Vertical structure of orographic precipitating clouds observed over south Asia during summer monsoon season

Orography profoundly influences seasonal rainfall amount in several places in south Asia by affecting rain intensity and duration. One of the fundamental questions concerning orographic rainfall is nature of the associated precipitating clouds in the absence of synoptic forcing. It is believed that these clouds are not very deep, however, there is not much information in the literature on their vertical structure. The present study explores the vertical structure of precipitating clouds associated with orographic features in south Asia using data collected with the precipitation radar on board the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission satellite. Two types of precipitating clouds have been defined based on cloud echo top height, namely, shallow echo-top cloud and medium echo-top cloud. In both, radar reflectivity factor is at least 30 dBZ at 1.5 km altitude, and tops of shallow and medium echo-top clouds lie below 4.5 km and between 4.5 and 8 km, respectively. The Western Ghats contains the highest fraction of the shallow echo-top clouds followed by the adjacent eastern Arabian Sea, while the Khasi Hills in Meghalaya and Cardamom Mountains in Cambodia contain the least fraction of them. Average vertical profiles of shallow echo-top clouds are similar in different mountainous areas while regional differences are observed in the medium echo-top clouds. Below 3 km, precipitation liquid water content in medium echo-top clouds is the highest over the Western Ghats and the eastern Arabian Sea. The average precipitation liquid water content increases by \(0.16\,\hbox { gm m}^{-3}\) for shallow echo-top clouds between 3 and 1.5 km altitude, while the corresponding increase for medium echo-top clouds is in 0.05–0.08 \(\hbox { gm m}^{-3}\) range.     

Meteorological analysis of the tornado in Ciudad Acuña,Coahuila State,Mexico, on May 25, 2015

Extreme meteorological conditions favor the development of severe storms and tornadoes that may have largely impacts on the population despite its relatively short life. Tornadic severe storms have been documented around the World. In Mexico (MEX), the study of the occurrence of tornadoes and severe storms is relatively new. In this research, we have selected an event of severe tornadic storm in Ciudad Acuña, Mexico. The storm was driven by a frontal system moving southward from USA converging with a warmer moist air flux from the Gulf of Mexico. The tornado strikes on the Northeast of Mexico, in Coahuila State, on May 25, 2015. Imagery of infrared channel from GOES 13 satellite and the presence of a hook echo in radar data of May 25, 2015, indicate a supercell structure. The maximum values of radial velocity were about ?20 and 15 m s^?1. In this study, the WRF model was used in order to simulate the mesoscale meteorological conditions of the tornado. Model simulations capture atmospheric features observed in Doppler radar. The simulated storm-relative helicity values were between 400 and 500 m² s^?2. The simulated convective available potential energy values were of 3000 J kg^?1. These values were higher than values for convective storms, located over the region of Ciudad Acuña in Mexico and Del Rio in USA. The supercell was a result of high humidity and temperature gradients, conditioned by frontal activity and moisture flux intensifications from the Gulf of Mexico.

     

Spatial–temporal patterns of cloud-to-ground lightning over the northwest Iberian Peninsula during the period 2010–2015

The spatial–temporal patterns of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning covering the period 2010–2015 over the northwest Iberian Peninsula were investigated. The analysis conducted employed three main methods: the circulation weather types developed by Jenkinson and Collison, the fit of a generalized additive model (GAM) for geographic variables, and the use of a concentration index for the ratio of lightning strikes and thunderstorm days. The main activity in the summer months can be attributed to situations with eastern or anticyclonic flow due to convection by insolation. In winter, lightning proves to have a frontal origin and is mainly associated with western or cyclonic flow situations which occur with advections of air masses of maritime origin. The largest number of CG discharges occurs under eastern flow and their hybrids with anticyclonic situations. Thunderstorms with greater CG lightning activity, highlighted by a higher concentration index, are located in areas with a higher density of lightning strikes, above all in mountainous areas away from the sea. The modeling of lightning density with geographic variables shows the positive influence of altitude and, particularly, distance to the sea, with nonlinear relationships due to the complex orography of the region. Likewise, areas with convex topography receive more lightning strikes than concave ones, a relation which has been demonstrated for the first time from a GAM.     

