Moist Potential Vorticity Vector for Diagnosis of Heavy Rainfall Events in Tanzania

In this paper, we modify the convective vorticity vector (CVV) defined as a cross product of absolute vorticity and gradient of equivalent potential temperature to moist potential vorticity vector (MPVV) defined as a cross product of absolute vorticity () and the gradient of the moist-air entropy potential temperature (). The patterns of (MPVV) are compared with the patterns of heavy rainfall events that occurred over different regions in Tanzania on 20th to 22nd December, 2011 and on 5th to 8th May, 2015. Moreover, the article aimed at assessing the relative contributions of the magnitude, horizontal and vertical components of (MPVV) detecting on the observed patterns of rainfall events. Dynamic and thermodynamic variables: wind speed, temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity from numerical output generated by the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model running at Tanzania Meteorological Agency (TMA) were used to compute MPVV. It is found that MPVV provide accurate tracking of locations received heavy rainfall, suggesting its potential use as a dynamic tracer for heavy rainfall events in Tanzania. Finally it is found that the first and second components of MPVV contribute almost equally in tracing locations received heavy rainfall events. The magnitude of MPVV described the locations received heavy rainfall events better than the components.

EVOLUTION OF MOIST POTENTIAL VORTICITY DURING A WARM-ZONE HEAVY RAINFALL EVENT IN THE PEARL RIVER DELTA

First,based on routine meteorological data,the synoptic characteristics of a heavy warm-sector rainfall that occurred on June 13,2008 in the Pearl River Delta were analyzed.Second,a mesoscale numerical model,Weather Research and Forecasting(WRFV2.2),was used to simulate the heavy rainfall. Diagnostic analyses were done of moist potential vorticity(MPV)for its horizontal components(MPV2) and vertical components(MPV1)based on the simulation results of WRFV2.2 to identify the mechanism of the rainfall development.The results showed that the heavy rainfall occurred when there were high MPV1 in the upper levels and low MPV1 and high MPV2 in the lower levels.Disturbances of high MPV1 in the upper levels came from the southwest or northwest,those of low MPV1 in the lower levels came from the southwest,and those of high MPV2 came from the south.Disturbances of low MPV1 at low levels were the direct cause of convective instability.Enhanced vertical shear of meridional wind led to increased MPV2 at lower levels,strengthened baroclinicity,and active warm and wet flows.These distributions of MPV helped to trigger the release of unstable energy and produce warm-sector heavy rainfall.As it integrates the evolution of dynamic and thermal fields,MPV is able to reveal the development of this heavy rainfall effectively.

A Case Study on the Role of Water Vapor from Southwest China in Downstream Heavy Rainfall

Based on the observation data analysis and numerical simulation, the development of an eastwardmoving vortex generated in Southwest China during the period 25 27 June 2003 is studied. The water vapor budget analysis indicates that water vapor in the lower troposphere over Southwest China is transported downstream to the Yangtze and Huaihe River valleys by the southwesterly winds south of the vortex center. A potential vortieity （PV） budget analysis reveals that a positive feedback between latent heat release and low-level positive vortieity plays a vital role in the sudden development and eastward movement of the vortex. Numerical simulations are consistent with these results.

Comparison of two types of persistent heavy rainfall events during sixteen warm seasons in the Sichuan Basin

Based on hourly precipitation from national surface stations,persistent heavy rainfall events(PHREs)over the Sichuan Basin(SCB)are explored during the warm season(May to September)from 2000 to 2015 to compare synoptic circulations and maintenance mechanisms between different PHRE types.There are two main types of PHREs:one is characterized by a rain belt west of 106°E over the SCB(WSB-PHREs),and the other features a rain belt east of 106°E over the SCB(ESB-PHREs).In total,there are 18 ESB-PHREs and 10 WSB-PHREs during the study period.Overall,the rain belts of WSB-PHREs are along the terrain distribution east of the Tibetan Plateau,while the precipitation intensity of ESB-PHREs is stronger.For the two types of PHREs,the shortwave trough over the SCB and the western Pacific subtropical high act as their favorable background environments,particularly for ESB-PHREs.The water vapor of WSB-PHREs is mainly transported from the South China Sea,whereas for ESB-PHREs the South China Sea and Bay of Bengal are their main moisture sources.The composite vorticity budgets of southwest vortices during their mature stage indicate that the convergence effect is a dominant factor for maintaining the two types of PHREs,and the strong vertical vorticity advection is also favorable,but the relative contribution of vertical advection is larger for WSB-PHREs.

