ANALYSIS OF MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS ASSOCIATED WITH A WARM-SECTOR RAINSTORM EVENT OVER SOUTH CHINA

With multiple meteorological data, including precipitation from automatic weather stations, integrated satellite-based precipitation (CMORPH), brightness temperature (TBB), radar echoes and NCEP reanalysis, a rainstorm event, which occurred on May 26, 2007 over South China, is analyzed with the focus on the evolution characteristics of associated mesoscale-β convective systems (Mβcss). Results are shown as follows. (1) The rainstorm presents itself as a typical warm-sector event, for it occurs within a surface inverted trough and on the left side of a southwesterly low-level jet (LLJ), which shows no obvious features of baroclinicity. (2) The heavy rainfall event is directly related to at least three bodies of Mβcss with peak precipitation corresponding well to their mature stages. (3) The Mβcss manifest a backward propagation, which is marked with a new form of downstream convection different from the more usual type of forward propagation over South China, i.e., new convective systems mainly form at the rear part of older Mβcss. (4) Rainstorm-causing Mβcss form near the convergence region on the left side of an 850-hPa southwesterly LLJ, over which there are dominantly divergent air flows at 200 hPa. Different from the typical flow pattern of outward divergence off the east side of South Asia High, which is usually found to be over zones of heavy rains during the annually first rainy season of South China, this warm-sector heavy rain is below the divergence region formed between the easterly and southerly flows west of the South Asian High that is moving out to sea. (5) The LLJ transports abundant amount of warm and moist air to the heavy rainfall area, providing advantageous conditions for highly unstable energy to generate and store at middle and high levels, where corresponding low-level warm advection may be playing a more direct role in the development of Mβcss. As a triggering mechanism for organized convective systems, the effect of low-level warm advection deserves more of our attention. Based on the analysis of surface mesoscale airflow in the article, possible triggering mechanisms for Mβcss are also discussed.

Impact of EnKF assimilating Himawari-8 all-sky infrared radiance on the forecasting of a warm-sector rainstorm event

Warm-sector rainstorms are highly localized events, with weather systems and triggering mechanisms are not obvious,leading to limited forecasting capabilities in numerical models. Based on the ensemble Kalman filter(PSU-En KF) assimilation system and the regional mesoscale model WRF, this study conducted a simulation experiment assimilating all-sky infrared(IR)radiance for a warm-sector rainstorm in East China and investigated the positive impact of assimilating the Himawari-8 moisture channel all-sky IR radiance on the forecast of the rainstorm. Results indicate that hourly cycling assimilation of all-sky IR radiance can significantly improve the forecast accuracy of this warm-sector rainstorm. There is a notable increase in the Threat Score(TS), with the simulated location and intensity of the 3-hour precipitation aligning more closely with observations. These improvements result from the assimilation of cloud-affected radiance, which introduces more mesoscale convective information into the model's initial fields. The adjustments include enhancements to the moisture field, such as increased humidity and moisture transport, and modifications to the wind field, including the intrusion of mid-level cold air and the strengthening of lowlevel convergent shear. These factors are critical in improving the forecast of this warm-sector rainstorm event.

Forecast Error and Predictability for the Warm-sector and the Frontal Rainstorm in South China

In south China, warm-sector rainstorms are significantly different from the traditional frontal rainstorms due to complex mechanism, which brings great challenges to their forecast. In this study, based on ensemble forecasting, the high-resolution mesoscale numerical forecast model WRF was used to investigate the effect of initial errors on a warmsector rainstorm and a frontal rainstorm under the same circulation in south China, respectively. We analyzed the sensitivity of forecast errors to the initial errors and their evolution characteristics for the warm-sector and the frontal rainstorm. Additionally, the difference of the predictability was compared via adjusting the initial values of the GOOD member and the BAD member. Compared with the frontal rainstorm, the warm-sector rainstorm was more sensitive to initial error, which increased faster in the warm-sector. Furthermore, the magnitude of error in the warm-sector rainstorm was obviously larger than that of the frontal rainstorm, while the spatial scale of the error was smaller. Similarly, both types of the rainstorm were limited by practical predictability and inherent predictability, while the nonlinear increase characteristics occurred to be more distinct in the warm-sector rainstorm, resulting in the lower inherent predictability.The comparison between the warm-sector rainstorm and the frontal rainstorm revealed that the forecast field was closer to the real situation derived from more accurate initial errors, but only the increase rate in the frontal rainstorm was restrained evidently.

