Mesoscale Precipitation Systems Along the Meiyu/Baiu Front and Future Expectation for Research Radar and Weather Radar Network

Abstract

Field experiments on precipitation systems in East Asia are a key to better understanding global climate change, to uncovering weather phenomena related to meteorological disasters in the region, and to improving quantitative precipitation estimation (QPE) and quantitative precipitation forecasting (QPF). Observations with Doppler radar and radiosonde have clarified the structure of Meiyu/Baiu frontal precipitation systems and Typhoon rainbands. The Hydroshperic Atmospheric Research Center (HyARC) of Nagoya University has conducted field experiments on precipitation systems over the Yangtze River and East China Sea using dual Doppler radar observation on convective systems around the Meiyu front and aircraft observation with dropsonde on Baiu frontal precipitation systems. These studies are revealing characteristics of precipitation systems over the East China Sea and in East Asia. Precipitation clouds form dramatically rapidly in the moist environment, and precipitation systems developing south of the Baiu front play an important role on the formation of heavy rainfalls along the west coast of Kyushu, Japan. We discuss 1) the results of recent field experiments on precipitation systems over the East China Sea, 2) observation networks and preparation of new observation tools, 3) the development of a cloud resolving model to simulate precipitation systems, and 4) new research collaboration in East Asia.