Wuhan heavy rainfall center to enhance forecast

The Heavy Rainfall Research Center of China was established in Wuhan, Hubei province, last month, tasked with finding new and innovative ways to more accurately predict and mitigate the effects of heavy rain.

Despite national average precipitation falling by 3.9 percent last year to 61.3 centimeters, there were still 35 regional heavy rains recorded, according to the National Committee for Disaster Reduction. Last year, extremely heavy rainfall occurred in North China, Northeast China, the Yellow River Basin and the Huaihe River Basin, causing major casualties and property losses.

The heavy rainfall research center aims to establish a high-tech innovation platform to promote precision forecasting for heavy rainfall, minimize the impact of rain-related disasters and optimize water resource utilization, a senior meteorological official said.

The center was established by the China Meteorological Administration and Hubei provincial government, and will collaborate with domestic and international research institutions and experts to carry out basic and applied research on heavy rainfall.

“One of the main challenges in heavy rainfall prediction has always been accurate timing and assessment,” said Yue Yang, deputy director of Hubei meteorological bureau’s technology and forecasting office.

Yue said the center will focus on addressing key issues in hydro-meteorology, such as multi-scale mechanisms of heavy rainfall and disasters triggered by it, monitoring and earlywarning technologies for severe convective weather, and numerical prediction technology.

The center’s research findings are expected to improve forecasting accuracy for heavy rainfall, extend the lead time for warnings and provide scientific support for the operation of large and medium-sized reservoirs, contributing to flood control, disaster reduction and hydroelectric efficiency, Yue added.

“Located in the transitional zone between the northern and southern climates of China, Hubei province has a dense river network, complex terrain and diverse climate conditions, bringing about the frequent occurrence of severe convection weather, such as heavy rainfall, strong winds, tornadoes and hail,” said Yue.