An investigation on the dynamic and scale interactive processes for estimating the predictability of cloudburst over elevated orography

Abstract

The cloudburst is defined as a heavy downpour at a very high rainfall rate over small spatio-temporal scale. The Indian states of Uttarakhand (30°15′N; 79°15′E) and Himachal Pradesh (32°29′N; 75°10′E) are prone to cloudburst due to its geographical setup. The large-scale monsoon flow along with elevated orography makes cloudburst phenomena frequent a well as severe over the regions. However, cloudburst and the heavy rainfall events occasionally, become difficult to distinguish. The present study attempts to identify the processes associated with cloudburst over elevated orography and compare it with one of the most debated event of 2013 which was reported as heavy rainfall but, not a cloudburst by Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The temporal variations of rainfall and cloud-top pressure (CTP) are considered to identify the genesis of the event. The vertical developments of the system along with large-scale circulation pattern are estimated in the present study. The result of the study reveals that the mid-tropospheric dry entrainment, low-level temperature inversion and cloud height clearly distinguish the “cloudburst” and “heavy rainfall” events and confirms that the system of 2013 was indeed a heavy rainfall event and not a cloudburst.