clouds and caused torrential rainfall.Thus,the occurrence of the meso-vortex in boundary layer is one of the mechanisms that are responsible for the enhancement of convective development.

Q Vector Analysis of Torrential Rainfall from Meiyu Front Cyclone:A Case Study

Following similar derivation of quasi-geostrophic Q vector （Q^C）, a new Q vector （Q^N） is constructed in this study. Their difference is that the geostrophic wind in quasi-geostrophic Q vector is replaced by the wind in Q^N vector. The diagnostic analysis of Q^N vector is compared with that of Q^G vector in the case study of a typical Meiyu front cyclone （MYFC） occurred over Changjiang-Huaihe regions during 5-6 July 1991. The results show that the Q^N vector has more diagnostic advantages than Q^G vector does. Convergence of Q^N vector at 700 hPa is found to be a good indicator to mimic the horizontal distribution of precipitation. Q^N vector is further partitioned into four components： Q^Nalst （along-stream stretching）,Q^Ncurv （curvature）,Q^Nshdv （shear advection）, and Q^Ncrst （cross-stream stretching） in a natural coordinate system with isohypse （PG partitioning）. The application of Q^N PG partitioning in the MYFC torrential rain indicates that PG partitioning of Q can identify dominant physical processes. The horizontal distribution of 2V·Q^Nalst is similar to that of 2V·Q^N and mainly accounts for 2V·Q^N during the entire period of Meiyu. The effects of Q^Ncurv on rainfall enhancement fade from the mature stage to decay stage. Qshdv enhances precipitation significantly as the MYFC develops, and the effect weakens rapidly when the MYFC decays during its eastward propagation. Q^Ncrst shows little impacts on rainfall during the onset and mature phases whereas it displays significant role during the decay phase.Q^N alst and Q^Nshdv and Q^Ncrst show cancellation only during the decay period.

Cloud Microphysical Budget Associated with Torrential Rainfall During the Landfall of Severe Tropical Storm Bilis (2006)

Effects of vertical wind shear, radiation, and ice clouds on cloud microphysical budget associated with torrential rainfall during landfall of severe tropical storm Bilis （2006） are investigated by using a series of analysis of two-day grid-scale sensitivity experiment data. When upper-tropospheric upward motions and lower-tropospheric downward motions occur on 15 July 2006, the removal of vertical wind shear and ice clouds increases rainfall contributions from the rainfall type （CM） associated with positive net condensation and hydrometeor loss/convergence, whereas the exclusion of cloud radiative effects and cloud-radiation in- teraction reduces rainfall contribution from CM. The elimination of vertical wind shear and cloud-radiation interaction increases rainfall contribution from the rainfall type （Cm） associated with positive net conden- sation and hydrometeor gain/divergence, but the removal of cloud radiative effects and ice clouds decreases rainfall contribution from Cm. The enhancements in rainfall contribution from the rainfall type （cM） as- sociated with negative net condensation and hydrometeor loss/convergence are caused by the exclusion of cloud radiative effects, cloud-radiation interaction and ice clouds, whereas the reduction in rainfall contri- bution from cM results from the removal of vertical wind shear. When upward motions appear throughout the troposphere on 16 July, the exclusion of all these effects increases rainfall contribution from CM, but generally decreases rainfall contributions from Cm and cM.

CLOUD RADIATIVE AND MICROPHYSICAL EFFECTS ON THE RELATION BETWEEN SPATIAL MEAN RAIN RATE, RAIN INTENSITY AND FRACTIONAL RAINFALL COVERAGE

