Simulation of atmospheric dynamics during heavy rain events on Nias Island using WRF model and Himawari-8 satellite data

Abstract

Nias is the largest island in the Indian Ocean west of Sumatra. The geographical condition of Nias Island which is a small island surrounded by waters causes strong weather dynamics and high intensity of rainfall. This study was conducted to determine changes in weather dynamics conditions during high rainfall on Nias Island, including the parameters of the vertical profile of air humidity, vorticity, divergence, vertical velocity, reflectivity; and cloud top temperatures. The simulation was carried out on 4 days of heavy rain in 2020, each representing each season period, namely 7 February 2020 for December-January-February (DJF), 30 April 2020 for March-April-May (MAM), 3 August 2020 for June-July-August (JJA), and 8 October 2020 for September-October-November (SON). The data used are Final Analysis Data (FNL) with a spatial resolution of 1°x1° as input data for the Weather Research and Forecast (WRF) model, IR1 data (band#13 – 10.4µm) Himawari-8 satellite, and observational rainfall data from the Binaka and Global Meteorological Stations. Precipitation Measurement – The Integrated Multi-Satellite Retrievals for GPM (GPM IMERG) with a spatial resolution of 0.1°x0.1°. The results showed that the presence of Cumulonimbus convective clouds caused heavy rain, with cloud top temperatures reaching -60°C to -80°C. The relatively humid atmosphere, accompanied by the convection mechanism that occurs, causes the convective activity on Nias Island to be quite intense.