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Urbanization-Resolved Scales Amplify Torrential Rainfall in a Coastal Megacity
  • Rakesh Teja Konduru,
  • Rahul Bale,
  • Anu Gupta
Rakesh Teja Konduru
Rikagaku Kenkyujo Keisan Kagaku Kenkyu Center

Corresponding Author:[email protected]

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Rahul Bale
Rikagaku Kenkyujo Keisan Kagaku Kenkyu Center
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Anu Gupta
Hyogo Kenritsu Daigaku
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Abstract

This study unveils the ability of 200-m near to Large-Eddy Simulation (LES) to resolve smaller scales in urban areas of a coastal megacity Chennai in India, which are crucial for accurately modelling Urban Induced Turbulence (UIT) and Urban Heat Island (UHI) effects. Unlike physics-based ensemble (PBE) models in kilometre-scale simulations, LES captures fine-scale atmospheric dynamics, offering enhanced resolution to simulate localized turbulence and heat flux variations. With a resolution of 200 m, Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) LES simulation can convincingly resolve a higher urban heat flux, friction velocity, surface wind speeds, and moisture transport over urban areas. These factors are found to play a critical role in intensifying extreme weather events such as heavy rainfall, especially in the downwind regions of coastal megacities like Chennai. This phenomenon is driven by LES-resolved interaction between the urban heat island effect and the prevailing winds.
19 Nov 2024Submitted to ESS Open Archive
19 Nov 2024Published in ESS Open Archive