Impact of 4DVAR Assimilation of Rainfall Data on the Simulation of Mesoscale Precipitation Systems in a Mei-yu Heavy Rainfall Event

The multi-scale weather systems associated with a mei-yu front and the corresponding heavy precipitation during a particular heavy rainfall event that occurred on 4 5 July 2003 in east China were successfully simulated through rainfall assimilation using the PSU/NCAR non-hydrostatic, mesoscale, numerical model （MM5） and its four-dimensional, variational, data assimilation （4DVAR） system. For this case, the improvement of the process via the 4DVAR rainfall assimilation into the simulation of mesoscale precipitation systems is investigated. With the rainfall assimilation, the convection is triggered at the right location and time, and the evolution and spatial distribution of the mesoscale convective systems （MCSs） are also more correctly simulated. Through the interactions between MCSs and the weather systems at different scales, including the low-level jet and mei-yu front, the simulation of the entire mei-yu weather system is significantly improved, both during the data assimilation window and the subsequent 12-h period. The results suggest that the rainfall assimilation first provides positive impact at the convective scale and the influences are then propagated upscale to the meso- and sub-synoptic scales.
Through a set of sensitive experiments designed to evaluate the impact of different initial variables on the simulation of mei-yu heavy rainfall, it was found that the moisture field and meridional wind had the strongest effect during the convection initialization stage, however, after the convection was fully triggered, all of the variables at the initial condition seemed to have comparable importance.     

Mesoscale predictability of mei-yu heavy rainfall

Recently reported results indicate that small amplitude and small scale initial errors grow rapidly and subsequently contaminate short-term deterministic mesoscale forecasts. This rapid error growth is dependent on not only moist convection but also the flow regime. In this study, the mesoscale predictability and error growth of mei-yu heavy rainfall is investigated by simulating a particular precipitation event along the mei-yu front on 4-6 July 2003 in eastern China. Due to the multi-scale character of th...     

A Case Study of the Initiation of Parallel Convective Lines Back-Building from the South Side of a Mei-yu Front over Complex Terrain

Parallel back-building convective lines are often observed extending to the southwest of some mesoscale convective systems(MCSs)embedded in the mei-yu front in China.The convective lines with echo training behavior can quickly develop into a stronger convective group of echoes,resulting in locally heavy rainfall within the mei-yu front rainband.The initiation mechanism of the back-building convective lines is still unclear and is studied based on high-resolution numerical simulation of a case that occurred during 27?28 June 2013.In the present case,the new convection along the convective lines was found to be forced by nonuniform interaction between the cold outflow associated with the mei-yu front MCSs and the warm southerly airflow on the south side of the mei-yu front,which both are modified by local terrain.The mei-yu front MCSs evolved from the western to the eastern side of a basin surrounded by several mesoscale mountains and induced cold outflow centered over the eastern part of the basin.The strong southwest airflow ahead of the mei-yu front passed the Nanling Mountains and impacted the cold outflow within the basin.The nonuniform interaction led to the first stage of parallel convective line formation,in which the low mountains along the boundary of the two airflows enhanced the heterogeneity of their interaction.Subsequently,the convective group quickly developed from the first stage convective lines resulted in apparent precipitation cooling that enhanced the cold outflow and made the cold outflow a sharp southward windshift.The enhanced cold outflow pushed the warm southerly airflow southward and impacted the mountains on the southeast side of the basin,where the roughly parallel mountain valleys or gaps play a controlling role in a second stage formation of parallel convective lines.     

