Abstracts for the 6th International GAME Conf.

3-5 December 2004

Kyoto Japan

Study on the precipitation characteristics around the Himalayas using TRMM PR data

B. C. Bhatt (1), K. Nakamura (1)

Despite vastly increased interests in orographic precipitation, there is a co nspicuous lack of observations on weather system (e.g., precipitation system) ar ound the Himalayas. The use of Precipitation Radar (PR) onboard the Tropical Rai nfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellite enables more direct precipitation estim ates from space with homogenous coverage over this landscape. Moreover, the orbi tal characteristics of TRMM allows to investigate the diurnal cycle of precipita tion. A study presented here describes the climatological features of the diurna l cycle of precipitation by utilizing fine resolution (0.05 deg. x 0.05 deg. gri dded, hourly), near-surface rainfall data by PR around the Himalayas. In additio n, the GEWEX Asian Monsoon Experiment (GAME) Reanalysis data are utilized to und erstand atmospheric system. The central purpose of this study is to quantify pre cipitation characteristics and associated mechanism. The analysis of precipitati on characteristics presented here, is based on two rain rate thresholds. a) ligh t rain rate (<=5 mm/hr), and b) moderate to heavy rain rate (> 5mm/hr). The mode rate to heavy rain exhibits a relatively stronger diurnal cycle of precipitation over the south-facing slopes of the Himalayas. There appears stronger diurnal c ycle of precipitation with afternoon maximum during pre-monsoon (MAM) over the s outh-facing slopes of the Himalayas. During the summer monsoon (JJA), precipitat ion broadening and movement are noticed during midnight-early morning over the s outh-facing slopes of the Himalayas. The climatological diagnostic studies from GAME Reanalysis suggest a robust atmospheric system and provides an impression t hat the diurnal variations in the atmospheric state is important in driving the diurnal cycle of precipitation over the south-facing slopes of the Himalayas.

Submittal Information

Name : Date :
    Bhuwan Chandra Bhatt
    28-Jul-04-17:22:19
Organization : Theme :
    Hydrospheric Atmospheric Research Center,Nagoya University
    Theme 8
Address : Presentation :
    Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya 464-8601, Japan
    Poster or oral
Country : Abstract ID :
    Japan
    T8BCB28Jul04172219
Phone : Fax :
    +81-52-789-5468
    +81-52-789-3436
E-mail :
    s020122d@mbox.media.nagoya-u.ac.jp,bhatt@ihas.nagoya-u.ac.jp