Numerical Simulation of Torrential Rainfall and Vortical Hot Towers in a Midlatitude Mesoscale Convective System

A cloud-resolving model simulation of a mesoscale convective system （MCS） producing torrential rainfall is performed with the finest horizontal resolution of 444 m. It is shown that the model reproduces the observed MCS, including its rainfall distribution and amounts, as well as the timing and location of leading rainbands and trailing stratiform clouds. Results show that discrete convective hot towers, shown in Vis5D at a scale of 2-5 kin, are triggered by evaporatively driven cold outflows converging with the high-θe air ahead. Then, they move rearward, with respect to the leading rainbands, to form stratiform clouds. These convective towers generate vortical tubes of opposite signs, with more intense cyclonic vorticity occurring in the leading convergence zone. The results appear to have important implications for the improvement of summertime quantitative precipitation forecasts and the understanding of vortical hot towers, as well midlevel mesoscale convective vortices.     

华南地区中尺度对流性云团

本文运用1980—1988年4—10月短时间间隔的GMS云图和常规气象资料,在我国华南地区共普查出176个中尺度对流性云团。根据云团面积大小分成三类,分别统计和分析了它们的特征。总结出了云团发生、发展的两个模型,并对两个典型例子作了简要分析和讨论。所得结果表明：中尺度对流性云团是华南地区中尺度强对流系统的主要成员;近地面层的风场和水汽场的辐合及地形强迫,是云团发生的主要机制;低空急流和季风云涌是云团发展的最重要因子。     

Mesoscale convection from a large-scale perspective

This essay concerns precipitating convective cloud systems and convectively-driven mesoscale circulations (“mesoscale convection”) and their role in the large-scale structure of the atmosphere. Mesoscale convection is an important and ubiquitous process on scales of motion spanning a few kilometers to many hundreds of kilometers. It plays a role in the input of energy to the climate system through the radiative effect of upper-tropospheric cloud and water vapor, and enhanced surface fluxes. This is in addition to its important effect on energy, heat and momentum transport within the atmosphere. However, mesoscale convection is neither parameterized nor adequately resolved in atmospheric general circulation models. Its representation in mean-flow terms raises issues that are quite distinct from classical approaches to sub-grid scale convection parameterization.Cloud-resolving modeling and theoretical concepts pertinent to the transport properties and mean-flow effects of organized convection are summarized, as are the main convective parameterization techniques used in global models. Two principal themes that are relevant to the representation of organized mesoscale systems are discussed. First, mesoscale transports and their sub-grid scale approximation with emphasis on dynamical approaches. Second, long time-scale modeling of mesoscale cloud systems that involves the collective effect of convection, boundary and surface layers, radiation, microphysics acting under the influence of large-scale forcing.Finally, major research programs that address the role of precipitating convection and mesoscale processes in global models are summarized.     

闽南沿海2018—2019年季风爆发前后雨滴谱特征对比分析

为研究华南前汛期季风爆发前后闽南地区的雨滴谱特征差异,利用2018—2019年厦门站和同安站4—6月的降水现象仪资料,对比分析了季风爆发前后闽南沿海层状云和对流云的雨滴谱分布及微物理参数差异。结果表明,华南前汛期闽南沿海层状云降水占比明显高于对流云降水,但对流云降水的滴谱分布更宽,峰值粒径以上的各粒径区间粒子浓度均大于层状云降水。不论层状云或是对流云降水,2018年季风爆发后均表现为质量加权平均直径（D_m）减小,广义截距参数（N_w）增大。2019年季风爆发后D_m增大,层状云的N_w减小,对流云N_w增大。两年整体呈现相反的演变趋势。层状云的降水率（R）和液态水含量（W）的演变趋势与N_w一致,而对流云的R和W与D_m一致。闽南沿海雨滴谱微物理参数接近于华南沿海,与华东区域相比,整体浓度更高,粒子尺度略小。Z-R关系拟合表明季风爆发前、后层状云与对流云的拟合系数、决定系数具有较大差异,其中对流云拟合效果相对更好。基于Z=300R1.4的定量降水估测对层状云降水和量级较小的对流云降水整体上存在不同程度的低估,对于量级较大的对流云降水存在高估。探讨了环流形势对雨滴谱的可能影响。结果表明绝对水汽含量可能会影响粒子数浓度,而西南风等动力条件和对流有效位能等热力条件会通过影响对流的高度和降水的微物理过程进而可能会影响雨滴谱分布。      

