Articles | Volume 19, issue 1
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-505-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-19-505-2026
© Author(s) 2026. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Model description paper
| 
15 Jan 2026
Model description paper |
| 15 Jan 2026
| 15 Jan 2026
Retrieving atmospheric thermodynamic and hydrometeor profiles using a thermodynamic-constrained Kalman filter 1D-Var framework based on ground-based microwave radiometer
Qi Zhang
Key Open Laboratory of Intelligent Meteorological Observation Technology, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing, 100081, China
Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, China Huayun Meteorological Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100081, China
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology & Specialized Meteorological Support Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather Meteorological Science and Technology & Specialized Meteorological Support Technology Research Center, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, China
Yu Wu
Hainan Provincial Meteorological Observatory, Hainan, 570203, China
Bin Deng
Jiangxi Weather Modification Center, Nanchang, 330000, China
Junjie Yan
Key Open Laboratory of Intelligent Meteorological Observation Technology, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing, 100081, China
Engineering Technology Research and Development Center, China Huayun Meteorological Technology Group Co., Ltd., Beijing 100081, China
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Yonglin Fang, Hancheng Hu, Xiangdong Zheng, Jianping Guo, Xingbing Zhao, Fang Ma, and Hao Wu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 4089–4104, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4089-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-4089-2026, 2026
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This study shows how temperature inversions (warm air above cold) trap pollution in China. Using six years of national data, we find these "lids" frequently cause severe haze, especially in winter, by increasing pollution probability and intensity. Impacts differ by region and inversion type/strength. These findings help improve air quality forecasts and regional pollution control strategies.
Zhe Tong, Boming Liu, Xin Ma, Jianping Guo, Haowei Zhang, Haoyu Dong, Ge Han, Yingying Ma, and Wei Gong
Earth Syst. Sci. Data Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-73, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-2026-73, 2026
Preprint under review for ESSD
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Near-surface wind is crucial for weather and wind energy studies. This work uses physically constrained machine learning combined with satellite wind observations to generate a wind speed profile dataset within the global atmospheric boundary layer. The dataset accurately depicts the spatial distribution and variation of global wind speeds with improved accuracy, finer vertical detail, and reduced data gaps, supporting boundary-layer meteorology, climate studies, and wind energy applications.
Hui Xu, Jianping Guo, Jianbo Deng, Rongfang Yang, Deli Meng, Zhen Zhang, Ning Li, Yuping Sun, Shuairu Jiang, Tianmeng Chen, Juan Chen, Liping Zeng, Yongshui Zhou, and Bing Tong
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1091, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2026-1091, 2026
This preprint is open for discussion and under review for Atmospheric Chemistry and Physics (ACP).
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Using a new national network of 80 cloud radars, we mapped how clouds are layered and how high they reach across China. Clouds vary strongly by region, season, and time of day, with deeper clouds in humid, unstable conditions and shallower clouds in stable or windy conditions. Also, land cover matters: forests tend to have lower cloud bases than barren land. These findings help improve weather and climate predictions.
Ning Li, Jianping Guo, Xiaoran Guo, Tianmeng Chen, Zhen Zhang, Na Tang, Yifei Wang, Honglong Yang, Yongguang Zheng, and Yongshui Zhou
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 3339–3356, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-3339-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-3339-2026, 2026
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Nighttime rainfall often links to low-level jets (LLJs), but we lack clarity on nationwide LLJ features. We here used a nationwide radar wind profiler network to study LLJ changes 2 hours before rainfall, covering China’s 2023–2024 rainy seasons. 56% nighttime rainfall had LLJs. The LLJs-associated heavy rain needed a rapid adjustment of LLJs’ vertical structure, especially a significant intensification within 30 minutes preceding rain. This shows the importance of LLJ in nowcasting rainfall.
