Numerical simulations of the heavy rain event in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea during 9–10 August 2020

Abstract

Accurate forecasting of heavy rainfalls and understanding of their dynamics are important to minimize the damage caused by them in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPR Korea). This study is conducted on a heavy rainfall event (452 mm) on 9–10 August 2020 over Pankyo region located on the midlands of the Korean peninsula. To verify the proper configuration of convection-permitting simulations, sensitivity experiments were performed with five microphysical schemes (Lin, Goddard, Thompson, Morrison and WDM6) of the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The results suggested that all high-resolution simulations reflect the main characteristics of observed precipitation pattern well, but the location and intensity of maximum precipitation from scheme to scheme. Among the considered all the microphysics, the Lin scheme showed the best agreement with observed precipitation. Results also showed that the Lin scheme reproduced the vertical distribution and time variation of several hydrometeors, as well as dynamic and thermodynamic parameters associated with heavy rainfall well. These outcomes suggest that the suitable selection of microphysics schemes with WRF model is important to predict and understand heavy rainfall events over the DPR Korea.