A high-resolution unified observational data product of mesoscale convective systems and isolated deep convection in the United States for 2004–2017
Abstract
Deep convection possesses markedly distinct properties at different spatiotemporal scales. We present an original high-resolution (4 km, hourly) unified data product of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and isolated deep convection (IDC) in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and examine their climatological characteristics from 2004 to 2017. The data product is produced by applying an updated Flexible Object Tracker algorithm to hourly satellite brightness temperature, radar reflectivity, and precipitation datasets. Analysis of the data product shows that MCSs are much larger and longer-lasting than IDC, but IDC occurs about 100 times more frequently than MCSs, with a mean convective intensity comparable to that of MCSs. Hence both MCS and IDC are essential contributors to precipitation east of the Rocky Mountains, although their precipitation shows significantly different spatiotemporal characteristics. IDC precipitation concentrates in summer in the Southeast with a peak in the late afternoon, while MCS precipitation is significant in all seasons, especially for spring and summer in the Great Plains. The spatial distribution of MCS precipitation amounts varies by season, while diurnally, MCS precipitation generally peaks during nighttime except in the Southeast. Potential uncertainties and limitations of the data product are also discussed. The data product is usefulmore »
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1770119
- Report Number(s):
- PNNL-SA-153640
Journal ID: ISSN 1866-3516
- Grant/Contract Number:
- AC05-76RL01830
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Earth System Science Data (Online)
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Name: Earth System Science Data (Online); Journal Volume: 13; Journal Issue: 2; Journal ID: ISSN 1866-3516
- Publisher:
- Copernicus Publications
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
Citation Formats
Li, Jianfeng, Feng, Zhe, Qian, Yun, and Leung, Lai-Yung. A high-resolution unified observational data product of mesoscale convective systems and isolated deep convection in the United States for 2004–2017. United States: N. p., 2021.
Web. doi:10.5194/essd-13-827-2021.
Li, Jianfeng, Feng, Zhe, Qian, Yun, & Leung, Lai-Yung. A high-resolution unified observational data product of mesoscale convective systems and isolated deep convection in the United States for 2004–2017. United States. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-827-2021
Li, Jianfeng, Feng, Zhe, Qian, Yun, and Leung, Lai-Yung. Wed .
"A high-resolution unified observational data product of mesoscale convective systems and isolated deep convection in the United States for 2004–2017". United States. https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-13-827-2021. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1770119.
@article{osti_1770119,
title = {A high-resolution unified observational data product of mesoscale convective systems and isolated deep convection in the United States for 2004–2017},
author = {Li, Jianfeng and Feng, Zhe and Qian, Yun and Leung, Lai-Yung},
abstractNote = {Deep convection possesses markedly distinct properties at different spatiotemporal scales. We present an original high-resolution (4 km, hourly) unified data product of mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) and isolated deep convection (IDC) in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains and examine their climatological characteristics from 2004 to 2017. The data product is produced by applying an updated Flexible Object Tracker algorithm to hourly satellite brightness temperature, radar reflectivity, and precipitation datasets. Analysis of the data product shows that MCSs are much larger and longer-lasting than IDC, but IDC occurs about 100 times more frequently than MCSs, with a mean convective intensity comparable to that of MCSs. Hence both MCS and IDC are essential contributors to precipitation east of the Rocky Mountains, although their precipitation shows significantly different spatiotemporal characteristics. IDC precipitation concentrates in summer in the Southeast with a peak in the late afternoon, while MCS precipitation is significant in all seasons, especially for spring and summer in the Great Plains. The spatial distribution of MCS precipitation amounts varies by season, while diurnally, MCS precipitation generally peaks during nighttime except in the Southeast. Potential uncertainties and limitations of the data product are also discussed. The data product is useful for investigating the atmospheric environments and physical processes associated with different types of convective systems; quantifying the impacts of convection on hydrology, atmospheric chemistry, and severe weather events; and evaluating and improving the representation of convective processes in weather and climate models.},
doi = {10.5194/essd-13-827-2021},
journal = {Earth System Science Data (Online)},
number = 2,
volume = 13,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2021},
month = {Wed Mar 03 00:00:00 EST 2021}
}
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