• Proceedings of the KSRS Conference
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• 2006.03a
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• pp.117-120
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• 2006

Heavy rainfall events are occurred exceedingly various forms by a complex interaction between synoptic, dynamic and atmospheric stability. As the results, quantitative precipitation forecast is extraordinary difficult because it happens locally in a short time and has a strong spatial and temporal variations. GOES-9 imagery data provides continuous observations of the clouds in time and space at the right resolution. In this study, an power-law type algorithm(KAE: Korea auto estimator) for estimating rainfall based on the rainfall type was developed using geostationary meteorological satellite data. GOES-9 imagery and automatic weather station(AWS) measurements data were used for the classification of rainfall types and the development of estimation algorithm. Subjective and objective classification of rainfall types using GOES-9 imagery data and AWS measurements data showed that most of heavy rainfalls are occurred by the convective and mired type. Statistical analysis between AWS rainfall and GOES-IR data according to the rainfall types showed that estimation of rainfall amount using satellite data could be possible only for the convective and mixed type rainfall. The quality of KAE in estimating the rainfall amount and rainfall area is similar or slightly superior to the National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service's auto-estimator(NESDIS AE), especially for the multi cell convective and mixed type heavy rainfalls. Also the high estimated level is denoted on the mature stage as well as decaying stages of rainfall system.

• Atmosphere
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.325-342
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• 2019

Precipitation and no-precipitation events under the influence of the Siberian high pressure system in Yeondong region, were analysed and classified as four types [obvious precipitation event (OP) type, obvious no-precipitation event (ON) type, ambiguous precipitation event (AP) type and ambiguous no-precipitation event (AN) type], according to the easiness in determining whether to have precipitation or not in Yeongdong region, to help in improving the forecast skill. Concerning the synoptic pressure pattern, for OP type, the ridge of Siberian high extends from Lake Baikal toward Northeast China, and there is a northerly wind upstream of the northern mountain complex (located near the Korean-Chinese border). On the other hand, for ON type, the ridge of Siberian high extends southeastward from Lake Baikal, and there is a westerly wind upstream of the northern mountain complex. The pressure pattern of AP type was similar to the OP type and that of AN type was also similar to ON type. Thus it was difficult to differentiate AP type and OP type and AN type and ON type based on the synoptic pressure pattern only. The four types were determined by U (wind speed normal to the Taebaek mountains) and Froude number (FN). That is, for OP type, average FN and U at Yeongdong coast are ~2.0 and ${\sim}6m\;s^{-1}$, and those at Yeongseo region are 0.0 and $0.1m\;s^{-1}$, respectively. On the contrary, for ON type, average FN and U at Yeongdong coast are 0.0 and $0.2m\;s^{-1}$, and those at Yeongseo region are ~1.0 and ${\sim}4m\;s^{-1}$, respectively. For AP type, average FN and U at Yeongdong coast are ~1.0 and ${\sim}4m\;s^{-1}$, and those at Yeongseo region are 0.0 and $0.2m\;s^{-1}$, whereas for AN type, average FN and U at Yeongdong coast are 0.1 and $0.6m\;s^{-1}$ and those at Yeongseo region are ~1.0 and ${\sim}3m\;s^{-1}$, respectively. Based on the result, a schematic diagram for each type was suggested.

• Journal of Environmental Impact Assessment
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.533-542
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• 2007

The general characteristics of fine particle and meteorological analysis of high $PM_{10}$ concentration day which was over $100{\mu}g/m^3$ in busan were investigated for period of 2002 to 2006. Annual mean concentration including Asian dust day was $68.7{\mu}g/m^3$ in 2002, $54.6{\mu}g/m^3$ in 2003, $60.4{\mu}g/m^3$ in 2004, $58.3{\mu}g/m^3$ in 2005 and $58.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in 2006, respectively. Seasonal mean concentration was $73.4{\mu}g/m^3$ in Springtime, $56.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in Summertime, $55.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in Wintertime and $54.4{\mu}g/m^3$ in Falltime, respectively. Mean concentration for land use was 69.2 $37.0{\mu}g/m^3$ in industrial area, 64.2 $35.5{\mu}g/m^3$ in rural area, 62.6 $34.4{\mu}g/m^3$ in commercial area and 55.3 $33.8{\mu}g/m^3$ in residential area, respectively. Frequency of synoptic pattern for high $PM_{10}$ concentration day was 18 days(16.7%) in I type, 27 days(25.0%) in II type, 10 days(9.3%) in III type, 5 days(4.6%) in IV type, 13 days(12.0%) in V type and 29 days (26.9%) in VI type, respectively. Frequency of long range transport sector for high $PM_{10}$ concentration day was 9 days(8.3%) in I type, 64 days(59.5%) in II type, 34 days(31.5%) in III type, 1 days in IV type, 0 days, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.40 no.6
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• pp.572-583
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• 2019

