TRMM-retrieved Cloud Structure and Evolution of MCSs over the Northern South China Sea and Impacts of CAPE and Vertical Wind Shear

Cloud structure and evolution of Mesoscale Convective Systems(MCSs) retrieved from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager(TRMM TMI) and Precipitation Radar(PR) were investigated and compared with some pioneer studies based on soundings and models over the northern South China Sea(SCS).The impacts of Convective Available Potential Energy(CAPE) and environmental vertical wind shear on MCSs were also explored.The main features of MCSs over the SCS were captured well by both TRMM PR and TMI.However,the PR-retrieved surface rainfall in May was less than that in June,and the reverse for TMI.TRMM-retrieved rainfall amounts were generally consistent with those estimated from sounding and models.However,rainfall amounts from sounding-based and PR-based estimates were relatively higher than those retrieved from TRMM-TMI data.The Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) modeling simulation underestimated the maximum rain rate by 22% compared to that derived from TRMM-PR,and underestimated mean rainfall by 10.4% compared to the TRMM-TMI estimate,and by 12.5% compared to the sounding-based estimate.The warm microphysical processes modeled from both the WRF and the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble(GCE) models were quite close to those based on TMI,but the ice water contents in the models were relatively less compared to that derived from TMI.The CAPE and wind shear induced by the monsoon circulation were found to play critical roles in maintaining and developing the intense convective clouds over SCS.The latent heating rate increased more than twofold during the monsoon period and provided favorable conditions for the upward transportation of energy from the ocean,giving rise to the possibility of inducing large-scale interactions.     

用相关分析法约简MCSs空间数据库

长江流域出现致洪大暴雨与青藏高原上中尺度对流系统(MCSs)的东移密切相关。为了寻找MCSs移动和传播的规律,我们将MCSs的移动路径与其中心附近一定范围内的环境物理量场之间建立联系,构造出MCSs东移空间数据挖掘数据库。在这个数据库中,包含由9个环境物理量生成的18个属性项,除此,还包括由MCSs本身的空间特征量构成的5个属性项,即TBB强度、面积、地理位置、形状等,共计23个属性项。利用1998年6月至8月日本地球静止气象卫星(GMS)的青藏高原逐时红外遥感云图计算出的云顶黑体辐射温度(TBB)及青藏高原高分辨率有限区域数值分析预报值系统(HLAFS)环境场物理量数据,构造出上述空间数据挖掘数据库,运用空间相关分析技术对其进行约简,结果表明：在高度(H)、温度（T）、涡度(VOR)、散度(DIV)、水汽通量散度(IFVQ)、垂直速度(W）、假相当位温（θse)、K指数(K)、相对湿度(RH)等9个因素中,高度、涡度、散度、水汽通量散度、垂直速度及k指数6个因素相对独立;而温度(T)、假相当位温(θse)、相对湿度（RH)之间相关性较强,而且与高度等其它6个因素密切相关。根据数据库约简原则,可将温度（T）、假相当位温(θse)、相对湿度(RH)3个因素生成的6个属性项从数据库中删除,以便提高数据挖掘效率。     

MCC转为带状MCSs过程中水平涡度的变化与暴雨的关系

利用实况资料和WRF中尺度数值模式对2010年6月18—19日的一次MCC转带状MCSs的暴雨过程进行数值模拟与诊断分析。结果表明:850 hPa西南涡和切变线的形成与维持是影响此次暴雨产生的中尺度系统,前期MCC的形成到成熟以低涡降水为主,后期的圆形MCC转为带状MCSs主要为切变线降水。在雨区附近,u、v的垂直切变所形成的强水平涡度造成的旋转,对应垂直环流的上升支可触发暴雨产生,垂直方向上u、v不同的分布可形成不同的垂直环流。低涡与切变线附近的水平涡度有明显差异,这种差异导致暴雨形成的原因不同,低涡暴雨主要由v的垂直切变造成,切变线暴雨主要由u、v的垂直切变共同作用,本次过程中v的垂直切变构成了沿切变线的东西向雨带,u的垂直切变沿纬向的不均匀性引起的垂直运动与切变线上MCSs的生成、发展和多雨团的形成关系密切。低涡、切变线降水中心附近的正倾侧项（水平涡度向垂直正涡度转换）也有类似的差异,低涡的转换主要由?v/?p<0决定,切变线的转换主要由-?u/?p>0决定。水平涡度向垂直涡度的转换尺度较小,易在平均状态下被忽略。倾侧项主要有利于暴雨的加强,但对西南涡、切变线的发展贡献较小。      

