Diabatic Processes and the Generation of the Low-Level Potential Vorticity Anomaly of a Rainstorm in Saudi Arabia
Affiliation(s)
1 Department of Astronomy and Meteorology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. 2 Department of Meteorology, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment, and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 3 Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
1 Department of Astronomy and Meteorology, Faculty of Science, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt. 2 Department of Meteorology, Faculty of Meteorology, Environment, and Arid Land Agriculture, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. 3 Presidency of Meteorology and Environment, Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
ABSTRACT
The diabatic heating is calculated, using the thermodynamic equation in isobaric coordinates, of a heavy rainstorm that developed over Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 25 November 2009. Throughout the period of study, the horizontal heat advection is the dominant term and the vertical advection term is opposed by the adiabatic one. The contribution of the local temperature term to the change in diabatic heating is relatively very minimal. The presence of the Red Sea and its adjacent mountains suggest that the diabatic heating in the lower atmosphere on that rainy day is primarily due to the latent heat released by convection. The dynamics of the studied case is also investigated in terms of isobaric Potential Vorticity (PV). The results show that the heating region coincides with the location of the low-level PV anomaly. Ertel’s Potential Vorticity (EPV) generation estimates imply that condensation supplies a large enough source of moisture to account for the presence of the low-level EPV anomaly. The low-level diabatic heating-produced PV assisted in amplifying the surface thermal wave early in the rainstorm development and in the upper-level wave during the later stages of the system’s growth.
The diabatic heating is calculated, using the thermodynamic equation in isobaric coordinates, of a heavy rainstorm that developed over Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on 25 November 2009. Throughout the period of study, the horizontal heat advection is the dominant term and the vertical advection term is opposed by the adiabatic one. The contribution of the local temperature term to the change in diabatic heating is relatively very minimal. The presence of the Red Sea and its adjacent mountains suggest that the diabatic heating in the lower atmosphere on that rainy day is primarily due to the latent heat released by convection. The dynamics of the studied case is also investigated in terms of isobaric Potential Vorticity (PV). The results show that the heating region coincides with the location of the low-level PV anomaly. Ertel’s Potential Vorticity (EPV) generation estimates imply that condensation supplies a large enough source of moisture to account for the presence of the low-level EPV anomaly. The low-level diabatic heating-produced PV assisted in amplifying the surface thermal wave early in the rainstorm development and in the upper-level wave during the later stages of the system’s growth.
KEYWORDS
Potential Vorticity, Diabatic Heating, Moisture Processes, Convection, Heavy Rainstorm, Saudi Arabia
Potential Vorticity, Diabatic Heating, Moisture Processes, Convection, Heavy Rainstorm, Saudi Arabia
Cite this paper
Abdel-Basset, H. , AL-Khalaf, A. and Albar, A. (2015) Diabatic Processes and the Generation of the Low-Level Potential Vorticity Anomaly of a Rainstorm in Saudi Arabia. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 5, 275-291. doi: 10.4236/acs.2015.53021.
Abdel-Basset, H. , AL-Khalaf, A. and Albar, A. (2015) Diabatic Processes and the Generation of the Low-Level Potential Vorticity Anomaly of a Rainstorm in Saudi Arabia. Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, 5, 275-291. doi: 10.4236/acs.2015.53021.
References
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1987)115<2227:SIBAUL>2.0.CO;2 [3] Sanders, F. and Bosart, L.F. (1985) Mesoscale Structure in the Megalopolitan Snowstorm of 11-12 February 1983. Part I: Frontogenetical Forcing and Symmetric Instability. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 42, 1050-1061.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(2002)130<2839:CRSOMV>2.0.CO;2 [9] Davis, C.A., Stoelinga, M.T. and Kuo, Y.H. (1993) The Integrated Effect of Condensation in Numerical Simulations of Extratropical Cyclogenesis. Monthly Weather Review, 121, 2309-2330.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<2309:TIEOCI>2.0.CO;2 [10] Whitaker, J.R., Filho, F.F. and Lajolo, F.M. (1988) Parameters Involved in Binding of Porcine Pancreatic α-Amylase with Black Bean Inhibitor: Role of Sulfhydryl Groups, Chloride, Calcium, Solvent Composition and Temperature. Biochimie, 70, 1153-1161.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0300-9084(88)90180-0 [11] Lackmann, G.M. and Gyakum, J.R. (1999) Heavy Cold-Season Precipitation in the Northwestern United States: Synoptic Climatology and an Analysis of the Flood of 17-18 January 1986. Weather and Forecasting, 14, 687-700.