Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Altitudinal Precipitation Gradients in the Tropics from Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) Precipitation Radar

Alison M. Anders Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Champaign, Illinois

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Stephen W. Nesbitt Department of Atmospheric Sciences, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, Illinois

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Print Publication:
01 Feb 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JHM-D-14-0178.1
Page(s):
441–448
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Abstract

A Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) climatology shows variability in surface precipitation rate–elevation relationships across the tropics. Vertical profiles of radar reflectivity and profiles of specific humidity and cross-barrier moisture fluxes during precipitation events from the Interim European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis reveal four precipitation regimes with distinct precipitation mechanisms: 1) a tropical regime with a broad precipitation maximum at ~1500 m where convection is triggered by orographic lifting; 2) a trade winds regime with a near–sea level precipitation maximum dominated by forced ascent due to prevailing winds and the presence of dry air aloft; 3) a wet monsoon regime with a low-elevation precipitation maximum driven by efficient precipitation generation, large low-level cross-barrier moisture fluxes, and multiple convective modes; and 4) a dry monsoon regime with a high-elevation precipitation maximum reflecting intense convection and stratiform rain with a strong evaporation signature. In general, surface precipitation–elevation relationships across the tropics feature lower-elevation precipitation maxima relative to typical midlatitude regimes.

Corresponding author address: A. Anders, Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 605 E. Springfield Ave., Champaign, IL 61820. E-mail: amanders@illinois.edu

Abstract

A Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) climatology shows variability in surface precipitation rate–elevation relationships across the tropics. Vertical profiles of radar reflectivity and profiles of specific humidity and cross-barrier moisture fluxes during precipitation events from the Interim European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Re-Analysis reveal four precipitation regimes with distinct precipitation mechanisms: 1) a tropical regime with a broad precipitation maximum at ~1500 m where convection is triggered by orographic lifting; 2) a trade winds regime with a near–sea level precipitation maximum dominated by forced ascent due to prevailing winds and the presence of dry air aloft; 3) a wet monsoon regime with a low-elevation precipitation maximum driven by efficient precipitation generation, large low-level cross-barrier moisture fluxes, and multiple convective modes; and 4) a dry monsoon regime with a high-elevation precipitation maximum reflecting intense convection and stratiform rain with a strong evaporation signature. In general, surface precipitation–elevation relationships across the tropics feature lower-elevation precipitation maxima relative to typical midlatitude regimes.

Corresponding author address: A. Anders, Department of Geology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, 605 E. Springfield Ave., Champaign, IL 61820. E-mail: amanders@illinois.edu
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