Urban hailstorms: a view from Alberta

Urban hailstorms are rarely studied in detail. This work documents five urban storms in Alberta where damage has, on three occasions, set the record for Canada's most costly natural disaster. Information from newspapers, insurance companies, and disaster assistance programs was utilized to supplement meteorological records and information obtained from public surveys.The record-breaking hail swath which accompanied the 1987 Edmonton tornado was mapped using over 800 responses to an unprecedented newspaper survey. Tennis ball sized hail struck 125 km² of the city. Record-sized hailstones for Alberta were collected. Citizens' measurements of giant hailstones were compared to laboratory measurements. The rural storms were tracked using lightning detector information and damage was mapped using crop insurance and disaster assistance claims. The tornado-bearing storm was found to have a unique track.A late-season hailstorm which struck Calgary in 1991 was mapped using homeowner insurance claims organized by postal areas. Nine out of thirty areas had claims rates exceeding 50%, mainly for shingle replacement. Experiences of claims adjustors and an informal public survey were also utilized. Rural storms were mapped using weather radar and crop losses. The radar beam was strongly attenuated when it passed through hail-bearing storms and, thus, its ability to detect large hail was compromised.Weather conditions, urban and rural damaged areas, and insurance payments were compared for all five local hailstorms. These storms were discussed within the context of the long history of Alberta hail research and current trends in technology implementation. Forecasting of these hailstorms using conventional severe weather indicators was difficult in Calgary because of that city's proximity to the mountains. Hailstorms that struck Munich, Denver, and Toowoomba (Australia) were also discussed, and the hailstones collected from the great Munich storm were compared to those collected from the Edmonton storms.     

Urban effects of Chennai on sea breeze induced convection and precipitation

Doppler radar derived wind speed and direction profiles showed a well developed sea breeze circulation over the Chennai, India region on 28 June, 2003. Rainfall totals in excess of 100 mm resulted from convection along the sea breeze front. Inland propagation of the sea breeze front was observed in radar reflectivity imagery. High-resolution MM5 simulations were used to investigate the influence of Chennai urban land use on sea breeze initiated convection and precipitation. A comparison of observed and simulated 10m wind speed and direction over Chennai showed that the model was able to simulate the timing and strength of the sea breeze. Urban effects are shown to increase the near surface air temperature over Chennai by 3.0K during the early morning hours. The larger surface temperature gradient along the coast due to urban effects increased onshore flow by 4.0m s⁻¹. Model sensitivity study revealed that precipitation totals were enhanced by 25mm over a large region 150 km west of Chennai due to urban effects. Deficiency in model physics related to night-time forecasts are addressed.     

Temporal variation of tropical cyclones in the North Atlantic Basin

A total of 269 tropical storms and hurricanes originated in the North Atlantic basin from 1960–1989. Of these, 76 made landfall on the continental United states. This study divides the 76 tropical storms into their month of formation. Seasonal shifts in the principal areas of tropical cyclone formation over the Atlantic basin have been recognized for many decades. The results of the study suggest that the early and late season tropical cyclones develop in areas which are first affected by the position of the sun, resulting in an increase in water temperatures. These cyclones normally make landfall along the Gulf Coast and usually are of low intensity. Formation areas shift eastward in mid-summer with a slight increase in intensity. By late August and early September, the formation areas have extended to the Cape Verde Islands. These storms tend to strike the east coast of the US and are normally more intense. By the end of the hurricane season, the primary formation area has shifted back to the Gulf of Mexico, with low intensity storms affecting the Gulf Coast.     

