A preliminary study of the formation of precipitation systems under undisturbed conditions during TAMEX

Summary The effect of mountains on the occurrence of precipitation systems on Taiwan island is very significant, especially as mountain areas occupy about two-thirds of the land-mass. The mountains are, on average, about 3 km high. To investigate the formation of precipitation systems influenced by Pacific high pressure systems, we selected five cases (May 24, 25 and 26, June 19 and 20 in 1987) during a field program, TAMEX (Taiwan Area Mesoscale Experiment, Kuo and Chen, 1990). In all cases most of the rainfall took place in the afternoon when the level of free convection (LFC) was at about the 1 km height. If the average wind (below 3 km in height) was from the south (May 25 and 26), higher amounts of precipitation would be found along the sloped areas of western and eastern Taiwan. Rainfall also occurred in southern and northern Taiwan. If the average wind was from the southwest (May 24), the precipitation pattern was similar to that on May 25, except over the plains area in southwest and northeast Taiwan, where the amount was less. However, if the prevailing wind direction changed little with height and the average wind was from the south-southeast (June 19), higher rainfall amounts occurred from northwestern to central Taiwan. If the average wind was from the south and wind direction changed little with height (June 20), higher rainfall amounts took place in northern and central Taiwan. A nonhydrostatic model was used to simulate the formation of precipitation systems in all five cases. Simulation results indicated that the mixing ratio of rainwater could occur on the upstream side of a mountain slope and in the central mountain areas, where topographic lifting from the environmental wind and an upslope flow due to surface heating were evident. On the downstream side of the mountain, upward motion due to lee-side convergence and upslope motion from surface heating would also help rain form.With 13 Figures     

A Numerical Study of Precipitation Characteristics over Taiwan Island during the Winter Season

Summary  Two-thirds of the land mass of Taiwan island is mountainous, which affects the airflow and precipitation systems over the island. In this study, we discuss the characteristics of precipitation systems when the prevailing wind direction is from the north-east during winter. Observations indicate that rainfall amounts were higher in northeastern Taiwan (the upstream side of the mountains) and that a rainfall shadow occurred in southwestern Taiwan. Simulation results from a non-hydrostatic model indicate that airflow was deflected in eastern Taiwan, while relatively high (low) pressure areas formed in eastern (western) Taiwan. A higher mixing ratio of rainfall occurred over northeastern Taiwan while lighter rainfall occurred in the eastern, and northwestern areas and the southern tip of Taiwan. This was consistent with the observational data except for the southern tip of Taiwan. Uplift due to the topography near the mountainous areas, as well as low level convergence near the coastal areas (due to the deceleration of an easterly wind in northeastern Taiwan), helped form the mixing ratio of rain. Transportation of the mixing ratio of rainfall, due to low level westward flow and upper level eastward flow, caused it to cover a larger area. The mixing ratio of rainfall formed in the upper mountainous areas in northeastern Taiwan if the upstream moisture content was reduced significantly. A temperature inversion at low levels resulted in a decrease in relative humidity and an increase in stability, requiring that the mixing ratio of rainfall should develop closer to the mountainous areas. If a low level wind blew parallel to the orientation of the mountains (NNE-SSW), a higher mixing ratio of rainfall could occur in the mountainous areas of western Taiwan. Received January 30, 1998 Revised February 19, 1999     

泰山地形对一次局地强降水过程动力作用的数值模拟分析

文章针对2005年9月2日发生在济宁郭楼镇的一次泰山背风下游区局地特大暴雨过程（438 mm/7 h）,利用济南SA雷达资料和WRF中尺度数值模式资料,分析了泰山山区地形造成的对流层中低层大气动力过程及其对暴雨中尺度系统的影响,开展了地形敏感性数值试验。结果表明：对流层低层回流南下的东北气流受鲁中山区地形影响,水平方向发生绕流,垂直方向被迫抬升,从而在泰山背风向的暴雨区附近形成准定常的绕流汇合区和重力波扰动区,两项作用强迫的垂直运动,与天气系统辐合区共同作用触发该地区的对流活动,并使移入该地的对流系统增强和维持。改变地形后引起低层风场和散度场变化,进而影响降雨带中的强降水落区和强度,但对主雨带的分布无明显影响。     

