Global Mesoscale Convective System Latent Heating Characteristics from GPM Retrievals and an MCS Tracking Dataset

• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-20-0997.1
• Publication Date: 2021-08-09T18:22:51Z
• Authors: Nana Liu; L. Ruby Leung; Zhe Feng
• Keywords: Middle latitudes; Mesoscale convective system; Rainband

Abstract The distribution of latent heating released by mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) plays a crucial role in global energy and water cycles. To investigate the characteristics MCS heating, five years (2014–19) Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Ku-band Radar observations retrievals are combined with newly developed high-resolution (~10 km, hourly) tracking dataset. results suggest that midlatitude MCSs shallower have lower maximum precipitation rate than tropical MCSs. However, occurring midlatitudes larger areas higher stratiform rain volume fraction, agreement previous studies. With substantial spatial seasonal variability, profiles top-heavier middle high latitudes those tropics. Larger magnitudes regions found over ocean land, which is case for both tropics midlatitudes. magnitude related to precipitating area/volume rather storm height or more intense core typically associated land systems. A majority relatively (>70%) fraction while this not MCSs, suggesting tend produce convective. Importantly, study indicate intensity, rainfall different metrics can provide multiple constraints inform development convection parameterizations models.