Study of the Characteristics of Heavy Rain in Korea on August 15 2012, due to Mesoscale Convective System

The Korean peninsula located in the east coast of East Asia is affected by various air masses according to different seasons. In summer, Korea is usually affected by North Pacific High. On the edge of this air mass, several Mesoscale Convective Systems(MCSs) are generated, causing enormous amount of damages on the Korean peninsula due to heavy rain. Mesoscale Convective Systems can be classified into various categories depending on the pattern of its genesis. This study has analyzed the heavy rain case on August 15, 2012. The case can be classified as MCS-TS(Mesoscale Convective System-Trailing Stratiform), judging by the features of rain band formation images from radars and COMS satellite. On the date, squall line has been formed on the central region of the Korean peninsula, causing heavy rainfall of more than 300mm a day, 80mm an hour. The primary features of the formation of a Linear MCS are as follows : 1. It is generated on the edge of North Pacific High 2. There is an increase of PVU(Potential Vorticity Unit) in front of the upper level trough 3. The upper Cold Pool moves southward and warm-moist SW-ly(Low Level Jet) flows in. In this study, we aim to analyze the characteristics of MCS in the Korean peninsula and utilize the results for weather forecast and warning of heavy rainfall in summer.