Storm merger patterns: how mountain descent and simple thunderstorm interact in the Beijing region

Beijing’s unique geographical conditions and political status underscore the importance of strengthening research into thunderstorm weather in the region. Previous studies have focused primarily on the squall line system, with relatively limited research into the merger process of thunderstorm clusters in the plain and downslope regions of Beijing.

Recently, researchers from NUIST (Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology) and IAP CAS (China Academy of Sciences, Institute of Atmospheric Physics) have decided to provide a valuable scientific reference for short-term predictions. We analyzed the merger process of slope thunderstorms. Beijing area. This study has been published in the Atmospheric and Marine Science Letters.

Using simulation data from the meteorological research and prediction models for convection events on August 23, 2021, analysis shows differences in wind fields and thermodynamic conditions before stopping, and movement of mountain thunderstorm clusters and cold pools. It has been revealed that it has hindered development. Clusters experienced the opposite effect. Eventually, the cluster merged into the mountains. There, the enhanced cold pool worked similarly to the terrain features, enhancing convergence and vertical movement.

Before the merger, low levels of negative thermal buoyancy suppressed the occurrence of vertical motion in mountain thunderstorm clusters, while low levels of positive perturbation vertical pressure gradient forces in plain sander storm clusters accelerated upward movement. . After the merger, base layer positive perturbation vertical pressure gradient forces and low levels of positive thermal buoyancy promoted the development of vertical motion.

In future work, researchers will conduct comparative analysis of environmental conditions and developmental mechanisms in various cases of weakening downhill, strengthening downhill slopes, and sustaining downhill paths.