Radar Observations of Intense Orographic Precipitation Associated with Typhoon Xangsane (2000)

Abstract With measurements from two ground-based Doppler radars located in northern Taiwan, this study documents the detailed aspects of intense orographic precipitation associated with Typhoon Xangsane (2000) as it moved northward immediately off the eastern coast of Taiwan, bringing strong low-level northeasterly to north-northeasterly winds impinging on the mountainous northern coast. With relatively good, persistent coverage of radar echoes on both inland and upstream regions, this particular event provides a unique description of the orographic precipitation and its relationship with orographic geometry, strong upstream oncoming flow, and the precipitation inherently associated with typhoon circulations. In this case, the heaviest precipitation was observed to occur primarily over two coastal mountain barriers: Mount Da-Tun (DT) and the Nangang-Keelung Range (NKR). Barrier DT is an approximately 3D mountain barrier, and the NKR, adjacent to the southeast of DT, is a relatively lower, narrower 2D mountain range. In particular, the distinct distribution and intensity of precipitation over the two barriers were observed. Analyses of vertical cross sections passing through the major regions of heavy precipitation over DT and NKR indicate the region of low-level heavy precipitation tended to shift downstream as the low-level oncoming flow intensified, and the precipitation exhibited a deeper, wider extent and stronger intensity at stronger oncoming flow regimes. However, changes in the location of maximum precipitation over DT (NKR) were confined mainly to regions over windward slopes (near and downstream of the mountain crest). The degree of downstream shift of low-level heaviest precipitation with respect to different magnitudes of oncoming flow was relatively limited (∼8 km) over NKR, as compared with a larger downstream shift of ∼15–17 km over DT. This contrasting aspect can be understood as a consequence of a longer “lifting section” and relatively lower fall speed of hydrometeors over the windward slope of DT. In addition, the precipitation inherently associated with the typhoon circulations was found to be an important contributor to the observed variations in precipitation intensity over DT and NKR. Stronger background typhoon precipitation and a shorter downstream shift of precipitation (i.e., a quasi-stationary precipitation feature) over NKR may explain the fact of larger precipitation accumulation observed over this narrower, lower barrier.