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Abstract The distribution and intensity of lake- and sea-effect (hereafter lake-effect) precipitation are strongly influenced by the mode of landfalling lake-effect systems. Here, we used idealized large-eddy simulations to investigate the downstream evolution and coastal-to-inland transition of two lake-effect modes: 1) a long-lake-axis-parallel (LLAP) band generated by an oval body of water (hereafter lake; e.g., Lake Ontario) and 2) broad-coverage, open-cell convection generated by an open lake (e.g., Sea of Japan). Under identical atmospheric conditions and lake-surface temperatures, the oval lake generates a LLAP band with heavy precipitation along the midlake axis, whereas the open lake generates broad-coverage, open-cell convection with widespread, light accumulations. Over the oval lake, the LLAP band features a thermally forced and diabatically enhanced cross-band secondary circulation with convergence and ascent over the midlake axis. Downstream of the lake, flanking airstreams that avoid lake modification merge beneath the band where they experience sublimational cooling, producing a cold pool. At the upstream edge of the cold pool, a coastal baroclinic zone forms. Above this zone, ascent and hydrometeor mass growth are maximized, resulting in an inland precipitation maximum due to subsequent hydrometeor transport and fallout. Over the open lake, individual open cells grow larger and stronger with overwater extent, but a convective-to-stratiform transition begins at the coast. Here, convective vigor decays, mesoscale ascent begins, and enhanced hydrometeor growth results in an inland precipitation maximum. These results highlight variations in the coastal-to-inland transition of lake-effect systems that ultimately influence the distribution and intensity of lake-effect precipitation.
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Orographic Effects on Landfalling Lake-Effect Systems
Landfalling lake- and sea-effect (hereafter lake-effect) systems often interact with orography, altering the distribution and intensity of precipitation, which frequently falls as snow. In this study, we examine the influence of orography on two modes of lake-effect systems: long-lake-axis-parallel (LLAP) bands and broad-coverage, open-cell convection. Specifically, we generate idealized large-eddy simulations of a LLAP band produced by an oval lake and broad-coverage, open-cell convection produced by an open lake (i.e., without flanking shorelines) with a downstream coastal plain, 500-m peak, and 2000-m ridge. Without terrain, the LLAP band intersects a coastal baroclinic zone over which ascent and hydrometeor mass growth are maximized, with transport and fallout producing an inland precipitation maximum. The 500-m peak does not significantly alter this structure, but slightly enhances precipitation due to orographic ascent, increased hydrometeor mass growth, and reduced subcloud sublimation. In contrast, a 2000-m ridge disrupts the band by blocking the continental flow that flanks the coastlines. This, combined with differential surface heating between the lake and land, leads to low-level flow reversal, shifting the coastal baroclinic zone and precipitation maximum offshore. In contrast, the flow moves over the terrain in open lake, open-cell simulations. Over the 500-m peak, this yields an increase in the frequency of weaker (<1 m s−1) updrafts and weak precipitation enhancement, although stronger updrafts decline. Over the 2000-m ridge, however, buoyancy and convective vigor increase dramatically, contributing to an eightfold increase in precipitation. Overall, these results highlight differences in the influence of orography on two common lake-effect modes.
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- Award ID(s):
- 1929602
- PAR ID:
- 10346809
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Monthly weather review
- Volume:
- 150
- Issue:
- 8
- ISSN:
- 0027-0644
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 2013–2031
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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- Free Publicly Accessible Full Text
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Accepted Manuscript1.0
- Journal Article:
- https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-21-0314.1