Dual polarization radar Lagrangian parameters: a statistics-based probabilistic nowcasting model

The aim of this study is to present a statistics-based Lagrangian nowcasting model to predict intense rainfall convective events based on dual polarization radar parameters. The data employed in this study are from X-band radar collected during the CHUVA-Vale campaign from November 2011 to March 2012 in southeast Brazil. The model was designed to catch the important physical characteristics of storms, such as the presence of supercooled water above 0 °C isotherm, vertical ice crystals in high levels, graupel development in the mixed-phase layer and storm vertical growth, using polarimetric radar in the mixed-phase layer. These parameters are based on different polarimetric radar quantities in the mixed phase, such as negative differential reflectivity (Z _DR) and specific differential phase (K _DP), low correlation coefficient (ρ _hv) and high reflectivity Z _h values. Storms were tracked to allow the Lagrangian temporal derivation. The model is based on the estimation of the proportion of radar echo volume in the mixed phase that is likely to be associated with intense storm hydrometeors. Thirteen parameters are used in this probabilistic nowcasting model, which is able to predict the potential for future storm development. The model distinguishes two different categories of storms, intense and non-intense rain cell events by determining how many parameters reach the “intense” storm threshold.     

Unveiling buried aeolian landscapes: reconstructing a late Holocene dune environment using 3D ground-penetrating radar

Across the UK, sandy beaches and dunes protect coastal infrastructure from waves and extreme water levels during large-scale storms, while providing important habitats and recreational opportunities. Understanding their long-term evolution is vital in managing their condition in a changing climate. Recently, ground-penetrating radar (GPR) methods have grown in popularity in geomorphological applications, yielding centimetre-scale resolution images of near-surface stratigraphy and structure, thus allowing landscape evolution to be reconstructed. Additionally, abrupt changes in palaeo-environments can be visualized in three dimensions. Although often complemented by core data, GPR allows interpretations to be extended into areas with minimal ground-truth control. Nonetheless, GPR data interpretation can be non-intuitive and ambiguous, and radargrams may not initially resemble the expected subsurface geometry. Interpretation can be made yet more onerous when handling the large 3D data volumes that are facilitated with modern GPR technology. Here we describe the development of novel semi-automated GPR feature-extraction tools, based on ‘edge detection’ and ‘thresholding’ methods, which detect regions of increased GPR reflectivity which can be applied to aid in the reconstruction of a range Quaternary landscapes. Since reflectivity can be related to lithological and/or pore fluid changes, the 3D architecture of the palaeo-landscape can be reconstructed from the features extracted from a geophysical dataset. We present 500 MHz GPR data collected over a buried Holocene coastal dune system in North Wales, UK, now reclaimed for use as an airfield. Core data from the site, reaching a maximum depth 2 m, suggest rapid vertical changes from sand to silty-organic units, and GPR profiles suggest similar lateral complexity. By applying thresholding methods to GPR depth slices, these lateral complexities are effectively and automatically mapped. Furthermore, automatic extraction of the local reflection power yields a strong correlation with the depth variation of organic content, suggesting it is a cause of reflectivity contrast. GPR-interpolated analyses away from core control thus offer a powerful proxy for parameters derived from invasive core logging. The GPR data collected at Llanbedr airfield highlight a complex dune system to a depth of 2.8 m, probably deposited in several phases over ~700 years, similar to elsewhere in North Wales.     

Evaluation of intermediate TanDEM-X digital elevation data products over Tasmania using other digital elevation models and accurate heights from the Australian National Gravity Database

