Abstract
The time series of precipitable water (PW) in 30 min intervals has been determined through experimentation and operational application of a ground-based global positioning system (GPS) network in Chengdu Plain, which is used for precise and reliable meteorological research. This study is the first to apply PW to the southwest vortex (SWV) and heavy rain events by using the data from an intensive SWV experiment conducted in summer 2010. The PW derived from the local ground-based GPS network was used in the monitoring and analysis of heavy rain caused by the SWV and the Tibetan Plateau vortex (TPV). Results indicate that an increase in GPS precipitable water (GPS-PW) occurs prior to the development of the TPV and SWV; rainfall occurs mainly during high levels of GPS-PW. The evolution features of GPS-PW in rainfall process caused by different weather systems over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) also differ. These results indicate the reference values for operational applications of GPS-PW data in short-term forecasting and nowcasting of high-impact weather in addition to further investigation of heavy rain caused by the TPV, SWV, and other severe weather systems over the TP.
Highlights
Atmospheric water is a key factor in precipitation forecasting
High-resolution precipitable water data obtained through ground-based global positioning system (GPS) technology was used to analyze the heavy rain caused by various plateau weather systems
Three vortex-like rainstorms occurring in Sichuan Basin caused by the development and the eastward shift of the Tibetan Plateau vortex (TPV) and southwest vortex (SWV) in September 2007, July 2010, and July 2008 were analyzed comprehensively by using GPS-precipitable water (PW) data derived through the GPS observation network of Chengdu Plain combined with routine meteorological observation data, intensive observation data, and reanalysis data
Summary
Atmospheric water is a key factor in precipitation forecasting. The spatial and temporal distribution of this water and the latent heat generated by its phase transition play important roles in atmospheric water transport, energy conversion, and the evolution of weather by affecting atmospheric stability and the structure and changes of weather systems. The processes of heavy rain caused by the TPV and SWV occurring in September 2007, July 2008, and July 2010 in Chengdu Plain, southwestern China (Figure 1(a)), are comprehensively analyzed by using data from the GPS network in Chengdu Plain, located at the center of Sichuan Basin, combined with conventional meteorological observation data. Such research has demonstrated the feasibility of GPS water monitoring technology used in meteorological operations in Chengdu, which represents southwestern China This new atmospheric sounding technology and its products have been applied in short-term forecasting and nowcasting. Software developed by Meteorological Information Comprehensive Analysis and Process System-China Meteorological Administration (MICAPS-CMA) has been applied to weather forecasting and determination of GPS water, real-time transmission of ground-based GPS observation data, data calculation, resolution of precipitable water, and the graphic display of GPS-PW products. The monitoring of GPS water and its products in weather analysis and forecasting was first conducted by Li et al [15]
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