Typhoon Rainband Research Articles

Analysis of the Mesoscale Asymmetric Rainbands during the Slow Northward-Moving Period of Typhoon In-Fa (2021)

After making landfall, Typhoon In-Fa (2021) moved slowly, resulting in heavy rainfall and flooding across fourteen provinces in China. This extreme precipitation was primarily linked to the evolution of active mesoscale convective systems. This study analyzes the characteristics and causes of mesoscale rainbands during In-Fa’s slow northward-moving period, aiming to identify the key factors that influence the detailed evolution of typhoon rainbands and to enhance typhoon quantitative precipitation forecasting skill. In-Fa’s mesoscale asymmetric rainbands can be categorized into three types: mesoscale spiral rainbands, a convective rainband to the east of In-Fa, and a rainband to the north of In-Fa. Mesoscale low-level jets are a critical factor in the development of mesoscale spiral rainbands. The wind speed gradient near these jets, along with the convergence of wind directions between two jets, fosters low-level convergence and upward motion, triggering the evolution of several mesoscale rainbands. The convective rainband to the east of In-Fa flourishes under conditions of high humidity and energy, displaying distinct diurnal variations. This is due to the strengthening of low-level jets at night, which enhances both dynamic convergence and water vapor availability. The presence of moderate to strong convective available potential energy (600–1500 J kg−1), substantial whole-layer water vapor (relative humidity exceeding 90–95%), and a high 0 °C-layer favors the development of efficient warm-cloud convective precipitation, leading to intense hourly rainfall. The rainband to the north of In-Fa is primarily associated with cold air intrusion in the lower troposphere, although the interaction between typhoon and mid-latitude systems has not yet occurred. At the interface between cold and warm air, the colder air to the north side sinks while the warmer air to the south side rises, forming a secondary circulation that supports the development and persistence of precipitation on the north side of the typhoon. These findings offer a conceptual model for accurately predicting precipitation associated with typhoons that move slowly northward after landfall.

Influence of radiation diurnal variation on the rapid intensification process of super Typhoon Rammasun (1409) in the South China Sea

In this study, a sensitivity experiment based on a numerical model is conducted to study the influence of the diurnal variation of radiation on the rapid intensification process of Super Typhoon Rammasun (1409) in the South China Sea. The result shows that changing the radiation process can change the onset time of the rapid intensification process of the typhoon and its maximum intensity. Vertical wind shear is a key factor in the TC rapid intensification influenced by diurnal radiation cycle, and the diurnal variation of radiation process causes obvious diurnal variation in vertical wind shear by changing the thermal difference between sea and land. The oscillation of vertical wind shear promotes the diurnal variation of the typhoon rainband, with an opposite variation trend in the control and sensitivity experiments, affecting the local convective available potential energy and inward transport of entropy and thus influencing the onset time of deep convective in the typhoon inner core region. By changing the establishment of the typhoon warm core (especially the upper-level warm core), deep convections finally affect the rapid intensification of the typhoon.

A Comparison of Spectral Bin Microphysics versus Bulk Parameterization in Forecasting Typhoon In-Fa (2021) before, during, and after Its Landfall

Typhoon In-Fa hit continental China in July 2021 and caused an unprecedented rainfall amount, making it a typical case to examine the ability of numerical models in forecasting landfalling typhoons. The record-breaking storm was simulated using a 3-km-resolution weather research and forecast (WRF) model with spectral bin microphysics scheme (BIN) and two-moment seven-class bulk parameterization scheme (BULK). The simulations were then separated into three different typhoon landfall periods (i.e., pre-landfall, landfall, and post-landfall). It was found that typhoon intensity prediction is sensitive to microphysical schemes regardless of landfall periods, while typhoon track prediction tends to be more (less) sensitive to microphysical schemes after (before) typhoon landfall. Moreover, significant differences exist between BIN and BULK schemes in simulating the storm intensity, track, and rainfall distribution. BIN scheme simulates stronger (weaker) typhoon intensity than BULK scheme after (before) landfall, while BULK scheme simulates typhoon moving faster (slower) than BIN scheme before (after) landfall. BIN scheme produces much more extensive and homogeneous typhoon rainbands than BULK scheme, whereas BULK scheme produces stronger (weaker) rainfall in the typhoon inner (outer) rainbands. The possible reasons for such differences are discussed. At present, the ability of WRF and other mesoscale models to accurately simulate the typhoon precipitation hydrometeors is still limited. To evaluate the performances of BIN and BULK schemes of WRF model in simulating the condensed water in Typhoon In-Fa, the observed microwave brightness temperature and radar reflectivity from the core observatory of Global Precipitation Mission (GPM) satellite are directly used for validation with the help of a satellite simulator. It is suggested that BIN scheme has better performance in estimating the spatial structure, overall amplitude, and precise location of the condensed water in typhoons before landfall. During typhoon landfall, the performance of BIN scheme in simulating the structure and location of the condensate is close to that of BULK scheme, but the condensate intensity prediction by BIN scheme is still better; BULK scheme performs even better than BIN scheme in the prediction of condensate structure and location after typhoon landfall. Both schemes seem to have poorer performances in simulating the spatial structure of precipitation hydrometeors during typhoon landfall than before/after typhoon landfall. Moreover, BIN scheme simulates more (less) realistic warm (cold) rain processes than BULK scheme, especially after typhoon landfall. BULK scheme simulates more cloud water and larger convective updraft than BIN scheme, and this is also reported in many model studies comparing BIN and BULK schemes.