The successful operation of the TanDEM-X satellite mission is the start of a new era of globally consistent and accurate digital elevation data for planet Earth. In this work available 12 m-resolution intermediate TanDEM-X products (DEM: digital elevation model; HEM: height error map; COV: coverage map; WAM: water indication mask) are evaluated over Tasmania. Elevations from the TanDEM-X intermediate digital elevation model (IDEM) are compared with (a) other global DEMs (30 m-resolution SRTM1 USGS v3 and 30 m-resolution Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission Reflectometer (ASTER GDEM2), (b) the local 25 m-resolution DEM made available by Tasmanian environmental authority (DPIPWE), and (c) over 15 000 accurate ground-control-points (GCPs) from the Australian National Gravity Database (ANGD). The comparison with ASTER and SRTM over the area of Tasmania involves over 500 million valid TanDEM-X IDEM elevations. The root-mean-square (RMS) of 8.8 m indicates a reasonable to good agreement of TanDEM-X IDEM and SRTM, while ASTER shows almost twice the disagreement in terms of RMS (～16.5 m). Both, ASTER and SRTM show a (mean) offset of –1.9 m and –2.3 m w.r.t. TanDEM-X IDEM, respectively. By comparisons with GCPs, we find that SRTM and ASTER overestimate the terrain height. The comparison with the AGND GCPs also allows an estimate of the absolute accuracy of the IDEM, which is found to be superior to that of SRTM or ASTER. The RMS error of 6.6 m shows that the IDEM is close to the officially denoted 4 m absolute vertical accuracy considering that the GCPs are not error free. The height error map information layer is found to a suitable first indicator of the (local) accuracy of the IDEM in a relative sense. However, we find that the HEM tends to underestimate observed differences to the GCPs. Terrain-type analyses reveal that the TanDEM-X IDEM is a very consistent elevation database over Tasmania. In conclusion, our study demonstrates that the new TanDEM-X elevation data sets provide improved high-resolution terrain information over Tasmania and beyond.     

Characteristics of cloud-to-ground lightning and its relationship with climate change in Muli,Sichuan province,China

Along with climate change, cloud-to-ground lightning (CG)-caused forest fires are becoming increasingly pronounced. This study employed the Chinese lightning location system data (2009–2015) and worldwide lightning location network data (2005–2015) to jointly analyze CG characteristics and study the correlation between CG and climate change. The Muli county in southwest China was taken as research area. The CG number showed a clear increasing trend on yearly timescale. At the monthly timescale, CG occurred from March to October, with a peak in June. At the daily timescale, 15:00–23:00 (local time) and 00:00–05:00 both had a high CG frequency, and the peak was at 18:00–19:00. We divided CG electric current intensity into six grades and found that negative CG accounted for more than 90% of total CG and, among these, the 3rd and 4th intensity grades accounted for about 70%. To examine the spatial distribution, we focused on lightning-caused forest fires high occurrence seasons. In spring, CG distribution changed from the initial southeast to the northwest, gradually spreading to the whole area of Muli, whereas the CG area gradually moved back to the southeast in autumn. Our research suggested that minimum temperature was the most sensitive temperature to CG change. In March, the relationship between CG and minimum temperature showed a strong positive correlation. Considered jointly, we suggest the CG and related lightning-caused forest fires could increase in the future under an increased minimum temperature and decreased precipitation, especially in March.     

A review of major storm impacts on coastal wetland elevations

Storms have long been recognized as agents of geomorphic change to coastal wetlands. A review of recent data on soil elevation dynamics before and after storms revealed that storms affected wetland elevations by storm surge, high winds, and freshwater flushing of the estuary (inferred). The data also indicate that measures of sediment deposition and erosion can often misrepresent the amount and even direction of elevation change because of storm influences on subsurface processes. Simultaneous influence on both surface and subsurface processe by storms means that soil elevation cannot always be accurately estimated from surface process data alone. Eight processes are identified as potentially influencing soil elevation: sediment deposition, sediment erosion, sediment compaction, soil shrinkage, root decomposition (following tree mortality from high winds), root growth (following flushing with freshwater, inferred), soil swelling, and lateral folding of the marsh root mat. Local wetland condition (e.g., marsh health, tide height, groundwater level) and the physical characteristics of the storm (e.g., angle of approach, proximity, amount of rain, wind speed, and storm surge height) were apparently important factors determining the storm's effect on soil elevation. Storm effect on elevation were both permanent (on an ecological time scale) and short-lived, but event short-term changes have potentially important ecological consequences. Shallow soil subsidence or expansion caused by a storm must be considered when calculating local rates of relative sea level rise and evaluating storm effects on wetland stability.     

