Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Seasonal Differences in Precipitation Sensitivity to Soil Moisture in Bangladesh and Surrounding Regions

Shiori Sugimoto Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokohama, Japan

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Hiroshi G. Takahashi Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, and Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, Yokohama, Japan

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Print Publication:
01 Feb 2017
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-15-0800.1
Page(s):
921–938
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Abstract

Precipitation sensitivity to soil moisture and its seasonal and diurnal changes are investigated in Bangladesh and surrounding regions using a regional climate model with a 5-km grid spacing. In the control experiment, soil moisture is calculated by a land surface scheme, and simulated accuracy of seasonal and diurnal variations in precipitation intensity and frequency is capable of assessing the soil moisture impact on precipitation. In sensitivity experiments with wetter land surfaces, daytime precipitation intensity decreases over the southern plains for both the premonsoon and mature monsoon seasons because of the weakening of surface heating and vertical mixing in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Weakened vertical turbulent flux of moisture reduces condensation heating and upward motion in the mid- and upper troposphere, which suppresses development of convective precipitation. The simulated precipitation intensity response to soil moisture suggests that land surface wetness contributes to the seasonal contrast in observed precipitation intensity (i.e., stronger in the premonsoon than the mature monsoon seasons). Meanwhile, the precipitation frequency response to soil moisture varies with season and by region. Over the southern plains in the wet land surface experiments, daytime precipitation frequency decreases (increases) during the premonsoon (mature monsoon) season compared with the dry land surface experiments, as influenced by seasonal differences in relative humidity and the condensation process in the lower troposphere. Around the northern mountainous area, higher soil moisture increases precipitation frequency regardless of season because of additional water vapor supply from the ground and frequent orographic precipitation forced by the mountainous topography.

Corresponding author e-mail: Shiori Sugimoto, shiorisug@jamstec.go.jp

Abstract

Precipitation sensitivity to soil moisture and its seasonal and diurnal changes are investigated in Bangladesh and surrounding regions using a regional climate model with a 5-km grid spacing. In the control experiment, soil moisture is calculated by a land surface scheme, and simulated accuracy of seasonal and diurnal variations in precipitation intensity and frequency is capable of assessing the soil moisture impact on precipitation. In sensitivity experiments with wetter land surfaces, daytime precipitation intensity decreases over the southern plains for both the premonsoon and mature monsoon seasons because of the weakening of surface heating and vertical mixing in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). Weakened vertical turbulent flux of moisture reduces condensation heating and upward motion in the mid- and upper troposphere, which suppresses development of convective precipitation. The simulated precipitation intensity response to soil moisture suggests that land surface wetness contributes to the seasonal contrast in observed precipitation intensity (i.e., stronger in the premonsoon than the mature monsoon seasons). Meanwhile, the precipitation frequency response to soil moisture varies with season and by region. Over the southern plains in the wet land surface experiments, daytime precipitation frequency decreases (increases) during the premonsoon (mature monsoon) season compared with the dry land surface experiments, as influenced by seasonal differences in relative humidity and the condensation process in the lower troposphere. Around the northern mountainous area, higher soil moisture increases precipitation frequency regardless of season because of additional water vapor supply from the ground and frequent orographic precipitation forced by the mountainous topography.

Corresponding author e-mail: Shiori Sugimoto, shiorisug@jamstec.go.jp
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