Abstract
This study utilizes radar, sounding observations, and
convective-permitting simulations with a non-hydrostatic mesoscale model
to investigate the effects of gravity waves originating from the
southwest mountain on the intensification of the extreme precipitation
event occurred in Henan Province, Central China, in July 2021 (referred
to as the “21.7” event). The gravity waves have wave speeds of
approximately 11.5 m s-1 and wavelengths ranging from 60 to 90 km. These
gravity waves are generated by the interaction between a
northwest-southeast direction mountain (Funiu Mountain, FNM) and a
southwesterly flow originated from the mesoscale convective vortex (MCV)
developing from an inverted trough southwest of the rainfall center.
Then, these waves propagate northeastward through a wave duct featuring
a stable layer between 5 and 9 km altitude, capped by a low-stability
reflecting layer with a critical level. As they propagate, these waves
trigger banded convective cells along their path. Upon the arrival of
gravity wave peaks at the rainfall center, they induce the downward
energy flux of gravity waves from high troposphere levels
(~7 km). The downward wave energy dynamically interacts
with the upward wave energy from gravity waves excited by latent heating
at the lower tropospheric level (~1 km). This
synergistic effect intensifies the ascending motion and results in a
precipitation increase of over 20% at the rainfall center. This study
highlights the significance of orographic gravity waves in shaping
extreme precipitation events.