In this study, the atmospheric vertical structure (AVS) associated with summertime (June, July, and August) heavy rainfall in Seoul was classified into three patterns (Loaded Gun: L, Inverted V: IV, and Thin Tube: TT) using rawinsonde soundings launched at Osan from 2009 to 2018. The characteristics of classified AVS and precipitation property were analyzed. Occurrence frequencies in each type were 34.7% (TT-type), 20.4% (IV-type), 20.4% (LG-type), and 24.5% (Other-type), respectively. The mean value of Convective Available Potential Energy (1131.1 J kg^-1) for LG-types and Storm Relative Helicity (357.6 ㎡s^-2) for TT-types was about 2 times higher than that of other types, which seems to be the difference in the mechanism of convection at the low level atmosphere. The composited synoptic fields in all cases showed a pattern that warm and humid southwesterly wind flows into the Korean Peninsula. In the cases of TT-type, the low pressure center (at 850 hPa) was followed by the trough in upper-level (at 500 hPa) as the typical pattern of a low pressure deepening. The TT-type was strongly influenced by the low level jet (at 850 hPa), showing a pattern of connecting the upper- and low-level jets. The result of analysis indicated that precipitation was intensified in the first half of all types. IV-type precipitation induced by thermal instability tended to last for a short term period with strong precipitation intensity, while TT-type by mechanical instability showed weak precipitation over a long term period.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.514-523
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• 2021

Using the precipitation data observed at the Gochang Standard Weather Observatory (GSWO) during the winter seasons from 2014 to 2016, we analyzed the precipitation characteristics of the winter observation environment. For this study, we used four different types of precipitation gauges, i.e., No Shield (NS), Single Alter (SA), Double Fence Intercomparison Reference (DFIR), and Pit Gauge (PG). We analyzed the data from each to find differences in the accumulated precipitation, characteristics of the precipitation type, and the catch efficiency according to the wind speed based on the DFIR. We then classified these into three precipitation types, i.e., rain, mixed precipitation, and snow, according to temperature data from Gochang's Automated Synoptic Observing System (ASOS). We considered the DFIR to be the standard precipitation gauge for our analysis and the cumulative winter precipitation recorded by each other gauge compared to the DFIR data in the following order (from the most to least similar): SA, NS, and PG. As such, we find that the SA gauge is the most accurate when compared to the standard precipitation gauge used (DFIR), and the PG system is inappropriate for winter observations.

• Atmosphere
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.31-49
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• 2015

From the hourly data of 75 Korean weather stations over a 12-year period (2001~2012), this study has chosen three cases (January 12, 2006; January 11, 2008; and February 22, 2009) of multiple freezing rains and investigated the atmospheric circulations that seemed to cause the events. As a result, the receding high pressure type (2006), prevailing high pressure type (2008), and warm front type (2009) are confirmed as synoptic patterns. In all three cases, freezing rain was found in regions with a strong ascending current near the end point of a low-level jet that carried the warm humid air from low latitudes. The strong ascending current resulted from lower-level convergence and upper-level divergence. In 2006 and 2009, the melting process was confirmed. In 2008, the supercooled warm rain process (SWRP) was confirmed. In contrast to existing SWRP theory, it was found that the cool air produced at the middle atmosphere and near the earth's surface led to the formation of freezing rain. The sources of this cool air were supposed to be the evaporative latent heat and the cold advection coming from the northeast. On the other hand, a special case was detected, in which the freezing rain occurred when both the soil surface temperature and surface air temperature were above $0^{\circ}C$. The thickness distributions related to freezing rain in Korea were found to be similar to those in North America. A P-type nomogram was considered for freezing rain forecasting; however, it was not relevant enough to Korea, and few modifications were needed.

• Journal of Integrative Natural Science
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.44-57
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• 2011

In general, heavy rainfall in Korea is mostly associated with inflow of 850hPa low-level jet. It transports abundant heat and moisture flux to the Changma front. In this study, synoptic characteristics of heavy rainfall in Korea from a case study is examined by classifying heavy rainfall cases with synoptic patterns, in particular distribution of upper- and low-level jets, western North Pacific high, and moisture flux. The surface and upper-level weather charts including auxiliary analysis chart and radar and satellite images obtained from the Korea Meteorological Administration, and 500hPa geopotential heights from NCEP/NCAR are used and then KLAPS is applied to understand the local atmospheric structure associated with heavy rainfall. Results show that maximum frequency in 60 heavy rainfall cases with more than 150mm/day appears in the Changma type of 43 cases (a proportion in relation to a whole is 52%) including the combined Changma types with typhoon and cyclone. As indicated in previous studies, most heavy rainfall cases are related to inflow of low-level jet. In addition, synoptic characteristics based on the analyses of weather charts, radar and satellite images, and KLAPS in heavy rainfall case of 12 July, 2009 reveal that the atmospheric vertical structure in particular equivalent potential temperature favorable for effective inflow of warm and moist southwesterly into the Changma front is linked to large potential instability and the strong convergence accompanied with low-level jet around Suwon contributes to atmospheric upsliding along the Changma front, producing heavy rainfall.