Simulation of formation of a near-equatorial typhoon Vamei (2001)

Summary A community mesoscale model is used to simulate and understand processes that led to the formation and intensification of the near-equatorial typhoon Vamei that formed in the South China Sea in December, 2001. The simulated typhoon resembles the observed in that it had a short lifetime and a small size, formed near the equator (south of 2° N), and reached category-one intensity. The formation involved the interactions between the scales of the background cyclonic circulation (the Borneo Vortex of order ∼100 km) and of mesoscale convective vortices (MCVs, in the order ∼10 km). Before tropical cyclone formation MCVs formed along a convergent, horizontal shear vorticity line on the eastern edge of an exceptionally strong monsoonal northerly wind surge. The typhoon genesis is marked by three rapid intensification periods, which are associated with the rapid growth of potential vorticity (PV). A vorticity budget analysis reveals that the increases in low-level vorticity during the rapid intensification periods are attributed to enhanced horizontal vorticity fluxes into the storm core. The increase of the horizontal vorticity flux is associated with the merging of areas of high PV associated with MCVs into the storm core as they are advected by background cyclonic flows. The increases in PV at upper levels are associated with the evaporation of upper level stratiform precipitation and increases of vertical potential temperature gradient below the maximum stratiform cloud layer. It appears that two key sources of PV at upper and lower levels are crucial for the build up of high PV and a deepening of a cyclonic layer throughout the troposphere.     

基于TRMM卫星资料对四川盆地降水的三维结构特征分析

利用TRMM卫星多种探测仪器得到的观测资料,分析研究2010年7月15~18日由西南低涡引发的四川盆地区域性暴雨天气过程,重点揭示了该次过程降水的三维结构特征。结果表明：红外和微波亮温数据均能从一定侧面反映低涡云系的降水特征;西南低涡引发的降水属于中尺度系统降水,层云降水对总降水的贡献率超过90%,存在明显的亮带结构;大范围降水区内包含一条主雨带和若干独立的对流性雨团,表现为大范围层云降水围绕对流降水的结构特征,对流性降水云顶最高能发展到17km,局部最大降水率出现在2~5km高度;降水凸起部分为独立的对流降水云团,呈塔状立体结构。     

基于地面雨滴谱资料分析层状云和对流云降水的特征

根据由声雨滴谱仪器测量得到的雨滴谱资料,结合降水云的结构来将降水云系划分成为对流云降水云系和层状云降水云系.分析这两种降水云系中的稳定雨滴谱特征,包括雨滴谱的各种特征直径(平均直径Dm、众数直径Dd、平均体积直径Dv、优势直径Dp、中数直径Dna和中数体积直径Dn)、峰值结构和Z-R关系等.通过对这些量的分析,进一步分析划分降水云系的判据.     

A Numerical Study of the Evolution of a Mesoscale Convective Vortex on the Meiyu Front

The Advanced Research WRF（Weather Research and Forecasting） model is used to simulate the evolution of a mesoscale convective vortex（MCV） that formed on the Meiyu front and lasted for more than two days. The simulation is used to investigate the underlying reasons for the genesis, intensification, and vertical expansion of the MCV. This MCV is of a type of mid-level MCV that often develops in the stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems. The vortex strengthened and reached its maximum intensity and vertical extent（from the surface to upper levels） when secondary organized convection developed within the mid-level circulation. The factors controling the evolution of the kinetic and thermal structure of the MCV are examined through an analysis of the budgets of vorticity, temperature, and energy. The evolution of the local Rossby radius of deformation reveals the interrelated nature of the MCV and its parent mesoscale convective system.     

