Multiscale control of summertime persistent heavy precipitation events over South China in association with synoptic, intraseasonal, and low-frequency background

This study examines persistent and short-lived heavy precipitation events (PHPEs and SHPEs, respectively) in South China during summer (July–September) 1975–2009 in association with large-scale circulation and moisture processes at different timescales. Compared to SHPEs, PHPEs are characterized by long-lasting enhanced convection and cyclonic moisture circulation as well as strengthened moisture convergence over South China. Examination of environmental variables at different timescales suggests that intraseasonal and synoptic components play a deterministic role in regulating the overall changes in convection and moisture convergence, while the low-frequency background state plays only a marginal role. Further analysis of the moisture divergence terms also reveals that the overall changes in moisture divergence during PHPEs and SHPEs stem primarily from variations in the intraseasonal and synoptic wind fields rather than in the humidity fields. Overall, it is found that the location and strength of the intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) and the synoptic disturbances play a decisive role in controlling the severity and duration of rainfall events over South China. The synchronization and persistence of the enhanced convection and moisture circulation of the ISO and synoptic disturbances jointly contribute to prolonged heavy precipitation over South China, while the weakening and asynchrony of the associated convection and moisture circulation at different timescales result in rainfall events of weaker intensity and shorter duration.