Testing the transfer functions for the Geonor T-200B and Chinese standard precipitation gauge in the central Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Accurately measuring precipitation is integral for understanding water cycle processes and assessing climate change in the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau(QTP).The Geonor T-200B weighing precipitation gauge with a single Alter shield(Geonor)and the Chinese standard precipitation gauge(CSPG)are widely used for measuring precipitation in the QTP.However,their measurements need to be adjusted for wetting loss,evaporation loss and windinduced undercatch.Four existing transfer functions for adjusting the Geonor-recorded and three transfer functions for adjusting the CSPG-recorded precipitation at hourly,daily or event scale has been proposed based on the precipitation intercomparison experiments conducted at a single site in different regions.Two latest transfer functions for the Geonor(which are referred to as K2017a and K2017b)at the half-hour time scale based on the precipitation intercomparison experiments at multiple stations in the northern hemisphere were provided in the World Meteorological Organization Solid Precipitation Intercomparison Experiment.However,the applicability of these transfer functions in the QTP has not been evaluated.Therefore,the current study carried out a precipitation measurement intercomparison experiment between August 2018 and September 2020 at a site in Beiluhe in central QTP.The performance of these transfer functions at this site was also evaluated on the basis of mean bias(MB),root mean squared error(RMSE)and relative total catch(RTC).The results are as follows:First,the unadjusted RTC values of the Geonor for rain,mixed(snow mixed with rain),snow and hail are 92.06%,85.35%,64.11% and 91.82%,respectively,and the unadjusted RTC values of the CSPG for the same precipitation types are 92.59%,81.32%,46.43% and 95.56%,respectively.Second,K2017a has the most accurate adjustment results for the Geonor-recorded snow and mixed precipitation at the half-hour time scale,and the post-adjustment RTC values increased to 98.25% and 98.23%,respectively.M2007e,an event-based transfer function,was found to have the most accurate adjustment results for the Geonorrecorded snow precipitation at the event scale,and the post-adjustment RTC value increased to 96.36%.Third,the existing transfer functions for CSPG underestimate snowfall,while overestimating rainfall.Fourth,hail is a significant precipitation type in central QTP.The catch efficiency of hail precipitation and the temperature when hail precipitation occurs are close to those of rain;moreover,the transfer functions for rain are suitable for hail as well.

高寒山区固态降水观测对比研究

降水类型变化是深入理解全球变暖背景下陆地水循环演变的重要内容,高寒山区降水类型观测研究一直是国内外学者关注的热点和难点问题。本文选用2018年5月至2020年4月乌鲁木齐河源1号冰川末端的PWS100激光雨滴谱仪和Geonor T-200B称重式雨雪量计的同步降水观测数据进行对比研究。结果表明:(1)PWS100观测结果显示该试验场以固态降水为主,固体颗粒物占总颗粒物的63%,液体颗粒物占总颗粒物的37%;月尺度上,6-8月粒子数量最多,其中液态粒子占57%,固态粒子43%。其余月份以固态粒子数为主,占总粒子数的96%。(2)基于降水粒子在不同温度区间所占比重,以气温6.5℃为临界值划分降水类型。修正后T-200B降雨总累积量为1202 mm,占DFIR的67%,低估了降水量,但平均相对捕获率达到了87%。(3)两台仪器观测的降水总量大致相同(仅相差71 mm),然而,季节性差异明显,6-8月PWS100比T-200B高出73 mm,9月至次年5月则少37 mm。PWS100在降水量大、降水类型复杂的夏季,观测到的降水量大,而冬季降水量较少,且PWS100对小雨滴不敏感,会导致捕获量的不足,因此,T-200B在捕获固态降水方面更有效。研究结果为进一步研究变暖背景下山区流域径流季节变化提供了实验基础。

Intercomparison measurements from commonly used precipitation gauges in the Qilian Mountains

Precipitation data is vital fundamental data for climate change.However,obtaining precise gauge-measured precipitation in high-altitude mountains is challenging,and the precipitation obtained from various gauge types at the same station may vary.To understand the differences in precipitation observations among the three commonly used gauges in China(Chinese Standard Precipitation Gauges(CSPG),Total Rain weighing Sensor(TRwS),and Geonor T-200B(T200B))in high-altitude mountains and to recommend a stable and cost-effective weighing gauge,a precipitation intercomparison experiment was conducted at Hulu-1 station in the Qilian Mountains.The wind-induced error in measurement was corrected with the‘universal’transfer function recommended by the Word Meteorological Organization.The comparison results,adjusted for systematic errors,showed that the rain,snow and mixed precipitation of CSPG and TRwS equipped with the same octagonal vertical double fence shields(CSPGDF and TRwSDF)and single-Alter shields(CSPG_(s)and TRwSs)were close,while the precipitation of Tretyakov-shielded T200B was notably higher than that of CSPG_(s)and TRwSs.The average differences in annual and daily precipitation between CSPGDF and TRwSDF from 2017 to 2021 were 12.9 mm and 0.10 mm,respectively.The daily precipitation difference between CSPG_(s)and TRwSs from April 2019–December 2021 was 0.10 mm,while the differences between T200Bs and CSPG_(s)and TRwSs was 0.28 mm and 0.38 mm,respectively.The wind shield performance of Alter and Tretyakov was not much different at Hulu-1 site with low wind speed,thus the measurement principle of T200Bs was the primary cause of the high observations.Taking the corrected CSPGDF measurement as the standard,the dynamic loss of CSPG_(s)was 17.6%,while that of CSPGUn was 55.6%,indicating that the single-Alter shield could effectively reduce the impact of wind on precipitation measurement.Considering the comparison results and the price difference of the instruments,it was recommended to use a single-Alter shielded TRwS gauge for precipitation observation in high-altitude mountains.