Mesoscale Analysis on the Asymmetric Rainband of Typhoon Matmo (2014) and the Related Weather Situations for the GE222 Aircraft Crash Case

Typhoon Matmo (2014) was formed over the Central Pacific Ocean on 18 July 2014, and later, it became moderate in intensity (32.7~50.9 m/s) with maximum wind speed of 38 m/s. After it landed the southeast coast of China, the typhoon circulation showed an asymmetric pattern in dipole wind field based upon the composite mean winds at 925 hPa in use of NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and NOAA/ESRL atmospheric variables plotting approach. The wind dipole feature was due to the steep gradient of the geopotential height anomaly at the east flank of the typhoon circulation and the friction effect at its lowest levels over land from the synoptic scale point of view. The study focuses on investigating the characteristics of the line echo wave pattern (LEWP) embedded within the typhoon rainband through the multi-scale processes, and try to realize the possible causes of crash event from the meteorological point of view for TransAsia Airways GE222 occurrence at Makung Airport influenced by the LEWPs in use of mesonet surface analysis based on 1-minute interval data measured by Makung Airport weather station and dual-Doppler radar analysis composited from Makung and Chiku weather radar data. The preliminary results delineated that the wave-like echoes organized by deep convections featured a key factor on the development of short duration heavy rainfall, low visibility and significant turbulence from the mesoscale point of view. Conclusively speaking, the aircraft faced multiple and severe weather situations, including the intense crosswind, obvious downdraft and extremely low visibility. Therefore, the impact of deep convections inside LEWPs embedded within the typhoon rainband on aviation safety was remarkable, and this case is a good lesson for flight safety.

Improving Radar Echo Lagrangian Extrapolation Nowcasting by Blending Numerical Model Wind Information: Statistical Performance of 16 Typhoon Cases

Abstract Severe weather nowcasting is a crucial mission of atmospheric science for the betterment of society to save life, limb, and property. In this study, composite radar data from the Central Weather Bureau of 16 typhoons are collected to examine the statistical performance of the McGill Algorithm for Precipitation nowcasting using Lagrangian Extrapolation (MAPLE) over Taiwan, an extrapolation algorithm that predicts future precipitation based on current radar echoes. In addition, instead of mixing the precipitation between radar extrapolation and numerical model forecast as in previous studies, a blending system is formed by synthesizing the wind information from model forecast with the echo extrapolation motion field via a variational algorithm to improve the nowcasting system. The statistical results of the radar echo extrapolation for 16 typhoon cases show that while the quantitative precipitation nowcasting skill can persist for up to 2 h, significant distortion for the rotational system is found after 2 h. On the other hand, the blending system helps to capture and maintain the rotation of typhoon rainband structures. The blending system extends the nowcasting skill by 1 h to a total of 3 h. Furthermore, the blending scheme performs especially well after the typhoon makes landfall in Taiwan. For disaster prevention and mitigation, this blending nowcasting technique may provide effective weather information immediately.

Doppler Radar Analysis of a Tornadic Miniature Supercell during the Landfall of Typhoon Mujigae (2015) in South China

AbstractOn 4 October 2015, a miniature supercell embedded in an outer rainband of Typhoon Mujigae produced a major tornado in Guangdong province of China, leading to 4 deaths and up to 80 injuries. This study documents the structure and evolution of the tornadic miniature supercell using coastal Doppler radars, a sounding, videos, and a damage survey. This tornado is rated at least EF3 on the enhanced Fujita scale. It is by far the strongest typhoon rainband tornado yet documented in China, and possessed double funnels near its peak intensity.Radar analysis indicates that this tornadic miniature supercell exhibited characteristics similar to those found in United States landfalling hurricanes, including a hook echo, low-level inf low notches, an echo top below 10 km, a small and shallow mesocyclone, and a long lifespan (3 h). The environmental conditions—which consisted of moderate convective available potential energy (CAPE), a low lifting condensation level, a small surface dewpoint depression, a large veering low-level vertical wind shear, and a large cell-relative helicity—are favorable for producing miniature supercells. The mesocyclone, with its maximum intensity at 2 km above ground level (AGL), formed an hour before tornadogenesis. A tornado vortex signature (TVS) was identified between 1 and 3 km AGL, when the parent mesocyclone reached its peak radar-indicated intensity of 30 m s−1. The TVS was located between the updraft and forward-flank downdraft, near the center of the mesocyclone. Dual-Doppler wind analysis reveals that tilting of the low-level vorticity into the vertical direction and subsequent stretching by a strong updraft were the main contributors to the mesocyclone intensification.