• Atmosphere
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.19-33
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• 2016

Water vapor in the atmosphere is an important element that generates various meteorological phenomena and modifies a hydrological cycle. In general, the Yeongdong region has a lot of snow compared to the other regions in winter due to the complex topography and an adjacent East Sea. However, the phase change from water vapor to ice cloud and further snowfall has little been examined in detail. Therefore, in this study, we investigated phase change of liquid water in terms of a quantitative budget as well as time lag of water vapor conversion to snowfall in the ESSAY (Experiment on Snow Storms At Yeongdong) campaign that had been carried out from 2012 to 2015. First, we classified 3 distinctive synoptic patterns such as Low Crossing, Low Passing, and Stagnation. In general, the amount of water vapor of Low Crossing is highest, and Low Passing, Stagnation in order. The snowfall intensity of Stagnation is highest, whereas that of Low Crossing is the lowest, when a sharp increase in water vapor and accordingly a following increase in precipitation are shown with the remarkable time lag. Interestingly, the conversion rate of water vapor to snowfall seems to be higher (about 10%) in case of the Stagnation type in comparison with the other types at Bukgangneung, which appears to be attributable to significant cooling caused by cold surge in the lower atmosphere. Although the snowfall is generally preceded by an increase in water vapor, its amount converted into the snowfall is also controlled by the atmosphere condition such as temperature, super-saturation, etc. These results would be a fundamental resource for an improvement of snowfall forecast in the Yeongdong region and the successful experiment of weather modification in the near future.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.109-120
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• 2010

Heat wave is a disaster, which increases morbidity and mortality in temperate regions. Climate model results indicate that both intensity and frequency of heat wave in the future will be increased. This study shows the result about relationship between excess mortality and offensive airmass in 7 metropolitan cities, and an operational Heat-Health Warning System (HHWS) in Korea. Using meteorological observations, the Spatial Synoptic Classification (SSC) has been used to classify each summer day from 1982 to 2007 into specific airmass categories for each city. Through the comparative study analysis of the daily airmass type and the corresponding daily mortality rate, Dry Tropical (DT), and Moist Tropical plus (MT+) were identified as the most offensive airmasses with the highest rates of mortality. Therefore, using the multiple linear regression, forecast algorithm was produced to predict the number of the excess deaths that will occur with each occurrence of the DT and MT+ days. Moreover, each excess death forecast algorithm was implemented for the system warning criteria based on the regional acclimatization differences. HHWS will give warnings to the city's residents under offensive weather situations which can lead to deterioration in public health, under the climate change.

• Atmosphere
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2006

A classification of snowfall type based on development mechanism is proposed using previous snowfall studies, operational experiences, etc. Five types are proposed: snowfall caused by 1) airmass transformation (AT type), 2) terrain effects in a situation of expanding Siberian High (TE type), 3) precipitation systems associated with extratropical cyclones (EC type), 4) indirect effects of extratropical cyclones passing over the sea to the south of the Korean peninsula (ECS type), and 5) combined effects of TE and ECS types (COM type). Snowfall events during 1981-2001 are classified according to the 5 types mentioned above. For this, 118 events, with at least one station with daily snowfall depth greater than 20 cm, are selected. For the classification, synoptic weather charts, satellite images, and precipitation data are used. For TE and COM types, local sea-level pressure chart is also used to confirm the presence of condition for TE type (this is done for events in 1990 and thereafter). The classification shows that 109 out of 118 events can be classified as one of the 5 types. In the remaining 8 events, heavy snowfall occurred only in Ullung Island. Its occurrence may be due to one or more of the following mechanism: airmass transformation, mesoscale cyclones and/or mesoscale convergence over the East Sea, etc. Each type shows different characteristics in location of snowfall and composition of precipitation (i.e., dry snow, rain, and mixed precipitation). The AT-type snowfall occurs mostly in the west coast, Jeju and Ullung Islands whereas the TE-type snowfall occurs in the East coast especially over the Young Dong area. The ECS-type snowfall occurs mostly over the southern part of the peninsula and some east cost area (sometimes, whole south Korea depending on the location of cyclones). The EC- and COM-type snowfalls occur in wider area, often whole south Korea. Precipitation composition also varies with the type. The AT-type has a snow ratio (SR) higher than the mean value. The TE- and EC-type have SR similar to the mean. The ECS- and COM-type have SR values smaller than the mean. Generally the SR values at high latitude and mountainous areas are higher than those at the other areas. The SR value informs the characteristics of the precipitation composition. An SR value larger than 10 means that all precipitation is composed of snow whereas a zero SR value means that all precipitation is composed of rain.