Cloud radiative and microphysical effects on the relation between spatial mean rain rate, rain intensity and fractional rainfall coverage are investigated in this study by conducting and analyzing a series of two-dimensional cloud resolving model sensitivity experiments of pre-summer torrential rainfall in June 2008. The analysis of time-mean data shows that the exclusion of radiative effects of liquid clouds reduces domain mean rain rate by decreasing convective rain rate mainly through the reduced convective-rainfall area associated with the strengthened hydrometeor gain in the presence of radiative effects of ice clouds, whereas it increases domain mean rain rate by enhancing convective rain rate mainly via the intensified convective rain intensity associated with the enhanced net condensation in the absence of radiative effects of ice clouds. The removal of radiative effects of ice clouds decreases domain mean rain rate by reducing stratiform rain rate through the suppressed stratiform rain intensity related to the suppressed net condensation in the presence of radiative effects of liquid clouds, whereas it increases domain mean rain rate by strengthening convective rain rate mainly via the enhanced convective rain intensity in response to the enhanced net condensation in the absence of radiative effects of liquid clouds. The elimination of microphysical effects of ice clouds suppresses domain mean rain rate by reducing stratiform rain rate through the reduced stratiform-rainfall area associated with severely reduced hydrometeor loss.

A Modified Moist Ageostrophic Q Vector

The quasi-geostrophic Q vector is an important rainfall associated with large-scale weather systems diagnostic tool for studying development of surface and is calculated using data at single vertical level. When ageostrophic Q vector was introduced, it required data at two vertical levels. In this study, moist ageostrophic Q vector is modified so that it can be calculated using data at a single vertical level. The comparison study between the original and modified moist ageostrophic Q vectors is conducted using the data from 5 to 6 July 1991 during the torrential rainfall event associated with the Changjiang-Huaihe mei-yu front in China. The results reveal that divergences of original and modified moist ageostrophic Q vectors have similar horizontal distributions and their centers are almost located in the precipitation centers. This indicates that modified moist ageostrophic Q vector can be used to diagnose convective development with reasonable accuracy.

Analysis of a Heavy Rainfall Event over Beijing During 21-22 July2012 Based on High Resolution Model Analyses and Forecasts

The heaviest rainfall over 61 yr hit Beijing during 21-22 July 2012.Characterized by great rainfall amount and intensity,wide range,and high impact,this record-breaking heavy rainfall caused dozens of deaths and extensive damage.Despite favorable synoptic conditions,operational forecasts underestimated the precipitation amount and were late at predicting the rainfall start time.To gain a better understanding of the performance of mesoscale models,verification of high-resolution forecasts and analyses from the WRFbased BJ-RUCv2.0 model with a horizontal grid spacing of 3 km is carried out.The results show that water vapor is very rich and a quasi-linear precipitation system produces a rather concentrated rain area.Moreover,model forecasts are first verified statistically using equitable threat score and BIAS score.The BJ-RUCv2.0forecasts under-predict the rainfall with southwestward displacement error and time delay of the extreme precipitation.Further quantitative analysis based on the contiguous rain area method indicates that major errors for total precipitation（〉 5 mm h^（-1）） are due to inaccurate precipitation location and pattern,while forecast errors for heavy rainfall（〉 20 mm h^（-1）） mainly come from precipitation intensity.Finally,the possible causes for the poor model performance are discussed through diagnosing large-scale circulation and physical parameters（water vapor flux and instability conditions） of the BJ-RUCv2.0 model output.

KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF TYPHOON POLLY (No.9216)

We partition the observed wind field into rotational and divergent wind fields to analyze the stream field of Ty- phoon Polly (No.9216),which landed on 31 August 1992 and caused severe weather and large damage in the eastern China.The results indicate that the preservation of typhoon intensity after landing and the heavy rainfall took place on the northern periphery of typhoon are due to the strong divergent winds on the regions of low level jet (LLJ) and high level jet (HLJ) around the typhoon.The direction of divergent winds in the LLJ is perpendicular to the observed wind. But,the direction of divergent winds around the HLJ axis is parallel to the observed winds.The stream function and the rotational wind corresponding to the horizontal vorticity display the vertical circulation associated with the heavy rain, which is stronger than the vertical circulation around the typhoon center.The three-dimensional trajectories exhibit the warm and moist air parcels of LLJ traveling northward into the heavy rainfall region and ascending,then turning eastward in the HLJ.