.png){kind=icon}
.png){kind=icon}
Return
Hailstorms in Weining (Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau): Radar-derived convective features, hail indication, and pre/post-hailfall drop size distributions
.png){kind=icon}
PRE
AI
Q
Y
W
W
S
DOI：10.1016/j.atmosres.2026.108946.png)
.png){kind=icon}
Original request for help.png){kind=icon}
Share.png){kind=icon}
Save
Abstract
En 中文
Hail adversely impacts crops on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau in southwestern China. Radar plays a critical role in hailstorm detection, but radar-based statistical analyses of hailstorms on plateaus remain insufficient. Using integrated observations from March to August 2022-2024 in Weining (eastern Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, mean elevation 2.2 km), this study examines hail size and density, radar-derived convective characteristics, hailfall indicators, and changes in near-surface raindrop size distribution before (approximate to 5-12 min) and during/after (approximate to 12 min) hailfall. Results show that 172 hailfall events were dominated by small-to-medium hailstones (diameter < 20 mm) with relatively low density (an average of 109 hailstones m(-2)), and most events occurred in the afternoon. The hailstorms exhibited pulse-like, meso-gamma-scale characteristics, with rapid development after convection initiation. About 70% of events had 35 dBZ echo tops exceeding 9 km, indicating strong convective intensity. The maximum expected size of hail (MESH) outperformed hail differential reflectivity (H-DR) and vertically integrated liquid water content (VIL) density in indicating hailfall, achieving a probability of detection of 64%-74% and a false alarm ratio of 13%-23% at a 4-6 mm threshold. For four collocated disdrometer-Micro Rain Radar cases, surface rain rate increased prior to hailfall, with drop breakup dominating below 1 km above ground level. In contrast, during and after hailfall, enhanced collision-coalescence reduced small drops and increased the proportion of larger surface drops.
Keywords:
High-elevation hailstorms
Radar observations
Hailstorm detection
Raindrop size distribution
Journal
IF:
4.4
Papers:
1.1K
Citations:
2.2W
Organization
Cited Papers