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Rare Winter Graupel Event in China Revealed Through Extensive Research

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

A rare short-term winter graupel event occurred at Mianyang Airport in the Sichuan Basin on January 10, 2025, with graupel particles less than 5 mm in diameter lasting approximately 3 minutes. This significant weather phenomenon was extensively studied by researchers at the Civil Aviation Flight University of China, who investigated the triggering mechanism, microphysical characteristics, and early warning applications of the process. Funded by the Fundamental Research Funds For The Central Universities and the Key Research And Development Program of Sichuan Province, this research aimed to provide a deeper understanding of the complex weather patterns that affect aviation and transportation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The research team discovered that the graupel event was triggered by the joint movement of cold air and a low-level shear line, with the northwest airflow at 500 hPa guiding the intrusion of cold advection.
  • The microphysical characteristics of the graupel particles were analyzed using dual-polarization radar, revealing a nearly spherical shape with low differential reflectivity and a high correlation coefficient.
  • The researchers identified several early warning indicators for radar systems, including bow echo, strong echo centers, echo top height, and low-level northeast wind shear, which enabled an early warning to be issued 30 minutes in advance.
  • The study concluded that this research has significant implications for low-altitude meteorological guarantee at airports, providing valuable insights for future weather forecasting and warning systems.
  • The research team also highlighted the importance of understanding the differences between summer severe convection and winter graupel events, noting that the former relies on deep thermal instability while the latter is supported by shallow convection.

Statistics:

  • The graupel particles had a diameter of less than 5 mm and lasted approximately 3 minutes.
  • The 0°C layer was located at 850 hPa, and the high-humidity area at 700 hPa provided supercooled water vapor.
  • Dual-polarization radar showed a correlation coefficient of 0.9, indicating a high degree of accuracy in the analysis.
  • The research used data from surface observations, dual-polarization radar, and reanalysis data to study the graupel event.
  • The study was funded by the Fundamental Research Funds For The Central Universities and the Key Research And Development Program of Sichuan Province.

Sources:

  • "Study on the Mesoscale Characteristics and Formation Causes of a Graupel Process at Mianyang Airport in Winter." Advances in Meteorology, 2025, 2025.
  • "NewsRx. New Findings from Civil Aviation Flight University of China in the Area of Meteorology Described (Study on the Mesoscale Characteristics and Formation Causes of a Graupel Process at Mianyang Airport in Winter)." Science Letter, October 17, 2025; p 1000.

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