Improving Polarimetric C-Band Radar Rainfall Estimation with Two-Dimensional Video Disdrometer Observations in Eastern China

Abstract In this study, the capability of using a C-band polarimetric Doppler radar and a two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) to estimate monsoon-influenced summer rainfall during the Observation, Prediction and Analysis of Severe Convection of China (OPACC) field campaign in 2014 and 2015 in eastern China is investigated. Three different rainfall R estimators, for reflectivity at horizontal polarization [R(Zh)], for reflectivity at horizontal polarization and differential reflectivity factor [R(Zh, Zdr)], and for specific differential phase [R(KDP)], are derived from 2-yr 2DVD observations of summer precipitation systems. The radar-estimated rainfall is compared to gauge observations from eight rainfall episodes. Results show that the two polarimetric estimators, R(Zh, Zdr) and R(KDP), perform better than the traditional Zh–R relation [i.e., R(Zh)]. The KDP-based estimator [i.e., R(KDP)] produces the best rainfall accumulations. The radar rainfall estimators perform differently across the three organized convective systems (mei-yu rainband, typhoon rainband, and squall line). Estimator R(Zh) overestimates rainfall in the mei-yu rainband and squall line, and R(Zh, Zdr) mitigates the overestimation in the mei-yu rainband but has a large bias in the squall line. QPE from R(KDP) is the most accurate among the three estimators, but it possesses a relatively large bias for the squall line compared to the mei-yu case. The high variability of drop size distribution (DSD) related to the precipitation microphysics in different types of rain is largely responsible for the case-dependent QPE performance using any single radar rainfall estimator. The squall line has a distinct ice-phase process with a large mean size of raindrops, while the mei-yu rainband and typhoon rainband are composed of smaller raindrops. Based on the statistical QPE error in the ZH–ZDR space, a new composite rainfall estimator is constructed by combining R(Zh), R(Zh, Zdr), and R(KDP) and is proven to outperform any single rainfall estimator.

Precipitation microphysics characteristics of a Typhoon Matmo (2014) rainband after landfall over eastern China based on polarimetric radar observations

AbstractThe evolution of microphysical characteristics of a rainband in Typhoon Matmo (2014) over eastern China, through its onset, developing, mature, and dissipating stages, is documented using observations from an S band polarimetric Doppler radar and a two‐dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD). The drop size distributions observed by the 2DVD and retrieved from the polarimetric radar measurements indicate that the convection in the rainband generally contains smaller drops and higher number concentrations than the typical maritime type convection described in Bringi et al. (2003). The average mass‐weighted mean diameter (Dm) of convective precipitation in the rainband is about 1.41 mm, and the average logarithmic normalized intercept (Nw) is 4.67 log10 mm−1 m−3. To further investigate the dominant microphysical processes, the evolution of the vertical structures of polarimetric variables is examined. Results show that complex ice processes are involved above the freezing level, while it is most likely that the accretion and/or coalescence processes dominate below the freezing level throughout the rainband life cycle. A combined examination of the polarimetric measurements and profiles of estimated vertical liquid and ice water contents indicates that the conversion of cloud water into rainwater through cloud water accretion by raindrops plays a dominant role in producing heavy rainfall. The high estimated precipitation efficiency of 50% also suggests that cloud water accretion is the dominant mechanism for producing heavy rainfall. This study represents the first time that radar and 2DVD observations are used together to characterize the microphysical characteristics and precipitation efficiency for typhoon rainbands in China.

Real-Time Forecast of Reservoir Inflow Hydrographs Incorporating Terrain and Monsoon Effects during Typhoon Invasion by Novel Intelligent Numerical-Statistic Impulse Techniques

AbstractThis study develops an original methodology for forecasting real-time reservoir inflow hydrographs during typhoons, taking advantage of meteoro-hydrological methods such as analysis of typhoon hydrographs, numerical typhoon track forecasts, statistic typhoon central impulse-based quantitative precipitation forecasts model based on a real-time revised approach (TCI-RTQPF), real-time recurrent learning neural network (RTRLNN), and adaptive network-based fuzzy inference system (ANFIS). To derive the inflow hydrograph induced by interaction between typhoon rain bands, terrain, and monsoons, the inventive novel ensemble numerical-statistic impulse techniques are employed. The inflow during peak flow, inflection, and direct runoff ending (DRE) periods (impulse signal) are used for the deriving process. The hydrograph analysis is used to examine the mechanism between typhoon center location, wind field, precipitation, and the inflow hydrograph, and to establish the evaluation methods. Additionally, a nov...