Relationship between Regional Rainstorm Index and Flood Disaster Ratio of Crop

According to the daily precipitation data in Beijing area from 1985 to 2008,rainstorm weather index （10.4-38.8 mm） and climate index （daily precipitation ≥27.5 mm） in Beijing area were obtained by using the determination method of extreme climate event index recommended by IPCC. Based on rainstorm weather index,rainstorm climate index and national rainstorm standard,the number of rainstorm days and rainfall amount in past years were calculated,and the correlation of annual number of rainy days,rainstorm days,precipitation and rainstorm amount with the flood disaster ratio of crop was analyzed,and the results showed that annual number of rainy days and rainstorm days couldn＇t reflect flood disaster ratio of crop truly,while annual precipitation and rainstorm amount had obvious linear positive correlation with the flood disaster ratio of crop. In addition,the correlation degree between rainstorm amount calculated by regional climate index and flood disaster ratio of crop was the highest,so it was suggested that rainstorm amount calculated by regional rainstorm climate index could be used to predict and evaluate flood disaster.

Occurrence Mechanism of A Local Rainstorm in the Northwest of Hubei Province

A rare local rainstorm weather in the midsummer rainy weather process appeared in the northwest of Hubei Province during July 8-13,2009.The circulation situation,the contributions of dynamic,thermal force and water vapor to this strong precipitation in this process were discussed.The results showed that the cold air which was brought by Lake Balkis cold vortex was the trigger mechanism of local rainstorm,and Lake Baikal low pressure provided the foreign dynamic for the adjustment of East Asia circulation.When the rainstorm occurred,the divergence in the divergence field had the strong 'pumping effect' in the high altitude.The warm wet airflow in the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea was the water vapor source of rainstorm.The falling zone of rainstorm appeared in the front of energy frontal zone,and the axis line in the top of high-energy tongue deviated to the side of cold air.Q vector divergence and the negative value zone of water vapor helicity had the important indication effect for the short-term forecast of local rainstorm.

Forecast and Analysis of the Rainstorm in Liaoyang on July 15^(th),2008

By using observation data,numerical forecast product and non-conventional observation data,the process of a rainstorm happened on July 15th,2008 was analyzed. The evolution process of situation field and the prediction error by numerical forecast products were mainly analyzed. Some local indices for forecasting rainstorm were obtained,so as to guide rainstorm prediction in the future.

Dry Intrusion Analysis of A Heavy Rainstorm in Southern Shaanxi

[Objective] One regional rainstorm weather in the south area of Shaanxi was expounded.[Method] By employing the NCEP/NCAR 1°×1°reanalysis data,routine observation and automatic precipitation station data,the large scale circulation background field of regional precipitation in the south area of Shaanxi province from July 16-18 in 2010 was expounded.By dint of physical quantity such as the meridional wind,relative humidity and false relative temperature,the characteristics of dry intrusion and its role in rainstorm were expounded.[Result] The mild and high latitude at 500 hPa was stable.The continental high pressure and subtropical high pressure were stable.The 700 and 850 hPa shear lines or low vortexes were the main influence system that resulted into large scale of rainstorm in south Shaanxi.The landing typhoon had distinct influences on the importance of storm.The influence of typhoon and subtropical high was mutual.It not only formed and strengthened the torrent in the low air,also transmitted water vapor and energy incessantly to the south area of Shaanxi,playing an important role in augment of rainstorm.There were two distinct dry intrusions in the rainstorm process,showing a dense dry layer in the high layer of convective layer.The existence of dry layer was conductive to the accumulation of convective unstable energy in the low layer.The release of convective unstable energy could transmit warm and wet airstream in the low level to the higher level,being conductive to the occurrence of precipitation.The analysis of θse in the warp direction vertical profile suggested that there was frontal zone in this rainstorm process and the dry air activity in this rainstorm process was very strong.[Conclusion] The study provided theoretical reference to the forecast in future.