一次梅雨锋特大暴雨过程的数值模拟研究：不同尺度天气系统的影响作用

2003年7月4~5日在江淮地区沿梅雨锋有一系列中尺度对流系统相继生成和强烈发展,导致了江淮地区特大暴雨的形成。该研究利用中尺度数值模式MM5对这次梅雨锋暴雨过程进行了数值模拟,在模拟结果的基础上重点分析了不同尺度天气系统相互作用对这次特大暴雨过程的影响作用。在这次特大暴雨过程中,位于梅雨锋北侧的东北—西南走向深厚、稳定的短波槽系统与槽前从西南移来的低涡系统相配合,加强了位于梅雨锋北侧的反气旋性扰动发展,从而导致梅雨锋北侧反气旋性涡旋的形成。该类反气旋性涡旋形成对江淮切变线的加强与维持起重要作用。中尺度对流系统的潜热释放首先导致梅雨锋低层切变线上的中尺度对流性涡旋(MCV)的形成,而中尺度对流性涡旋的形成进一步加强了切变线上的低层辐合,中尺度对流性涡旋消亡后,在切变线上形成低涡。梅雨锋附近主要存在4种不同垂直环流,它在降水的不同阶段具有不同的结构、配置与动力学作用。其中跨锋面、高层非地转两支垂直环流对锋区的对流扰动发展和暴雨形成最为重要,而降水发展可以调整锋区垂直环流的结构、配置,随降水的减弱,梅雨锋区的不同垂直环流系统又重新恢复到先前结构。梅雨锋上不同尺度、高度的天气系统之间的相互作用主要通过这些垂直环流系统调整实现。     

The Structure of a Typical Mei-yu Front Identified by the Equivalent Temperature

In mainland China, the summer monsoon rainy band is referred to as the mei-yu precipitation front, which extends northward from South China to the Yangtze River, Huaihe River, and Yellow River, depending on the season. This paper describes the structure of the mei-yu front associated with a persistent heavy rainfall event that occurred in the summer of 2007. The mei-yu front occurs when the subtropical oceanic warm, moist air mass and the extra tropical continental dry, cold air mass converge on the lee side of the Tibetan Plateau. The authors defined the equivalent temperature using two terms of dry-air temperature and the specific humidity and calculated its horizontal gradient to indicate the mei-yu front. The vertical structure of the mei-yu front and the moist thermal winds surrounding it were examined based on the equivalent temperature.     

A Diagnostic and Numerical Study on a Rainstorm in South China Induced by a Northward-Propagating Tropical System

A strong cyclonic wind perturbation generated in the northern South China Sea （SCS） moved northward quickly and developed into a mesoscale vortex in southwest Guangdong Province, and then merged with a southward-moving shear line from mid latitudes in the period of 21-22 May 2006, during which three strong mesoscale convective systems （MCSs） formed and brought about torrential rain or even cloudburst in South China. With the 1° ×1° NCEP （National Centers for Environment Prediction） reanalysis data and the Weather and Research Forecast （WRF） mesoscale model, a numerical simulation, a potential vorticity inversion analysis, and some sensitivity experiments are carried out to reveal the formation mechanism of this rainfall event. In the meantime, conventional observations, satellite images, and the WRF model outputs are also utilized to perform a preliminary dynamic and thermodynamic diagnostic analysis of the rainstorm systems. It is found that the torrential rain occurred in favorable synoptic conditions such as warm and moist environment, low lifting condensation level, and high convective instability. The moisture transport by strong southerly winds associated with the rapid northward advance of the cyclonic wind perturbation over the northern SCS provided the warm and moist condition for the formation of the excessive rain. Under the dynamic steering of a southwesterly flow ahead of a north trough and that on the southwest side of the West Pacific subtropical high, the mesoscale vortex （or the cyclonic wind perturbation）, after its genesis, moved northward and brought about enormous rain in most parts of Guangdong Province through providing certain lifting forcing for the triggering of mesoscale convection. During the development of the mesoscale vortex, heavy rainfall was to a certain extent enhanced by the mesoscale topography of the Yunwu Mountain in Guangdong. The effect of the Yunwu Mountain is found to vary under different prevailing wind directions and intensities. The location o     

SIMULATION OF BOUNDARY LAYER EFFECTS ON A HEAVY RAINFALL EVENT CAUSED BY A MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEM OVER THE YELLOW RIVER MIDSTREAM AREA

