Analysis of a waterspout at Zhuhai, China, on June 12, 2019

摘要

This paper reports on a waterspout presiding over the Pearl River Estuary near Zhuhai, China. It is observed mainly using the terminal Doppler weather radar in Hong Kong. A slanting radar reflectivity core and airflow circulating around was seen in the vertical cross-section across the mesoscale/microscale cyclone associated with the waterspout. The vertical wind profile associated with the cyclone was analysed and found to exhibit characteristics similar to those of a tornado reported in the region in a previous study. The primary characteristic of the waterspout was a circulating flow stronger at higher levels (approximately a few kilometres above ground) than at lower levels. In terms of nowcasting, the performance of a convection-permitting numerical weather prediction model (2 km horizontal resolution) was analysed. It was found to demonstrate reasonable simulation skill for the mesoscale/microscale cyclone, although the slanting feature was not well predicted. The results of this study can serve as a useful reference for similar studies of waterspouts/tornadoes worldwide.