Extended Abstract (204K)10.1
Precipitation over multiscale terrain
Qingfang Jiang, Yale Univ., New Haven, CT
The efficiency and distribution of precipitation over multiscale terrain is examined using a mesoscale model with explicit cloud physics parameterization and idealized terrain. This study suggests that precipitation over complex terrain is controlled by interactions of microphysics and dynamics which can be further connected to a set of dynamical and microphysical timescales. A regime diagram is constructed for precipitation classification based on modeling and the concept of timescales. Seeding and feeding can occur between clouds corresponding to individual peaks. Under suitable conditions, peaks with small horizontal dimensions play major roles in draining moisture out of the atmosphere. Results are tested against some MAP Radar and raingauge data.
Session 10, Orographic Precipitation V
Wednesday, 19 June 2002, 11:00 AM-1:30 PM
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