CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MERIDIONALLY ORIENTED SHEAR LINES OVER THE TIBETAN PLATEAU AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RAINSTORMS IN THE BOREAL SUMMER HALF-YEAR

In this paper,European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)Reanalysis-Interim(ERAInterim)data and daily precipitation data in China from May to October during 1981-2016 are used to study the climatic characteristics of the meridionally oriented shear lines(MSLs)over the Tibetan Plateau(TP).The relationship between the MSL and rainstorms in the eastern TP and neighboring areas of the TP during the boreal summer half-year is also investigated.An objective method,which uses a combination of three parameters,i.e.the zonal shear of the meridional wind,the relative vorticity and the zero line of meridional wind,is adopted to identify the shear line.The results show that there are two high-occurrence centers of MSL.One is over the central TP(near 90°E)and the other is over the steep slope area of the eastern TP.Fewer MSLs are found along the Yarlung Zangbo River over the western TP and the southern Tibet.There are averagely 42.2 MSL days in each boreal summer half-year.The number of MSL days reaches the maximum of 62 in 2014 and the minimum of 22 in 2006.July and October witness the maximum of 10.2 MSL days/year and the minimum of 4.2 MSL days/year,respectively.The annual number of the MSL days shows periodicities of 2-4 and 4-6 years,which is quite similar to those of the MSL rainstorm days.In the neighboring areas of the TP,nearly56%of the MSLs lead to rainstorms,and nearly 40%of rainstorms are caused by the MSLs,indicating a close relationship between the MSLs and rainstorms in this region.

Climatology of Transverse Shear Lines Related to Heavy Rainfall over the Tibetan Plateau during Boreal Summer

Based on ERA-Interim data and precipitation data of 2474 stations in China during May-October from 1981 to 2013, transverse shear lines （TSLs） were identified, and their climatic characteristics and association with torrential rainfall events over the Tibetan Plateau and the region to its east during boreal summer were analyzed statistically, based on three criteria： the meridional shear of zonal wind, the relative vorticity, and the zero contour line of zonal wind. It was found that TSLs are generally west east oriented over the Tibetan Plateau, with the highest occurrence frequency in June, and least occurrence in October. The high frequency axis of TSLs, parallel to the terrain of the Tibetan Plateau, shifts southward from May to August, and then slightly northward from September to October. The annual average TSL frequency is 65.3 days, and there are obvious interannual and interdecal variations of TSLs. The annual fluctuation of TSL frequency is most distinct in the 1980s, followed by the 2000s, with average frequency appearing during 1995 2000. It was found that the occurrence frequency of TSLs and that of heavy rainfall events over the Tibetan Plateau are stable during 1981-2013. However, the occurrence frequency of the heavy rainfall events resulting from TSLs is decreasing. More than 50% of the TSLs can lead to heavy rainfall, while 40% of the heavy rainfall events are caused by TSLs. TSLs are closely related to heavy rainfalls in the flooding season of June-August over the Tibetan Plateau.

Mesoscale and Microphysical Characteristics of a Double Rain Belt Event in South China on May 10–13,2022

A second rain belt sometimes occurs ahead of a frontal rain belt in the warm sector over coastal South China,leading to heavy precipitation.We examined the differences in the mesoscale characteristics and microphysics of the frontal and warm sector rain belts that occurred in South China on May 10–13,2022.The southern rain belt occurred in an environment with favorable mesoscale conditions but weak large-scale forcing.In contrast,the northern rain belt was related to low-level horizontal shear and the surface-level front.The interaction between the enhanced southeasterly winds and the rainfall-induced cold pool promoted the persistent growth of convection along the southern rain belt.The convective cell propagated east over the coastal area,where there was a large temperature gradient.The bow-shaped echo in this region may be closely related to the rear-inflow jet.By contrast,the initial convection of the northern rain belt was triggered along the front and the region of low-level horizontal shear,with mesoscale interactions between the enhanced warm-moist southeasterly airflow and the cold dome associated with the earlier rain.The terrain blocked the movement of the cold pool,resulting in the stagnation of the frontal convective cell at an early stage.Subsequently,a meso-γ-scale vortex formed during the rapid movement of the convective cell,corresponding to an enhancement of precipitation.The representative raindrop spectra for the southern rain belt were characterized by a greater number and higher density of raindrops than the northern rain belt,even though both resulted in comparable hourly rainfalls.These results help us better understand the characteristics of double rain belts over South China.

