The relationship between surface rain rate and depth of rain system （rain depth） over Southeast Asia is examined using 10-yr Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission （TRMM） precipitation radar （PR） measurements. Results show that, in general, a large surface rain rate is associated with a deep precipitating system, but a deep rain system may not always correspond with a large surface rain rate. This feature has a regional characteristic, Convective rain develops more frequently over land than over the ocean, while stratiform rain can extend to higher altitudes over the ocean than over land. A light surface rain rate has the largest probability to occur, regardless of rain depth. A convective rain system is more likely associated with a stronger surface rain rate than a stratiform rain system. Results show that precipitation systems involve complex microphysical processes. Rain depth is just one characteristic of precipitation. A linear relationship between surface rain rate and rain depth does not exist. Both deep convective and stratiform rain systems have reflectivity profiles that can be divided into three sections. The main difference in their profiles is at higher levels, from 4.5 km up to 19 km. For shallow stratiform rain systems, a two-section refiectivity profile mainly exists, while for convective systems a three-section profile is more common.
Using nine years of Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission(TRMM)2A25 data,based on the probability density function of rainfall,a comparative analysis of the diurnal cycle and its seasonal and interannual variation for convective rain,stratiform rain,and total rain is made between the Tibetan Plateau and the downstream Yangtze River basin and East China Sea.The diurnal convective rain is stronger than the diurnal stratiform rain over the Yangtze River basin,and the convective rain peaks in the afternoon when the stratiform rain maximum happens in the early morning.Convective rain and stratiform rain both peak in the early morning over the East China Sea.The diurnal total rain over the Tibetan Plateau is stronger than its downstream regions.The diurnal cycle appears quite different among the four seasons over the Yangtze River basin,and the seasonal variation of diurnal convective rain is more apparent than diurnal stratiform rain.The seasonal variation of the diurnal cycle is weak over the East China Sea and Tibetan Plateau.The maximum of total rain happens in the afternoon during1998–2002 over the Yangtze River basin,while it peaks in the early morning during 2003–2006,but no obvious phase differences can be found among years in the diurnal rain over the East China Sea and over the Tibetan Plateau.
Cloud distribution characteristics over the Tibetan Plateau in the summer monsoon period simulated by the Australian Community Climate and Earth System Simulator(ACCESS) model are evaluated using COSP [the CFMIP(Cloud Feedback Model Intercomparison Project) Observation Simulator Package]. The results show that the ACCESS model simulates less cumulus cloud at atmospheric middle levels when compared with observations from CALIPSO and CloudSat, but more ice cloud at high levels and drizzle drops at low levels. The model also has seasonal biases after the onset of the summer monsoon in May. While observations show that the prevalent high cloud at 9–10 km in spring shifts downward to 7–9 km,the modeled maximum cloud fractions move upward to 12–15 km. The reason for this model deficiency is investigated by comparing model dynamical and thermodynamical fields with those of ERA-Interim. It is found that the lifting effect of the Tibetan Plateau in the ACCESS model is stronger than in ERA-Interim, which means that the vertical velocity in the ACCESS model is stronger and more water vapor is transported to the upper levels of the atmosphere, resulting in more high-level ice clouds and less middle-level cumulus cloud over the Tibetan Plateau. The modeled radiation fields and precipitation are also evaluated against the relevant satellite observations.
