Effects of Aerosols on Intensifying Winter Hailstorms in North India's Semiarid Regions: Insights from Convection-Permitting Simulations.
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| Title: | Effects of Aerosols on Intensifying Winter Hailstorms in North India's Semiarid Regions: Insights from Convection-Permitting Simulations. |
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| Authors: | Konduru, Rakesh Teja1 (AUTHOR) rakeshtejak@gmail.com, Gupta, Anu2 (AUTHOR), Srivastava, Atul Kumar3 (AUTHOR), Singh, Vivek3 (AUTHOR), Kanawade, Vijay P.4 (AUTHOR), Sarangi, Chandan5 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Hydrometeorology. Jan2026, Vol. 27 Issue 1, p107-128. 22p. |
| Subjects: | Aerosols, Hailstorms, Arid regions, Cold weather conditions, Atmospheric models, Ecological impact, Extreme weather |
| Geographic Terms: | India, North India |
| Abstract: | Over the past two decades, the northwestern and northern India semiarid regions have experienced widespread hail events during the winter season, which can adversely impact agriculture and lead to economic losses. While rainfall and snow events over north India are typical, the occurrence of intensified hail events in winter is unique and requires an understanding of their intensification mechanism and prediction. In this study, we examined the role of winter aerosols in enhancing rainfall and hail processes and the associated mechanisms. The hail and rainfall processes are triggered by the storm system associated with the western disturbance (WD). Satellite observations indicated that the aerosols in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) were transported toward northwest India, and this transport was instigated by the WD-associated wind circulation. The transported aerosols induce aerosol radiative effects by warming (cooling) the atmosphere above (below) the aerosol layer. In response to the warming of the aerosol layer, cyclonic circulation aloft intensifies to enhance moisture convergence, leading to an increased concentration of cloud droplets and ice particles. Using 3-km high-resolution convection-allowing simulations, we explored the implications of aerosol radiative effects in winter on hail formation. Our model experiments show an increase in the rainfall and hail with an increase in aerosol concentration over north India. As a result, the radiative effect of aerosols boosts the atmospheric circulations associated with WDs, which in turn affects the intensity and dynamics of extreme weather events like hailstorms. Significance Statement: Over the past two decades, semiarid regions of northwestern and northern India have experienced intensified winter hailstorms, significantly impacting agriculture and causing economic losses. This study explores the role of winter aerosols in enhancing these hail events. Satellite observations reveal that aerosols from the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) are transported to northwest India by wind circulations associated with western disturbances (WDs). These aerosols warm the atmosphere above the aerosol layer, intensifying cyclonic circulation and moisture convergence, thus increasing cloud droplet and ice particle concentrations. High-resolution simulations demonstrate an increase in rainfall and hail with rising aerosol levels, highlighting how aerosol radiative effects enhance atmospheric circulations linked to WDs and intensify extreme weather events like hailstorms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Over the past two decades, the northwestern and northern India semiarid regions have experienced widespread hail events during the winter season, which can adversely impact agriculture and lead to economic losses. While rainfall and snow events over north India are typical, the occurrence of intensified hail events in winter is unique and requires an understanding of their intensification mechanism and prediction. In this study, we examined the role of winter aerosols in enhancing rainfall and hail processes and the associated mechanisms. The hail and rainfall processes are triggered by the storm system associated with the western disturbance (WD). Satellite observations indicated that the aerosols in the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) were transported toward northwest India, and this transport was instigated by the WD-associated wind circulation. The transported aerosols induce aerosol radiative effects by warming (cooling) the atmosphere above (below) the aerosol layer. In response to the warming of the aerosol layer, cyclonic circulation aloft intensifies to enhance moisture convergence, leading to an increased concentration of cloud droplets and ice particles. Using 3-km high-resolution convection-allowing simulations, we explored the implications of aerosol radiative effects in winter on hail formation. Our model experiments show an increase in the rainfall and hail with an increase in aerosol concentration over north India. As a result, the radiative effect of aerosols boosts the atmospheric circulations associated with WDs, which in turn affects the intensity and dynamics of extreme weather events like hailstorms. Significance Statement: Over the past two decades, semiarid regions of northwestern and northern India have experienced intensified winter hailstorms, significantly impacting agriculture and causing economic losses. This study explores the role of winter aerosols in enhancing these hail events. Satellite observations reveal that aerosols from the Indo-Gangetic Plains (IGP) are transported to northwest India by wind circulations associated with western disturbances (WDs). These aerosols warm the atmosphere above the aerosol layer, intensifying cyclonic circulation and moisture convergence, thus increasing cloud droplet and ice particle concentrations. High-resolution simulations demonstrate an increase in rainfall and hail with rising aerosol levels, highlighting how aerosol radiative effects enhance atmospheric circulations linked to WDs and intensify extreme weather events like hailstorms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 1525755X |
| DOI: | 10.1175/JHM-D-24-0073.1 |
