Abstract:
Using the surface automatic station data, sounding data, X-band phased array radar, S-band radar and its mosaic, the fifth-generation European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts reanalysis data (ERA5), this study analyzes the characteristics and production mechanisms of a regional gale event caused by severe convection occurred in Sichuan Basin on April 11-12, 2022. The results are as follows. (1) The eastward-moving upper-level trough brings dry and cold air which overlays a low-level warm ridge, aligning with the ground cold front and convergence line to create favorable conditions for deep convection. (2) The distribution of maximum wind exhibits evident regional variations. The northern basin area experienced mixed-type gusts of force 8-9 scale due to the passage of synoptic-scale cold fronts. The northward intrusion of warm and moist airflow into the southern Sichuan Basin triggered convection, resulting in strong and scattered thunderstorm wind gusts. In the central basin, the convergence of warm and cold air leads to severe convection. The combined effects of convection downdrafts caused by the downdraft convective available potential energy and density currents form a northwest-southeast linear distribution of gusts reaching force 11-13 scale. (3) The precise locations of these thunderstorm wind gusts show some predictability. The three-hour negative ground pressure variation areas indicate the intensity of warm advection ahead of the cold front and provide a 1-2-hour advance indication of the potential locations of more intense thunderstorm gales compared to surrounding areas. (4) X-band phased array radar offers detailed observations of
γ-mesoscale convective storms that directly contribute to the wind gusts in Chongqing. Observations reveal that prior to the onset of wind gusts, the radar reflectivity centroid of the new cell rapidly descends within 10 minutes, which allows for a 10-20-minute lead time to issue warnings for severe thunderstorm wind gusts. This short-duration feature of this process is not fully captured by S-band radar.