A heavy rainfall event caused by a mesoscale convective system (MCS), which occurred over the Yellow River midstream area during 7–9 July 2016, was analyzed using observational, high-resolution satellite, NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, and numerical simulation data. This heavy rainfall event was caused by one mesoscale convective complex (MCC) and five MCSs successively. The MCC rainstorm occurred when southwesterly winds strengthened into a jet. The MCS rainstorms occurred when low-level wind fields weakened, but their easterly components in the lower and boundary layers increased continuously. Numerical analysis revealed that there were obvious differences between the MCC and MCS rainstorms, including their three-dimensional airflow structure, disturbances in wind fields and vapor distributions, and characteristics of energy conversion and propagation. Formation of the MCC was related to southerly conveyed water vapor and energy to the north, with obvious water vapor exchange between the free atmosphere and the boundary layer. Continuous regeneration and development of the MCSs mainly relied on maintenance of an upward extension of a positive water vapor disturbance. The MCC rainstorm was triggered by large range of convergent ascending motion caused by a southerly jet, and easterly disturbance within the boundary layer. While a southerly fluctuation and easterly disturbance in the boundary layer were important triggers of the MCS rainstorms. Maintenance and development of the MCC and MCSs were linked to secondary circulation, resulting from convergence of Ekman non-equilibrium flow in the boundary layer. Both intensity and motion of the convergence centers in MCC and MCS cases were different. Clearly, sub-synoptic scale systems in the middle troposphere played a leading role in determining precipitation distribution during this event. Although mesoscale systems triggered by the sub-synoptic scale system induced the heavy rainfall, small-scale disturbances within the boundary layer determined its intensity and location.     

Initiation and Evolution of Long-Lived Eastward-Propagating Mesoscale Convective Systems over the Second-Step Terrain along Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley

Based on the previous statistical analysis of mesoscale convective systems(MCSs)over the second-step terrain along Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley,eight representative long-lived eastward-propagating MCSs are selected for model-based sensitivity testing to investigate the initiation and evolution of these types of MCSs as well as their impact on downstream areas.We subject each MCS to a semi-idealized(CNTL)simulation and a sensitivity(NOLH)simulation that neglects condensational heating in the formation region.The CNTL experiment reveals convection forms in the region downstream of a shortwave trough typified by persistent southwesterly winds in the low-to midtroposphere.Upon merging with other convective systems,moist convection develops into an MCS,which propagates eastward under the influence of mid-tropospheric westerlies,and moves out of the second-step terrain.The MCS then merges with pre-existing local convection over the plains;the merged convection reinforces the cyclonic wind perturbation into a mesoscale vortex at 850 hPa.While this vortex moves eastward to regions with local vortex at 850 hPa,another vortex at 925 hPa is also intensified.Finally,the vortices at 850 and 925 hPa merge together and develop into a mesoscale convective vortex(MCV).In contrast,MCSs fail to form and move eastward in the NOLH experiment.In the absence of eastward-propagating MCSs,moist convection and mesoscale vortices still appear in the plains,but the vortex strength and precipitation intensity are significantly weakened.It is suggested the eastward-propagating MCSs over the second-step terrain significantly impact the development and enhancement of moist convection and vortices in the downstream areas.     

On the Key Dynamical Processes Supporting the 21.7 Zhengzhou Record-breaking Hourly Rainfall in China

An extremely heavy rainfall event occurred in Zhengzhou, China, on 20 July 2021 and produced an hourly rainfall rate of 201.9 mm, which broke the station record for mainland China. Based on radar observations and a convection-permitting simulation using the WRF-ARW model, this paper investigates the multiscale processes, especially those at the mesoscale,that support the extreme observed hourly rainfall. Results show that the extreme rainfall occurred in an environment characteristic of warm-sec...     

