Li, J., Wu, Y., Birch, C. et al. (3 more authors) (2024) A comparison of intense rainfall characteristics and mechanisms between monsoon onset and retreat over the Yangtze River Basin. Journal of Water and Climate Change, 15 (8). pp. 3828-3849. ISSN 2040-2244
Abstract
The thermodynamic and convective characteristics of the seasonal progression of the monsoon over eastern China are examined, with the aim of understanding why regional heavy rainfall events (RHREs) over the Yangtze River Basin (YRB) are more frequent and intense during the monsoon progression from mid-June to mid-July than during the retreat from mid-August to mid-September. During the monsoon progression, the southerly monsoon flow at low and mid-levels intensifies and moves northward, while the Western Pacific subtropical high shifts northeastward. These changes result in enhanced moisture advection over eastern China. The stronger southerly flow brings warmer and moist air into the YRB, leading to a higher equivalent potential temperature (θE) and favouring convection. Conversely, during the monsoon retreat, the northerly flow becomes stronger and drier, causing lower θE air over the YRB. Additionally, as the Western Pacific subtropical anticyclone retreats, easterly prevailing winds prevail over eastern China, causing reduced specific humidity. The monsoon progression period exhibits higher convective available potential energy but also higher convective inhibition, which is overcome by the presence of the monsoon front providing sufficient dynamical uplift. Understanding the severity of RHREs, particularly over the YRB, is crucial for improving forecasting capabilities and reducing societal vulnerability.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © 2024 The Authors. This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC-BY-NC-ND 4.0). |
Keywords: | convective diagnostic, monsoon rainfall, RHREs, thermodynamical structure, YRB |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of Leeds |
Academic Units: | The University of Leeds > Faculty of Environment (Leeds) > School of Earth and Environment (Leeds) |
Funding Information: | Funder Grant number Met Office P100200 |
Depositing User: | Symplectic Publications |
Date Deposited: | 19 Mar 2025 14:17 |
Last Modified: | 19 Mar 2025 14:17 |
Status: | Published |
Publisher: | IWA Publishing |
Identification Number: | 10.2166/wcc.2024.097 |
Related URLs: | |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:224595 |