Multi‐source observations and high‐resolution numerical model applied on the analysis of a severe convective weather affecting the airport

Abstract

Abstract In order to explore the application of multi‐source data from different observational systems (including meteorological stations, radar, and airport observational reports) and high‐resolution numerical model results in the analysis of severe convective weather affecting airports, a local severe convective weather event that affected Beijing Capital International Airport (ZBAA) on 26 June 2018 was studied in this work. Although there was no significant triggering of synoptic systems, the process produced a violent thunderstorm with strong wind gusts, poor prevailing visibility, and hail in just a 30‐min period, resulting in severe impacts on the airport operations. In addition to the routine analysis of weather using observations from meteorological stations and radar, high spatial and temporal resolution data from instruments at the airport were used to reveal the fine‐scale characteristics of the development and evolution of various associated meteorological parameters, which demonstrably served as a useful auxiliary dataset for the analysis of this event. Furthermore, the reliability of the high‐resolution numerical (Weather Research and Forecasting) model simulation was evaluated by using these 1‐min‐scale airport observations. Based on what was judged to be a reliable simulation of the meteorological variables by the model, the trigger and strengthening mechanisms of the storm formed in this region of complex topography, as well as the interaction with another cell, were explored. The model results suggested that convections were initially triggered by the interaction of southerly flow from the plain and northwesterly flow from the mountains, in conjunction with the effect of orographic uplift. The outflow of the cold pool from the former cell prevented the later cell (affecting ZBAA) from moving east. Due to the strong vertical wind shear in the lower levels, the echo tilted to a certain extent and formed an inner secondary circulation, contributing to the maintenance and strengthening for the storm.

Keywords

• airport
• dense observation
• model
• severe convective weather