Comparative Analysis of Precipitation Extremes in Two Major Rainstorm Events at the Edge of the Subtropical High 

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  • 1. Meteorological Bureau of Dunhuang CityGansu ProvinceyJiuquan 735000GansuChina
    2. Lanzhou Central Meteorological ObservatoryLanzhou 730020GansuChina
    3. Jiuquan Meteorological BureauJiuquan 735000GansuChina

Online published: 2025-10-20

Abstract

This study conducts a systematic comparative analysis of two extreme heavy rainfall events in Gansu Provinceoccurring in July 2022‘7·15’and July 2024‘7·22’),using multi-source observational data and reanalysis datasets combined with various diagnostic methods. The key findings are as follows:(1The two events differed in 24-h cumulative precipitationhourly rainfall intensityand frequency of short-duration heavy rainfall. The‘7·15’event had greater cumulative rainfall and stronger instantaneous intensitybut its spatial ex‐ tent of extreme rainfall≥50 mmand frequency of short-duration heavy precipitation were significantly lower than those of‘7·22’.2Both events exhibited extreme characteristics. The‘7·15’event broke historical re‐ cords for short-duration rainfall intensity at more stations than‘7·22’whereas the latter showed higher cumulative precipitation totals and more frequent short-duration heavy rainfall events.3Significant differences existed in short-duration precipitation metrics. The‘7·15’event had substantially higher proportions of moderate and heavy rainfall44. 55% and 10. 68%respectively),with maximum 5-min and 1-h sliding precipitation reaching 30. 9 mm and 93. 6 mm. In contrast‘7·22’was dominated by light rainfall60. 70%),with only 8. 68% heavy precipitation events and maximum 5-min/1-h accumulations of 15. 3 mm and 83. 6 mm. The‘7·15’event demonstrated more extreme precipitation characteristics and greater disaster potential.4The two events exhibited both similarities and differences in their dominant weather systemsmoisture convergenceand thermodynamic/ dynamic lifting conditions. Both were warm-sector convective heavy precipitation events triggered by the coupling of upper- and lower-level systems including the subtropical highmid-to-low-level vortex shearand sur‐ face convergence lines. While the‘7·15’event showed significantly weaker values than‘7·22’in moisture con‐ vergence intensityvertical convergence depthmoist layer thicknessfrontogenesisvertical updraft intensityand CAPEit demonstrated greater precipitable water throughout the atmospheric column at the rainfall corestronger convective instability during intense precipitationand higher vertical ascent heights during peak rainfall periods.

Cite this article

HUANG Wubin, MA Li, GUO Runxia, DUAN Bolong, TAN Dan, LI Jian, JING Zhikun, FAN Qiwei, CUN Yu . Comparative Analysis of Precipitation Extremes in Two Major Rainstorm Events at the Edge of the Subtropical High [J]. Plateau Meteorology, 0 : 1 . DOI: 10.7522/j.issn.1000-0534.2025.00097

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