Topographic Effects on Stratiform Precipitation Observed by Vertically Pointing Micro Rain Radars at Ridge and Valley Sites in the Liupan Mountains Area, Northwest China

Abstract

To investigate the topographic effects on precipitation in the Liupan Mountains Area of Northwest China, three micro rain radars, located at a ridge, west valley, and east valley in the area, respectively, were used to observe precipitation processes. By comparing the characteristics of stratiform precipitation at three sites, it was found that (i) the effective radar reflectivity and characteristic falling velocity of hydrometeors at the ridge and east valley were larger than those at the west valley; (ii) the diameter and density of solid hydrometeors at the ridge and east valley were slightly larger than those at the west valley; and (iii) there was also a higher occurrence frequency of larger graupel at the ridge. It is inferred that the precipitable water vapor at the ridge and east valley is richer than at the west valley, which leads to a larger aggregation efficiency and degrees of riming at the former than the latter. Besides, forced uplifting of water vapor over the mountain area around the ridge may play a part in topographic supercooling, which leads to enhanced riming of supercooled liquid water. The conclusions will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of precipitation–terrain interactions in the area.

Keywords

• Liupan Mountains area
• solid hydrometeor classification
• orographic precipitation
• stratiform precipitation
• melting layer
• micro rain radar