Abstract
The three-dimensional mesoscale structure of a huge stratiform radar rainband is analysed in conjunction with aerological and surface observations. The analysis reveals that a deep cold air extending vertically above the 200mb level lay along the centerline of the rainband, and that the vertical airflow was downward along the front side of the cold air and upward along the back. In other words, the vertical circulation was direct in the forward part of the rainband and was indirect in the backward. The deep cold air seems to be a result of the following two effects, adiabatic cooling of the ascending current through stable stratification, and evaporation of precipitation falling through the descending current.The indirect ascending current is considered to be induced by the strong southerly winds being blocked by the descending air in the westerlies (the direct circulation). The analysis also suggests how the wind field, stability, horizontal temperature gradients and other factors act to produce a persistent rainband in a stably stratified atmosphere.
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