Analysis on the Formation Reason of Regional Rainstorm in Shandong Province during July 8-9,2009

By using the data which included the conventional weather chart,the satellite cloud image,the regional automatic meteorological station and the new generation of weather radar,the regional strong precipitation process which happened in Shandong Province during July 8-9 in 2009 was analyzed comprehensively.The results showed that Shandong Province was in the strong convergence zone of atmospheric vorticity in the low layer and the ascent zone of vertical velocity.The shear line was generated in the eastward process of northwest vortex,and the ground inverted trough extended to Shandong,which provided the dynamic condition for the formation of rainstorm.The coupling of jet stream in the high-low altitude enhanced the development of convection.The low-altitude jet stream was the main water vapor transportation channel,which provided the water vapor condition for the generation of rainstorm.The water vapor was mainly from the South China Sea and the Bay of Bengal.

Analysis on A Rainstorm and Convective Weather Process

By using NCEP reanalysis data and the routine observation data,a rainstorm and convective weather process which occurred in Tianjin was analyzed.The results showed that the rainstorm occurred in the favorable large scale circulation background.The sounding analysis and the physical quantity field analysis could reveal the plentiful water vapor supply condition.The rainstorm had the obvious concomitance relationship with the low level jet.Meanwhile,the existence of warm ridge on the ground was the important condition of convective weather occurrence.

Climatic Characteristics Analysis of Flood-producing Rainstorm in Duhe River Basin

Based on the data from 1998 to 2005,area rainfall,flow of main hydrologic stations in Duhe River and upstream water level of the dam of Huanglongtan Reservoir in the lower reaches of Duhe River were analyzed,and the standard of flood-producing rainstorm in Duhe River was given,while temporal and spatial distribution and circulation flow situation characteristic of flood-producing rainstorm in Duhe River were studied.The results showed that the flood-producing rainstorm in Duhe River was mainly continuous intensive precipitation with the characteristic of long duration.There was most rainfall in Zhuxiquan River,Zhushanguandu River and southwest part of the middle and upper reaches of Duhe River,and next came Zhuxi River.Flood-producing rainstorm occurred in Duhe River with some favorable circulation features.For example,it was more favorable in the west Pacific subtropical high,and the convergence zone at northeast-southwest direction was formed between subtropical high and continental high pressure at 700 hPa,while southwest vortex moved eastward.Low pressure system at 850 hPa in south part of plateau developed and moved eastward to Chongqing region and formed low vortex or shear near Duhe River basin.Moreover,the characteristics of physical quantity field were analyzed,the results showed that temperature in plateau area and the south area of Duhe River basin increased obviously before rainstorm,and east pathway was the main path of cold air which affected flood-producing rainstorm in Duhe River.There was a θse intensive belt with NEE-SWW direction at 30°-40° N at 925-500 hPa,and moisture convergence was beneficial to the occurrence of rainstorm in Duhe River.

Temporal and Spatial Characteristics of Rainstorm during the Crops Growth Period in North China Region

By using the daily precipitation data from 1961 to 2005 in North China region,the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of rainstorm process occurrence and the rainstorm intensity during the crops growth period were studied.The results showed that the rainstorm intensity and the rainstorm process during the crops growth period in North China region both had the obvious annual fluctuations and era variation characteristics.Although the rainstorm and heavy rainstorm occurred in North China region every year,the annual variations were great,and the variation coefficients respectively reached 36.9% and 53.1%.The torrential rain occurred once in every 4-5 years,and the rainstorm process occurred once in every 11 years.Although the torrential rain and rainstorm process occurred in fewer years,their annual fluctuations were more obvious.The peak value zones of rainstorm intensity which was greater and the rainstorm process which occurred frequently were in the 1960s.After 1999,the rainstorm intensity and the rainstorm process were in low value zone of historical stage from 1961 to 2005.Moreover,the 1970s-1990s was between high value and low value,and the rainstorms in different intensities which weren't synchronous happened in the period.In addition,the spatial distribution of annual average rainstorm days presented the tendency which increased obviously from northwest to southeast in Northern China,and the variation coefficient of rainstorm days presented the tendency which increased gradually from southeast to northwest.Generally,the more the annual average rainstorm days are,the smaller the variation coefficient is,and vice versa.The statistics results also showed that precipitation in North China had obvious positive correlation relationship with the rainstorm days.