一次典型东风波极端暴雨的中尺度特征及地形影响分析

利用湖南省常规气象观测资料、区域自动站资料、NCEP再分析资料、常德多普勒雷达资料,分析2016年8月8—15日在多个东风波倒槽接力影响下,湘北地区反复出现的极端暴雨天气的中尺度特征,并利用WRF-ARW中尺度数值模式,对8月10—11日湘北地区极端暴雨过程进行数值模拟和地形敏感性试验。结果表明:(1)1604号台风在广东深圳登陆后沿西北路径移动和1605号台风在西北太平洋向北移动后,副热带高压快速西伸控制华东及沿海地区,其底部的东风波扰动为极端暴雨提供了环流背景;(2)近地面不均匀加热为东风波槽附近强对流提供了充足的热力不稳定条件,地面中尺度辐合线为对流的触发和加强起到重要作用;(3)东风波槽带来的边界层暖湿气流在武陵山东侧激发深厚中尺度涡旋,是极端暴雨形成的主要原因;(4)地形敏感性试验进一步验证了东风波暖湿气流在武陵山脉地形抬升和阻挡作用下,在迎风坡上游地区形成气旋性辐合导致暴雨增幅。     

地形与城市环流共同作用下的β中尺度暴雨

从中尺度天气动力学理论入手, 利用尺度分析的方法, 得到了地形与城市热岛共同作用下的β中尺度暴雨的一系列理论特征。利用北京地区稠密的地面观测网资料以及分布于距暴雨中心区不同距离的两部风廓线仪观测资料, 通过分析2006年夏季发生的3次β中尺度暴雨酝酿、 发生、 发展、 维持过程中的气温、 降水、 风场的配置关系, 对β中尺度暴雨的部分理论特征进行了验证。主要结论: (1) 由城市热岛形成的水平温度梯度有可能在靠近城区的山前迎风坡强迫产生相对独立的中尺度风的垂直切变, 由此产生的低空风的垂直切变是维系中尺度对流降水发生、 发展的重要条件。另一方面, 一旦迎风坡出现强降水, 将形成吹向迎风坡的风速与降水强度之间的正反馈现象, 这种正反馈过程对β中尺度暴雨的形成过程起到了重要作用; (2) 地形越靠近城区, 山前越容易形成强的水平温度梯度, 进而越容易出现低空风的垂直切变。形成强低空风的垂直切变的响应时间取决于水平温度梯度的强度; (3) 地形坡度越大的地方, 产生的上升运动越强, 中尺度系统的水平尺度越小, 对于地形坡度较为平坦的地方, 更有利于产生水平尺度较大的中尺度系统; (4) 一般情况下, 地形与城市热力过程造成的中尺度暴雨过程多发生于傍晚前后或凌晨前后。     

浙江天目山背风坡对流触发个例的对比分析

针对夏季副热带高压背景下浙北天目山附近的强对流天气个例,利用中尺度实况资料,分析了天目山对触发对流的作用。结果表明:浙江省夏季位于副热带高压边缘时,低层处于西南背景风时,在低Froude数条件下,气流经过黄山、天目山后在背风侧形成一段辐合线,在有利的热力条件配合下,容易触发对流。山地的热力强迫作用使地形上空新生了很多积云,积云分布基本与地形一致。同时,天目山背风侧出现一条积云线,其形成的原因是天目山背风侧辐合线的辐合抬升作用。背风侧辐合线尺度有几十千米,方向随环境风向转变。对流触发的位置位于这条辐合线上靠近山地的一端。这可能是由于山地热力强迫作用产生的积云移到辐合线上继续发展产生对流云,即山地的动力和热力作用共同触发了对流。     

A study of orographic effects on mountain-generated precipitation systems under weak synoptic forcing

