Thunder and lightning rainstorm in Changsha during morning rush hour like dark night! Experts use an analogy to explain the cause: cold water is poured into a hot oil pan
On the morning of April 16, thunder and lightning struck Changsha, Hunan Province, and dark clouds rolled over the city. From 11:00 on April 15 to 11:00 on April 16, the average precipitation in the province was 11.9 mm, including 42.8 mm in Changsha, 28.3 mm in Zhangjiajie, and 28.3 mm in Xiangxi Prefecture. A total of 234 stations in 153 townships (towns) in 35 counties (cities, districts) in Huaihua, Changsha, Changde, Yiyang, Zhuzhou, Xiangxi Prefecture, Zhangjiajie, Yueyang, and Xiangtan have accumulated rainfall exceeding 50 mm.
The dense clouds causing the day to appear like night are due to the evaporation, rise, condensation of water vapor, and the growth and accumulation of fog droplets, eventually forming cumulonimbus clouds, resulting in heavy precipitation. This phenomenon is common in severe convective weather events. Xie Yijun, chief climate forecast expert at the Hunan Provincial Climate Center, explained that the lower air heats up quickly in March and April, leading to frequent occurrences of strong convective weather.
Since April this year, the subtropical high pressure in the western Pacific has been significantly stronger, westward, and northward. The continuous warming of the southerly warm and humid airflow has rapidly heated up the lower atmosphere in the province. The active cold air from the north meeting this warm air triggers convective weather events like heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds.
Meteorological experts advise the public to pay close attention to weather forecasts and warnings to prevent secondary disasters. Precautions should be taken to mitigate the adverse effects of severe convective weather on transportation, outdoor activities, temporary buildings, and agriculture. It is also important to monitor the impact of persistent rainy weather on agricultural production.
In conclusion, the recent severe convective weather events in Hunan are a result of climatic conditions that favor the development of storms. Public awareness and preparedness are crucial in mitigating the impact of such extreme weather events.