Analysis of a major storm over the Dongjiang reservoir basin associated with Typhoon Bilis (2006)

An unexpected major storm on July 14, 2006, resulted in great loss to the Dongjiang reservoir basin in Zixing City, Hunan Province, China, during the dominance of Typhoon Bilis (2006). The rainfall characteristics and temporal evolution of this major storm were studied with rain gauge data and high-resolution radar reflectivity data to investigate the connections between typhoon, reservoir and convective storm. Our investigations found that the intense convective storm, which was characterized by a banded structure, brought heavy rainfall concentrated in the Dongjiang reservoir basin while the center of Typhoon Bilis was nearly 450 km away from the basin. By applying geographical information system techniques, analyses of radar reflectivity demonstrated that the topography of the Dongjiang reservoir has big influence on the development of convective storm. Furthermore, intense convective cells with strong radar reflectivity (>50 dBZ) arose more frequently over the edges of the reservoir, especially over the southern mountain valley in the basin. More importantly, our investigations indicate that the occurrence of this convective storm is closely related to a strong atmospheric inversion by examining the Atmospheric Infrared Sounder data.     

Using Long-Term Census Data to Inform Restoration Methods for Coastal Dune Vegetation

Barrier islands are exposed to the wind and wave action from storms, which often disturbs both the geomorphology and vegetation. Conservation and restoration efforts for these important habitats could be improved with knowledge of how native plants respond to storms. We analyzed 10 years of annual data of vegetation of St. George Island, Florida, in the Gulf of Mexico, to quantify how the plant community responds to major storms and to predict which dune species might be appropriate for restoration after storm damage across dune zones. This prediction was tested with six plant species that differed in their storm response—from highly negative (local extinction in response to storms) to highly positive (increased abundance in response to storms). We measured transplant survival and growth (plant height and number of shoots) over 2 years in a restoration experiment across three major dune zones. We found that different species can be useful for restoration purposes in different dune zones, depending on both short- and longer-term management strategies. Uniola paniculata is a particularly strong restoration candidate across all dune zones, whereas Muhlenbergia capillaris and Schizachyrium maritimum would be beneficial for restoration in the interdune area. Fimbristylis spp. and Sporobolus virginicus demonstrate the strongest potential for restoration in the interdune and backdune areas. Restoration of disturbed areas often involves the seeding or transplanting of species to stabilize the landscape and initiate the return of the original vegetation. We show that the performance of native species, in response to storms, especially in conjunction with information on plant life history, can be useful for identifying the best species to use for restoration.     

Convection and crystal settling in sills

It has been advocated that convective and crystal settling processes play significant, and perhaps crucial, roles in magmatic differentiation. The fluid dynamics of magma chambers have been extensively studied in recent years, both theoretically and experimentally, but there is disagreement over the nature and scale of the convection, over its bearing on fractionation and possibly over whether it occurs at all. The differential distribution of modal olivine with height in differentiated alkaline basic sills provides critical evidence to resolve this controversy, at least for small to medium-large magma chambers. Our own and others' published data for such sills show that, irrespective of overall olivine content, modal olivine contents tend to increase in a roughly symmetrical manner inwards from the upper and lower margins of the sill, i.e. the distribution patterns are more often approximately D-shaped rather than the classic S-shape generally ascribed to gravity settling. We concur with the majority of other authors that this is an original feature of the filling process which has survived more or less unchanged since emplacement. We therefore conclude that the magmas have not undergone turbulent convection and that gravity settling has usually played only a minor modifying role since the intrusion of these sills. We offer a possible explanation for the apparent contradiction between fluid dynamical theory and the petrological evidence by suggesting that such sills rarely fill by the rapid injection of a single pulse of magma. Rather, they form from a series of pulses or a continuous pulsed influx over a protracted interval during which marginal cooling severely limits the potential for thermal convection.     