Summary ?Mountains profoundly impact precipitation systems in Taiwan, particularly in areas occupying roughly two-thirds of the island’s landmass. This study examines the terrain structures possibly affecting the formation of rainfall systems in northern Taiwan by analyzing radar data, surface rainfall data, and simulation results from MM5 (Fifth-Generation NCAR/Penn State Mesoscale Model) under a weak synoptic influence condition. More specifically, this study analyzes precipitation systems formed in three different days with different ambient wind directions (i.e., southwesterly, southerly and south-southeasterly flows) in a low Froude number regime in Mei-Yu (or Baiu) season. The southwesterly (southerly) predominant wind was blocked by CMR (central mountain range) over southwestern (southern) Taiwan. Consequently, the southwesterly (southerly) winds were diverted around southern Taiwan, traveled northward following the terrain contour of CMR and then converged in northeastern (northern) Taiwan to produce a NE-SW (N-S) orientated convergence area. As anabatic flow and onshore flow intensified in northern Taiwan and thus enhanced the existing convergence in the late morning and early afternoon, the precipitation system appeared over slope first and then moved down the slope following the predominant wind direction. Upwards motion persisted in this convergence region, and initiated a new precipitation system. Consequently, rainfall accumulation was orientated in a NE-SW (N-S) direction in northern Taiwan. On the windward side of CMR in central Taiwan, precipitation was first produced in the slope by anabatic flow and was generated in lower land because of the interaction between down slope and onshore flow in the late afternoon. When the flow was predominantly from the south-southeast, the convergence due to the splitting of the predominant over western Taiwan became weaken after onshore flow over west coast developed since the direction of onshore flow was against the splitting predominant flow. Precipitation only appeared in the sloping areas of northwestern and central Taiwan in the relatively dry environment resulting from the anabatic flow. Several sensitivity tests indicated that the lee-side convergence in a low Froude number regime superimposed by anabatic flow and onshore flow is important for producing rainfall in northern Taiwan. The prevailing wind direction determined the orientation of the rainfall accumulation in northern Taiwan. The high relative humidity is important for precipitation to form in lower elevations. Received February 9, 2001; Revised November 23, 2001     

出流边界对京津冀地区强对流局地新生及快速增强的动力效应

针对2014年7月16日发生在京津冀地区包含三次风暴过程的强对流"事件",通过雷达、探空和自动站等观测资料分析,以及基于雷达资料快速刷新四维变分同化（RR4DVar）和三维数值云模式的高分辨率模拟,研究了在京津冀复杂地形条件下导致对流风暴局地新生及快速增强的对流尺度热力和动力机制,重点分析了出流边界在对流风暴局地新生及快速增强过程中的动力效应。探空观测和模拟结果均显示,16日当天从上午到傍晚,京津冀地区存在有利于对流风暴发生、发展的中尺度环境条件,包括明显的热力不稳定、强的偏南低空急流和低层垂直风切变等。在本次强对流"事件"中,首先是东移的近地面切变线在中午12:00（北京时,下同）左右触发了天津地区多单体对流风暴的局地新生和快速加强,并产生了明显的向西北移动的出流边界。随后,在京津冀西北部山区形成的一个产生向南出流的风暴单体于下午18:00左右抵达北京西北部山边,由于地形强迫,沿山坡加速下滑的风暴出流与沿山坡上行的低层偏南暖湿气流相互作用,增强了山坡附近的低层辐合和垂直上升,同时在向南和向西北移动的出流边界"碰撞"形成的动力不稳定配合下,使得风暴单体在下山过程中迅速发展为强超级单体风暴。两条出流边界在风暴附近的"碰撞"及其和低层偏南暖湿气流的相互作用,具有复杂地形条件下导致风暴新生和加强的"三重点"关键区特征。在22:00左右,由超级单体风暴形成的出流边界抵达京津冀南部平原地区,与偏南低空急流和低层偏东风湿空气产生的辐合区相互作用,形成新的类似于"三重点"的关键区,导致在辐合区内沿出流边界出现暖湿空气的强烈上升。在出流边界的动力不稳定触发下,沿出流边界附近不断有对流单体新生和增强,最终在23:00左右形成了一条近似东西走向的线状多单体风暴系统。     