Surface rainfall and cloud budgets associated with mei-yu torrential rainfall over eastern China during June 2011

Surface rainfall and cloud budgets associated with three heavy rainfall events that occurred over eastern China during the mei-yu season in June 2011 were analyzed using 2D cumulus ensemble model simulation data.Model domain mean rainfall showed three peaks in response to three prescribed ascending motion maxima,primarily through the mean moisture convergence during the torrential rainfall period.Prescribed ascending motion throughout the troposphere produced strong convective rainfall during the first （9 June） and third （17-18 June） rainfall events,whereas strong prescribed ascending motion in the mid and upper troposphere and weak subsidence near the surface generated equally important stratiform and convective rainfall during the second rainfall event （14 June）.The analysis of surface rainfall budgets reveals that convective rainfall was associated with atmospheric drying during the first event and moisture convergence during the third event.Both stratiform and convective rainfall responded primarily to moisture convergence during the second event.An analysis of grid data shows that the first and third mean rainfall maxima had smaller horizontal scales of the precipitation system than the second.     

Observation and Numerical Simulations with Radar and Surface Data Assimilation for Heavy Rainfall over Central Korea

This study investigated the impact of multiple-Doppler radar data and surface data assimilation on forecasts of heavy rainfall over the central Korean Peninsula;the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model and its three-dimensional variational data assimilation system(3DVAR) were used for this purpose. During data assimilation,the WRF 3DVAR cycling mode with incremental analysis updates(IAU) was used. A maximum rainfall of 335.0 mm occurred during a 12-h period from 2100 UTC 11 July 2006 to 0900 UTC 12 July 2006.Doppler radar data showed that the heavy rainfall was due to the back-building formation of mesoscale convective systems(MCSs).New convective cells were continuously formed in the upstream region,which was characterized by a strong southwesterly low-level jet(LLJ).The LLJ also facilitated strong convergence due to horizontal wind shear,which resulted in maintenance of the storms.The assimilation of both multiple-Doppler radar and surface data improved the accuracy of precipitation forecasts and had a more positive impact on quantitative forecasting(QPF) than the assimilation of either radar data or surface data only.The back-building characteristic was successfully forecasted when the multiple-Doppler radar data and surface data were assimilated.In data assimilation experiments,the radar data helped forecast the development of convective storms responsible for heavy rainfall,and the surface data contributed to the occurrence of intensified low-level winds.The surface data played a significant role in enhancing the thermal gradient and modulating the planetary boundary layer of the model,which resulted in favorable conditions for convection.     

Four-dimensional variational data assimilation experiments for a heavy rain case during the 2002 IOP in China

A heavy rainfall event along the mei-yu front during 22-23 June 2002 was chosen for this study. To assess the impact of the routine and additional IOP (intensive observation period) radiosonde observations on the mesoscale heavy rainfall forecast, a series of four-dimensional variational (4DVAR) data assimilation and model simulation experiments was conducted using nonhydrostatic mesoscale model MM5 and the MM5 4DVAR system. The effects of the intensive observations in the different areas on the heavy rainfall forecast were also investigated. The results showed that improvement of the forecast skill for mesoscale heavy rainfall intensity was possible from the assimilation of the IOP radiosonde observations. However,the impact of the IOP observations on the forecast of the rainfall pattern was not significant. Initial conditions obtained through the 4DVAR experiments with a 12-h assimilation window were capable of improving the 24-h forecast. The simulated results after the assimilation showed that it would be best to perform the intensive radiosonde observations in the upstream of the rainfall area and in the moisture passageway area at the same time. Initial conditions created by the 4DVAR led to the low-level moisture convergence over the rainfall area, enhanced frontogenesis and upward motion within the mei-yu front,and intensified middle- and high-level unstable stratification in front of the mei-yu front. Consequently,the heavy rainfall forecast was improved.     

