Li et al. (2026) Two Modes of Self‐Organizing Development of Extreme Rainfall‐Producing Storms in South China

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Identification

• Journal: Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-28
• Authors: Zhenghui Li, Yali Luo, Jiwen Fan, Yuwei Zhang, Ruoyun Ma, Fei Chen
• DOI: 10.1029/2026jd046438

Research Groups

• Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Guangzhou University
• Laboratory for Climate and Ocean Studies, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology

Short Summary

This study investigates the convective-scale dynamics of extreme rainstorms on monsoon coasts in South China using a high-resolution coupled model. The research reveals two distinct modes of storm development, characterized by different balances between effective buoyancy and dynamic forcing.

Objective

• Investigate the convective-scale dynamics of extreme rainstorms on monsoon coasts in South China

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: 3-km resolution over a 90-hr period
• Temporal Scale: Hourly time steps, with a focus on the rapid self-organizing development of two storms during the Guangzhou “May 7” record-breaking rainfall event

Methodology and Data

• Models used: WRF-Chem-MOSAIC
• Data sources: High-resolution satellite data, observation networks, and reanalysis products

Main Results

• Two modes of storm development are identified: an "effective buoyancy dominantly driving mode" and a "dynamic-buoyancy jointly driving mode"
• The first mode is characterized by strong effective buoyancy accelerating ascent, generating intense updrafts above the melting level
• The second mode involves strengthened southerly inflows interacting with overturning outflow from lower-topped Storm2, lifting inflow air via vertical twisting acceleration

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the convective-scale dynamics of extreme rainstorms on monsoon coasts in South China, shedding light on the complex interactions between thermodynamic and dynamic processes
• The results have implications for improving weather forecasting models and understanding the mechanisms driving heavy rainfall events in this region

Funding

• National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 91737206)
• Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Climate Change Research (Grant No. GCCL201903)

Citation

@article{Li2026Two,
  author = {Li, Zhenghui and Luo, Yali and Fan, Jiwen and Zhang, Yuwei and Ma, Ruoyun and Chen, Fei},
  title = {Two Modes of Self‐Organizing Development of Extreme Rainfall‐Producing Storms in South China},
  journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research Atmospheres},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1029/2026jd046438},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2026jd046438}
}