复杂山区上空垂直速度场和热力对流活动的理想数值模拟

利用英国气象局高分辨率的边界层数值模式BLASIUS,针对中国西北一个复杂山区进行了一系列的理想数值模拟,分析了在不同天气条件下山区上空的垂直速度场分布和对流特征以及地形对热力对流活动的影响,同时讨论了与地形有关的对流触发机制。模式结果表明,复杂山区的垂直运动在稳定层结和风速较大的情况下较易预测,而在中性层结下,山区上空的垂直运动分布随机性强。在Froude数小于0.5的条件下,气流往往被山峰阻塞而在迎风坡造成地形强迫和辐合性抬升,从而易在迎风坡触发深对流活动;在背风坡则由于迎风坡的绕流重新辐合而造成垂直运动。绕流的辐合是触发深对流活动的另一重要因子。在大风或Froude数较大的条件下,地形重力波容易在山地下游被激发。地形重力波与对流活动的相互影响在模式中清楚可见。在适当的条件下,重力波除了可以与对流活动相耦合从而使气团上升到更高的高度外,重力波的走向很可能会影响到深对流系统的传播路径。研究还发现稳定度对相邻两条对流线之间的距离长短也有影响。稳定度较小时,相邻两条对流线之间的平均宽度趋向变大而单个对流线的强度也相应变大。定量化的结论和理论升华值得进一步的数值模拟研究。     

武陵山区一次暖区强降水触发和维持机制分析

利用自动站观测资料、多普勒雷达资料、ERA5 0.25 °×0.25 °再分析资料及WRF数值模拟资料，对2018年5月19—20日发生在重庆武陵山区一次暖区暴雨过程中尺度环境条件及中小尺度对流系统演变、触发和维持机制等进行分析。结果表明:（1）此次过程无明显冷空气强迫，斜压性弱，边界层高温高湿，对流层中下层存在明显条件不稳定层结；（2）石桥强降水中小尺度对流系统演变主要有3个阶段:分散对流组织成东西向带状对流、带状对流断裂后雨团准静止维持、东北-西南向带状对流快速重建；（3）沿武陵山脉分布的边界层辐合线触发雷暴发生，强回波单体沿辐合线移动和加强，形成“列车效应”；（4）石桥东部山顶雷暴冷池出流下山，与环境暖湿气流和地形作用共同维持石桥强降水；（5）山区地形对降水有重要影响，近地面偏东风与石桥西部山体相互作用形成局地气旋性小涡旋触发降水，而受到石桥东部山体阻挡作用，地形性涡旋移速变慢，利于强降水维持。      

青奥开幕式期间南京地区浅层对流成因及逆向移动特征分析

利用常规观测资料、加密自动站资料、多普勒雷达资料及NCEP 1°×1°再分析资料,针对第二届青年奥运会开幕式期间形成发展于对流层低层偏东气流中的对流引发南京局地短时强降水天气进行了分析,探讨了低层偏东气流中浅层弱对流的形成机制、降水期间伴随在降水云系中逆向移动的两类对流单体的雷达特征和移动原因。结果表明,降水期间,南京上空对流层低层维持偏东风,中层以上则为西南风,两者之间的过渡区对应一干层,该干层由对流层中层的一支偏北气流携至的干空气形成,叠置于对流层低层较浅薄偏东暖湿气流之上,促进了对流层中低层对流不稳定层结的发展。地面风场扰动形成的局地辐合及地面非锋性斜压带激发了对流层低层偏东气流中对流的形成。镶嵌于降水回波中逆向移动的两类对流单体结构差异明显,两类对流单体质心高度、垂直伸展厚度与所在高度层中所盛行的背景风场决定了对流单体的传播与移动。     

Numerical modeling studies of lee mesolows,mesovortices and mesocyclones with application to the formation of Taiwan mesolows