华南沿海2011年7月15—18日持续暴雨过程中的季风槽与中尺度对流系统相互作用

应用NCEP FNL再分析资料及位涡分离反演等方法,对华南沿海2011年7月15—18日持续暴雨过程中季风槽与中尺度对流系统的相互作用进行了研究,主要针对暴雨发生期间季风槽气旋性涡度向上发展的机理及其对季风槽维持发展和中尺度对流系统活动的影响进行分析。结果发现,季风槽的中尺度对流系统发展于弱斜压性环境中,大多在槽东西两端涡度中心区发展最强。南侧盛行的西南低空急流为对流反复发生提供了对流发展的“可维持性”条件,是对流得以组织发展成为中尺度对流系统的重要原因。涡度收支诊断表明,季风槽气旋性涡度生成主要由中尺度对流系统低层辐合引起。位涡分离反演结果证实,季风槽气旋性环流增强主要由与中尺度对流系统潜热加热相关的扰动位涡造成,并随着中尺度对流系统加热峰值高度升高而向上发展,是大尺度环流对中尺度对流系统潜热加热动力响应的结果。在季风槽东西两端,由于中尺度对流系统发展强烈且持续,具有更高的加热效率,引起的气旋性涡度向上发展最为明显。其结果可引起中尺度对流系统西南一侧向北非地转风发展,并在地转偏向力作用下增强西风,维持低空急流的发展,为对流反复发生提供条件。这些都说明季风槽大尺度环流与中尺度对流系统相互作用在中尺度对流系统和持续暴雨形成过程中有重要作用。     

面向空间数据挖掘的MCSs移动和传播影响因素分析

利用1998年6～8月青藏高原逐时红外遥感云图及青藏高原高分辨率有限区域数值预报值(HLAFS), 运用空间数据挖掘的相关分析技术对青藏高原MCSs的移动和传播与其周围环境场中物理量场之间的关系进行了研究.结果表明:它们东移出高原(105(E)与其东侧在400、500hPa上的高度(H)、涡度(VOR)、散度(DIV)、水汽通量散度(IFVQ)、垂直速度(W)、指数(K)等6个物理量的特征值,以及其自身形状密切相关.这对MCSs的移动和传播这一迄今的难题提供了研究思路和方法,同时对预报高原MCSs东移影响长江中下游地区的强降水也很有帮助.     

A Simulation Study of the Mesoscale Convective Systems Associated with a Meiyu Frontal Heavy Rain Event

In this study, evolution of the mesoscale convective systems （MCSs） within a Meiyu front during a particularly heavy rainfall event on 22 June 1999 in East China was simulated by using a nonhydrostatic numerical model ARPS （Advanced Regional Prediction System）. Investigations were conducted with emphasis on the impact of the interaction among multi-scale weather systems （MWSs） on the development of MCSs in the Meiyu frontal environment. For this case, the development of MCSs experienced three different stages. （1） The convections associated with MCSs were firstly triggered by the eastward-moving Southwest Vortex （SWV） from the Sichuan Basin, accompanying the intensification of the upper-level jet （ULJ） and the low-level jet （LLJ） that were approaching the Meiyu front. （2） Next, a low-level shear line （LSL） formed, which strengthened and organized the MCSs after the SWV decayed. Meanwhile, the ULJ and LLJ enhanced and produced favorable conditions for the MCSs development. （3） Finally, as the MCSs got intensified, a mesoscale convective vortex （MCV）, a mesoscale LLJ and a mesoscale ULJ were established. Then a coupled-development of MWSs was achieved through the vertical frontal circulations, which further enhanced the MCV and resulted in the heavy rainfall. This is a new physical mechanism for the formation of Meiyu heavy rainfall related to the SWV during the warm season in East China. In the three stages of the heavy rainfall, the vertical frontal circulations exhibited distinguished structures and played a dynamic role, and they enhanced the interaction among the MWSs. A further examination on the formation and evolution of the MCV showed that the MCV was mainly caused by the latent heat release of the MCSs, and the positive feedback between the MCSs and MCV was a key characteristic of the scale interaction in this case.     

一次典型梅雨锋暴雨过程的多尺度结构特征

利用多种类型资料,对2009年6月29—30日引发鄂皖境内梅雨锋特大暴雨过程的天气形势和中尺度对流系统（MCSs）进行了初步分析,揭示了梅雨锋暴雨系统的多尺度结构特征,并用中尺度模式WRF对梅雨锋暴雨系统进行了9km三重双向嵌套大区域精细模拟,再采用Morlet小波变换对模式输出进行空间带通滤波,分离出α、β和γ中尺度系统,对不同中尺度系统的热力动力三维空间结构特征进行了研究。结果表明：梅雨锋特大暴雨由梅雨锋上多个不同尺度的MCSs活动造成,这些不同尺度的MCSs在卫星云图和雷达回波上呈现出不同的特点。在α、β和γ中尺度上,梅雨锋暴雨中尺度系统在水平和垂直方向上的动力、热力结构特征存在着明显的差异,α、β中尺度系统具有明显的垂直环流,而γ中尺度系统则具有惯性重力波特征,往往嵌套在α、β中尺度系统内发生发展。最后,提出了典型梅雨锋暴雨系统的物理概念模型。     