Synoptic Characteristics of Heavy Rainfall Events in Pre-monsoon Season in South China

Persistent heavy rainfall events in South China can be divided into pre-and post-monsoon-onset events according to the onset of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon. In this study, daily rainfall data from 174 stations in South China and daily NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data are used to investigate pre-monsoon-onset events. The synoptic characteristics of pre-monsoon-onset heavy rainfall events are examined in detail. It is found that 21 heavy rainfall cases happened in the pre-monsoon period between 1961 and 2005. Among them, more than 60% of the events happened under a saddle pattern circulation. Using a case study, the role of the saddle field is investigated and slantwise vorticity development （SVD） theory is applied to diagnose the mechanisms for heavy rainfall development. It is found that a low-level saddle field and low-level jets result in the accumulation of warm moist air in the lower troposphere over South China and provide the necessary unstable conditions for heavy rainfall development. The existence of a saddle field plays an important role in maintaining these unstable conditions. The slantwise movement of the isentropic surface over South China can increase local vorticity and lead to strong vertical motion, which then triggers heavy rainfall.

An Easterly Wave Generated Heavy Rainfall Event over South India—A Case Study

Easterly waves are one of the rain-bearing systems of northeast monsoon and produce massive rainfall events over south India. In the present case study, an attempt is made to identify extreme heavy rainfall event over south India on 26th October, 2006 due to the passage of the easterly wave. Satellite images provide an inverted v-shape easterly wave. Next, circulation features at different levels clearly indicate the location, movement and speed of the easterly wave. Strong north-easterlies with a magnitude of 9.9 m/s are maintained at the surface. The convergence is mainly occupied between 12°N - 16°N, while the divergence is 5°N - 12°N on 26th October, 2006 at the surface level. On 25th, easterly wave is advected north of trough with a magnitude of 0.2 m/s and increased during the remaining days. There are two divergence cells along 5°N and 16°N before and after the event at 700 hPa level. Thus this study helps to bring out the essential characteristics of the easterly wave during northeast monsoon. The highlight of this study is that the easterly wave creates floods in the absence of tropical cyclones over south India.

Mesoscale Vortex Generation and Merging Process: A Case Study Associated with a Post-Landfall Tropical Depression

An observational analysis of satellite blackbody temperature （TBB） data and radar images suggests that the mesoscale vortex generation and merging process appeared to be essential for a tropical-depression-related heavy rain event in Shanghai, China. A numerical simulation reproduced the observed mesoscale vortex generation and merging process and the corresponding rain pattern, and then the model outputs were used to study the related dynamics through diagnosing the potential vorticity （PV） equation. The tropical depression （TD） was found to weaken first at lower levels and then at upper levels due to negative horizontal PV advection and diabatic heating effects. The meso-vortices developed gradually, also from the lower to the upper levels, as a result of positive horizontal PV advection and diabatic heating effects in the downshear left quadrant of the TD. One of these newly-generated vortices, V1, replaced the TD ultimately, while the other two, V2 and V3, merged due to the horizontal PV advection process. Together with the redevelopment of V1, the merging of V2 and V3 triggered the very heavy rain in Shanghai.

Second order potential vorticity and its potential applications

A new invariant, the second order potential vorticity(SPV), is derived in this paper. SPV is the dot product of vorticity and the potential vorticity(PV) gradient, and is proven conservative for a compressible, adiabatic and frictionless atmosphere. Research shows that the new invariant may be used to indicate the evolution of PV, because SPV includes all the information that determines PV evolution: the wind field, and the PV gradient. Furthermore, SPV is capable of diagnosing heavy precipitation because of the strong signals it presents in areas of heavy rainfall. SPV also shows great potential as a comprehensive conserved quantity for indicating the dynamical tropopause and baroclinic instability.

