Abstract

In this study, a simplified semi-physical retrieval algorithm for latent heat (LH) released from precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) is derived and analyzed. The physical basis of this algorithm is that the vertical gradient of rain rate (-dR/dZ or Γ) represents the temporal rate of rain formation based on the steady-state assumption, and the precipitation formation rate is closely related to the cloud formation rate, which is directly proportional to the latent heating rate. In this algorithm, the LH rate is represented as a linear function of Γ with fixed slope and intercept term determined by 3-month Weather Research and Forecasting Model simulations over the TP. Comparison to model results shows that the retrieval scheme can correctly capture the main features of LH horizontally and vertically. Comparison with results from other two widely accepted LH algorithms using Global Precipitation Measurement Dual Precipitation Radar real observations shows that this retrieval scheme generally agrees with them over low-altitudeareasbut yields more convective-type LH over the highlands witha relativelylower heating center. This algorithm is specially designed for application to high altitudes. With this algorithm and the associated coefficients provided, researchers can readily do LH retrieval in their cases of interest by themselves. The only required input is the vertical profile of rain rate, which is available from current satellite precipitation radar observations.

Presenter Profile

Prof. Li Rui is a doctoral tutor at the University of Science and Technology of China. He graduated from the University of Science and Technology of China in 2005 and worked as a postdoctoral researcher and a research scientist at the State University of New York in 2006-2013. In 2013, he was introduced back to China by the 100-member program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. He is currently the deputy director of the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Science and Technology of China and the head of the atmospheric science discipline. At present, he is mainly engaged in satellite quantitative remote sensing atmosphere, and its application in the water cycle and energy balance of the Earth's climate system, particularly concerned with cloud-aerosol interactions, latent heat of precipitation, and vegetation-atmosphere interaction processes under all-weather conditions. He has published more than 40 papers in the above fields. In the past five years, he has led several national key projects such as the Natural Science Foundation, the Belmont Forum International Cooperation, and major research and development projects.