Wintertime Supercell Thunderstorms in a Subtropical Environment: A Diagnostic Study

Abstract

Abstract The present study documents the environment, initiation, and evolution of three isolated supercell storms on 19 December 2002, as the first case near Taiwan reported in the literature, mainly using radar data and manual and gridded analyses. In a subtropical environment, the supercells occurred behind a winter cold front that provided a large west-southwesterly vertical wind shear of 6.4 × 10−3 s−1 at 0–3 km. This combined with weak-to-moderate instability (CAPE = 887 J kg−1) above the shallow surface cold air to yield a favorable environment for supercells. An approaching upper-level jet (ULJ) at 200 hPa also provided strong shear through deep layers farther aloft. Prior to storm initiation, significant daytime solar heating occurred over the mountain slopes along the coast of southeastern China, leading to development of local circulation and onshore/upslope winds, resulting in convergence and uplifting. Three storms were initiated about 80 km inland around 1400 LST near the peaks of local terrain with a northeast–southwest alignment. After formation, the three storms evolved into isolated supercells and each experienced multiple splits. The right-moving storms were usually stronger than left-moving ones and traveled eastward rapidly at about 18 m s−1 across the Taiwan Strait. The storms reached their maximum strength over the strait where low-level shear intensified during the day due to cold air surge. The northern storm also registered a peak reflectivity of 72 dBZ, the strongest ever recorded by any radar in Taiwan. Eventually, the three supercell storms made landfall over Taiwan, producing swaths of rain, hail, and property damages. Before they diminished after midnight, each of the three storms had lasted for about 10 h and propagated for over 550 km.