• Atmosphere
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2012

The Atmospheric motion vectors (AMVs) derived using infrared (IR) channel imagery of geostationary satellites have been utilized widely for real-time weather analysis and data assimilation into global numerical prediction model. As the horizontal resolution of sensors on-board satellites gets higher, it becomes possible to identify atmospheric motions induced by convective clouds ($meso-{\beta}$ and $meso-{\gamma}$ scales). The National Institute of Meteorological Research (NIMR) developed the high resolution visible (HRV) AMV algorithm to detect mesoscale atmospheric motions including ageostrophic flows. To retrieve atmospheric motions smaller than $meso-{\beta}$ scale effectively, the target size is reduced and the visible channel imagery of geostationary satellite with 1 km resolution is used. For the accurate AMVs, optimal conditions are decided by investigating sensitivity of algorithm to target selection and correction method of height assignment. The results show that the optimal conditions are target size of 32 km ${\times}$ 32 km, the grid interval as same as target size, and the optimal target selection method. The HRV AMVs derived with these conditions depict more effectively tropical cyclone OMAIS than IR AMVs and the mean speed of HRV AMVs in OMAIS is slightly faster than that of IR AMVs. Optimized mesoscale AMVs are derived for 6 months (Feb. 2010-Jun. 2010) and validated with radiosonde observations, which indicates NIMR's HRV AMV algorithm can retrieve successfully mesoscale atmospheric motions.

• Atmosphere
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2020

This study analyzed and compared development mechanisms leading to heat waves of 2016 and 2018 in Korea. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis Interim (ERA Interim) dataset and Automated Surface Observing System data are used for synoptic scale analysis. The synoptic conditions are investigated using geopotential height, temperature, equivalent potential temperature, thickness, potential vorticity, omega, outgoing longwave radiation, and blocking index, etc. Heat waves in South Korea occur in relation to Western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH) pressure system which moves northwestward to East Asia during summer season. Especially in 2018, WNPSH intensified due to strong large-scale circulation associated with convective activities in the Philippine Sea, and moved farther north to Korea when compared to 2016. In addition, the Tibetan high near the tropopause settled over Northern China on top of WNPSH creating a very strong anticyclonic structure in the upper-level over the Korean Peninsula. Unlike 2018, WNPSH was weaker and centered over the East China Sea in 2016. Analysis of blocking indices show wide blocking phenomena over the North Pacific and the Eurasian continent during heat wave event in both years. The strong upper-level ridge which was positioned zonally near 60°N, made the WNPSH over the South Korea stagnant in both years. Analysis of heat wave intensity (HWI) and duration (HWD) show that HWI and HWD in 2018 was both strong leading to extreme high temperatures. In 2016 however, HWI was relatively weak compared to HWD. The longevity of HWD is attributed to atmosphere blocking in the surrounding Eurasian continent.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.44 no.6
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• pp.578-593
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• 2023

Intense convective activity and heavy precipitation inundated Seoul and its metropolitan area on July 15, 2017. This study investigated the synoptic-scale meteorological drivers of cold cloud genesis of this event. The WRF-Chem (Weather Research and Forecasting model coupled with Chemistry) model was employed to explore the intricate interplay between meteorological factors and the indirect effects of PM_2.5 aerosols originating from eastern China. The PM_2.5 aerosols' indirect effect was quantified by contrasting outcomes between the comprehensive Aerosol Radiation Interaction experiment (encompassing aerosol radiation feedback, cloud chemistry processes, and wet scavenging in the WRF-Chem model) and ACR (Aerosol Cloud Radiation interaction) experiment. The ACR experiment specifically excluded aerosol radiation feedback while incorporating only cloud chemistry processes and wet scavenging. Results indicated that in the early hours of July 15, 2017, a convergence of warm, moisture-laden airflow originating from southeast China and the East China Sea unfolded over the Yellow Sea. This convergence was driven by the juxtaposition of a low-pressure system over the Chinese mainland and Northwest Pacific high. Notably, at approximately 12 km altitude, the resultant convective clouds were characterized by the presence of ice crystals, a hallmark of continental-origin cold clouds. The WRF-Chem model simulations elucidated the role of PM_2.5 aerosols from eastern China, attributing 5.7, 10.4, and 10.8% to cloud water, ice crystal column, and liquid water column formation, respectively, within the developing cold clouds. Thus, this study presented a meteorological mechanism elucidating the formation of deep convective clouds over the Yellow Sea and the indirect effects of PM_2.5 aerosols originating from eastern China.

• Atmosphere
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2013

To investigate properties of cloud and rainfall occurred at Boseong on 10 July 2012, Raindrop Size distributions (RSDs) and other parameters were analyzed using observation data collected by Micro Rain Radar (MRR) and PARticle SIze and VELocity (PARSIVEL) disdrometer located in the National center for intensive observation of severe weather at Boseong in the southwest of the Korean peninsula. In addition, time series of RSD parameters, relationship between reflectivity-rain rate, and vertical variation of rain rates-fall velocities below melting layer were examined. As a result, good agreements were found in the reflectivity-rain rate time series as well as their power relationships between MRR and PARSIVEL disdrometer. The rain rate was proportional to reflectivity, mean diameter, and inversely proportional to shape (${\mu}$), slope (${\Lambda}$), intercept ($N_0$) parameter of RSD. In comparison of the RSD, as rain rate was increased, the slope of RSD became less steep and the mean diameter became larger. Also, it was verified that reflectivities are classified in three categories (Category 1: Z (reflectivity) > 40 dBZ, Category 2: 30 dBZ < Z < 40 dBZ, Category 3: Z < 30 dBZ). As reflectivity was increased, rain rate was intensified and larger raindrops were existed, while reflectivity was decreased, shape (${\mu}$), slope (${\Lambda}$), intercept ($N_0$) parameter of RSD were increased. We expected that these results will lead to better understanding of microphysical process in convective rainfall system occurred during short-term period over Korean peninsula.