Variational Assimilation of GPS Precipitable Water Vapor and Hourly Rainfall Observations for a Meso-β Scale Heavy Precipitation Event During the 2002 Mei-Yu Season

Recent advances in Global Positioning System （GPS） remote sensing technology allow for a direct estimation of the precipitable water vapor （PWV） from delayed signals transmitted by GPS satellites, which can be assimilated into numerical models with four-dimensional variational （4DVAR） data assimilation. A mesoscale model and its 4DVAR system are used to access the impacts of assimilating GPS-PWV and hourly rainfall observations on the short-range prediction of a heavy rainfall event on 20 June 2002. The heavy precipitation was induced by a sequence of meso-β-scale convective systems （MCS） along the mei-yu front in China. The experiments with GPS-PWV assimilation cluster and also eliminated the erroneous rainfall successfully simulated the evolution of the observed MCS systems found in the experiment without 4DVAR assimilation. Experiments with hourly rainfall assimilation performed similarly both on the prediction of MCS initiation and the elimination of erroneous systems, however the MCS dissipated much sooner than it did in observations. It is found that the assimilation-induced moisture perturbation and mesoscale low-level jet are helpful for the MCS generation and development. It is also discovered that spurious gravity waves may post serious limitations for the current 4DVAR algorithm, which would degrade the assimilation efficiency, especially for rainfall data. Sensitivity experiments with different observations, assimilation windows and observation weightings suggest that assimilating GPS-PWV can be quite effective, even with the assimilation window as short as 1 h. On the other hand, assimilating rainfall observations requires extreme cautions on the selection of observation weightings and the control of spurious gravity waves.     

A Diagnostic Case Study on the Comparison Between the Frontal and Non-Frontal Convective Systems

Two major mesoscale convective clusters of different characters occurred during the heavy rainfall event in Guangxi Region and Guangdong Province on 20 June 2005,and they are preliminarily identified as a frontal mesoscale convective system(MCS1;a frontal cloud cluster) and a non-frontal MCS(MCS2;a warm sector cloud cluster).Comparative analyses on their convective intensity,maintenance mechanism, and moist potential vorticity(MPV) structure were further performed.The convective intensity analysis sugges...     

Diagnostic study on the structural characteristics of a typical mei-yu front system and its maintenance mechanism

In this paper, a typical mei-yu front process with heavy rainfall from June 12 to 15 in 1998 is analyzed. The results show that the mei-yu front is a front system which consists of an iso-θe dense area with strong horizontal gradient, a deep-convective cloud tower band, a passageway transporting warm and moist air flow from the summer monsoon surge in the mid and low levels to the south of the mei-yu front,and a migrating synoptic scale trough to the north of the mei-yu front, which transports cold and dry air southward in the mid and upper levels. The maintenance of the mei-yu front is realized by: (1) is a positive feedback between the moist physical process enhancing frontogenesis and the development of the strong convective system in front of the mei-yu front; (2) the sustaining system to the north of the mei-yu front which is a migrating synoptic scale trough transporting cold and dry air to the mei-yu front and positive vorticity to the mesoscale system in front of the mei-yu front.     

一次华南暴雨过程的数值模拟———中尺度对流系统形成发展机制

2008年6月11-13日在华南地区出现了特大暴雨,这主要是由一系列中尺度对流系统(MCS)的相继生成,合并和强烈发展导致的.该研究利用新一代中尺度数值模式WRF对此次暴雨过程进行数值模拟,重点研究此次强降水过程中MCS发生、发展和演变过程及其相关物理机制.在MCS的生成过程中,由于西南涡的存在导致MCS始终处于正涡度环境中,正涡度导致的低层辐合与大气静力不稳定都是重要的MCS启动机制,这两者的共同作用有利于MCS的生成与加强.MCS形成后,在强垂直切变的环境中,倾斜抬升机制发生作用,更进一步加强了环境涡度,形成有利的正反馈过程,造成MCS迅速发展.这些加强的MCS和大尺度环境流场相互作用,造成了它们的合并.在MCS的分裂过程中,马氏力起着重要作用.     