Summary Numerical experiments are performed for inviscid flow past an idealized topography to investigate the formation and development of lee mesolows, mesovortices and mesocyclones. For a nonrotating, low-Froude number flow over a bell-shaped moutain, a pair of mesovortices form on the lee slope move downstream and weaken at later times. The advection speed of the lee vortices is found to be about two-thirds of the basic wind velocity, which is due to the existence of a reversed pressure gradient just upstream of the vortices. The lee vortices do not concur with the upstream stagnation point in time, but rather form at a later time. It is found that a pair of lee vortices form for a flow withFr=0.66, but take a longer time to form than in lower-Froude number flows. Since the lee vortices are formed rather progressively, their formation may be explained by the baroclinically-induced vorticity tilting as the mountain waves become more and more nonlinear.A stationary mesohigh and mesolow pressure couplet forms across the mountain and is produced in both high and low-Froude number flows. The results of the high Froude number simulations agree well with the classical results predicted by linear, hydrostatic mountain wave theory. It is found that the lee mesolow is not necessarily colocated with the lee vortices. The mesolow is formed by the downslope wind associated with the orographically forced gravity waves through adiabatic warming. The earth's rotation acts to strengthen (weaken) the cyclonic (anticyclonic) vortex and shifts the lee mesolow to the right for an observer facing downstream. The cyclonic vortex then develops into a mesocyclone with the addition of planetary vorticity at later times. For a flow over a steeper mountain, the disturbance is stronger even though the Froude number is kept the same.For a southwesterly flow past the real topography of Taiwan, there is no stagnation point or lee vortices formed because the impinging angle of the flow is small. A major mesoscale low forms to the southeast of the Central Mountain Range (CMR), while a mesohigh forms upstream. For a westerly flow past Taiwan, a stagnation point forms upstream of the mountain and a pair of vortices form on the lee and move downstream at later times. The cyclonic vortex then develops into a mesocyclone. A mesolow also forms to the southeast of Taiwan. For a northeasterly flow past Taiwan, the mesolow forms to the northwest of the mountain. Similar to flows over idealized topographies, the Taiwan mesolow is formed by the downslope wind associated with mountain waves through adiabatic warming. A conceptual model of the Taiwan southeast mesolow and mesocyclone is proposed.With 16 Figures     

Effects of atmospheric circulation and boundary layer structure on the dispersion of suspended particulates in the Seoul metropolitan area

Summary A three-dimensional non-hydrostatic numerical model and lagrangian particle model (random walk model) were used to investigate the effects of the atmospheric circulation and boundary layer structure on the dispersion of suspended particulates in the Seoul metropolitan area. Initially, emitted particulate matter rises from the surface of the city towards the top of the convective boundary layer (CBL), owing to daytime thermal heating of the surface and the combined effect of an onshore wind with a westerly synoptic-scale wind. A reinforcing sea-valley breeze directed from the coast toward the city of Seoul, which is enclosed in a basin and bordered by mountains to its east, disperses the suspended particulate matter toward the eastern mountains. Total suspended particulate concentration (TSP) at ground level in the city is very low and relatively high in the mountains. Radiative cooling of the surface produces a shallow nocturnal surface inversion layer (NSIL) and the suspended particulate matter still present near the top of the CBL from the previous day, sinks to the surface. An easterly downslope mountain wind is directed into the metropolitan area, transporting particulate matter towards the city, thereby recycling the pollutants. The particulates descending from the top of the NSIL and mountains, combine with particulates emitted near the surface over the city at night, and under the shallow NSIL spread out, resulting in a maximum ground level concentration of TSP in the metropolitan area at 2300 LST. As those particles move toward the Yellow Sea through the topographically shaped outlet west of Seoul city under the influence of the easterly land breeze, the maximum TSP concentration occurs at the coastal site. During the following morning, onshore winds resulting from a combined synoptic-scale westerly wind and westerly sea breeze, force particulates dispersed the previous night to move over the adjacent sea and back over the inland metropolitan area. The recycled particulates combine with the particulates emitted from the surface in the central part of the metropolitan area, producing a high TSP and again rise towards the top of the CBL ready to repeat the cycle.     