一次弱弓形飑线后方入流特征的观测分析

后方入流是中尺度对流系统内中尺度环流的一部分,表现为一支从风暴后部穿过层状回波区进入风暴系统的相对气流,对增强中尺度下沉气流和地面冷池具有重要作用。利用多普勒雷达探测资料、地面加密自动站和NCEP再分析资料,结合雷达径向剖面内反演的系统相对水平速度,对2012年5月16日江苏省一次弱弓形飑线的后方入流演变特征进行了分析。结果表明,此次飑线是在东北冷涡影响下,受高、低空温度平流差动、低空急流和低层温度暖脊的共同作用生成。飑线发展阶段,后方入流最早出现在对流层中层的层状回波区中,并向前伸展到对流回波区后缘;成熟阶段,后方入流逐渐下沉并与对流区前低层辐散外流合并,形成一条从飑线后部中层延伸到对流区前缘的持续性后方入流通道;消散阶段,后方入流中心下沉到地面附近,与冷池外流共同增强,与其前侧西南入流的局地辐合,可能是触发对流单体后向新生并促使双带状回波出现的有利条件。后方入流把中层干冷空气持续输送到对流区中下方,通过加剧降水粒子的蒸发冷却作用,增强地面冷池及其出流,导致成熟阶段地面大风生成,这与以往的研究结论一致。受后方入流中心下沉到地面以及新生带状回波系统的影响,地面冷池持续增强,可能是消散阶段地面大风形成的原因。此外,后方入流与飑前地面中尺度辐合线具有很好的对应关系。      

利用星载测雨雷达探测结果对夏季中国南方对流和层云降水气候特征的分析

本文利用热带测雨卫星(TRMM)上搭载的测雨雷达(PR)十年的探测结果, 对夏季中国南方对流降水和层云降水的气候特征进行了分析。研究结果表明:夏季中国南方层云降水频次较对流降水频次高出两倍以上, 而对流降水强度至少是层云降水强度的4倍; 就整个中国南方而言, 这两种类型的降水对总降水量贡献相当。日变化分析表明夏季中国南方大部分地区的对流降水主要出现在午后, 层云降水出现时间并不集中, 但这两类降水的频次日变化均显示了明显的地域性特征; 对降水廓线日变化的分析结果表明, 对流降水和层云降水廓线的日变化主要表现在“雨顶”高度的日变化, 即对流降水云的厚度有明显的日变化变化特征, 不同地区的降水廓线存在明显的差异。降水率剖面分析结果显示了对流降水的“雨顶” 高度日变化较层云降水剧烈, 降水率的日变化则相反, 且层云降水率的地域性特征更强。     

乌鲁木齐7·17暴雨的天气尺度与中尺度特征

新疆位于半干旱地区,2007年7月13—18日新疆沿天山一带多站出现暴雨。利用每分钟与小时降水资料、常规地面与高空观测资料、NCEP 1°×1°再分析资料、静止卫星云图资料与雷达资料进行分析,重点考察2007年7月16—17日乌鲁木齐暴雨过程 (7·17暴雨) 的天气尺度及中尺度特征,并与1996年同期暴雨过程以及我国东部暴雨过程进行对比。结果表明:该降水是一次大尺度斜压过程,中亚低涡是该暴雨过程的主要影响系统,但其位置、形态与强度均不同于1996年过程;干冷空气侵入加强了大气的对流性不稳定,对暴雨的加强和发展起重要作用;该暴雨过程的水汽主要来自于青藏高原东部—甘肃西部一线以及南疆北部;该暴雨过程中有明显的γ-中尺度对流雨团发生,径向速度辐合可能是γ-中尺度对流雨团的重要触发机制。     