2021年7月20—22日豫北地区暴雨过程中尺度低涡和垂直运动发展的位涡动力学诊断

2021年7月17—23日,河南省发生了一次大范围的强降水过程(简称河南“21.7”特大暴雨)。20—22日暴雨中心移至豫北地区,在太行山东侧新乡、鹤壁等地引发了洪涝灾害。基于自动雨量站观测和ERA5再分析数据,利用位涡倾向方程和垂直运动分解方法,对河南“21.7”特大暴雨事件中豫北地区暴雨过程中中尺度低涡及垂直运动发展的热动力学机制进行了诊断分析。结果表明:豫北地区强降水凝结潜热引起的大气非绝热加热,因其垂直分布在低空随高度上升而制造位涡,使得低层大气位涡增强,表明中尺度低涡发展;另外,加深的中尺度低涡又使得等熵面进一步下凹、倾斜坡度增大,从而增强大尺度东南暖湿气流向豫北地区的辐合与抬升,特别是沿等熵面上滑的上升运动分量和与凝结潜热有关的上升运动分量,导致降水进一步加强。由此,中尺度低涡、垂直运动和强降水发展之间形成一定的正反馈,在豫北造成持续性暴雨过程。

西北涡与西南涡共同作用引发秦巴区域大暴雨的成因分析

利用常规观测资料、ERA-5再分析数据、FY-4A卫星资料,对2021年9月3-4日一次西北涡与西南涡共同作用引发的秦巴区域大暴雨过程进行了研究,探讨了两涡作用导致大暴雨的中尺度环境场特征,并对西南涡的形成过程进行诊断分析。结果表明:秦巴区域的大暴雨是在西北涡与西南涡共同作用下由中尺度对流复合体(Mesoscal Convective Complex,MCC)引起的,强降水位于MCC云顶亮温冷中心及后部偏冷空气一侧的亮温梯度大值区。西南涡生成前,西北涡后部的偏北气流与西南气流形成了中尺度切变线,在秦巴区域触发对流不稳定而激发出中尺度对流云团而产生降水;西南涡生成后与西北涡共同作用,使秦巴区域水汽的输送加强,对流层低层形成强烈辐合,正涡度和垂直上升运动加强,使MCC强烈发展并具有较长生命史,同时伴随β和γ中尺度的对流云团发展,加强了该区域的强降水,从而造成大暴雨。该过程中西南涡是由500 hPa低涡产生的正涡度和高位涡向下传递强迫,使西北涡后部偏北风与西南气流气旋性运动加强从而形成涡旋环流,西南涡与500 hPa低涡的垂直耦合使其发展为强大的涡旋系统,从而加强水汽的辐合上升运动以加强降水。

贺兰山东麓两次暴雨过程湿位涡特征分析

选用宁夏贺兰山东麓512个自动气象观测站逐小时降水量数据和ERA5再分析资料及常规气象探测资料,对比分析该地区2018年7月22日特大暴雨和2020年8月11日大暴雨过程的湿位涡特征,探讨两次暴雨发生发展机制。结果表明:两次暴雨过程均发生在“东高西低”的环流形势下,西太平洋副热带高压西侧的偏南气流、高低空急流配置以及台风为暴雨过程提供了有利的水汽和动力条件;暴雨发生前3~6 h,对流层低层700~850 hPa存在湿位涡正压项(MPV1)负值中心和湿位涡斜压项(MPV2)正负中心过渡的等值线密集带,其移动发展及持续时间同暴雨发生发展有较好的对应,对暴雨预报有一定指示作用。对流层低层MPV1负值区和MPV2正值区相叠加的位置是强降水易发区,且MPV1、MPV2强度越强、持续时间越长,降水越强,当MPV1和MPV2趋于零时,大气层结稳定,降水过程逐渐结束。

在“鞍”型大尺度环流背景下西南低涡发展的物理过程分析及其对川东暴雨发生的作用

利用2005年7月6～9日川东地区暴雨过程的观测资料，从大尺度环流、水汽输送和温度平流，并利用湿位涡的垂直和水平分量（Pm1和Pm2）以及相当位温，分析诊断了此次暴雨发生的大尺度环流背景特征以及西南涡发展的物理过程，其结果表明如下：（1）在此次暴雨发生期间，四川盆地北部由于受中高纬长波东移调整的影响，不断有低压槽分裂出来并影响此地区，在盆地的西南方向的孟加拉湾季风槽比较活跃，南海季风向北输送由于受到西风输送的作用在四川盆地东南部也出现弱的横槽，并且西太平洋副高西伸到四川盆地东部以及存在于高原中部的高压共同作用，从而形成明显“鞍”型大尺度环流配置；（2）在此“鞍”型场大尺度环流背景下，强西南气流绕流高原东侧直接进入四川盆地，而弱西南气流则绕流云贵高原输送进入四川盆地东部，受地形的阻挡和西伸的西太平洋副高的作用在四川盆地东部形成向北的急流辐合带，同时，由于两支气流输送着大量的水汽，暖湿空气在川东地区形成高温高湿的辐合区；（3）在此“鞍”型场作用下，盆地上空的低层不断聚集季风气流输送的大量暖湿空气，而在高层有冷干空气侵入，从而导致盆地内低涡系统强烈发展；（4）由湿位涡的垂直分量和水平分量的诊断表明了在暴雨发生期间，在四川盆地北部上空的高层不断有干空气入侵，引起了垂直对流不稳定，即Pm1〈0，并向盆地东北部发展，从而使此区域气旋性涡度不断加强，即低涡强烈发展；并且，在盆地上空低层暖湿空气相当位温的水平梯度对于西南低涡的发展和暴雨的发生同样起了重要作用，正的Pm2中心与暴雨发生区域有很好的一致性，这表明暴雨往往发生在高温高湿的强垂直不稳定区域。