西行台风背景下云南一次短时强降水过程的成因分析

利用云南省自动气象站雨量资料、卫星和闪电定位仪资料、雷达回波资料、NCEP 1 °×1 °再分析资料和地面、高空常规观测资料对云南一次典型的台风前侧短时强降水过程的成因进行分析,结果表明:在2017年13号台风“天鸽”西行影响云南的天气背景之下,短时强降水出现在台风前侧700 hPa风速辐合区和边界层辐合线附近。台风前侧偏东低空急流向云南境内输送水汽和能量,边界层辐合线触发垂直上升运动,700 hPa风速辐合区利于垂直上升运动的维持和加强,促使水汽的辐合与不稳定能量的释放,引发短时强降水。在中等强度深层垂直风切变的作用下,云南东部中尺度对流系统(MCS)频繁产生并向西传播发展,MCS相互作用组织成飑线系统,在东北气流的引导下,飑线从云南中部移至云南西南部,MCS和飑线是大范围短时强降水的直接影响系统。      

冬奥会延庆赛区降雪与边界层东风的关系

受特殊地理环境影响,北京地区冬季降雪常与边界层东风相伴,边界层东风所引起的水汽输送和动力辐合效应对降雪发生发展有重要意义.不同于已有边界层东风对平原地区降雪影响的研究,本文结合2022年冬奥会北京延庆赛区的地形特征,对比相似天气背景下不同温湿特性、不同发展高度的边界层东风对降雪的作用机制,研究表明:(1)途经渤海湾的路...     

地形降水试验和背风回流降水机制

利用中尺度数值模式（ARPS模式）研究了湿气流过山脉地形和地形降水的产生机制。研究结果表明，地形降水是水汽、气流和地形相互作用而形成的。小山脉地形降水主要发生在山脉的迎风坡，表现出典型的迎风降水和背风雨影特征。而回流降水天气是湿气流过大的山脉地形的产物，大的山脉地形有利于风切变临界层的产生，地形降水并不只是简单的上坡降水，还有背风回流和背风波降水机制。     

钟形地形动力抬升和重力波传播与地形云和降水形成关系研究

地形云和降水过程在区域水循环、水资源、生态环境及气候变化中具有十分重要的作用。本文利用中尺度数值模式WRF 数值模拟试验,以及通过引入表示大气层流速度、层结稳定度和地形特征的关系参数——湿Froude 数(F_w),研究了北京2009 年5 月1 日湿条件不稳定大气层结下,地形云和降水形成过程与地形动力抬升和地形重力波传播之间的关系及形成机理。研究表明,在地形最大高度2 km、半宽10 km 的条件下,层流速度从2.5 m/s 逐步增加到25 m/s 时,对应的湿F_w 数从0.19 增加到1.81。当F_w≤1 时,地形的阻挡起主要作用,由地形抬升形成的地形云主要产生在迎风坡一侧。地形重力波主要产生在迎风坡,并向上游传播,先形成层状云,最后演变为准稳定浅对流波状云。最大降水主要发生在紧靠山顶的迎风坡一侧,但当F_w 很小时,地形云不产生降水。当F_w>1 时,地形抬升形成的云主要发生在山顶附近,而地形重力波主要形成在背风坡,并向下游方向传播,形成准稳定波状云。最大降水主要产生在紧靠山顶的背风坡一侧。另外,在弱湿条件不稳定大气层流下,地形降水主要由地形动力抬升造成的暖云微物理过程产生,地形重力波形成的波状云几乎不产生降水。     

乌鲁木齐一次暴雪过程地形敏感性试验

以NCEP资料为初始场和侧边界条件,利用WRF模式对东、西天山地形对2015年12月9—12日大暴雪影响进行敏感性试验,从降水强度和分布等方面对比分析模拟结果,探讨地形在暴雪过程中的作用,对成因进行初步研究分析,结果表明:(1)此次强降雪发生是高空西南急流抽吸、低层风切变及风速辐合、偏北风与地形强迫抬升、地面冷锋移动缓慢等共同造成的。(2)此次暴雪天气过程,地形对强降雪的落区、强度影响很大,东、西天山高度与强降雪强度正相关,东、西天山高度降低、强降雪落区沿环流方向移动。(3)地形动力强迫整体上增强次级环流圈。近地面上升速度中心出现在迎风坡山脚至山腰区域,并向两侧递减,与此次大暴雪中心落区以及乌鲁木齐附近测站降雪量分布吻合,东、西天山地形高度降低50%,近地面上升速度中心值减少30%。地形强迫东、西天山峡谷近地面生成辐合中心和辐合线,辐合中心强度与地形高度正相关。(4)地形强迫抬升有加强水汽辐合汇聚的作用,东、西天山地形高度降低50%,水汽通量与水汽通量散度减少30%。     