Analysis of a Large-scale Hail Process in Ulanqab City

Based on the weather monitoring data,NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and Doppler weather radar data,the circulation background,atmospheric stability and changing characteristics of radar echoes of a large-scale hail weather process in Ulanqab City on July 5,2021 were analyzed.The results show that this hail weather process occurred in the summer afternoon of the hail-prone period in Ulanqab City,and was formed under the influence of upper trough and the circulation background of"two troughs and one ridge",which was conducive to the occurrence of strong convection weather.The low-level shear line provided the dynamic and water vapor conditions for the occurrence of the hail.In strong convection weather,water vapor was transported mainly from the Bay of Bengal,India and Nepal over the Himalayas.Before the occurrence of strong convection weather,water vapor transport increased significantly,and the low-level water vapor concentrated below 400 hPa,with obvious convergence and vertical transport.The characteristic parameters of radar echoes,such as combined reflectivity,vertically integrated liquid,and echo top height,increased significantly before and during the occurrence of hail,which had good indicative significance for the prediction and early warning of hail.

The Instability of the Vortex Sheet along the Shear Line

The traditional Kelvin-Helmholtz notion of studying the shear instability is not suitable for the case associated with shear line with the strong wind shear in the vortex sheet. Since then, the shear instability becomes theinstability of the vortex sheet. If the velocity is induced by the vortex sheet, the inequalities (1? R r + Ri d)> 0 and U(v,t)> U(A(t)) become the criterion of the vortex sheet instability. This criterion indicates that 1) the disposition of environment field restrains the disturbance developing along the shear line. 2) There exist multi—scale interactions in the unstable process of the shear line. The calculation of the necessary condition for the instability is also presented in this paper. Key words Shear line - Induced velocity - Instability of the vortex sheet This work was supported by the project on the study of the formative mechanism and predictive theory of the significant climate and weather disaster in China under Grant G 1998040907 and by the key project on the Dynamic Study of Severe Mesoscale Covective Systems sponsored by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.49735180.

Intensity Evolution of Zonal Shear Line over the Tibetan Plateau in Summer:A Perspective of Divergent and Rotational Kinetic Energies

Based on the ERA5 reanalysis datasets during 1980-2019,a total of eleven zonal shear lines(ZSLs)that caused heavy precipitation and lasted more than 60 hours over the Tibetan Plateau in summer are selected for composite analysis.By decomposing the kinetic energy(K)near the ZSL into divergent and rotational kinetic energies(K_(D)and K_(R))and the kinetic energy of interaction between the divergent wind and the rotational wind(K_(R)D),the influence of the rotational and divergent winds on the evolution of the ZSL intensity is investigated from the perspective of K_(D)and K_(R).The main results are as follows.The ZSL is a comprehensive reflection of rotation and convergence.The intensity evolution of ZSL is essentially synchronized with those of K,K_(R),and K_(RD)but lags behind K_(D)by about three hours.The enhancement of K is mainly contributed by K_(R),which is governed by the conversion from K_(D)to K_(R).Furthermore,the increase in the conversion from K_(D)to K_(R)is controlled by the geostrophic effect term Af,which is determined by the joint enhancement of the zonal rotational and meridional divergent wind components(u_(R)and v_(D)).Therefore,the joint enhancement of u_(R)and v_(D)controls the increase of the ZSL intensity,leading to increased precipitation.