华南暴雨中尺度对流系统的形成及湿位涡分析

利用MM5模式对发生在 1 998年 5月 2 3～ 2 4日华南暴雨和中尺度对流系统(MesoscaleConvectiveSystem ,简称MCS)模拟的模式输出资料 ,根据湿位涡守恒原理和倾斜涡度发展理论分析了暴雨和MCS形成和发展的原因。结果表明 ,暴雨和MCS发生在倾斜湿等熵面具有弱对流稳定性的下陷区 ,沿湿等熵面下滑的冷空气与倾斜上升并具有较强对流有效位能的暖湿空气在下陷区会合的过程中经历了对流稳定性减小的过程 ,导致暴雨和MCS发生发展区域有气旋性的涡旋发展。对流发展区域的上空满足条件对称不稳定发生的条件 ,MCS中上升气流呈倾斜状态。由于湿等熵面倾斜 ,在暴雨和MCS的发展过程中 ,水平风垂直切变和湿斜压度的增大也有利于涡旋的发展 ,使暴雨和MCS得以维持。最后 ,给出了华南地区湿等熵面上暴雨和MCS发生发展的一个物理概念模型。

2006年6月6—7日福建特大暴雨数值模拟和诊断分析

采用PSU/NCAR等共同研制的新一代细网格WRF(Weather Research and Forecasting)中尺度数值模式,对2006年6月6—7日福建地区出现的一次特大暴雨过程进行了数值模拟,并利用模式输出的高分辨率动力协调资料进行了初步诊断分析。结果表明,中尺度低涡是本次暴雨过程的主要影响系统之一,低涡的时空演变特征与暴雨中心的移动和雨强的变化相一致。暴雨中心的强上升运动及低层辐合、高层辐散的配置有利于中尺度对流系统的发生发展,高低空急流耦合是此次强降雨爆发的重要机制。暴雨区域850hPaθse场呈现典型的"Ω"型,高湿能条件的维持,保证了强降雨过程的能量供给,是强降雨持续的重要条件。暴雨中心位于最大垂直速度中心附近,暴雨区两侧存在垂直的次级环流,对流层中低层负湿位涡区、高层正湿位涡区的配置有利于造成较强烈的中尺度上升运动。

一次引发暴雨的东北低涡的涡度和水汽收支分析

对2005年7月25-29日引发较大范围持续性暴雨的东北低涡的结构、涡度和水汽收支进行了分析研究，结果表明：1）东北低涡是一个较深厚的冷性涡旋。初期，气旋性涡度出现在对流层中层，然后向中低层及高层伸展。而低涡加强阶段，气旋性涡度在对流层高层增加得最快，并逐渐向中低层传播，诱发地面气旋的发展；由于高低空锋生的相互作用，在低涡南部形成了深厚的近乎垂直的低层略前倾的“弓形”锋区。2）对涡度收支的计算表明，水平涡度平流项和水平辐散项对低涡的发展、加强起到最主要的作用。但在不同阶段，这两项的作用和大小各不相同。3）对流层高层位涡大值区在低涡东部向下传播，有利于低涡的发展加强，与低涡暴雨的落区位置较为接近。此外对卫星云顶亮度温度（TBB）的分析，发现低涡暴雨典型的涡旋云带中对流活动旺盛的地区与局地暴雨的位置对应。4）低涡暴雨的水汽初期主要来自北部，随着低纬地区西南季风的增强，沿副高西侧从低纬到中高纬建立起一条较强的水汽输送带，东北地区水汽收支以南北向的辐合为主。5）将2005年和1998年夏季6～8月的东北低涡暴雨个例的天气形势配置进行逐月比较，发现持续的较大范围的低涡暴雨过程与亚洲中高纬的阻塞形势、低涡的维持、西太平洋副热带高压的位置及夏季风和低纬系统的水汽输送有密切的关系。