Analysis on A Rainstorm Type Landslide Disaster in Wanning

Due to the common influence of tropical depression,the low pressure trough and the cold air,the strong precipitation synoptic process occurred in Hainan Island on October 22,2009.It caused that the landslide geological disaster happened in several spots in the eastern line highway.By analyzing on the generation reason of landslide,it gained that the landslide which happened in several spots in the eastern line highway was caused by the common effect of special topographical condition,strong wind and rainstorm.The strong precipitation and strong wind which were generated by the tropical depression were the direct reasons which induced the rainstorm type landslide in the eastern line highway.

Non-equilibrium Vibration and Diagnosis Analysis of A Rainstorm

The rainstorm weather from July 15,2010 to July 18,2010 is researched by diagnosis analysis method.The results suggest that in the strong and lasting period,the upward air current in the basin is prevail and is above 300 hPa.The convergence layer during strong rainstorm period is not thick.The convergence movement of air current is under 500 hPa.In this rainstorm process,the positive vortex maximum value center of the lower layer of convection layer is perfectly corresponding to rainstorm zone.The air current convergence and divergence intensity is one magnitude larger than the turning intensity.Flux plays a leading role in the system changes process;the non-equilibrium value of the low layer of convection layer during the strong rainstorm period U<0.Strong non-equilibrium is favorable for the movement of convergence.The non-equilibrium value of the high layer of convection layer U>0,and it stimulates the divergence movement of high layer.The divergence of high layer pushes the convergence of the lower layer and thus forms strong upward movement.

Comprehensive Rainstorm Intensity Formula Based on Particle Swarm Algorithm

[Objective] The research aimed to simplify the traditional method and gain the method which could directly construct the comprehensive rainstorm intensity formula.[Method] The particle swarm optimization was used to optimize the parameters of uniform comprehensive rainstorm intensity formula in every return period and directly construct the comprehensive rainstorm intensity formula.Moreover,took the comprehensive rainstorm intensity formula which was established by the hourly precipitation data in wuhu City as an example,the calculation result compared with the computed result of traditional method.[Result] The calculation result precision of particle swarm algorithm was higher than the traditional method,and the calculation process was simpler.[Conclusion] The particle swarm algorithm could directly construct the comprehensive rainstorm intensity formula.

Analysis of a Wenzhou-Hitting Exceptionally Strong Rainstorm Associated with a Typhoon Inverted Trough in September,1999

Using T106 numerical products, MM5 simulations in conjunction of Q-vector scheme-computed NCEP results, observations and satellite cloud images, study is undertaken for an exceptionally intense rainstorm event afflicting the Wenzhou region of Zhejiang province far away from the tropical storm center happening early on the morning of September 4, 1999 （TS9909 hereinafter）. Evidence suggests that, like previously-studied typhoons landing in autumn south of Xiamen to the eastern part of Guangdong, TS9909 has an inverted trough in the central south of the coastal belt of Zhejiang province that produces the rainstorm from the meso convective complex （MCC） on the warm, moist shear inside; the time and order of the magnitude of the rainfall are bound up with the development of the pattern of strong Q-vector divergence gradients during the event for the study area; the NE - SW coastline and the unique topography of the Yandang mountains inside the region are favorable for air lifting are the major contributors to the torrential rains.

Analysis on the Forecast Characteristics of K Index and Low-altitude Jet Stream in the Rainstorm Process

By using the durative rainstorm data in South China during May-early June in 2010,the forecast characteristics of K index and low level jet were analyzed.The results found that K2 had the good indication,advancement and relativity on the intensity and falling zone forecast of regional rainstorm in future 24 h,and the positive relative coefficient reached 0.987.The low level jet also had the same advancement and indication significance on the intensity and influence scope of regional rainstorm in 24 h in the future,and the relative coefficient reached above 0.8.K2 and the low level jet were selected as the main factors,and the basic conceptual model of rainstorm falling zone was established.The model has passed the computer program and realized the business automation.K2 provided the important basis for the forecast of rainstorm intensity and falling zone.