Xiaoran Guo, Jianping Guo, Ning Li, Zhen Zhang, Tianmeng Chen, Yu Shi, Pengzhan Yao, Shuairu Jiang, Lei Zhao, and Fei Hu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 2391–2409, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-2391-2026, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-2391-2026, 2026
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Wind gusts threaten safety and infrastructure but are hard to predict. To address this gap, we studied an extreme wind gust event in Beijing on 30 May 2024. We used seven radar wind profilers to track how this gust developed. It formed when cold northeasterly air clashed with warm southerly winds as the storm moved downhill. Evaporation of rain cooled the air, boosting downward air movement and wind strength. The turbulence transferring energy from small to large eddies intensify winds.
Deli Meng, Jianping Guo, Juan Chen, Xiaoran Guo, Ning Li, Yuping Sun, Zhen Zhang, Na Tang, Hui Xu, Tianmeng Chen, Rongfang Yang, and Jiajia Hua
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 4023–4037, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4023-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4023-2025, 2025
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This study provides a high-resolution dataset of low-level atmospheric turbulence across China, using radar and weather balloon observations. It reveals regional and seasonal variations in turbulence, with stronger activity in spring and summer. The dataset supports weather forecasting, aviation safety, and low-altitude flight planning, aiding China's growing low-altitude economy, and is accessible at https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14959025.
Xiaoran Guo, Jianping Guo, Deli Meng, Yuping Sun, Zhen Zhang, Hui Xu, Liping Zeng, Juan Chen, Ning Li, and Tianmeng Chen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 3541–3552, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3541-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3541-2025, 2025
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Optimal atmospheric dynamic conditions are essential for convective storms. This study generates a dataset of high-resolution divergence and vorticity profiles using the measurements of a radar wind profiler mesonet in Beijing. The negative divergence and positive vorticity are present ahead of rainfall events. This suggests that this dataset can help improve our understanding of the pre-storm environment and has the potential to be applied in weather forecasting.
Juan Zhao, Jianping Guo, and Xiaohui Zheng
Geosci. Model Dev., 18, 4075–4101, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4075-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/gmd-18-4075-2025, 2025
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A series of observing system simulation experiments are conducted to assess the impact of multiple radar wind profiler (RWP) networks on convective-scale numerical weather prediction. Results from three southwest-type heavy rainfall cases in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei region suggest the added forecast skill of ridge and foothill networks associated with the Taihang Mountains over the existing RWP network. This research provides valuable guidance for designing optimal RWP networks in the region.
Xiaozhong Cao, Qiyun Guo, Haowen Luo, Rongkang Yang, Peng Zhang, Jianping Guo, Jincheng Wang, Die Xiao, Jianping Du, Zhongliang Sun, Shijun Liu, Sijie Chen, and Anfan Huang
EGUsphere, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2012, https://doi.org/10.5194/egusphere-2025-2012, 2025
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This study aims to introduce in-situ profiling techniques and cost-effective technology for upper-air observation—the Round-trip Drifting Sounding System (RDSS)—which reduces costs relative to intensive sounding and achieves three sounding phases: Ascent-Drift-Descent (ADD). The RDSS not only provides additional data for weather analysis and numerical prediction models but also makes substantial contributions to targeted observations.
Seoung Soo Lee, Chang Hoon Jung, Jinho Choi, Young Jun Yoon, Junshik Um, Youtong Zheng, Jianping Guo, Manguttathil G. Manoj, Sang-Keun Song, and Kyung-Ja Ha
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 25, 705–726, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-705-2025, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-25-705-2025, 2025
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This study attempts to test a general factor that explains differences in the properties of different mixed-phase clouds using a modeling tool. Although this attempt is not to identify a factor that can perfectly explain and represent the properties of different mixed-phase clouds, we believe that this attempt acts as a valuable stepping stone towards a more complete, general way of using climate models to better predict climate change.
Zhiqi Xu, Jianping Guo, Guwei Zhang, Yuchen Ye, Haikun Zhao, and Haishan Chen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 5753–5766, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-5753-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-5753-2024, 2024
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Tropical cyclones (TCs) are powerful weather systems that can cause extreme disasters. Here we generate a global long-term TC size and intensity reconstruction dataset, covering a time period from 1959 to 2022, with a 3 h temporal resolution, using machine learning models. These can be valuable for filling observational data gaps and advancing our understanding of TC climatology, thereby facilitating risk assessments and defenses against TC-related disasters.