Climatology of Shear Line and Related Rainstorm over the Southern Yangtze River Valley Based on an Improved Intelligent Identification Method

Based on four reanalysis datasets including CMA-RA,ERA5,ERA-Interim,and FNL,this paper proposes an improved intelligent method for shear line identification by introducing a second-order zonal-wind shear.Climatic characteristics of shear lines and related rainstorms over the Southern Yangtze River Valley(SYRV)during the summers(June-August)from 2008 to 2018 are then analyzed by using two types of unsupervised machine learning algorithm,namely the t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding method(t-SNE)and the k-means clustering method.The results are as follows:(1)The reproducibility of the 850 hPa wind fields over the SYRV using China’s reanalysis product CMARA is superior to that of European and American products including ERA5,ERA-Interim,and FNL.(2)Theory and observations indicate that the introduction of a second-order zonal-wind shear criterion can effectively eliminate the continuous cyclonic curvature of the wind field and identify shear lines with significant discontinuities.(3)The occurrence frequency of shear lines appearing in the daytime and nighttime is almost equal,but the intensity and the accompanying rainstorm have a clear diurnal variation:they are significantly stronger during daytime than those at nighttime.(4)Half(47%)of the shear lines can cause short-duration rainstorms(≥20 mm(3h)^(-1)),and shear line rainstorms account for one-sixth(16%)of the total summer short-duration rainstorms.Rainstorms caused by shear lines are significantly stronger than that caused by other synoptic forcing.(5)Under the influence of stronger water vapor transport and barotropic instability,shear lines and related rainstorms in the north and middle of the SYRV are stronger than those in the south.

Analysis of the Regional Heavy Rainstorm Caused by A Cooling Shear Line

By using the conventional data,the rainfall data in the automatic weather station and so on,a regional heavy rainstorm which happened in the northwest and north central region of Shandong Province during May 9-10,2009 was analyzed.The results showed that the cooling shear line in low altitude was the main system which caused the heavy rainstorm.The rainstorm mainly happened on the left front of jet stream in low altitude,the right of cooling shear line in low altitude and the northeast quadrant of vortex.The southwest jet stream in the west of subtropical high established a water vapor passage from the South China Sea to the center of North China.It not only provided warm and wet air and energy for the development of heavy rainstorm,but also was the necessary condition which shear line in low altitude stagnated for a long time.Ground frontal cyclone was the trigger mechanism of rainstorm.The northeast wet and cold air joined with the southwest warm and wet air in Shandong after the front,which prompted the development of convection and the release of instable energy to form the rainstorm.

LONGITUDINAL SHEAR PROBLEMS OF COLLINEAR RIGID LINE INCLUSIONS IN ANISOTROPIC MATERIALS

Longitudinal shear problems of collinear rigid line inclusions (sometimes calledhard crack or inverse crack problems) in anisotropic materials are dealt with. By usingthe conplex variable method, we present the formulation of the general problem and the closed form solutions to some problems of practical importance, The atressdistribution in the immediate vicinity of the rigid line end is examined. The corresponding formulation and solutions for isotropic materials can be arrived at fromthe special cases of those in the present paper, some of which are in agreement with the existing results￣[1].

Study on the Structure of a Horizontal Shear Line over the Tibetan Plateau Based on CRA-Interim Datasets and Its Comparison with ERA-Interim Datasets