Characters and Impacts Evaluation of Rainstorms and Floods from July 8 to 13,2010 in Zunyi City

A strong rainfall during June 8-13,2010 in Zunyi City is comprehensively analyzed by several diagnosis methods,including space location,maximum value,history comparison,maximum value assumption and disaster influence analysis.Results show that this time the successive heavy precipitation fall in the northeastern area of Zunyi City,which are Zheng’an,Daozheng and Wuchuan etc..There are in total of 4 times of heavy rainstorms,8 times of rainstorms and 8 times of heavy rains in 14 meteorological observatories of the entire city.In the whole 215 towns,the daily precipitation in 162 stations reaches rainstorm scale,of which 45 stations reaches heavy rainstorm scale.The 24 hours rainfall of the heavy rain in Wuchuan Maotian town reaches 288.6 mm and the maximum rainfall intensity is 90.2 mm.The total precipitation from 22:00 on 7th to 05:00 on 10th in Fenshui,Wuchuan reaches 423.0 mm.The 1 h maximum precipitation,daily maximum precipitation and the maximum precipitation in any 3 days all surpasses the rainstorm which occurs once in a hundred years.The heavy precipitation results in large range of water-logging and flooding;the water level of several rivers passes the dangerous or warning line.The damages and impacts of the disaster are also put forward in this paper.

Analysis on A Heavy Rain to Rainstorm Weather Process in Liaoning Province

By using the synoptic chart,the physical quantity field,the satellite cloud image and the meteorological elements in the single station,a typical heavy rain to rainstorm weather process which occurred in Liaoning during August 18-20 in 2009 was comprehensively analyzed.The results showed that this process was a weather process which was affected by the upper trough and the subtropical high.Baikal Lake split cold air and Hetao cold air shifted eastward and formed the vortex.The subtropical high extended westward,lifted northward,and the warm wet airflow in the edge cut in.The low-altitude jet stream accelerated the transportation of water vapor,and several active meso-scale convective cloud clusters which appeared in 588 line periphery in the right side of high-altitude jet stream outlet gradually merged with the westerlies system.It caused that the strong mixed precipitation process occurred.

Vertical Helicity Analysis of First Rainstorm at the Beginning of Meiyu in Hubei in 2009

By using the data in Hubei automatic rainfall station and NCEP 1°×1° global reanalysis data,the vertical helicity analysis on the rainstorm weather process which happened in Hubei Province during June 28-30 in 2009 was done.The results showed that the spatial and temporal evolution characteristic of vertical helicity could reflect well the occurrence time and the falling zone of strong precipitation in the situation that the strong vertical ascent movement in the whole layer stably maintained.The distribution of 700 hPa vertical helicity gradient big value area which was 6 h interval and the ∑θse(500+700+850) horizontal energy frontal zone superposition area both had the good directive significance for the falling zone of 6 h heavy precipitation.The zone where the heavy precipitation appeared had the configuration of positive vertical helicity in the low layer and the negative vertical helicity in the high layer.When the positive vertical helicity in the low layer was slightly higher than the negative vertical helicity in the high layer,it favored the generation of heavy rainstorm center.

Soil erosion of unpaved loess roads subjected to an extreme rainstorm event: a case study of the Jiuyuangou watershed on the Loess Plateau, China

Rainfall can cause serious soil loss in the Loess Plateau hilly and gully region, but little focus has been placed on the extreme rainstorm effects on unpaved loess road soil erosion. A field survey method was used to investigate the erosional effects of the '7·26' heavy rainfall event on unpaved loess roads in the Jiuyuangou watershed of the Loess Plateau, China. The results showed that the average and maximum widths of the eroded gullies that formed on the unpaved roads were 0.65-1.48 m and 1.00-3.60 m, respectively. The average and maximum depths of theeroded gullies were 0.42-1.13 m and 0.75-4.30 m, respectively. The average width-to-depth ratio was 1.31, indicating that the widening effect was greater than the downcutting effect in the eroded gullies. In addition, the gully density ranged from 0.07 to 0.29 m m-2, and the road surface dissection degree ranged from 0.03 to 0.41 km2 km-2. Eroded gullies generally developed at the slope toe of the cut bank side. The average eroded gully width and depth at turns in the road were 1.47-2.64 times and 1.30-3.47 times greater, respectively, than those in other road sections. The road erosion modulus increased from the upper section to the lower section of the roads. The average road erosion modulus of the study catchment was 235,000 t km-2. Turns in the road were associated with collapses, sinkholes and other gravitational erosion phenomena. The amount of road erosion under extreme rainfall conditions is mainly related to the interactions among road length, width, slope and soil bulk density. Our results provide a useful reference for developing further measures for preventing road erosion on the Loess Plateau.