Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective
Based on Himawari-8 satellite observations, the mesoscale convective system (MCS) behaviors of two successive but distinct warm-sector rainfall episodes (EP1 and EP2) on 6–7 May 2018 over southeastern China were compared, with the latter episode being a record-breaking rainfall event. Results showed...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-10-01
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| Series: | Remote Sensing |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/21/5434 |
| _version_ | 1797466586133561344 |
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| author | Yipeng Huang Murong Zhang |
| author_facet | Yipeng Huang Murong Zhang |
| author_sort | Yipeng Huang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Based on Himawari-8 satellite observations, the mesoscale convective system (MCS) behaviors of two successive but distinct warm-sector rainfall episodes (EP1 and EP2) on 6–7 May 2018 over southeastern China were compared, with the latter episode being a record-breaking rainfall event. Results showed that MCSs played a dominant role in EP2, but not in EP1, by contributing over 80% of the extreme rainfall total and all the 10-min rainfalls over 20 mm. MCS occurrences were more frequent in EP2 than EP1, especially in the coastal rainfall hotspots, along with more frequent merging processes. Overall, the MCS samples in EP2 were larger in size, more intense, and moved slower and more in parallel to their orientation, which facilitated local rainfall accumulation. Two new indices are proposed—the overlap index (OLI) and merging potential index (MPI)—to evaluate two MCS processes vital for rainfall production: the repeated passage of an individual MCS over given areas and the merging between MCSs, respectively. Both OLI and MPI in EP2 were significantly larger than in EP1, which tended to produce larger maximum rainfall amount and stronger 10-min rain rates in the following hour. These results demonstrate the potential value of satellite-based MCS information for heavy rainfall nowcasting, which is particularly significant for warm-sector rainfall with its limited predictability. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:41:52Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-3719a9a8235a4147b1d96746e6f2a17b |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2072-4292 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T18:41:52Z |
| publishDate | 2022-10-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Remote Sensing |
| spelling | doaj.art-3719a9a8235a4147b1d96746e6f2a17b2023-11-24T06:38:58ZengMDPI AGRemote Sensing2072-42922022-10-011421543410.3390/rs14215434Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite PerspectiveYipeng Huang0Murong Zhang1Xiamen Key Laboratory of Straits Meteorology, Xiamen Meteorological Bureau, Xiamen 361012, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of Ocean and Earth Sciences, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, ChinaBased on Himawari-8 satellite observations, the mesoscale convective system (MCS) behaviors of two successive but distinct warm-sector rainfall episodes (EP1 and EP2) on 6–7 May 2018 over southeastern China were compared, with the latter episode being a record-breaking rainfall event. Results showed that MCSs played a dominant role in EP2, but not in EP1, by contributing over 80% of the extreme rainfall total and all the 10-min rainfalls over 20 mm. MCS occurrences were more frequent in EP2 than EP1, especially in the coastal rainfall hotspots, along with more frequent merging processes. Overall, the MCS samples in EP2 were larger in size, more intense, and moved slower and more in parallel to their orientation, which facilitated local rainfall accumulation. Two new indices are proposed—the overlap index (OLI) and merging potential index (MPI)—to evaluate two MCS processes vital for rainfall production: the repeated passage of an individual MCS over given areas and the merging between MCSs, respectively. Both OLI and MPI in EP2 were significantly larger than in EP1, which tended to produce larger maximum rainfall amount and stronger 10-min rain rates in the following hour. These results demonstrate the potential value of satellite-based MCS information for heavy rainfall nowcasting, which is particularly significant for warm-sector rainfall with its limited predictability.https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/21/5434mesoscale convective systemwarm-sector rainfallHimawari-8 satellitesoutheastern China |
| spellingShingle | Yipeng Huang Murong Zhang Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective Remote Sensing mesoscale convective system warm-sector rainfall Himawari-8 satellite southeastern China |
| title | Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective |
| title_full | Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective |
| title_fullStr | Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective |
| title_full_unstemmed | Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective |
| title_short | Contrasting Mesoscale Convective System Features of Two Successive Warm-Sector Rainfall Episodes in Southeastern China: A Satellite Perspective |
| title_sort | contrasting mesoscale convective system features of two successive warm sector rainfall episodes in southeastern china a satellite perspective |
| topic | mesoscale convective system warm-sector rainfall Himawari-8 satellite southeastern China |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2072-4292/14/21/5434 |
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