A review of major progresses in mesoscale dynamic research in China since 1999

Mesoscale research conducted by Chinese meteorologists during the past four years is reviewed.Advances in theoretical studies include (a) mesoscale quasi-balanced and semi-balanced dynamics, derived through scale analysis and the perturbation method which are suitable for describing mesoscale vortices;(b) subcritical instability and vortex-sheet instability; (c) frontal adjustment mechanism and the effect of topography on frontgenesis; and (d) slantwise vorticity development theories, the slantwise vortex equation,and moist potential vorticity (MPV) anomalies with precipitation-related heat and mass sinks and MPV impermeability theorem. From the MPV conservation viewpoint, the transformation mechanism between different scale weather systems is analyzed. Based on the data analysis, a new dew-point front near the periphery of the West Pacific subtropical high is identified. In the light of MPV theory and Q-vector theory, some events associated with torrential rain systems and severe storms are analyzed and diagnosed.Progress in mesoscale numerical simulation has been made in the development of meso-α, meso-β vortices,meso-γ-scale downbursts and precipitation produced by deep convective systems with MM5 and other mesoscale models.     

一次山地环流激发对流天气的数值模拟

东北地区的地形对本地天气有着举足轻重的影响。利用WRF中尺度数值模式,对2006年10月16日东北地区一次冷锋雷暴带之前次级环流在长白山山地前部环流附近,激发出另一条对流带的过程进行了模拟。通过对高时空分辨率的模拟结果分析,揭示了这次过程中,两条雷暴带的形成与山地附近环流之间的相互作用关系。即,冷锋对流带前部的下沉气流和山地附近的垂直环流之间的相互作用导致了第二条回波的产生,是一起较为罕见的辐合线生成在空中,然后激发出另外一条对流系统出现的过程。     

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.     

积层混合云结构特征及降水机理的个例模拟研究

积层混合云是我国一种重要的降水系统, 其降水既有对流云又有层状云特征。基于积层混合云的重要性, 本文利用中尺度数值模式WRF(Weather Research and Forecasting Model), 结合三维粒子运行增长模式对2012年5月29日北京地区的一次积层混合云降过程进行了模拟研究。模拟的降水与雷达回波与实测结果基本一致。在此基础上, 重点分析了混合云系中积状云与层状云各自的微物理结构特征与降水的发生机理等。结果表明:降水过程云内存在着明显的“播种—供给”机制, 层状云中“播种—供给”机制相对简单。而对流云区中由于降水粒子可以发生上下多次的循环增长, “播种—供给”机制可在云的上下层间双向进行, 云中粒子群可以增长得更大。在积层混合云中, 在低层, 层状云中已有的水凝物粒子进入内嵌的积云块中, 而在高层水成物粒子又从积云中落到层云中, 积层混合云系充分发挥了积云和层云各自的优势, 从而降水效率较高。     

中尺度天气的高空地面综合图分析

中尺度强天气的预报能力非常有限,一个重要原因是在业务预报中,缺乏对中尺度对流天气发生的环境场条件和发生发展特征进行及时有效的分析。本文介绍了国家气象中心正在试行的中尺度天气的天气图分析方法。中尺度天气的天气图分析主要利用探空资料和数值预报相关参量资料,分析中尺度对流天气发生发展的环境场条件,包括高空综合图分析和地面分析。在高空分析中重视风、温度、湿度、变温、变高的分析,并通过将不同等压面上最能反映水汽、抬升、不稳定和垂直风切变状况的特征系统和特征线绘制在一张图上形成综合图,以更直观的方式反映产生中尺度深厚对流系统发生发展潜势的高低空配置环境场条件。地面分析包括气压、风、温度、湿度、对流天气现象和各类边界线(锋)的分析。国家气象中心的强对流天气预报业务试验表明,中尺度天气的天气图分析已经成为强对流天气潜势预报的重要依据。     

