The horizontal resolution of global numerical weather prediction models is continuously developing. However, due to the imperfect precipitation simulation/forecast of these models, the demand for considering riming pa...The horizontal resolution of global numerical weather prediction models is continuously developing. However, due to the imperfect precipitation simulation/forecast of these models, the demand for considering riming particles in cloud microphysical schemes in these models is increasing. This study employed the latest versions of global atmospheric reanalysis data (ERA5), the satellite retrieval data of the Global Precipitation Observation Program (GPM),and station precipitation observations to explore the impacts of adding graupel to the cloud microphysical scheme in the China Meteorological Administration-Global Forecast System (CMA-GFS) on summer regional precipitation simulations in four Chinese climate zones. The results verify that the new graupel scheme can enable CMA-GFS to decently predict global graupel distribution, especially in tropical and midlatitude regions. The addition of graupel in the cloud microphysics increases the precipitation simulation in North China, while that in Southwest China is weakened and dispersed. Moreover, graupel scheme increases the precipitation simulations of almost all magnitudes.The increase in light rain is obvious, and the absolute value of heavy rain is strengthened. This may be because graupel quickly melts into rain after falling out of the zero-temperature layer due to its large mass and fast falling speed, increasing surface precipitation. In summary, the addition of graupel in the cloud microphysical scheme can improve CMA-GFS’s underestimation of strong precipitation.展开更多
The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons why frequent positive cloud-to-ground(+CG) flashes occur in severe thunderstorms. A three-dimensional dynamics-electrification coupled model was used to simulate...The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons why frequent positive cloud-to-ground(+CG) flashes occur in severe thunderstorms. A three-dimensional dynamics-electrification coupled model was used to simulate a severe thunderstorm to permit analysis of the conditions that might easily cause +CG flashes. The results showed that strong updrafts play an important role in the occurrence of intracloud flashes. However, frequent +CG flashes require not only strong updrafts but also strong downdrafts in the lower cloud region, conditions that correspond to the later phase of the mature stage and the period of the heaviest solid precipitation of a thunderstorm. During this stage, strong updrafts elevated each charge area in the updraft region to a higher level, which resulted in an inverted tripole charge structure. A wide mid-level region of strong positive charge caused largely by positively charged graupel, presented in the middle of the updraft region because of a non-inductive ice-ice collisional charging mechanism. The charge structure in the downdraft region was consistently more complex and revealed several vertically stacked charge regions, alternating in polarity. Much of the graupel/hail outside the updrafts was lowered to cloud-base by strong downdrafts. In this area, the graupel/hail was charged negatively because of the transportation of negatively charged graupel/hail from higher regions of negative charge in the updrafts, and via the inductive charging mechanism of collisions between graupel/hail and cloud droplets at the bottom of the cloud. Consequently, a large region of negative charge formed near the ground. This meant that +CG flashes were initiated more easily in the lower inverted dipole, i.e., the middle region of positive charge and lower region of negative charge. Frequent +CG flashes began almost synchronously with dramatic increases in the storm updrafts, hail volume, and total flash rate. Therefore, the occurrence of +CG flashes appears a good indicator of storm intensification and 展开更多