A study of the diurnal behavior of boundary-layer winds at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory

Diurnal wind variations are examined at the Boulder Atmospheric Observatory which is located 25 km east of the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. Data were obtained from a 300-m tower which was instrumented at eight levels and operated almost continuously for three weeks during September 1978. Observations on clear days, for which the diurnal heating and cooling of the local terrain slopes can be expected to affect the winds, show that daytime winds tend to be easterly (upslope) throughout the 300-m depth. At night, a temperature inversion typically develops to about 100 m. Below this level, the nocturnal flow tends to be downslope; above the inversion, a distinctly different regime of flow develops. A diurnal wind oscillation, characterized by strong southerly flow beginning near sunset and ending near midnight, occurred in the upper layer on 25% of the days during the study period. Rapid clockwise rotation of the wind vector occurred during the period of increased wind speed. This oscillation occurred only on days when the synoptic-scale geostrophic wind was southerly. It is suggested that this non-steady state behavior is an inertial oscillation affected by the diurnally varying temperature gradients and local topography.     

Single-Doppler Radar Analysis of a Mesocyclone in the Taiwan Strait

In this study, the kinematic and precipitation structures of a mesocyclone associated with a hook echo were analyzed using single Doppler radar data. The mesocyclone was embedded in a mesoscale convective rainband near northern Taiwan coastline on 10 September 2004. The synoptic environment was characterized by a moderate convective available potential energy (CAPE) and a moderate ambient vertical shear from surface to 5 km.In addition, a pronounced low-level mesoscale shear/convergence zone, which resulted from the interaction of two tropical depressions, was also identified in the northwest coast of Taiwan,providing a favorable dynamic condition for the development of the mesocyclone. Analyzing single Doppler dipole signature shows that this mesocyclone formed initially at low levels, then deepened and strengthened rapidly into mature stage with the vertical depth exceeding 8 km. The diameter of the mesocyclone decreased with the height at the time of vortexgenesis, and then evolved into columnar structure accompanied with the broader diameter in middle layer. The mesocyclone lasted for about 2 h. The Ground-Based Velocity Track Display (GBVTD) method was applied to retrieve the axisymmetric circulation of the mesocyclone. The GBVTD-derived primary circulation showed the radius of maximum wind (RMW) of the mesocyclone was about 5--6 km and varied from inward tilting to outward tilting with time. The axisymmetric radial wind field was initially characterized by a low-level inflow inside the RMW and outflow outside the RMW, respectively. The strongest reflectivity was associated with a stronger updraft near the RMW, and a weak downdraft was located at the center of the mesocyclone.Subsequently the downdraft and reflectivity near the mesocyclone center strengthened obviously, accompanied with the low-level outflow, strong updraft as well as high reflectivity extending outside the RMW. The relative tangential wind initially exhibited a wavenumber 1 asymmetric structure with the maximum wind region at the left portion of the meso cyclone and shifted counterclockwise with height. The axisymmetric tangential wind strengthened and reached its maximum intensity with a value about 20 m s-1 at z=1 km. After that the axisymmetric tangential wind decreased rapidly, meanwhile the wave-1 asymmetric structure redeveloped with the maximum wind at the left-front of motion. In summary, the evolution and structure of the mesocyclone is similar to that observed within a non-supercell mesocyclone. It is worth to mention that the axisymmetric circulation characteristics of the mesocyclone at its mature stage are very similar to those observed in a mature typhoon. However, there are significant differences, i.e., the size is much smaller, the lifetime is much shorter, and the downdraft in the center is produced by precipitation instead of compensating subsidence.