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(1999)014<0687:hcspit>2.0.co;2 [12] Lackmann, G.M. (2002) Cold-Frontal Potential Vorticity Maxima, the Low-Level Jet, and Moisture Transport in Extratropical Cyclones. Monthly Weather Review, 130, 59-74.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(2002)130<0059:CFPVMT>2.0.CO;2 [13] Brennan, M.J. and Lackmann, G.M. (2005) The Influence of Incipient Latent Heat Release on the Precipitation Distribution of the 24-25 January 2000 US East Coast Cyclone. Monthly Weather Review, 133, 1913-1937.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR2959.1 [14] Hertenstein, R.F.A. and Schubert, W.M. (1991) Potential Vorticity Anomalies Associated with Squall Lines. Monthly Weather Review, 119, 1663-1672.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<1663:PVAAWS>2.0.CO;2 [15] Johnson, R.H. and Bartels, D.L. (1992) Circulations Associated with a Mature-to-Decaying Midlatitude Mesoscale Convective System. Part II: Upper-Level Features. Monthly Weather Review, 120, 1301-1321.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1992)120<1301:CAWAMT>2.0.CO;2 [16] Fritsch, J.M., Murphy, J.D. and Kain, J.S. (1994) Warm Core Vortex Amplification over Land. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 51, 1780-1807.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1994)051<1780:wcvaol>2.0.co;2 [17] Davis, C.A. and Emanuel, K.A. (1991) Potential Vorticity Diagnostics of Cyclogenesis. Monthly Weather Review, 119, 1929-1953.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<1929:PVDOC>2.0.CO;2 [18] Houze Jr., R.A. (1997) Stratiform Precipitation in Regions of Convection: A Meteorological Paradox? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 78, 2179-2196.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477(1997)078<2179:SPIROC>2.0.CO;2 [19] Houze Jr., R.A. (2004) Mesoscale Convective Systems. Reviews of Geophysics, 42, Article ID: RG4003.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2004RG000150 [20] Tory, K.J., Montgomery, M.T. and Davidson, N.E. (2007) Prediction and Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Formation in an NWP System. Part III: Developing and Non-Developing Storms. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 64, 3195-3213. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS4023.1 [21] Tory, K.J., Montgomery, M.T., Davidson, N.E. and Kepert, J.D. (2006) Prediction and Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Formation in an NWP System. Part II: A Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Chris Formation. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 63, 3091-3113.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS3765.1 [22] WMO (1986) Atmospheric Ozone. Volume I, Report No. 16, WMO, Geneva, 264. [23] Bluestein, H.B. (1992) Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Mid-Latitudes, Volume I: Principles of Kinematics and Dynamics. Oxford University Press, New York. [24] Krishnamurti, T.N. and Bounoua, L. (1996) An Introduction to Numerical Weather Prediction Techniques. Academic Press, Waltham, 73-76. [25] Budyko, M.I. (1974) Climate and Life. Academic Press, London. [26] Manabe, S. (1956) On the Contribution of Heat Released by Condensation to the Change in Pressure Pattern. Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, 34, 308-320. [27] Kuo, Y.H., Shapiro, M.A. and Donall, E.G. (1991) The Interaction between Baroclinic and Diabatic Processes in a Numerical Simulation of a Rapidly Intensifying Extratropical Marine Cyclone. Monthly Weather Review, 119, 368-384.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<0368:TIBBAD>2.0.CO;2
[1] Emanuel, K.A., Fantini, M. and Thorpe, A.J. (1987) Baroclinic Instability in an Environment of Small Stability to Dynamic Moist Convection Part I: Two-Dimensional Models. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 44, 1559-1573.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1987)044<1559:BIIAEO>2.0.CO;2 [2] Uccellini, L.W., Petersen, R.A., Brill, K.F., Kocin, P.J. and Tuccillo, H.J. (1987) Synergistic Interactions between an Upper-Level Jet Streak and Diabatic Processes That Influences the Development of a Low-Level Jet and a Secondary Cyclone. Monthly Weather Review, 115, 2227-2261.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1987)115<2227:SIBAUL>2.0.CO;2 [3] Sanders, F. and Bosart, L.F. (1985) Mesoscale Structure in the Megalopolitan Snowstorm of 11-12 February 1983. Part I: Frontogenetical Forcing and Symmetric Instability. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 42, 1050-1061.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1985)042<1050:MSITMS>2.0.CO;2 [4] Davis, C.A. and Bosart, L.F. (2003) Baroclinically Induced Tropical Cyclogenesis. Monthly Weather Review, 121, 2309-2330.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<2309:TIEOCI>2.0.CO;2 [5] Davis, C.A. (1992) A Potential-Vorticity Diagnostic of the Importance of Initial Structure and Condensational Heating in Observed Extratropical Cyclogenesis. Monthly Weather Review, 120, 2409-2428.