Surface Pressure Features of Landfalling Typhoon Rainbands and Their Possible Causes

Abstract This study uses temporally high-resolution surface observations, Doppler radar, and micro rain radar to document the finescale features of the two landfalling rainbands associated with Typhoon Longwang (2005) as they passed over northern Taiwan. The present case allows a unique opportunity to investigate well-defined, convectively active tropical cyclone rainbands over land. In particular, the surface pressure fluctuations observed during the passage of the two rainbands and their possible causes are explored. The rainbands were predominantly convective in nature, with embedded stratiform precipitation outside their inner/outer edge. Analyses of surface observations show similar surface pressure fluctuations during the rainband’s passage. Low (high) pressure with relatively strong (weak) cross-band flow and warmer (colder) temperature was located inside the outer (inner) edge. Maximum (minimum) pressure perturbations were observed to be ∼1.5 (∼−1) mb, with smaller magnitudes (<∼0.4 mb) outside the outer/inner edge. In particular, the studied rainbands possess some wavelike characteristics such as outward propagation, undulations of surface pressure perturbations, and opposite phase relation between the surface pressure perturbations and the cross-band flow. Detailed analyses indicate that the combined effects of pressure perturbations produced by moist convection and those associated with wave activities initiated within the typhoon could explain the observed surface features. The present study provides observational evidence to support the importance of wave dynamics and their interactions with moist convection for the generation of surface pressure perturbations associated with the observed tropical cyclone rainbands.

Retrieval of Three-Dimensional Raindrop Size Distribution Using X-Band Polarimetric Radar Data

Abstract An improved algorithm based on the self-consistent principle for rain attenuation correction of reflectivity ZH and differential reflectivity ZDR are presented for X-band radar. The proposed algorithm calculates the optimum coefficients for the relation between the specific attenuation coefficient and the specific differential phase, every 1 km along a slant range. The attenuation-corrected ZDR is calculated from reflectivity at horizontal polarization and from reflectivity at vertical polarization after attenuation correction. The improved rain attenuation correction algorithm is applied to the range–height indicator (RHI) scans as well as the plan position indicator (PPI) volume scan data observed by X-band wavelength (MP-X) radar, as operated by the National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Prevention (NIED) in Japan. The corrected ZH and ZDR values are in good agreement with those calculated from the drop size distribution (DSD) measured by disdrometers. The two governing parameters of a normalized gamma DSD, normalized number concentration NW, and drop median diameter D0 are estimated from the corrected ZH and ZDR, and specific differential phase KDP values based on the “constrained-gamma” method. The method is applied to PPI and RHI data of a typhoon rainband to retrieve the three-dimensional distribution of DSD. The retrieved DSD parameters show reasonable agreement with disdrometer data. The present results demonstrate that high-quality correction and retrieval DSDs can be derived from X-band polarimetric radar data.

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

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.

Study on wavy distribution of rainfall associated with typhoon Matsa (2005)

An analysis is made to investigate the structure features of the extensive heavy rainfall left by typhoon Matsa, after its landfall in mainland China in August 2005, based on a range of observational results, including surface intensive observation data, TBB data from China’s FY-2 satellite, and NCEP 1°×1° reanalysis data. The study tries to explore the interaction between atmospheric waves, 3-D atmospheric structures, and typhoon rainbands. Observational facts, diagnostic analysis, and atmospheric wave theory are used to look into the formation mechanism of distant typhoon rainbands. Results show that (1) Matsa rainbands have the features of noticeable wave train distribution and long distance propagation; (2) the typhoon rainbands extend as far as 2000 km northwardly from the typhoon center, with a wavelength of 500–1000 km and a wave period of 12–24 h; (3) the wave structure of Matsa rainbands is closely associated with the corresponding wave variation of the ambient 3-D atmospheric structures, including disturbance vorticity, divergence field, vertical motion field, water vapor flux divergence field, etc. (4) both observational facts and theoretical analysis show that the northward extending typhoon rainbands are associated with the mixed effects of atmospheric inertia wave and internal gravity wave; (5) only under proper atmospheric stratification and vertical wavenumber of gravity wave, can a typhoon stimulate such a wave being able to reach such a distance, and result in extending wavy rainbands.