The interaction of large scale and mesoscale environment leading to formation of intense thunderstorms over Kolkata Part I: Doppler radar and satellite observations

The weather systems that predominantly affect the eastern and northeastern parts of India during the pre-monsoon summer months (March, April and May) are severe thunderstorms, known as Nor’westers. The storms derive their names from the fact that they frequently strike cities and towns in the southern part of West Bengal in the afternoon from the north-west direction while traveling far from its place of genesis over the Bihar plateau. The storms are devastating in nature particularly due to strong (gusty) winds, heavy rains and hails associated with it. Although these storms are well known for its power of causing damages, studies on them are relatively few due to their small size and sparse network of observations. To address this important issue, the evolution of two Nor’westers of 12 March and 22 May 2003 over Kolkata is studied in detail in this paper using hourly Doppler weather radar (DWR) observations and high resolution Meteosat-5 imageries. In addition, supporting meteorological reports are used to find the large scale conditions that influence the moisture convergence and vertical wind shear. The genesis of both the storms is found to be over Bihar-Jharkhand region and beyond the range of the DWR. The satellite observations are found to be useful in identifying the location and initiation of the storms. The movements of the storms are captured by the DWR estimated vertical cross-section of reflectivities. The Doppler estimate shows that the 12 March storm had a vertical extent of about 10–12 km at the time of maturity and that of 22 May reaching up to 18 km signifying deep convection associated with these events. The genesis, maturity and dissipation are well brought out by the hourly DWR and satellite imageries. The DWR observations suggest that the systems move at a speed of 20–25 m/s. The DWR estimated precipitation shows a detailed spatial distribution around Kolkata with several localized zones of heavy rain and this is found to be well supported by the nearby station observations. This study establishes that DWR observations along with hourly satellite imageries are able to capture the evolution of Nor’westers. The study also shows that the composite DWR-satellite information is a reliable tool for nowcasting the location, time and path of movement of Nor’westers. Based on these observations, a conceptual model of the Nor’wester is proposed.     

Radar research of hailstorm formation and development over the central part of Northern Caucasus (Russia). Organization and main results of the regional hail suppression projects

The results of the analysis of long-term radar research of the hailstorms over the central part of the Northern Caucasus are presented. Radar observations which formed the basis of experimental material were carried out continuously from the moment of the first radar echo registration until complete dissipation of the hailstorm. The computerized system of collecting, processing and the analysis of the radar information was used. Time discretization of the radar parameters of the full spatial observation averaged 3 min. Statistical sampling of radar data included 392 hail cells, for each of which the time distributions of the radar parameters both measured and calculated using the computerized system were compiled. Distribution of the hailstorms first radar echo formation zones over the observation region was compiled. Areas with the maximum frequency of the hailstorms first radar echo formation were defined. The hailstorm trajectories were analyzed. Four main types of hail cell trajectories were selected, which included 86 % of the supercells and 64 % of the long-lived multicells. The dynamic parameters of the hail core formation and development were analyzed. The hail storm characteristics of the Northern Caucasus are compared to the hail storms of Mendoza, Argentina, and Alberta, Canada. The bases of the organization of regional hail suppression services which use the rocket technology of cloud seeding are presented. The results of the cloud seeding operations during recent years are shown.     

Three-dimensional mapping of a landslide using a multi-geophysical approach: the Quesnel Forks landslide

A landslide located on the Quesnel River in British Columbia, Canada is used as a case study to demonstrate the utility of a multi-geophysical approach to subsurface mapping of unstable slopes. Ground penetrating radar (GPR), direct current (DC) resistivity and seismic reflection and refraction surveys were conducted over the landslide and adjacent terrain. Geophysical data were interpreted based on stratigraphic and geomorphologic observations, including the use of digital terrain models (DTMs), and then integrated into a 3-dimensional model. GPR surveys yielded high-resolution data that were correlated with stratigraphic units to a maximum depth of 25 m. DC electrical resistivity offered limited data on specific units but was effective for resolving stratigraphic relationships between units to a maximum depth of 40 m. Seismic surveys were primarily used to obtain unit boundaries up to a depth of >80 m. Surfaces of rupture and separation were successfully identified by GPR and DC electrical resistivity techniques.     