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1992)120<2409:APVDOT>2.0.CO;2 [6] Stoelinga, M.T. (1996) A Potential Vorticity-Based Study of the Role of Diabatic Heating and Friction in a Numerically Simulated Baroclinic Cyclone. Monthly Weather Review, 124, 849-874.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1996)124<0849:APVBSO>2.0.CO;2 [7] Plant, R.S., Craig, G.C. and Gray, S.L. (2003) On a Threefold Classification of Extratropical Cyclogenesis. Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, 129, 2989-3012.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1256/qj.02.174 [8] Davis, C.A. and Trier, S.B. (2002) Cloud-Resolving Simulations of Mesoscale Vortex Intensification and Its Effect on a Serial Mesoscale Convective System. Monthly Weather Review, 130, 2839-2858.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(2002)130<2839:CRSOMV>2.0.CO;2 [9] Davis, C.A., Stoelinga, M.T. and Kuo, Y.H. (1993) The Integrated Effect of Condensation in Numerical Simulations of Extratropical Cyclogenesis. Monthly Weather Review, 121, 2309-2330.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1993)121<2309:TIEOCI>2.0.CO;2 [10] Whitaker, J.R., Filho, F.F. and Lajolo, F.M. (1988) Parameters Involved in Binding of Porcine Pancreatic α-Amylase with Black Bean Inhibitor: Role of Sulfhydryl Groups, Chloride, Calcium, Solvent Composition and Temperature. Biochimie, 70, 1153-1161.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/0300-9084(88)90180-0 [11] Lackmann, G.M. and Gyakum, J.R. (1999) Heavy Cold-Season Precipitation in the Northwestern United States: Synoptic Climatology and an Analysis of the Flood of 17-18 January 1986. Weather and Forecasting, 14, 687-700.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0434(1999)014<0687:hcspit>2.0.co;2 [12] Lackmann, G.M. (2002) Cold-Frontal Potential Vorticity Maxima, the Low-Level Jet, and Moisture Transport in Extratropical Cyclones. Monthly Weather Review, 130, 59-74.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(2002)130<0059:CFPVMT>2.0.CO;2 [13] Brennan, M.J. and Lackmann, G.M. (2005) The Influence of Incipient Latent Heat Release on the Precipitation Distribution of the 24-25 January 2000 US East Coast Cyclone. Monthly Weather Review, 133, 1913-1937.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/MWR2959.1 [14] Hertenstein, R.F.A. and Schubert, W.M. (1991) Potential Vorticity Anomalies Associated with Squall Lines. Monthly Weather Review, 119, 1663-1672.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<1663:PVAAWS>2.0.CO;2 [15] Johnson, R.H. and Bartels, D.L. (1992) Circulations Associated with a Mature-to-Decaying Midlatitude Mesoscale Convective System. Part II: Upper-Level Features. Monthly Weather Review, 120, 1301-1321.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1992)120<1301:CAWAMT>2.0.CO;2 [16] Fritsch, J.M., Murphy, J.D. and Kain, J.S. (1994) Warm Core Vortex Amplification over Land. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 51, 1780-1807.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0469(1994)051<1780:wcvaol>2.0.co;2 [17] Davis, C.A. and Emanuel, K.A. (1991) Potential Vorticity Diagnostics of Cyclogenesis. Monthly Weather Review, 119, 1929-1953.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<1929:PVDOC>2.0.CO;2 [18] Houze Jr., R.A. (1997) Stratiform Precipitation in Regions of Convection: A Meteorological Paradox? Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 78, 2179-2196.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477(1997)078<2179:SPIROC>2.0.CO;2 [19] Houze Jr., R.A. (2004) Mesoscale Convective Systems. Reviews of Geophysics, 42, Article ID: RG4003.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1029/2004RG000150 [20] Tory, K.J., Montgomery, M.T. and Davidson, N.E. (2007) Prediction and Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Formation in an NWP System. Part III: Developing and Non-Developing Storms. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 64, 3195-3213. http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS4023.1 [21] Tory, K.J., Montgomery, M.T., Davidson, N.E. and Kepert, J.D. (2006) Prediction and Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Formation in an NWP System. Part II: A Diagnosis of Tropical Cyclone Chris Formation. Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, 63, 3091-3113.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JAS3765.1 [22] WMO (1986) Atmospheric Ozone. Volume I, Report No. 16, WMO, Geneva, 264. [23] Bluestein, H.B. (1992) Synoptic-Dynamic Meteorology in Mid-Latitudes, Volume I: Principles of Kinematics and Dynamics. Oxford University Press, New York. [24] Krishnamurti, T.N. and Bounoua, L. (1996) An Introduction to Numerical Weather Prediction Techniques. Academic Press, Waltham, 73-76. [25] Budyko, M.I. (1974) Climate and Life. Academic Press, London. [26] Manabe, S. (1956) On the Contribution of Heat Released by Condensation to the Change in Pressure Pattern. Journal of the Meteorological Society of Japan, 34, 308-320. [27] Kuo, Y.H., Shapiro, M.A. and Donall, E.G. (1991) The Interaction between Baroclinic and Diabatic Processes in a Numerical Simulation of a Rapidly Intensifying Extratropical Marine Cyclone. Monthly Weather Review, 119, 368-384.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1991)119<0368:TIBBAD>2.0.CO;2