Cloud microphysical differences with precipitation intensity in a torrential rainfall event in Sichuan, China

• Published in: Atmospheric and oceanic science letters = Daqi-he-haiyang-kexue-kuaibao Vol. 9; no. 2; pp. 90 - 98
• Main Authors: Huang, Yong-Jie, Cui, Xiao-Peng, Wang, Ya-Ping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Beijing Taylor & Francis 03.03.2016; KeAi Publishing Communications Ltd
• Subjects: Accretion; Atmospheric precipitations; cloud microphysical processes; Cloud microphysics; Hydrologic data; Hydrometeors; Mixing ratio; numerical simulation; Precipitation; Rain; Rainfall; Rainfall intensity; torrential rainfall; Water vapor; Water vapour; 中国; 事件; 云微物理; 四川; 暴雨; 粒子数浓度; 降水强度; 降雨强度; China
• ISSN: 1674-2834; 2376-6123
• DOI: 10.1080/16742834.2016.1139436

High-resolution data of a torrential rainfall event in Sichuan, China, simulated by the WRF model, were used to analyze the cloud microphysical differences with precipitation intensity. Six-hourly accumulated rainfall was classified into five bins based on rainfall intensity, and the cloud microphysical characteristics and processes in different bins were studied. The results show that: (1) Hydrometeor content differed distinctly among different bins. Mixing ratios of cloud water, rain water, and graupel enhanced significantly and monotonously with increasing rainfall intensity. With increasing precipitation intensity, the monotonous increase in cloud water number concentration was significant. Meanwhile, number concentrations of rain water and graupel increased at first and then decreased or increased slowly in larger rainfall bins. (2) With precipitation intensity increasing, cloud microphysical conversion processes closely related to the production of rainwater, directly (accretion of cloud water by rain (QCL cr ) and melting of graupel (QML gr )) or indirectly (water vapor condensation and accretion of cloud water by graupel), increased significantly. (3) As the two main sources of rainwater, QCL cr increased monotonously with increasing precipitation intensity, while QML gr increased slowly, even tending to cease increasing in larger rainfall bins.