湖北一次飑线过程的观测分析及数值模拟

用武汉新一代多普勒天气雷达(CINRAD)9层体扫模式观测资料、常规和地面加密观测资料、以及NCEP一日4次的1°×1°再分析资料,采用中尺度非静力模式(WRF)对2007年5月31日湖北飑线过程进行观测分析及数值模拟研究。结果表明,雷达回波显示出飑线前方强而窄的回波带、过渡带、后方宽广的次强层状回波区特征;新单体在对流区前沿周期性地产生,成熟单体减弱为后面的弱回波区,在不断的生消交替过程中系统向前传播。数值模拟表明,在飑线前方上空是强而窄的上升气流,后方中层偏上是一支宽广的从前向后(由南向北)斜上升气流,下方是从后向前(由北向南)的斜下沉气流;飑线低空有两支入流:前方偏南气流和后方下沉入流,高空出流一部分向北倾斜上升,另一部分翻转向南。飑线系统内气流沿着湿而高θse值带进入和上升,在干而低θse值区下沉。低层风切变和飑线后部冷丘的作用是造成飑线垂直结构的可能原因。飑线结构的数值模拟与雷达观测结构基本一致,其特征与美国经典飑线概念模型(TS型:拖曳层状)类似。     

Distribution and Diurnal Variation of Warm-Season Short-Duration Heavy Rainfall in Relation to the MCSs in China

Short-duration heavy rainfall（SDHR） is a type of severe convective weather that often leads to substantial losses of property and life. We derive the spatiotemporal distribution and diurnal variation of SDHR over China during the warm season（April–September） from quality-controlled hourly raingauge data taken at 876 stations for 19 yr（1991–2009）, in comparison with the diurnal features of the mesoscale convective systems（MCSs） derived from satellite data. The results are as follows. 1） Spatial distributions of the frequency of SDHR events with hourly rainfall greater than 10–40 mm are very similar to the distribution of heavy rainfall（daily rainfall 50 mm） over mainland China. 2） SDHR occurs most frequently in South China such as southern Yunnan, Guizhou, and Jiangxi provinces, the Sichuan basin, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, among others. Some SDHR events with hourly rainfall 50 mm also occur in northern China, e.g., the western Xinjiang and central-eastern Inner Mongolia. The heaviest hourly rainfall is observed over the Hainan Island with the amount reaching over 180 mm. 3） The frequency of the SDHR events is the highest in July, followed by August. Analysis of pentad variations in SDHR reveals that SDHR events are intermittent, with the fourth pentad of July the most active. The frequency of SDHR over mainland China increases slowly with the advent of the East Asian summer monsoon, but decreases rapidly with its withdrawal. 4） The diurnal peak of the SDHR activity occurs in the later afternoon（1600–1700 Beijing Time（BT））, and the secondary peak occurs after midnight（0100–0200 BT） and in the early morning（0700–0800 BT）; whereas the diurnal minimum occurs around late morning till noon（1000–1300 BT）. 5） The diurnal variation of SDHR exhibits generally consistent features with that of the MCSs in China, but the active periods and propagation of SDHR and MCSs difer in diferent regions. The number and duration of local maxima in the diurnal cycles of SDHR and MCSs also vary by region, with single, double, and even multiple peaks in some cases. These variations may be associated with the diferences in large-scale atmospheric circulation, surface conditions, and land-sea distribution.     

华南前汛期MCS的活动特征及组织发展形式

利用卫星云图Tbb资料、常规观测资料和NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,按照Jirak对中尺度对流系统(MCS)的分类方法,将华南MCS分为MCC(中尺度对流复合体)、PECS(线状或长条状MCS)、MβCCS和MβECS(即β尺度的MCC和β尺度的PECS)4种类型,对华南前汛期MCS的时空变化特征、发生发展的组织形式和天气学背景进行了分析。结果表明:PECS是华南地区MCS的主要发展形式。4—6月MCS的发生个数逐月增多。MCS的日变化呈单峰型,主要集中于下午到上半夜形成,傍晚到半夜之间发展成熟。但具体到不同的4种类型,其日变化特征有一定差异。MCS活动分布特征与地形没有明显对应关系,全区都可有PECS发生。MCS主要以东移为主,其次的移动方向4种不同类型分别略有不同。MCS的发生发展有3种主要天气形势:500 hPa槽前西南风场型、850 hPa切变线南侧的西南风场型和地面低槽配合的Ⅰ型;500 hPa西北风场型、850 hPa切变线型和地面低槽配合的Ⅱ型;500 hPa西风槽过境型、850 hPa切变线南侧的西南风场型和地面低槽配合的Ⅲ型。孤立发展和合并增长是华南MCS的主要组织发展形式。