Jc. Purdy et al., A case study of orographic rainfall processes incorporating multiscaling characterization techniques, J GEO RES-A, 106(D8), 2001, pp. 7837-7845
The Southern Alps field experiment was designed to identify the dominant ra
infall processes in intense orographic events in the South Island of New Ze
aland and included the deployment of a rain gauge network and meteorologica
l radar. Multiscaling statistics, used to characterize the rainfall from a
single extreme event, revealed both orographic and temporal changes in the
rainfall nature, with significantly more incessant rainfall observed in the
higher-altitude regions. Central to this work was physical interpretation
of the statistical parameters, which contributes toward forming links betwe
en multiscaling analysis and meteorological processes necessary for practic
al applications of multiscaling statistics. A further step was taken by com
bining the statistical results with other meteorological data to infer deta
ils of the physical processes, hence providing an example of the utility of
multiscaling characterization of rainfall for improving our understanding
of physical rainfall processes. Evidence is presented of lateral broadening
of precipitating elements as the alpine divide is approached and is used,
in conjunction with the wind profile, to explain the quasi-incessant rainfa
ll observed near the divide.