The Role of Mesoscale Convective Systems in Precipitation in the Tibetan Plateau Region

Abstract

Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) are organized convective storm complexes, which extend over several 100°km and produce large areas of convective and stratiform precipitation (Houze, 2004). MCSs have more complex dynamics than unicellular convective storms, but are primarily defined by their spatial extent (Houze, 2004). Many different forces can drive mesoscale organisation of convection. Thus, the structure and precipitation characteristics of MCSs can take different forms depending on the region of genesis and underlying processes. In the continental mid-latitudes, MCSs often occur in areas downstream regions of high-altitude regions, as MCS formation is related to mountain flow dynamics. On the leeside of the Rocky Mountains (over the Great Plains)

A Dual Regime of Mesoscale Convective Systems in the East Asian Monsoon Annual Cycle

“…The distinct afternoon peak of the wintertime MCSs over the eastern Tibetan Plateau was also reported by Kukulies et al. (2021) recently. Further to the previous observation of the northward migration of summertime MCSs (J. Li et al., 2012), we demonstrate a similar migration of the MCS‐related strong rain spots and thereby flash flood risks on the S2S timescale.…”

“…Li et al, 2020) We also share similar observations of the MCS hotspots with P. Li et al (2020), except for the highland hotspot of the relatively dry MCSs that appears missing in their analyses, due plausibly to their precipitation-based tracking method. The distinct afternoon peak of the wintertime MCSs over the eastern Tibetan Plateau was also reported by Kukulies et al (2021) recently. Further to the previous observation of the northward migration of summertime MCSs (J.…”

“…These cold-season MCSs propagate northeastward at a fast speed of 60-90 km hr −1 (Figure 2b(1)-( 4)) and mostly initiate after midnight and before dawn over the plains (i.e., at 0-6 local solar time) (Figure 2c(1)-( 4)). In contrast, the eastern Tibetan Plateau often sees afternoon-initiated MCSs all year round (Figure 2c(1)-( 8)) (Kukulies et al, 2021). It is also of interest to explore how rapidly the MCSs could develop by measuring the average time lag between their genesis and mature stages.…”

The Wet Bias of RegCM4 Over Tibet Plateau in Summer Reduced by Adopting the 3D Sub‐Grid Terrain Solar Radiative Effect Parameterization Scheme

“…Various factors cause the WBT problem of climate models, for example, the uncertainties in the initial conditions due to scarce observations over the TP (P. Zhao et al., 2018), the inappropriate description of TP cumulus characteristic (Kukulies et al., 2021; Y. Li & Zhang, 2017; W. Xu & Zipser, 2011), particularly the poor representation of the complex terrain‐related processes in the models (Hu & Yuan, 2021; Sun et al., 2021), and so on. How to reduce the WBT over TP has become a hot issue and great efforts have been made to improve the precipitation simulation over the TP (Z. Liu et al., 2022; X. Wang et al., 2018).…”

Hydroclimatology and Hydrometeorology of Flooding Over the Eastern Tibetan Plateau

“…Lin et al, 2020;Sun et al, 2021;Xiang et al, 2013), landfalling tropical cyclones (Chen et al, 2019), etc. For instance, Kukulies et al (2021) show that extreme summer rainfall events over the eastern TP are characterized with longevity and large extents, with 70% of them associated with mesoscale convective systems. The eastward propagation of the TP vortices, though enhanced moisture convergence on the leeside of eastern TP, is particularly responsible for extreme rainfall over the upper Yangtze River basin (i.e., the Sichuan province, e.g., Fu et al, 2019).…”