Recent land use/land cover changes and their impact on the evolution and structure of thunderstorm in New Delhi

Abstract

Current study investigates the impact of changes in land use/land cover (Lu/Lc) on thunderstorm, the short lived convective event occurred in New Delhi. We are trying to understand the impact of urban Lu/Lc changes on the structure and evolution of severe thunderstorm activities over a short time period. Lu/Lc data from IGBP are available for the period 1992-1993 and recent period 2012-2013 Lu/Lc data are from the ISRO AWiFS satellite sensor. We have used a cloud resolving model at 1.5 km resolution embedded within a coarser resolution global model at 17 km resolution. These configurations of models are based on UK Met Office Unified Model. Recent period Lu/Lc shows an increase in urban build up and increase in bare soil fraction over Delhi region. Our result shows that the Lu/LC change can impact the low level wind and thermodynamic structure of the storm.