Triggering Mechanism of an Extreme Rainstorm Process near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, an Arid Region in China, Based on a Numerical Simulation

A rare rainstorm event near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, China—a typically arid region—was triggered by complex atmospheric interactions, according to a numerical simulation study. The research revealed that cold air descending from the mountains interacted with warm southwest winds, creating an oblique updraft and facilitating moisture convergence. This process transported supercooled cloud water and ice particles to high altitudes, sustaining the storm system along a convergence line. The findings highlight how rare combinations of temperature, humidity, and airflow dynamics can produce extreme weather in arid environments.

Zeng, Y., & Yang, L. (2020). Triggering Mechanism of an Extreme Rainstorm Process near the Tianshan Mountains in Xinjiang, an Arid Region in China, Based on a Numerical Simulation. Advances in Meteorology, 2020, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8828060