A three-dimensional charge^lischarge numerical model is used, in a semi-idealized mode, to simulate a thunder- storm cell. Characteristics of the granpel microphysics and vertical air motion associated with the lightn...A three-dimensional charge^lischarge numerical model is used, in a semi-idealized mode, to simulate a thunder- storm cell. Characteristics of the granpel microphysics and vertical air motion associated with the lightning initiation are revealed, which could be useful in retrieving charge strength during lightning when no charge^diseharge model is available, The results show that the vertical air motion at the lightning initiation sites （Wini） has a cubic polynomial correlation with the maximum updraft of the storm cell （WceH_m^x）, with the adjusted regression coefficient R2 of ap- proximately 0.97. Meanwhile, the graupel mixing ratio at the lightning initiation sites （qg-ini） has a linear correlation with the maximum graupel mixing ratio of the storm cell （qg-cell-max） and the initiation height （Zini）, with the coeffi- cients being 0.86 and 0.85, respectively. These linear correlations are more significant during the middle and late stages of lightning activity. A zero-charge zone, namely, the area with very low net charge density between the main positive and negative charge layers, appears above the area of qg-oewm and below the upper edge of the granpel re- gion, and is found to be an important area for lightning initiation. Inside the zero-charge zone, large electric intensity forms, and the ratio of qice （ice crystal mixing ratio） to qg （graupel mixing ratio） illustrates an exponential relation- ship to qg-ini. These relationships provide valuable clues to more accurately locating the high-risk area of lightning initiation in thunderstorms when only dual-polarization radar data or outputs from numerical models without char- ging/discharging schemes are available. The results can also help understand the environmental conditions at light- ning initiation sites.展开更多
This paper discusses the effect of graupel/hail parameters on a convective system in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province. The simulation results using the original model settings were similar to observations in terms of rad...This paper discusses the effect of graupel/hail parameters on a convective system in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province. The simulation results using the original model settings were similar to observations in terms of radar reflectivity and sea level pressure, as well as the identification of hydrometeor particle classification by X-band dual-polarization radar data. Sensitivity tests using changed parameters of graupel/hail indicated that a size distribution with larger and denser but fewer hail hydrometers resulted in a weaker development of the convective system in the horizontal and vertical directions. With a large terminal velocity of hail, the melting rate of graupel and evaporation rate of rain were the lowest. Hail could reach the ground and the mixing ratio of rain was the largest near the ground. Precipitation, including rainwater and hail, was the largest. However, a size distribution with smaller and lighter but numerous graupel hydrometers resulted in a stronger development of the convective system. The melting rate of graupel and evaporation rate of rain were the largest. More graupel particles were stranded in the air for a longer time—and the maximum mixing ratio of rain was the largest. The precipitation amount, including rainwater only, was the smallest. The changes to graupel parameters also led to differences in microphysical processes.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFC3090205)National Natural Science Foundation of China (42090032)。
文摘The horizontal resolution of global numerical weather prediction models is continuously developing. However, due to the imperfect precipitation simulation/forecast of these models, the demand for considering riming particles in cloud microphysical schemes in these models is increasing. This study employed the latest versions of global atmospheric reanalysis data (ERA5), the satellite retrieval data of the Global Precipitation Observation Program (GPM),and station precipitation observations to explore the impacts of adding graupel to the cloud microphysical scheme in the China Meteorological Administration-Global Forecast System (CMA-GFS) on summer regional precipitation simulations in four Chinese climate zones. The results verify that the new graupel scheme can enable CMA-GFS to decently predict global graupel distribution, especially in tropical and midlatitude regions. The addition of graupel in the cloud microphysics increases the precipitation simulation in North China, while that in Southwest China is weakened and dispersed. Moreover, graupel scheme increases the precipitation simulations of almost all magnitudes.The increase in light rain is obvious, and the absolute value of heavy rain is strengthened. This may be because graupel quickly melts into rain after falling out of the zero-temperature layer due to its large mass and fast falling speed, increasing surface precipitation. In summary, the addition of graupel in the cloud microphysical scheme can improve CMA-GFS’s underestimation of strong precipitation.