Deli Meng, Jianping Guo, Xiaoran Guo, Yinjun Wang, Ning Li, Yuping Sun, Zhen Zhang, Na Tang, Haoran Li, Fan Zhang, Bing Tong, Hui Xu, and Tianmeng Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8703–8720, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8703-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8703-2024, 2024
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The turbulence in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) remains unclear. Here we elucidate the vertical profile of and temporal variation in the turbulence dissipation rate in the PBL over the TP based on a radar wind profiler (RWP) network. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that the turbulence profile over the whole TP has been revealed. Furthermore, the possible mechanisms of clouds acting on the PBL turbulence structure are investigated.
Xiaoran Guo, Jianping Guo, Tianmeng Chen, Ning Li, Fan Zhang, and Yuping Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8067–8083, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8067-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8067-2024, 2024
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The prediction of downhill thunderstorms (DSs) remains elusive. We propose an objective method to identify DSs, based on which enhanced and dissipated DSs are discriminated. A radar wind profiler (RWP) mesonet is used to derive divergence and vertical velocity. The mid-troposphere divergence and prevailing westerlies enhance the intensity of DSs, whereas low-level divergence is observed when the DS dissipates. The findings highlight the key role that an RWP mesonet plays in the evolution of DSs.
Kaixu Bai, Ke Li, Liuqing Shao, Xinran Li, Chaoshun Liu, Zhengqiang Li, Mingliang Ma, Di Han, Yibing Sun, Zhe Zheng, Ruijie Li, Ni-Bin Chang, and Jianping Guo
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 2425–2448, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2425-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-2425-2024, 2024
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A global gap-free high-resolution air pollutant dataset (LGHAP v2) was generated to provide spatially contiguous AOD and PM2.5 concentration maps with daily 1 km resolution from 2000 to 2021. This gap-free dataset has good data accuracies compared to ground-based AOD and PM2.5 concentration observations, which is a reliable database to advance aerosol-related studies and trigger multidisciplinary applications for environmental management, health risk assessment, and climate change analysis.
Boming Liu, Xin Ma, Jianping Guo, Renqiang Wen, Hui Li, Shikuan Jin, Yingying Ma, Xiaoran Guo, and Wei Gong
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 4047–4063, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4047-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-4047-2024, 2024
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Accurate wind profile estimation, especially for the lowest few hundred meters of the atmosphere, is of great significance for the weather, climate, and renewable energy sector. We propose a novel method that combines the power-law method with the random forest algorithm to extend wind profiles beyond the surface layer. Compared with the traditional algorithm, this method has better stability and spatial applicability and can be used to obtain the wind profiles on different land cover types.
Jianping Guo, Jian Zhang, Jia Shao, Tianmeng Chen, Kaixu Bai, Yuping Sun, Ning Li, Jingyan Wu, Rui Li, Jian Li, Qiyun Guo, Jason B. Cohen, Panmao Zhai, Xiaofeng Xu, and Fei Hu
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 16, 1–14, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1-2024, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-16-1-2024, 2024
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A global continental merged high-resolution (PBLH) dataset with good accuracy compared to radiosonde is generated via machine learning algorithms, covering the period from 2011 to 2021 with 3-hour and 0.25º resolution in space and time. The machine learning model takes parameters derived from the ERA5 reanalysis and GLDAS product as input, with PBLH biases between radiosonde and ERA5 as the learning targets. The merged PBLH is the sum of the predicted PBLH bias and the PBLH from ERA5.
Hui Xu, Jianping Guo, Bing Tong, Jinqiang Zhang, Tianmeng Chen, Xiaoran Guo, Jian Zhang, and Wenqing Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 15011–15038, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15011-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-15011-2023, 2023
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The radiative effect of cloud remains one of the largest uncertain factors in climate change, largely due to the lack of cloud vertical structure (CVS) observations. The study presents the first near-global CVS climatology using high-vertical-resolution soundings. Single-layer cloud mainly occurs over arid regions. As the number of cloud layers increases, clouds tend to have lower bases and thinner layer thicknesses. The occurrence frequency of cloud exhibits a pronounced seasonal diurnal cycle.