The CRA-Interim trial production of the global atmospheric reanalysis for 10 years from 2007 to 2016 was carried out by the China Meteorological Administration in 2017. The structural characteristics of the horizontal shear line over the Tibetan Plateau (TPHSL) based on the CRA-Interim datasets are examined by objectively identifying the shear line, and are compared with the analysis results of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data (ERA-Interim). The case occurred at 18UTC on July 5, 2016. The results show that both of the ERA-Interim and CRA-Interim datasets can well reveal the circulation background and the dynamic and thermal structure characteristics of TPHSL, and they have shown some similar features. The middle and high latitudes at 500 hPa are characterized by the circulation situation of"two troughs and two ridges", and at 200 hPa, the TPHSL is located in the northeast quadrant of the South Asian High Pressure (SAHP). The TPHSL locates in the positive vorticity zone and passes through the positive vorticity center corresponding to the ascending motion. Near the TPHSL, the contours of pseudo-equivalent potential temperature (θse) tend to be intensive, with a high-value center on the south side of the TPHSL. The TPHSL can extend to460 hPa and vertically inclines northward. There is a positive vorticity zone near the TPHSL which is also characterized by the northward inclination with the height, the ascending motion near the TPHSL can extend to 300 hPa, and the atmospheric layer above the TPHSL is stable. However, the intensities of the TPHSL’s structure characteristics analyzed with the two datasets are different, revealing the relatively strong intensity of geopotential height field, vertical velocity field, vorticity field and divergence field from the CRA-Interim datasets. In addition, the vertical profiles of the dynamic and water vapor thermal physical quantities of the two datasets are also consistent in the east and west part of the TPHSL. In summary, the reliable and usable CRA-Interim datasets show excellent properties in the analysis on the structural characteristics of a horizontal shear line over the Tibetan Plateau.

Structural Characteristics of the Spring Transverse Shear Line over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Influence Mechanism of the Upper-level Jet on Its Evolution

Based on the four-times-daily ERA-Interim data with the resolution of 0.75°×0.75°,the structure and evolution characteristics of a transverse shear line(TSL)over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau in April 2017 were analyzed,and the influence mechanism of the frontogenesis and frontolysis caused by the upper-level jet on its evolution was also investigated.The results show that the TSL was mainly located near the axis of the positive vorticity zone,which was a low-value area of the wind speed.It was a shallow baroclinic system with weak ascending motion.In the vertical direction,the TSL extended to the lowest height at 00:00 and the highest at 18:00.In the horizontal direction,the length of the TSL in the east-west direction was relatively shorter during 00:00-06:00 and relatively longer during 12:00-18:00.Besides,the position of the TSL was slightly northward at 06:00 and slightly southward at 18:00.The moving direction of the TSL was generally consistent with that of the upper-level jet.In addition,the vertical stretching height of the TSL and the near-surface wind speed were positively correlated with the intensity of the upper-level jet.The calculation by frontogenesis function indicates that the frontogenesis(frontolysis)was conducive to the formation(weakening)and strengthening(dissipation)of the TSL.The horizontal deformation-induced and diabatic heating-induced frontogenesis were favorable for the formation of the TSL,while the middle-level horizontal convergence-induced and diabatic heating-induced frontogenesis were beneficial to its maintenance.Besides,the moving direction and baroclinicity of the TSL over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau were determined by the horizontal deformation-induced frontogenesis.In the frontogenesis function,the terms of horizontal deformation and horizontal convergence together determined the position of the TSL,and the diabatic heating term was conducive to the upward extension of the TSL.

A Simulation Study of a Heavy Rainfall Process over the Yangtze River Valley Using the Two-Way Nesting Approach

In this study, the major features of a heavy rainfall event in the Yangtze River region on 3-7 June 2011 and its event-related large-scale circulation and predictability were studied. Both observational analysis and model simulation were used, the latter being based on the Weather Research and Forecasting （WRF） model forced by NCEP Global Forecast System （GFS） datasets. It was found that, during 3-5 June, the western Pacific subtropical high apparently extended to the west and was much stronger, and the Indian summer monsoon trough was slightly weaker than in normal years. The east-west oriented shear line over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River was favorable for the transportation and convergence of water vapor, and the precipitation band was located slightly to the south of the shear line. During 6-7 June, the western Pacific subtropical high retreated eastward, while the trough over the Okhotsk Sea deepened. The low vortex in Northeast China intensified, bringing much more cold air to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and the shear line over this area moved slightly southward. The convection band moved southward and became weaker, so the rainfall during 6-7 June weakened and was located slightly to the south of the previous precipitation band. Many of the observed features, including background circulation and the distribution and amount of precipitation, were reproduced reasonably by the WRF, suggesting a feasibility of this model for forecasting extreme weather events in the Yangtze River region.

