South China Heavy Rainfall Experiments (SCHeREX)

The South China Heavy Rainfall Experiments (SCHeREX) was staged during 2008 and 2009 in the southern part of China by the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences under the support of the Chinese Ministry of Science and Technology and China Meteorological Administration. SCHeREX aims at obtaining abundant observational datasets at the meso-beta scale, better understanding of the structure and evolution of heavy precipitation systems in south China, exploring establishment of an operational platform for heavy rainfall monitoring and prediction, and improving the ability of heavy rainfall monitoring and prediction. Four zones were selected in SCHeREX, namely, the southern China, the middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley, the Huai River valley, and the lower reaches of the Yangtze River valley. The observation phases were May 1 June 10 in the southern China zone and June 10 July 20 in the other three zones. The efforts have led to the establishment of the meso-scale observing networks with enhanced capacity to observe precipitation systems at the meso-beta scale level. The collected data have been utilized in meso-scale reanalysis not only to reveal the fine structures of the precipitation systems but also to provide better initial conditions for mesa-scale numerical models to make short-term forecasts. Assimilation of the dropsonde data has improved the analysis of the locations and intensities of typhoons Goni and Morakot. With the real-time field data being part of the forecast system, the experiments have allowed more efficient interactions between the observing system and the forecast system and thus improve the performance of meso-scale heavy rainfall forecasts.