Boming Liu, Xin Ma, Jianping Guo, Hui Li, Shikuan Jin, Yingying Ma, and Wei Gong
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 3181–3193, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3181-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-3181-2023, 2023
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Wind energy is one of the most essential clean and renewable forms of energy in today’s world. However, the traditional power law method generally estimates the hub-height wind speed by assuming a constant exponent between surface and hub-height wind speeds. This inevitably leads to significant uncertainties in estimating the wind speed profile. To minimize the uncertainties, we here use a machine learning algorithm known as random forest to estimate the wind speed at hub height.
Seoung Soo Lee, Junshik Um, Won Jun Choi, Kyung-Ja Ha, Chang Hoon Jung, Jianping Guo, and Youtong Zheng
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 23, 273–286, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-273-2023, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-23-273-2023, 2023
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This paper elaborates on process-level mechanisms regarding how the interception of radiation by aerosols interacts with the surface heat fluxes and atmospheric instability in warm cumulus clouds. This paper elucidates how these mechanisms vary with the location or altitude of an aerosol layer. This elucidation indicates that the location of aerosol layers should be taken into account for parameterizations of aerosol–cloud interactions.
Seoung Soo Lee, Jinho Choi, Goun Kim, Kyung-Ja Ha, Kyong-Hwan Seo, Chang Hoon Jung, Junshik Um, Youtong Zheng, Jianping Guo, Sang-Keun Song, Yun Gon Lee, and Nobuyuki Utsumi
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 9059–9081, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9059-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-9059-2022, 2022
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This study investigates how aerosols affect clouds and precipitation and how the aerosol effects vary with varying types of clouds that are characterized by cloud depth in two metropolitan areas in East Asia. As cloud depth increases, the enhancement of precipitation amount transitions to no changes in precipitation amount with increasing aerosol concentrations. This indicates that cloud depth needs to be considered for a comprehensive understanding of aerosol-cloud interactions.
Peilin Song, Yongqiang Zhang, Jianping Guo, Jiancheng Shi, Tianjie Zhao, and Bing Tong
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 2613–2637, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-2613-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-2613-2022, 2022
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Soil moisture information is crucial for understanding the earth surface, but currently available satellite-based soil moisture datasets are imperfect either in their spatiotemporal resolutions or in ensuring image completeness from cloudy weather. In this study, therefore, we developed one soil moisture data product over China that has tackled most of the above problems. This data product has the potential to promote the investigation of earth hydrology and be extended to the global scale.
Kaixu Bai, Ke Li, Mingliang Ma, Kaitao Li, Zhengqiang Li, Jianping Guo, Ni-Bin Chang, Zhuo Tan, and Di Han
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 14, 907–927, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-907-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-14-907-2022, 2022
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The Long-term Gap-free High-resolution Air Pollutant concentration dataset, providing gap-free aerosol optical depth (AOD) and PM2.5 and PM10 concentration with a daily 1 km resolution for 2000–2020 in China, is generated and made publicly available. This is the first long-term gap-free high-resolution aerosol dataset in China and has great potential to trigger multidisciplinary applications in Earth observations, climate change, public health, ecosystem assessment, and environment management.
Linye Song, Shangfeng Chen, Wen Chen, Jianping Guo, Conglan Cheng, and Yong Wang
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 22, 1669–1688, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1669-2022, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-22-1669-2022, 2022
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This study shows that in most years when haze pollution (HP) over the North China Plain (NCP) is more (less) serious in winter, air conditions in the following spring are also worse (better) than normal. Conversely, there are some years when HP in the following spring is opposed to that in winter. It is found that North Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies play important roles in HP evolution over the NCP. Thus North Atlantic SST is an important preceding signal for NCP HP evolution.
