Circulations and Thermodynamic Characteristics of Different Patterns of Rainstorm Processes in the Eastern Foot of Helan Mountain

Based on the observational hourly precipitation data and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) reanalysis 5 (ERA5) products from 2006 to 2020, 22 rainstorm processes in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain are objectively classified through the hierarchical clustering method, and the circulation characteristics of different patterns are comparatively analyzed in this study. The results show that the occurrences of rainstorm processes in the eastern foot of Helan Mountain are most closely related to three circulation patterns. Patterns I and III mainly occur in July and August, with similar zonal circulations in synoptic backgrounds. Specifically, the South Asia high and the western Pacific subtropical high are stronger and more northward than in normal years. The frontal systems in westerlies are inactive, while the water vapor from the ocean surface in the south is mainly transported to the rainstorm area by the southerly jet stream at 700 hPa. The dynamic lifting anomalies are relatively weak, the instability of atmospheric stratification is anomalously strong, and thus the localized severe convective rainstorm is more significant. Comparatively, rainstorm processes of pattern I are accompanied by stronger and deeper ascending motions, and the warm-sector rainstorm is more extreme. Pattern III shows a stronger and deeper convective instability, accompanied by larger low-level moisture. Rainstorm processes of pattern II mainly occur in the early summer and early autumn, presenting a meridional circulation pattern of high in the east and low in the west in terms of geopotential height. Besides, the two low-level jets transporting the water vapor northward from the eastern ocean encounter with the frontal systems in westerlies, which makes the ascending motion in pattern II anomalously strong and deep. The relatively weak instability of atmospheric stratification causes weak convection and long-lasting precipitation formed by the confluence of cold air and warm air. This study is helpful to improve the forecasting ability of rainstorm in arid regions.