"05.6"东北暴雨中尺度对流系统研究Ⅰ:常规资料和卫星资料分析

应用常规气象资料与卫星资料相结合的办法,研究了2005年6月10日午后在黑龙江省中东部发生的暴雨中尺度对流系统(MCSs)的大尺度环流背景、大气层结演变特征、下垫面条件以及中尺度对流系统。结果表明:此次暴雨(简称“05.6”东北暴雨)是发生在高空槽东移加深过程中的一次对流天气过程。中尺度对流系统处于前倾疏散的高空槽槽前,高空辐散,低空辐合,为MCS发生提供了有利的大尺度动力条件。暴雨发生前对流层低层有西南—东北走向的湿舌,为暴雨提供了有利的水汽条件。高空干冷平流与低空的暖湿平流形成的差动平流,造成此处大气的层结不稳定度增强。此外,从地面接收到的太阳辐射能量分布情况来看,下垫面不均匀加热引起的热力环流是这次暴雨过程中尺度对流系统发生发展的一个重要的触发机制。研究地面中尺度切变线演变与此次暴雨对流系统发生发展的关系发现,切变线上对流强弱分布是不均匀的,其中在弧形切变线曲率最大处的对流最强,与沙兰河上游暴雨有关的对流云团就出现在这个地区。以上事实表明,地面中尺度切变线可能是此次暴雨发生发展的另一个关键因素,而造成切变线上对流发展不均匀的原因可能和切变线走向与环境风场的配置有较大关系。     

长江中游一次大暴雨的中尺度分析

通过对2003年7月8日发生在长江中游的一场大暴雨进行中尺度分析,初步研究了暴雨的形成及发展过程,总结了暴雨的产生与中小尺度系统的关系,着重阐述了低空急流在暴雨形成中的作用,以及在低空急流左侧强正涡度中心附近形成中尺度涡旋,激发暴雨云团等。     

Variational Assimilation of GPS Precipitable Water Vapor and Hourly Rainfall Observations for a Meso-β Scale Heavy Precipitation Event During the 2002 Mei-Yu Season

Recent advances in Global Positioning System (GPS) remote sensing technology allow for a direct estimation of the precipitable water vapor (PWV) from delayed signals transmitted by GPS satellites, which can be assimilated into numerical models with four-dimensional variational (4DVAR) data assimilation. A mesoscale model and its 4DVAR system are used to access the impacts of assimilating GPS-PWV and hourly rainfall observations on the short-range prediction of a heavy rainfall event on 20 June 2002. The heavy precipitation was induced by a sequence of meso-β-scale convective systems (MCS) along the mei-yu front in China.The experiments with GPS-PWV assimilation successfully simulated the evolution of the observed MCS cluster and also eliminated the erroneous rainfall systems found in the experiment without 4DVAR assimilation. Experiments with hourly rainfall assimilation performed similarly both on the prediction of MCS initiation and the elimination of erroneous systems, however the MCS dissipated much sooner than it did in observations. It is found that the assimilation-induced moisture perturbation and mesoscale low-level jet are helpful for the MCS generation and development. It is also discovered that spurious gravity waves may post serious limitations for the current 4DVAR algorithm, which would degrade the assimilation efficiency, especially for rainfall data. Sensitivity experiments with different observations, assimilation windows and observation weightings suggest that assimilating GPS-PWV can be quite effective, even with the assimilation window as short as 1 h. On the other hand, assimilating rainfall observations requires extreme cautions on the selection of observation weightings and the control of spurious gravity waves.     

夏季青藏高原上的对流云和中尺度对流系统

运用1998年6～8月逐日逐时日本地球静止气象卫星(GMS)红外辐射亮温资料,计算和分析了青藏高原及周边地区对流云和中尺度对流系统的活动,揭示了它们形成和发展的月际变化和地理分布、强度、日变化、移动和传播等诸多特征,以及与长江流域暴雨过程的关系.