Study on Mesoscale Circulation Characteristics of Heavy Rainstorm in Wangmo County in Qianxinan on June 6,2011

[Objective] The aim was to analyze the causes of '6.06' heavy rainstorm in Wangmo County in Qianxinan.[Method] By dint of NCEP/NCAR 1°×1° reanalysis data,FY-2E TBB data,seven ground elements and two elements from automatic station data,the main influential system and all kinds of physical quantity field features of heavy rainstorm in upper reaches of Wangmo County in Qianxinan from the evening on 5 June to 08:00 on 6 June in 2011 were studied.[Result] The rainstorm was the result of cold air,which was provided by 850 hPa cold shear line and ground radiation line,and warm and wet airstream on the northwest edge of subtropical high.MCS was the main reason for such heavy rainstorm.Southwest warm and wet airstream in middle lower part provided sufficient water vapor for the rainstorm.The 850 hPa water vapor flux divergence center moved from north to south along ground convergence line to Qianxinan.Rainfall location and water vapor flux as well as convergence center were corresponding.The rainfall intensity also was consistent with the amount of water vapor flux and water vapor convergence.[Conclusion] The study provided reference for the report of heavy rainstorm.

Analysis of ‘9.4' unusual rainfall in Beijing during autumn 2015

In this paper, an unusual rainfall in Beijing that occurred on 4 September(‘9.4') 2015 is studied to clarify the reasons for such a strong rainfall in autumn. It was indicated that various factors, including stationary westerlies disturbance(i.e. low in the west and high in the east), forward-titling trough,warm shear line, unstable stratification and convective available potential energy release, low level jet as well as a series of mesoscale convective systems produced the strong rainfall. Ordinarily, this situation is uncommon in autumn.

Characteristic Analysis of One Heavy Precipitation Synoptic Process in the South-west of Shandong Province

[Objective] This paper aimed to explore the formulation mechanism of one heavy precipitation synoptic process in the south-west of Shandong Province from June 16th to June 17th in 2010. [Method] Based on information of circulation forms and physical quantity field, data of radar echo evolution and numerical prediction test, a heavy precipitation synoptic process in southwest Shandong during June 16th to June 17th in 2010 was analyzed to explore the formation mechanism of this synoptic process. [Result] The results showed that under the condition of relatively large circulation radial degree in eastern China, high-altitude cold vortex in Mongolia split, moved towards the south and impacted southwest air current at the edge of subtropical high from the west side. Cold vortex and shear line at the edge of subtropical high were the major impact system for the formulation of heavy precipitation synoptic process. The transportation of the southwest jest stream to the warm moist airflow provided water vapor conditions for the heavy precipitation, the high and low level jet stream and low level shear line provided strong dynamic lifting for this precipitation. [Conclusion] This study provided reference for heavy precipitation forecast.

Genetic Analysis of a Heavy Rainstorm on June 29,2006 in Henan Province

Based on conventional radiosonde data, surface encrypted observation data and so forth, the diagnostic analysis of a heavy rainstorm in the central and east of Henan Province on June 29, 2006 was carried out from the aspects of its large-scale background, environmental field and physical characteristics. The results showed that under the effect of a favorable large-scale environmental field, the rainstorm was caused by a mesoscale system. The high-east and low-west circulation pattern, the eastward movement of high-level low trough, low-level shear lines and strengthening of low-level jet streams directly resulted in the occurrence of the heavy rainstorm.

Analysis of a Large-Scale Heavy Precipitation Weather Process in Northern China from September 17 to 20, 2021

In the autumn of 2021, China’s precipitation appears the distribution characteristics of “more in the South and less in the north”. Compared with the same period in history, the precipitation is more. The analysis is based on a large-scale heavy precipitation weather process in the middle and late September. The atmospheric circulation situation and weather situation of this precipitation process are mainly discussed. The results show that the low-pressure trough between the Balkesh Lake and Baikal Lake area made the cold air move eastward, and the warm and humid air flow extending westward was conducive to the enhancement of precipitation. The anticyclone circulation in the Sea of Japan transported the cold and humid air to the northeast of China. The southeast air flow around the subtropical high in the Western Pacific, the southwest air flow in the bay of the Bengal Bay and the South China Sea met in the southwest to produce precipitation and continued to move northward. They merged with the cold and humid air flow in the Northeast in the north of the Yangtze River, resulting in large-scale precipitation in northern China.