台风倒槽影响下邯郸大暴雨过程分析

从天气系统背景、FY-2C卫星产品、水汽通量分布特征和大气稳定度特征等方面,分析了受台风低压倒槽与东移锋面云系的共同影响,于2005年7月21日夜间到23日邯郸市出现的大范围的暴雨天气,结果发现:500hPa槽前中尺度切变线是直接影响产生暴雨的重要系统;地形作用使迎风坡降水增强;中尺度对流云团和雨团关系密切,暴雨中心位于OLR和TBB低值区下面;西部山区的暴雨区水汽主要来源于南海、东海,东部平原大暴雨水汽主要来源于南海;暴雨区上空低层为对流不稳定,高层为对称不稳定。     

OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF MICROPHYSICS IN THE STRATIFORM REGION AND TRANSITION REGION OF A MIDLATITUDE MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE COMPLEX

Cloud microphysical data observed with PMS probes have been combined with radar and other in-situdata collected by a NOAA P-3 aircraft that flew through the stratiform and transition regions of a mesoscaleconvective complex(MCC).The combined data have been analyzed with respect to the mescscale structureof the storm systems.The characteristics of ice particles in the transition and stratiform regions were quitediffereat.The ice particle concentrations in the transition region were about 4 to 6 times that found in thestratiform region,and the size of ice particles in the stratiform region was about twice that in the transitionregion.The relatively lower radar reflectivity in the transition region is a result of smaller particle sizes.Themain precipitation particle growth mechanisms are riming and aggregation in the transition region ard theaggregation process predominates in the stratiform region referred from the microphysical structures.The ag-gregation starts in the upper,colder lev(?)ls but becomes more efficient as the particles approach the melting layer.     

锋面分析和预报的现状与展望

锋面问题是气象学的古老课题之一,但从70年代以来,随着探测技术和计算技术的发展,这方面的研究又重新活跃起来,取得了若干进展,发现了一些新的事实并进行了一些较为成功的数值模拟。 本文从锋面雨带的中尺度结构、锋生现象、锋区垂直环流、锋面向上的β中尺度系统、锋面的动力学问题和地形对锋面的影响等方面,简要地介绍了锋面研究近几年所取得的进展,指出动向,并结合实际情况提出了我国今后进行锋面分析和预报工作时应注意的问题。     

Diurnal phase of late-night against late-afternoon of stratiform and convective precipitation in summer southern contiguous China

Using the tropical rainfall measuring mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar (PR) observations combined with the surface rain gauge data during 1998–2006, the robust diurnal features of summer stratiform and convective precipitation over the southern contiguous China are revealed by exploring the diurnal variations of rain rate and precipitation profile. The precipitation over the southern contiguous China exhibits two distinguishing diurnal phases: late-night (2200–0600 LST) and late-afternoon (1400–2200 LST), dependent on the location, precipitation type and duration time. Generally, the maximum rain rate and the highest profile of stratiform precipitation occur in the late-afternoon (late-night) over the southeastern (southwestern) China, while most of the stratiform short-duration rain rate tends to present late-afternoon peaks over the southern China. For convective precipitation, the maximum rain rate and the highest profile occur in the late-afternoon over most of the southern contiguous China, while the convective long-duration rain rate exhibits late-night peaks over the southwestern China. Without regional dependence, the convective precipitation exhibits much larger amplitude of diurnal variations in both near surface rain rate and vertical extension compared with stratiform precipitation and the convective rain top rises most rapidly between noon and afternoon. However, there are two distinctive sub-regions. The diurnal phases of precipitation there are very weakly dependent on precipitation type and duration time. Over the eastern periphery of the Tibetan Plateau, the maximum rain rate and the highest profile of either convective or stratiform precipitation occur in the late-night. Over the southeastern coastal regions, both the near surface rain rate and rain top of convective and stratiform precipitation peak in the late-afternoon.