Analysis on "96. 8" Heavy Rainstorm Process in Handan

[ ObjEtive] The research aimed to analyze ＂96.8＂ heavy rainstorm process causing flood disaster in Handan. [ Method] Based on ac- tual situation data, satellite cloud data and NCEP reanalysis data in the first dekad of August in 1996, ＂96.8＂ heavy rainstorm process causing flood disaster in Handan was analyzed to understand occurrence reason of the flood disaster. [ Result] Two meso-scale convective cloud clusters which developed and went north in turn caused ＂96.8＂ heavy rainstorm in Handan. Typhoon and inverted trough were main weather systems induced flood disaster in Handan. In going north process of the low-level jet, due to blocking of the subtropical high, water vapor and energy accumulated in Handan, providing material basis for formation of the heavy rainstorm. Development and eastward movement of the short-wave trough at middle lati- tude and continuous invasion of the reflux weak cold air at the low layer were direct reason for triggering generation and development of the convec- tive cloud cluster, and further causing continuous rainstorm. Wet layer over the rainstorm zone was deep and thick. Meridional distribution of the wet zone was wider than latitudinal distribution. South China Sea and Bay of Bengal were water vapor sources for the rainstorm zone. In the whole rain- storm period, it was convergence at low layer and divergence at high layer in the rainstorm zone. It was positive vorticity at low layer and negative vorticity at high layer. Precipitation intensity changed as convergence and divergence. Rainstorm zone had strong ascending motion. As strengthe- ning and uplifting of the ascending motion strong center, strong precipitation also strengthened. Rainstorm center was near the biggest vertical ve- locity center. Strong precipitation changed as vertical ascending motion. [ Conclmion] The research provided scientific basis for disaster prevention and reduction and decision-making service.

Characteristics and Possible Formation Mechanisms of Severe Storms in the Outer Rainbands of Typhoon Mujigae(1522)

To better understand how severe storms form and evolve in the outer rainbands of typhoons, in this study, we in- vestigate the evolutionary characteristics and possible formation mechanisms for severe storms in the rainbands of Typhoon Mujigae, which occurred during 2-5 October 2015, based on the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data, conventional observations, and Doppler radar data. For the rainbands far from the inner core （eye and eyewall） of Mujigae （dis- tance of approximately 70-800 kin）, wind speed first increased with the radius expanding from the inner core, and then decreased as the radius continued to expand. The Rankine Vortex Model was used to explore such variations in wind speed. The areas of strong stormy rainbands were mainly located in the northeast quadrant of Mujigae, and overlapped with the areas of high winds within approximately 300-550 km away from the inner core, where the strong winds were conducive to the development of strong storms. A severe convective cell in the rainbands de- veloped into waterspout at approximately 500 km to the northeast of the inner core, when Mujigae was strengthening before it made landfall. Two severe convective cells in the rainbands developed into two tornadoes at approximately 350 km to the northeast of the inner core after Mujigae made landfall. The radar echo bands enhanced to 60 dBZ when mesocyclones occurred in the rainbands and induced tornadoes. The radar echoes gradually weakened after the mesocyclones weakened. The tops of parent clouds of the mesocyclones elevated at first, and then suddenly dropped about 20 min before the tornadoes appeared. Thereby, the cloud top variation has the potential to be used as an early warning of tornado occurrence.