• Atmosphere
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.441-458
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• 2008

A TP/WVP-3000A, ground-based microwave radiometer, that was first introduced to South Korea has been operated since August 22, 2007 at the National Center for Intensive Observation of Severe Weathers (NCIO). Using the dual-band, the radiometer provides temperature and humidity soundings from the surface up to 10 km height with the high-temporal resolution of a few minutes. In this study, the performance of the radiometer on the predictability of the high impact weathers was evaluated and various practical applications were investigated. To verify the retrieved profile data from the radiometer, temperature and relative humidity soundings are compared with those from the rawinsonde launched at the NCIO and Gwangju station. The root mean squared errors for temperature and relative humidity soundings were smaller under rainy weather conditions. The correlation coefficient between PWVs (Precipitable Water Vapors) obtained from the radiometer and Global Positioning System satellite at Mokpo station is 0.92 on average. In order to investigate the structure and characteristics of precipitation, stability indexes related to rainfall such as the Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), K-index, and Storm RElative Helicity (SREH) were calculated using windprofiler at the NCIO from 14 to 16 September, 2007. CAPE and K-index tended to be large when the thermodynamic unstability was strong. On the other hand, SREH index was dominantly large when the dynamic unstability was strong due to the passage of the typhoon 'Nari'.

• Journal of Environmental Science International
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• v.28 no.12
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• pp.1133-1145
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• 2019

Successful launch requires state-of-the-art launch vehicle technology and constant test operations, However, the meteorological threat to the launch vehicle flight trajectory is also an important factor for launch success. Atmospheric stability above the Naro Space Center at the this time is very important, especially because the initial flight operation can determine the success of the launch. Moreover, during the flight of launch vehicle with rapid pressure and thrust into the atmosphere, convection activity in the atmosphere may create environmental conditions that cause severe weather threats such as thunderstorms. Hence, studies of atmospheric instability characteristics over the Naro Space Center are a necessary part of successful launch missions. Therefore, the main aims of this study were to (1) verify the atmospheric stability index and convection activity characteristics over the Naro Space Center using radiosonde data observed from 2007 to 2018 by the Naro Space Center, (2) analyze changes in the atmospheric stability index according to monthly and seasonal changes, and (3) assess how the calculated atmospheric stability index is related to actual thunderstorm occurrence using statistical analysis. Additionally, we aimed to investigate the atmospheric characteristics above the Naro Space Center through the distribution chart of the atmospheric stability index during summer, when convection activity is highest. Finally, we assessed the relationship between lightning occurrence and unstable atmospheric conditions, through predictability analysis performed using the lightning observation data of the Korea Meteorological Administration.

• Atmosphere
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.37-47
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• 2010

The methods measuring the precipitation drop size distribution(hereafter referred to as DSD) at Cloud Physics Observation System (CPOS) in Daegwallyeong are to use PARSIVEL (PARticle SIze and VELocity) disdrometer (hereafter referred to as PARSIVEL) and Micro Rain Radar (hereafter referred to as MRR). First of all, PARSIVEL and MRR give good correlation coefficients between their rain rates and those of rain gage: $R^2=0.93$ and 0.91, respectively. For the DSD, the rain rates are classified in 3 categories (Category 1: rr (Rain Rate) ${\leq}0.5\;mm\;h^{-1}$, Category 2: $0.5\;mm\;h^-1$ < rr < $4.0\;mm\;h^{-1}$, Category 3: rr ${\geq}4\;mm\;h^{-1}$). The shapes of PARSIVEL and MRR DSD are relatively most similar in category 2. In addition, we retrieve the vertical rain rate and liquid water content from MRR under melting layer, calculated by Cha et al's method, in Daegwallyeong ($37^{\circ}41{\prime}N$, $128^{\circ}45^{\prime}E$, 843 m ASL, mountain area) and Haenam ($34^{\circ}33^{\prime}N$, $126^{\circ}34^{\prime}E$, 4.6 m ASL, coast area). The vertical variations of rain rate and liquid water content in Daegwallyeong are smaller than those in Haenam. We think that this different vertical rain rate characteristic for both sites is due to the vertical different cloud type (convective and stratiform cloud seem dominant at Haenam and Daegwallyeong, respectively). This suggests that the statistical precipitation DSD model, for the application of weather radar and numerical simulation of precipitation processes, be considered differently for the region, which will be performed in near future.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.219-232
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• 2012

The intensive observation (ProbeX-2010) was performed to investigate an urban effect on summer rainfall over the Seoul metropolitan area from 13 August to 3 September 2010. Two kinds of urban effect were detected. First, weak rainfall (${\leq}1\;mm\;hr^{-1}$) was observed more frequently in the downwind area of Seoul than any other area of the country. The high frequency of weak rainfall in the downwind area was also confirmed from the recent five years of observational data (2006-2010). Because the high frequency was more apparent in mountainous regions during nighttime, the weak rainfall seems to be caused by a combined effect of urbanization and topography. Second, sporadically, a convective system was developed rapidly in the downwind area of Seoul, causing heavy rainfall (${\geq}10\;mm\;hr^{-1}$). It can be most clearly seen in series of radar images around 1300-1500 KST 27 August 2010. We investigated in detail the synoptic and local weather and upper air conditions. As a result, not only urban-induced high sensible heat but also conditionally unstable atmosphere (especially unstable in low level) and low level moisture were pointed out as important factors that contributed to urban-induced heavy rainfall.