Weak Linkage between the Heaviest Rainfall and Tallest Storms

Abstract:

Eleven years measurements from the Precipitation Radar (PR) onboard the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite reveals robust differences in rainfall characteristics between extreme rainfall and convection events, irrespective of region. After accumulating `rainfall events' defined as a set of contiguous rainy pixels of TRMM PR measurements for each 2.5 x 2.5 degree grid cell, three different types of regional extreme rainfall events are defined in each grid cell, using the maximum values of near-surface rainfall rate (NSR) and 40-dBZ echo top height (ETH40) in rainfall events; R-only (H-only) extreme events are defined as rainfall events of which the maximum NSR (ETH40) is within top 0.1% but the ETH40 (NSR) is not; RH extreme events are defined as those of which both the maxima of NSR and ETH40 are within top 0.1%.

Only a small fraction of rainfall extreme events are found to be related to convective extremes. The results demonstrate that, even in regions where severe convective storms are representative extreme weather events, the heaviest rainfall events are mostly associated with less intense convection. There are robust differences in echo profiles, rainfall characteristics, and local environments between extreme rainfall and convection events, irrespective of region. Extreme rainfall events exhibit lower echo-top height and downward increase of radar reflectivity (Ze) below the freezing level, whereas extreme convection events exhibit more vertically aligned echo structure. The echo and environmental characteristics of extreme rainfall events imply the importance of warm-rain processes in producing extreme rainfall.

An important concern regarding the PR measurements in Ku band is significant attenuation by severe hailstorms. We performed a statistical evaluation of the PR measurements using 5-yr measurements obtained during the Baiu season (May-June) using a ground-based C-band radar in Okinawa, Japan, and confirmed that the attenuation correction method for PR reflectivity works correctly, at least qualitatively, in this region. We are also continuing to evaluate this important issue using data from WSR-88D radars in the United States for some of their severe storms.