Analysis on Circulation Evolution and Influence System of Two Rare Heavy Rainstorm Processes

Based on conventional meteorological observation data and ECWMF data, using synoptic analysis method, comparative analysis of two rare heavy rainstorms(July 28-30, 2007 and July 22-24, 2010) in Henan Province was conducted, and the evolution of circulation situation and its influence system were diagnosed. The results showed that(1) the rainstorm process in 2007 was cut-off low-vortex type gradually changing to the long-wave trough type, and the rainstorm process in 2010 was two high coexistence type.(2) Main influence systems of Henan rainstorm included subtropical high, Qinghai-Tibet high, westerly trough, vortex, shear line, high-and low-level jet and low vortex moving along the shear line.(3) The low-level southwest jet provided water vapor conditions for the occurrence of rainstorm weather. The upper westerly jet provided strong dynamic uplift conditions for the rainstorm process. The high-altitude strong divergence area on the right side of the high-altitude jet axis often corresponded to the rainstorm center.(4) The cyclonic convergence of low vortex provided a dynamic uplift mechanism in the middle layer. Cooperated with large-scale circulation field, it also provided sufficient water vapor and energy for rainstorm occurrence.(5) In the two processes, the main ground systems causing rainstorm were static front and cold front.(6) The surface mesoscale systems causing the two rainstorms were mesoscale low vortex and shear line.

Analysis of Rainfall Weather Process in Most of China from 3-6 October, 2021

Heavy rain is a common abnormal weather in China, which is prone to major natural disasters such as floods. By using China National Climate Center’s DERF2.0 (the second-generation product of monthly dynamic extended ensemble prediction) models and NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) data, and using synoptic and dynamic methods and other research methods, the rainfall weather process in most of China from October 3-6, 2021 is analyzed. The results show that: 1) this process had a long duration, large cumulative rainfall and strong extreme. 2) The warm and wet flow and the cold air intersected in the central and western regions of China and Northeast China, which resulted in a regional rainstorm process within ten days. 3) There was a low-level jet moving from Guizhou and Hunan to the south of Northeast China, bringing a lot of water vapor. To sum up, the rainfall process of this round has a certain relationship with the adjustment of atmospheric circulation.

Study of a Horizontal Shear Line over the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau and the Impact of Diabatic Heating on Its Evolution

Based on the 4 times daily 0.75°× 0.75° ERA-Interim data, the structural evolution of a Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau horizontal （east-west-oriented） shear line （TSL） during 15-19 August 2015 and the effect of diabatic heating on its evolution were analyzed. The results show that the TSL possessed a vertical thickness of up to 1.5 km （approxim-ately 600-450 hPa）, and was baroclinic in nature. Weak ascending motions occurred near the TSL, accompanied with more significant gradients in dew point temperature than in temperature. The TSL was characterized by diurnal vari- ations in its appearance and structure. It was relatively full in shape （broken） and was the lowest （highest） in vertical extent at 0000 （1800） UTC, and veered clockwise （anticlockwise） dttring 0000--0600 （1200-1800） UTC. When the north-south span of the TSL increased, it was prone to fracturing; and it disappeared when the dew point temperat-ure gradients to its either side decreased. When the TSL moved northward （southward）, its western （eastern） section broke up, while the eastern （western） section inclined to regenerate or merge. The TSL tended to move towards the positive vorticity areas with significant increases in vorticity. When the positive vorticity center moved down, the height of TSL decreased. Further analysis shows that the plateau surface heating dominated the vorticity attribute of the TSL and its movement, with different contributions from local variation, horizontal advection, and vertical advec-tion of the diabatic heating to the TSL at different heights.