Boming Liu, Jianping Guo, Wei Gong, Yong Zhang, Lijuan Shi, Yingying Ma, Jian Li, Xiaoran Guo, Ad Stoffelen, Gerrit de Leeuw, and Xiaofeng Xu
Atmos. Meas. Tech. Discuss., https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2022-26, https://doi.org/10.5194/amt-2022-26, 2022
Publication in AMT not foreseen
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Aeolus is the first satellite mission to directly observe wind profile information on a global scale. However, Aeolus wind products over China were thus far not evaluated by in-situ comparison. This work is the comparison of wind speed on a large scale between the Aeolus, ERA5 and RS , shedding important light on the data application of Aeolus wind products.
Jianping Guo, Jian Zhang, Kun Yang, Hong Liao, Shaodong Zhang, Kaiming Huang, Yanmin Lv, Jia Shao, Tao Yu, Bing Tong, Jian Li, Tianning Su, Steve H. L. Yim, Ad Stoffelen, Panmao Zhai, and Xiaofeng Xu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 17079–17097, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17079-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-17079-2021, 2021
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The planetary boundary layer (PBL) is the lowest part of the troposphere, and boundary layer height (BLH) is the depth of the PBL and is of critical importance to the dispersion of air pollution. The study presents the first near-global BLH climatology by using high-resolution (5-10 m) radiosonde measurements. The variations in BLH exhibit large spatial and temporal dependence, with a peak at 17:00 local solar time. The most promising reanalysis product is ERA-5 in terms of modeling BLH.
Seoung Soo Lee, Kyung-Ja Ha, Manguttathil Gopalakrishnan Manoj, Mohammad Kamruzzaman, Hyungjun Kim, Nobuyuki Utsumi, Youtong Zheng, Byung-Gon Kim, Chang Hoon Jung, Junshik Um, Jianping Guo, Kyoung Ock Choi, and Go-Un Kim
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 16843–16868, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16843-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-16843-2021, 2021
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Using a modeling framework, a midlatitude stratocumulus cloud system is simulated. It is found that cloud mass in the system becomes very low due to interactions between ice and liquid particles compared to that in the absence of ice particles. It is also found that interactions between cloud mass and aerosols lead to a reduction in cloud mass in the system, and this is contrary to an aerosol-induced increase in cloud mass in the absence of ice particles.
Ifeanyichukwu C. Nduka, Chi-Yung Tam, Jianping Guo, and Steve Hung Lam Yim
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 13443–13454, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13443-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-13443-2021, 2021
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This study analyzed the nature, mechanisms and drivers for hot-and-polluted episodes (HPEs) in the Pearl River Delta, China. A total of eight HPEs were identified and can be grouped into three clusters of HPEs that were respectively driven (1) by weak subsidence and convection induced by approaching tropical cyclones, (2) by calm conditions with low wind speed in the lower atmosphere and (3) by the combination of both aforementioned conditions.
Tianmeng Chen, Zhanqing Li, Ralph A. Kahn, Chuanfeng Zhao, Daniel Rosenfeld, Jianping Guo, Wenchao Han, and Dandan Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 21, 6199–6220, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6199-2021, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-21-6199-2021, 2021
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A convective cloud identification process is developed using geostationary satellite data from Himawari-8.
Convective cloud fraction is generally larger before noon and smaller in the afternoon under polluted conditions, but megacities and complex topography can influence the pattern.
A robust relationship between convective cloud and aerosol loading is found. This pattern varies with terrain height and is modulated by varying thermodynamic, dynamical, and humidity conditions during the day.
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Short summary
We propose TCKF1D-Var, a thermodynamic-constrained variational framework for ground-based microwave radiometer retrievals. Using virtual potential temperature, a ratio-based cost function, and a microphysics closure, it reduces biases relative to ERA5 and 1D-Var, improves cloud liquid water representation, and enhances heavy rainfall precursors, extending lead times. This approach strengthens continuous profiling and supports high-impact weather nowcasting.
We propose TCKF1D-Var, a thermodynamic-constrained variational framework for ground-based...