基金supported by the National Key Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2014CB441403)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41275008)+1 种基金R&D Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry (Grant No. GYHY201306069)Open Project of Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster of Ministry of Education (Grant No. KLME1004)
文摘The purpose of this study was to understand the reasons why frequent positive cloud-to-ground(+CG) flashes occur in severe thunderstorms. A three-dimensional dynamics-electrification coupled model was used to simulate a severe thunderstorm to permit analysis of the conditions that might easily cause +CG flashes. The results showed that strong updrafts play an important role in the occurrence of intracloud flashes. However, frequent +CG flashes require not only strong updrafts but also strong downdrafts in the lower cloud region, conditions that correspond to the later phase of the mature stage and the period of the heaviest solid precipitation of a thunderstorm. During this stage, strong updrafts elevated each charge area in the updraft region to a higher level, which resulted in an inverted tripole charge structure. A wide mid-level region of strong positive charge caused largely by positively charged graupel, presented in the middle of the updraft region because of a non-inductive ice-ice collisional charging mechanism. The charge structure in the downdraft region was consistently more complex and revealed several vertically stacked charge regions, alternating in polarity. Much of the graupel/hail outside the updrafts was lowered to cloud-base by strong downdrafts. In this area, the graupel/hail was charged negatively because of the transportation of negatively charged graupel/hail from higher regions of negative charge in the updrafts, and via the inductive charging mechanism of collisions between graupel/hail and cloud droplets at the bottom of the cloud. Consequently, a large region of negative charge formed near the ground. This meant that +CG flashes were initiated more easily in the lower inverted dipole, i.e., the middle region of positive charge and lower region of negative charge. Frequent +CG flashes began almost synchronously with dramatic increases in the storm updrafts, hail volume, and total flash rate. Therefore, the occurrence of +CG flashes appears a good indicator of storm intensification and
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41675001 and 41405004)National(Key)Basic Research and Development(973)Program of China(2014CB441406)Basic Research Funds of Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences(2016Z002 and 2017Z003)
文摘A three-dimensional charge^lischarge numerical model is used, in a semi-idealized mode, to simulate a thunder- storm cell. Characteristics of the granpel microphysics and vertical air motion associated with the lightning initiation are revealed, which could be useful in retrieving charge strength during lightning when no charge^diseharge model is available, The results show that the vertical air motion at the lightning initiation sites （Wini） has a cubic polynomial correlation with the maximum updraft of the storm cell （WceH_m^x）, with the adjusted regression coefficient R2 of ap- proximately 0.97. Meanwhile, the graupel mixing ratio at the lightning initiation sites （qg-ini） has a linear correlation with the maximum graupel mixing ratio of the storm cell （qg-cell-max） and the initiation height （Zini）, with the coeffi- cients being 0.86 and 0.85, respectively. These linear correlations are more significant during the middle and late stages of lightning activity. A zero-charge zone, namely, the area with very low net charge density between the main positive and negative charge layers, appears above the area of qg-oewm and below the upper edge of the granpel re- gion, and is found to be an important area for lightning initiation. Inside the zero-charge zone, large electric intensity forms, and the ratio of qice （ice crystal mixing ratio） to qg （graupel mixing ratio） illustrates an exponential relation- ship to qg-ini. These relationships provide valuable clues to more accurately locating the high-risk area of lightning initiation in thunderstorms when only dual-polarization radar data or outputs from numerical models without char- ging/discharging schemes are available. The results can also help understand the environmental conditions at light- ning initiation sites.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China (973 Program, Grant Nos. 2014CB441403 and 2013CB430105)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41205099)+1 种基金Guizhou Province Scientific Research Joint Project (Grant No. G[2013]4001)the Special Scientific Research Project of the Meteorological Public Welfare Profession of China (Grant No. GYHY201006031)
文摘This paper discusses the effect of graupel/hail parameters on a convective system in Yangjiang, Guangdong Province. The simulation results using the original model settings were similar to observations in terms of radar reflectivity and sea level pressure, as well as the identification of hydrometeor particle classification by X-band dual-polarization radar data. Sensitivity tests using changed parameters of graupel/hail indicated that a size distribution with larger and denser but fewer hail hydrometers resulted in a weaker development of the convective system in the horizontal and vertical directions. With a large terminal velocity of hail, the melting rate of graupel and evaporation rate of rain were the lowest. Hail could reach the ground and the mixing ratio of rain was the largest near the ground. Precipitation, including rainwater and hail, was the largest. However, a size distribution with smaller and lighter but numerous graupel hydrometers resulted in a stronger development of the convective system. The melting rate of graupel and evaporation rate of rain were the largest. More graupel particles were stranded in the air for a longer time—and the maximum mixing ratio of rain was the largest. The precipitation amount, including rainwater only, was the smallest. The changes to graupel parameters also led to differences in microphysical processes.