Estimation of spectral reflectance of snow from IRS-1D LISS-III sensor over the Himalayan terrain

The sensor onboard the satellite views the earth as a plain surface and consequently the satelliteobtained spectral radiances cannot represent true values over a mountainous terrain. The relative magnitudes of terrain slope and its aspect with respect to the sun's position will determine the amount of direct solar radiation incident on an undulating surface. Estimation of spectral reflectance from satellite data forms an important component in many of the snow and glacier studies. The spectral reflectance of snow is influenced by its various parameters. The changes in snowpack characteristics as a result of various metamorphic processes, with age, can cause variations in its spectral reflectances. Since, the terrain geometry also modifies the amount of reflected radiation from a rugged surface, one has to correct the estimated spectral reflectances for terrain topography so as to use them in deriving the snowpack characteristics accurately. Also, the amounts of melt runoff originating from glaciers having different slopes and orientations will not be the same. Considering these aspects, a model has been developed to estimate the terrain corrected spectral reflectances over the Himalayan terrain using the Linear Imaging Self Scanner-III data of the Indian Remote Sensing Satellite. The model computes spectral reflectances from satellitebased radiance measurements and includes the effect of the terrain topography on the incident solar radiation. The terrain slope and its aspect are generated from the digital elevation model of the region. The analysis carried out over the Beas Basin, Himachal Pradesh, India, indicated a variation of 22% in the amount of incident solar radiation for an increase of 10‡ in terrain slope. Further, the terrain with south-east aspect received maximum amount of solar radiation. The large differences observed between the uncorrected and terrain corrected reflectances in the shortwave infrared band (B5), which is not saturated over the snow covered region, suggest that the terrain slope and its aspect cannot be neglected in estimating the accurate spectral reflectances over the Himalayan terrain.     

Use of objective analysis to estimate winter temperature and precipitation at different stations over western Himalaya

Temperature and fresh snow are essential inputs in an avalanche forecasting model. Without these parameters, prediction of avalanche occurrence for a region would be very difficult. In the complex terrain of Himalaya, nonavailability of snow and meteorological data of the remote locations during snow storms in the winter is a common occurrence. In view of this persistent problem present study estimates maximum temperature, minimum temperature, ambient temperature and precipitation intensity on different regions of Indian western Himalaya by using similar parameters of the neighbouring regions. The location at which parameters are required and its neighbouring locations should all fall in the same snow climatic zone. Initial step to estimate the parameters at a location, is to shift the parameters of neighbouring regions at a reference height corresponding to the altitude of the location at which parameters are to be estimated. The parameters at this reference height are then spatially interpolated by using Barnes objective analysis. The parameters estimated on different locations are compared with the observed one and the Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of the observed and estimated values of the parameters are discussed for the winters of 2007–2008.     

Identification of sources and groundwater recharge zones from hydrochemistry and stable isotopes of an agriculture-based paleo-lacustrine basin of drought-prone northeast Mexico

Over exploitation for agricultural activities and consumption has depleted the groundwater resources of drought-prone northeast Mexico. Major ion concentrations along with δ¹⁸O_H2O, δ²H_H2O and d-excess values of shallow groundwater from the Cieneguilla Basin (near Tula) located at a distance of ∼200 km from coast of the Gulf of Mexico helped to contribute new data about drought vulnerability in this region through identification of the moisture source and groundwater recharge zone. Different degrees of rock-water interaction through gypsum, anhydrite and halite dissolutions and minor silicate weathering controlled the hydrochemistry. Stable isotopes yielded a least square regression and slope similar to the local as well as global meteoric water lines, indicating minimal effect of evaporation during the recharge as well as in the subsoil. Isotopic fractionations along with a digital elevation model demarcated the recharge zones at north and east of the basin, with altitudinal difference of ≥1000 m, and indicated that the recharge occurred through warm season moisture sourced from the Gulf of Mexico. Less frequent landfalling of tropical storms caused by warmer sea surface temperature, however, has reduced this rainfall over the last few decades. If the trend of global warming continues unabated, the depleted groundwater resources would trigger reduction in agricultural activities in this drought-prone region and lead to enhanced socio-economic challenges.