Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024

Based on conventional upper-air and surface observations, S-band dual-polarization radar data, cloud ground lightning positioning data, ERA5 reanalysis data (0.25°×0.25°), environmental conditions, evolution characteristics, structure and mechanism of the strong squall line process in Zhejiang on 25...

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Main Authors: Shen Xiaoling, Sang Minghui, Zhang Cheng, Wu Zhuoheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Editorial Office of Journal of Applied Meteorological Science 2025-07-01
Series:应用气象学报
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Online Access:http://qikan.camscma.cn/en/article/doi/10.11898/1001-7313.20250406
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author Shen Xiaoling
Sang Minghui
Zhang Cheng
Wu Zhuoheng
author_facet Shen Xiaoling
Sang Minghui
Zhang Cheng
Wu Zhuoheng
author_sort Shen Xiaoling
collection DOAJ
description Based on conventional upper-air and surface observations, S-band dual-polarization radar data, cloud ground lightning positioning data, ERA5 reanalysis data (0.25°×0.25°), environmental conditions, evolution characteristics, structure and mechanism of the strong squall line process in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024 are analyzed. Main conclusions are as follows: With a trough at 500 hPa, Ⅴ-shaped shear at 850-925 hPa level and strong cold front on the ground, the initial convection is triggered within the strong convergence zone on the ground convergence line before cold front. Under favorable conditions such as strong upper-level westerly jet stream, strong low-level southwest jet stream, moderate unstable layering conditions and strong vertical wind shear of 0-3 km and 0-6 km, multiple isolated convective cells develop strongly and organize into the squall line. The primary cause for the development and maintenance of this squall line is its self-organizing structure, characterized by strong thunderstorm-induced high pressure and a cold pool. In the mature stage, the β mesoscale squall line merges with supercell A, resulting in the formation of the α mesoscale squall line. The surface cold outflow formed by the squall line confront the southwest wind ahead, creates a frontogenesis which continuously lifts the warm and humid airflow in front of it, stacks the convergence and uplift effect, and leads to the development of cells into supercells. At the same time, there is a significant angle between low-level vertical wind shear and the squall line, which facilitates the continuous uplift of low-level vertical airflow and supports the long-term development and maintenance of supercells. During the phase transition of water vapor within supercells, significant heat absorption leads to a sharp cooling of the atmosphere and the formation of a strong downdraft. Combined with the descending airflow generated by the inflow from the rear, the surface temperature decreases significantly, thereby intensifying the cold pool at the ground. The strengthening of cold pool facilitates the formation and development of the inflow jet stream from the rear, thereby promoting the emergence and strengthening of squall lines. Extreme winds exceeding level 12 primarily occur during the mature stage of squall lines. Supercell A experiences extreme winds of level 12 or above both before merging into the squall line and during its weakening phase. The former is mainly caused by strong downdrafts with features such as mid-level echo overhang and bounded weak echo area, while the latter is induced by combined effects of strong downdrafts and momentum transfer mechanisms with features disappearing.
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spelling doaj-art-e74ca54794bb4e27bf506c0079f99dcb2025-08-20T03:16:29ZengEditorial Office of Journal of Applied Meteorological Science应用气象学报1001-73132025-07-0136445646710.11898/1001-7313.20250406yyqxxb-36-4-456Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024Shen Xiaoling0Sang Minghui1Zhang Cheng2Wu Zhuoheng3Shaoxing Meteorological Bureau of Zhejiang, Shaoxing 312000Shaoxing Disaster Prevention and Reduction Center of Zhejiang, Shaoxing 312000Shaoxing Meteorological Bureau of Zhejiang, Shaoxing 312000Shaoxing Meteorological Bureau of Zhejiang, Shaoxing 312000Based on conventional upper-air and surface observations, S-band dual-polarization radar data, cloud ground lightning positioning data, ERA5 reanalysis data (0.25°×0.25°), environmental conditions, evolution characteristics, structure and mechanism of the strong squall line process in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024 are analyzed. Main conclusions are as follows: With a trough at 500 hPa, Ⅴ-shaped shear at 850-925 hPa level and strong cold front on the ground, the initial convection is triggered within the strong convergence zone on the ground convergence line before cold front. Under favorable conditions such as strong upper-level westerly jet stream, strong low-level southwest jet stream, moderate unstable layering conditions and strong vertical wind shear of 0-3 km and 0-6 km, multiple isolated convective cells develop strongly and organize into the squall line. The primary cause for the development and maintenance of this squall line is its self-organizing structure, characterized by strong thunderstorm-induced high pressure and a cold pool. In the mature stage, the β mesoscale squall line merges with supercell A, resulting in the formation of the α mesoscale squall line. The surface cold outflow formed by the squall line confront the southwest wind ahead, creates a frontogenesis which continuously lifts the warm and humid airflow in front of it, stacks the convergence and uplift effect, and leads to the development of cells into supercells. At the same time, there is a significant angle between low-level vertical wind shear and the squall line, which facilitates the continuous uplift of low-level vertical airflow and supports the long-term development and maintenance of supercells. During the phase transition of water vapor within supercells, significant heat absorption leads to a sharp cooling of the atmosphere and the formation of a strong downdraft. Combined with the descending airflow generated by the inflow from the rear, the surface temperature decreases significantly, thereby intensifying the cold pool at the ground. The strengthening of cold pool facilitates the formation and development of the inflow jet stream from the rear, thereby promoting the emergence and strengthening of squall lines. Extreme winds exceeding level 12 primarily occur during the mature stage of squall lines. Supercell A experiences extreme winds of level 12 or above both before merging into the squall line and during its weakening phase. The former is mainly caused by strong downdrafts with features such as mid-level echo overhang and bounded weak echo area, while the latter is induced by combined effects of strong downdrafts and momentum transfer mechanisms with features disappearing.http://qikan.camscma.cn/en/article/doi/10.11898/1001-7313.20250406squall lineextreme windsthunder storm-induced high pressurecold pool
spellingShingle Shen Xiaoling
Sang Minghui
Zhang Cheng
Wu Zhuoheng
Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024
应用气象学报
squall line
extreme winds
thunder storm-induced high pressure
cold pool
title Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024
title_full Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024
title_fullStr Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024
title_full_unstemmed Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024
title_short Evolution and Mechanism of Strong Squall Line Occurred in Zhejiang on 25 March 2024
title_sort evolution and mechanism of strong squall line occurred in zhejiang on 25 march 2024
topic squall line
extreme winds
thunder storm-induced high pressure
cold pool
url http://qikan.camscma.cn/en/article/doi/10.11898/1001-7313.20250406
work_keys_str_mv AT shenxiaoling evolutionandmechanismofstrongsqualllineoccurredinzhejiangon25march2024
AT sangminghui evolutionandmechanismofstrongsqualllineoccurredinzhejiangon25march2024
AT zhangcheng evolutionandmechanismofstrongsqualllineoccurredinzhejiangon25march2024
AT wuzhuoheng evolutionandmechanismofstrongsqualllineoccurredinzhejiangon25march2024