The Structure, Evolution, and Dynamics of a Nocturnal Convective System Simulated Using the WRF-ARW Model

Blake, Benjamin T.; Parsons, David B.; Haghi, Kevin R.; Castleberry, S.

doi:10.1175/mwr-d-16-0360.1

Cited by 30 publications

(64 citation statements)

References 82 publications

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“…Wave ducts and trapping layers are also evident at low level both at 2330 and 0130 LST but are weaker at 0130 LST consistent with the decreases with time in both wave energy and the intensity of the bore (Figure 13). Our investigation of wave trapping using the Scorer parameter follows previous studies (e.g., Blake et al, 2017;Zhang et al, 2019) and is rather qualitative. A topic for future research is the trapping of wave energy when bores are generated at the leading edge of a convectively generated cold pool following more sophisticated mechanisms recently proposed in the literature (e.g., Hills et al, 2016).…”

Section: 1029/2019jd032279mentioning

confidence: 70%

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A Modeling Study of an Atmospheric Bore Associated With a Nocturnal Convective System Over China

Zhang

Parsons

et al. 2020

JGR Atmospheres

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Bores have been shown to play a role in the initiation and maintenance of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs), particularly during the night after the boundary layer stabilizes. To date, the generation, evolution, and structure of bores over China has received little attention. This study utilizes observations and simulations with the WRF-ARW model to investigate the generation and evolution of an atmospheric bore observed over Yangtze-Huai Plains of China. The bore was associated with a nocturnal MCS that first formed over elevated terrain. The bore was observed ahead of the MCS with a maximum lateral extension of~100 km. The feature lasted for over 90 mins and propagated at a speed of~13 m/s, slightly faster than the MCS. In the simulation, the bore evolved from the separating "head" of the convectively generated gravity current. The bore then continued to propagate ahead of the MCS, even after the dissipation of the feeder current, and took on the appearance of an undular bore. The bore lifted a layer of convectively unstable air above the nocturnal surface inversion, initiating new convection ahead of the MCS to help maintain the MCS. The Scorer parameter ahead of the bore revealed a low-level wind profile with curvature of the vertical profile of horizontal wind, favoring the trapping of wave energy and the persistence of the bore. These results are generally consistent with the role of bores in the maintenance of nocturnal MCSs and emphasize the need for future studies into the relationship between bores and nocturnal MCSs over China.

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Section: 1029/2019jd032279mentioning

confidence: 70%

“…The buoyancy field, B, perpendicular to the northeastern portion of the bore in Figure 9c was calculated following the approached described in Adams-Selin and Johnson (2013) and Blake et al (2017):…”

Section: Thermodynamic Structurementioning

confidence: 99%

A Modeling Study of an Atmospheric Bore Associated With a Nocturnal Convective System Over China

Zhang

Parsons

et al. 2020

JGR Atmospheres

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“…This happens because the SBL reduces the ability of moist convective downdrafts to penetrate to near the surface due to the reduction of negative buoyancy (e.g., Markowski and Richardson 2010). Elevated convection will result when the most unstable air is above an SBL (e.g., Corfidi et al 2008;Blake et al 2017), which typically occurs at night. The SBL and elevated unstable air are difficult to monitor with standard observations.…”

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confidence: 99%

Nocturnal Convection Initiation during PECAN 2015

Weckwerth

Hanesiak

Wilson

et al. 2019

Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society

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Nocturnal convection initiation (NCI) is more difficult to anticipate and forecast than daytime convection initiation (CI). A major component of the Plains Elevated Convection at Night (PECAN) field campaign in the U.S. Great Plains was to intensively sample NCI and its near environment. In this article, we summarize NCI types observed during PECAN: 1 June–16 July 2015. These NCI types, classified using PECAN radar composites, are associated with 1) frontal overrunning, 2) the low-level jet (LLJ), 3) a preexisting mesoscale convective system (MCS), 4) a bore or density current, and 5) a nocturnal atmosphere lacking a clearly observed forcing mechanism (pristine). An example and description of each of these different types of PECAN NCI events are presented. The University of Oklahoma real-time 4-km Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model ensemble forecast runs illustrate that the above categories having larger-scale organization (e.g., NCI associated with frontal overrunning and NCI near a preexisting MCS) were better forecasted than pristine. Based on current knowledge and data from PECAN, conceptual models summarizing key environmental features are presented and physical processes underlying the development of each of these different types of NCI events are discussed.

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“…The cold pool, coupled with different vertical wind shears perpendicular to [58][59][60] or parallel to [61] a convective line can lead to different locations for the regeneration of convection, which implies different motion directions for the lines. The outflow boundary associated with the cold pool is also a common place for the development of bores [62,63] which can result in the development of deep convective cells that merge into an MCS when they propagate through a stable boundary layer [64,65].…”

Section: Motion Of the Coastal Owsrsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In contrast, Parker [61] launched a detailed analysis to explain the relationship of line-parallel vertical-wind-shear with the development of the PS structure rainfall systems. Furthermore, the outflow boundary associated with the cold pool is also a favorable place for the initiation of convection and the development of bores [62,63], which can result in the development of deep convective cells that merge into an MCS when they propagate through a stable boundary layer [64,65].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observational Analysis of the Characteristics of the Synoptic Situation and Evolution of the Organized Warm-Sector Rainfall in the Coastal Region of South China in the Pre-Summer Rainy Season

2019

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The characteristics of the synoptic situation and the evolution of the organized warm-sector rainfalls (OWSRs) in the coastal region of South China in the pre-summer rainy season were investigated, using a period (2011–2016) of high-resolution observational data and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis Interim (ERA-Interim) data. The results show that a strong southwesterly low-level jet (LLJ) ahead of a trough over southwestern China with a marked boundary-layer jet (BLJ) over the northern South China Sea (synoptic situation SWLLJ) or a prominent, low-level anticyclone over the Yangtze River Basin (synoptic situation ACR) is present when the OWSRs occur in the coastal region of South China. The OWSRs are prone to initiate on the windward side of the coastal mountains, owing to the convergence enhanced by the colliding of the BLJ with the mountains and the coupling of double LLJs near the coast (for SWLLJ), or due to the convergence between northerly and southeasterly winds near the coastal mountains (for ACR). The OWSRs present a long extension when the LLJ axis is nearby. The translation of the LLJ itself also promotes the long extension of the OWSRs. In contrast, the OWSRs show a short extension when the LLJ axis is farther away or ACR occurs. Meanwhile, the OWSRs are directed northeastward in Guangxi Province and more eastward in Guangdong Province, probably owing to the orientation difference of the LLJ in these two provinces. The rainfall systems in the ACR situation tend to move eastward, whereas those in the SWLLJ situation are prone to move eastward when equivalently strong or much-stronger upper-level winds overlay the LLJ, but move northeastward when much weaker upper-level winds couple with the LLJ.

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The Structure, Evolution, and Dynamics of a Nocturnal Convective System Simulated Using the WRF-ARW Model

Cited by 30 publications

References 82 publications

A Modeling Study of an Atmospheric Bore Associated With a Nocturnal Convective System Over China

A Modeling Study of an Atmospheric Bore Associated With a Nocturnal Convective System Over China

Nocturnal Convection Initiation during PECAN 2015

Observational Analysis of the Characteristics of the Synoptic Situation and Evolution of the Organized Warm-Sector Rainfall in the Coastal Region of South China in the Pre-Summer Rainy Season

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