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Extreme convective precipitation in Liguria (Italy): a brief description and analysis of the event occurred on October 4, 2021

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Abstract

An extreme precipitation episode, occurred in Liguria region on October 4, 2021, is presented and discussed in the present paper. In particular, a series of V-shaped quasi-stationary convective systems repeatedly affected central and western Liguria producing impressive and, in some cases, unprecedented rainfall amounts (up to 378 mm in 3 h, 496 mm in 6 h, and 741 mm in 12 h). A peculiar feature of this case study is its occurrence and propagation downwind the Apennines Mountain range. The main characteristics of the event, in terms of synoptic and mesoscale triggering processes as well as its dynamics, are discussed. It is found that the larger moisture contribution seems to have a Mediterranean origin and a possible role of a cold pool generated in the first phase of the event in the evolution of the convective system is hypothesized. This paper follows a workshop on high-impact weather jointly organized by the newly formed Italia Meteo Agency and the Italian Association of Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology (AISAM) in September 2022, to promote the sharing of the experiences among operational and research meteorological centers in Italy. The preliminary results presented here are intended to stimulate further work on the topic to gain a better understanding of the dynamics of such extreme precipitation events and to improve the predicting capability.

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Data availability

Observational data from the regional monitoring network are publicly available and can be downloaded from this website: https://ambientepub.regione.liguria.it/SiraQualMeteo/script/PubAccessoDatiMeteo.asp. Radar data as well as model outputs are available from the authors upon reasonable request.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to all colleagues and former colleagues (Enrico Solazzo, Michele Cicoria) from ARPAL CFMI-PC for their collaboration and for useful discussions. Special thanks are due to Marco Tizzi, Enrico Solazzo, Angelo Forestieri, Vito Danieli, Stefano Murrau, and Davide Sacchetti for providing wind maps, radar, and NWP model images. The NOAA Air Resources Laboratory (ARL) is gratefully acknowledged for the provision of the HYSPLIT transport and dispersion model through the READY website (https://www.ready.noaa.gov) used in this publication. The development of the MIMIC-TPW2 product is supported by the JPSS Risk Reduction Program and the Office of Naval Research.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agenzia Regionale per la Protezione dell’Ambiente Ligure (ARPAL), Viale Brigate Partigiane 2, 16129, Genoa, Italy

    Federico Cassola, Antonio Iengo & Barbara Turato

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  1. Federico Cassola
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  2. Antonio Iengo
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  3. Barbara Turato
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All authors conceived the study, discussed and analyzed the results. F.C. and A.I wrote the manuscript and prepared the figures; all authors reviewed the manuscript.

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Correspondence to Federico Cassola.

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Cassola, F., Iengo, A. & Turato, B. Extreme convective precipitation in Liguria (Italy): a brief description and analysis of the event occurred on October 4, 2021. Bull. of Atmos. Sci.& Technol. 4, 4 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42865-023-00058-3

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