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Interaction of diabatic frontogenesis and moisture processes in cold-frontal rain-band

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Abstract

Three-dimensional simulation of cold-front rain-band (NCFR) associated with a straight cold front has been studied by use of a non-hydrostatic, full compressible storm-scale model (ARPS) including multi-phase microphysical parameterization. The dynamical and physical features of the frontal cloud de-velopment have been well simulated and analyzed. It is in evidence that the frontal cloud is triggered by the updraft of the secondary frontal circulation. However, the long persistence of diabatic frontogenesis only can be attributed to positive feedback between the frontal baroclinicity and the prefrontal latent heat release. The simulations indeed demonstrate that the potential temperature gradient enhancement in front zone is strongly related with the re-distribution of cloud moisture, by the action of tilted updraft. In conse-quence, the splice of cooling and heating pool that is respectively created from the evaporation of cloud wat-er and condensing J freezing of water vapor J rain droplet, wich is in favor of the strong contrast of cool and warm air mass across the frontal zone to diabatic frontogenesis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Key Laboratory for Mesoscale Severe Weather of Ministry of Education, P. R. China (LMSWEJ MOE)

    Wang Chunming, Rongsheng Wu & Wang Yuan

  2. Institute of Meteorology, PLA University of Science and Technology, 211101, Nanjing

    Wang Chunming

  3. |Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, 210093, Nanjing

    Wang Chunming, Rongsheng Wu & Wang Yuan

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  1. Wang Chunming
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  2. Rongsheng Wu
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Chunming, W., Rongsheng, W. & Yuan, W. Interaction of diabatic frontogenesis and moisture processes in cold-frontal rain-band. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 19, 544–561 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-002-0085-x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-002-0085-x

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