Abstract:
The surface automatic station data, sounding data, X-band phased array radar, S-band radar and its mosaic, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis version 5 (ERA5) were used to. analysis a regional gale event caused by severe convection occurred in Sichuan Basin on 11-12 April, 2022. The results are as follows. (1) an eastward-moving trough brings dry, cold air which overlays a low-level warm ridge, aligning with the ground cold front and convergence line to create favorable conditions for deep convection. (2) The distribution of maximum wind exhibits regional variability. The northern basin area experienced mixed-type gusts of force 8-9 scale due to the cold front. Northward intrusion of warm and moist airflow into the southern Sichuan Basin triggered convection, resulting in strong and scattered thunderstorm wind gusts. In the central basin, the convergence of warm and cold air leads to severe convection, forming a northwest-southeast linear distribution of gusts reaching force 11-13 scale. (3) The refined region of these thunderstorm wind gusts possesses some predictability. Three-hour ground pressure variation indicates the intensity of warm advection prior to the cold front. Zones of negative pressure variation provide a 1-2-hour advance indication of the location where more intense thunderstorm gales are likely to occur compared to surrounding areas. (4) X-band phased array radar offers detailed observations of
γ-mesoscale convective storms that directly contribute to the wind gusts in Chongqing. Observations reveal that prior to the onset of wind gusts, the radar reflectivity centroid of new cell rapidly descends within 10 minutes, which allowing for a 10-20-minute lead time to issue warnings for impending severe thunderstorm wind gusts. This feature is characterized by a short duration and is not fully captured by S-band radar.