沙澧河流域两场大暴雨过程的对比分析

利用常规观测资料、自动站资料和NCEP1°×1°再分析资料对2007年7月5日和14日沙澧河流域两场大暴雨过程进行了诊断对比分析。结果表明:不同影响系统下产生的大暴雨过程其动力机制有所差异。垂直螺旋度计算结果显示:两次过程700hPa等压面上正垂直螺旋度中心的移向和强度变化与降水落区及趋势变化有很好的对应关系,暴雨区出现在正垂直螺旋度中心移动的前方,对流域大暴雨的落区有一定的指示意义。5日呈现中低层正、高层负的垂直螺旋度配置,动力条件更有利于大暴雨的发生。湿位涡演变分析发现,5日中低层既存在对流不稳定,又存在对称不稳定,有利于垂直对流和倾斜对流发生,造成流域大暴雨。14日中低层大气处于对流稳定状态,但边界层和中层存在对流不稳定,同时中层还存在较强的对称不稳定,垂直涡度得到较大增长,导致上升运动的加强和水汽的垂直输送,有利于降水增幅。

西北涡暴雨的湿位涡诊断分析

利用常规的探空和地面观测资料、NCEP格点资料以及中尺度MM5模式,对2000年7月4～5日发生在华北南部的一次西北涡大暴雨过程的湿位涡场特征进行了诊断和分析.结果表明,中尺度低涡暴雨的发生发展与湿位涡的时空演变有很好的对应关系,湿位涡'正负区叠加'的配置是低涡暴雨发展的有利形势.强降雨区发生在对流层低层正压项的正值区南侧零线附近,斜压项的最大负值区对暴雨的落区和移动有指示作用.

西南低涡暴雨的湿位涡诊断分析

文章分析了１９８１年７月１１－１５日的一次与西南低涡有关的四川特大暴雨过程中的湿位涡变化，发现湿位涡由负变正预示着暴雨的威弱和消失；同时利用湿位涡方程进行了诊断计算，结果表明：暴雨的发展趋势与位涡变率的变化趋势基本一致，位涡变率的正负转换对预报大暴雨的形成和减弱有一定的指示意义。

贵州02.6大暴雨的模拟与诊断分析

利用MM5中尺度模式对贵州2002年6月18日00时～19日00时的暴雨天气过程进行了数值模拟，首先利用模式输出的基本物理量分析了相当位温、垂直速度，并计算垂直螺旋度以及湿位涡正压、斜压项，诊断分析发现：暴雨中心位于最大垂直速度中心附近；南北两支闭合经向垂直环流对于暴雨区的低空入流和高空出流具有非常重要的作用。螺旋度的变化对暴雨的强度变化有很好的指示性，暴雨区位于螺旋度等值线密集区靠正螺旋度区一例；贵州大暴雨与500hPa“漏斗”形MPV1高值区同位相变化，高低层MPV1“正负值区垂直叠加”的配置是暴雨发生、发展的有利形势。500hPa上MPV2正值区与对流性降水区对应很好，而且强度变化也一致。

珠三角一次暖区强降水过程湿位涡的演变特征

首先利用常规资料分析了2008年6月13日发生在珠江三角洲地区的一次暖区强降水的天气背景,再借助于高时空分辨率的WRF中尺度数值模拟结果,对等压面湿位涡在强降水过程中的演变进行了诊断分析,结果表明:暴雨出现在高层高值MPV1和低层低值MPV1、低层高值MPV2的配置区,本次暴雨高层高值MPV1扰动来自西北和西南方向,低层低值MPV1扰动来自西南方向,而低层高值MPV2来自正南方向。低层低值MPV1扰动是造成对流不稳定的直接原因。经向风垂直切变加大导致低层MPV2高值发展,斜压性增强,暖湿气流活跃。MPV的配置有利于激发不稳定能量的释放,产生暖区强降水。湿位涡综合了动力场、热力场的演变特征,可有效地揭示这次暖区强降水发生发展的过程。