Cloud Microphysics of a Summer Precipitation Process at Yushu over the Tibetan Plateau
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study aims to investigate the microphysical structure and hydrometeor conversion processes of convective clouds in the Yushu region of the Tibetan Plateau （referred to as the Plateau）.Using the WRF mesoscale numerical forecast model combined with observational data from the Yushu region in Qinghai during the summer of 2019， we analyzed a summer convective precipitation event in the Yushu area.The results show： （1） The 24-hour cumulative precipitation simulated by WRF is similar to the observed precipitation at the Yushu station.The spatial and temporal distribution of simulated precipitation echoes is generally consistent with Ka-band millimeter-wave cloud radar detection results， indicating the reliability of the simulation results.（2） Particles of different phases in precipitation clouds show distinct vertical distribution structures.The maximum centers of solid hydrometeors are all at relatively high altitudes， with cloud ice's maximum center being the highest at around 200 hPa.The maximum center of liquid hydrometeors is at 500 hPa.Water vapor's maximum center is at the lowest height， below 500 hPa， and its maximum value appears earlier than other particles.（3） In cloud microphysical conversion processes， cloud water makes the largest contribution to precipitation.Water vapor forms snow， graupel， and other hydrometeors through deposition.Ice-phase particles transform into graupel and snow particles through processes such as aggregation， Bergeron process， collection， and collision-coalescence.As they descend， ice-phase particles melt and combine with cloud water， accelerating the conversion of cloud water to rainwater.
Authors: Xianyu Yang, Yaqiong LÜ, Jun Wen, Wenlei Wang, Qin Hu, Xianhong MENG, Shaojie Chen, Jiafeng Zheng, Ziyi Wang
Language: English
Subfield: Atmospheric Science
Field: Earth and Planetary Sciences
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Climate action
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W6977439247
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