Articles | Volume 26, issue 5
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-3339-2026
https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-3339-2026
Research article
 | 
04 Mar 2026
Research article |  | 04 Mar 2026

On the nationwide variability of low-level jets prior to warm-season nocturnal rainfall in China revealed by radar wind profilers

Ning Li, Jianping Guo, Xiaoran Guo, Tianmeng Chen, Zhen Zhang, Na Tang, Yifei Wang, Honglong Yang, Yongguang Zheng, and Yongshui Zhou

Related authors

Observed multiscale dynamical processes responsible for an extreme gust event in Beijing
Xiaoran Guo, Jianping Guo, Ning Li, Zhen Zhang, Tianmeng Chen, Yu Shi, Pengzhan Yao, Shuairu Jiang, Lei Zhao, and Fei Hu
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 26, 2391–2409, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-2391-2026,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-26-2391-2026, 2026
Short summary
Low-level atmospheric turbulence dataset in China generated by combining radar wind profiler and radiosonde observations
Deli Meng, Jianping Guo, Juan Chen, Xiaoran Guo, Ning Li, Yuping Sun, Zhen Zhang, Na Tang, Hui Xu, Tianmeng Chen, Rongfang Yang, and Jiajia Hua
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 4023–4037, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4023-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-4023-2025, 2025
Short summary
A high-resolution divergence and vorticity dataset in Beijing derived from radar wind profiler mesonet measurements
Xiaoran Guo, Jianping Guo, Deli Meng, Yuping Sun, Zhen Zhang, Hui Xu, Liping Zeng, Juan Chen, Ning Li, and Tianmeng Chen
Earth Syst. Sci. Data, 17, 3541–3552, https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3541-2025,https://doi.org/10.5194/essd-17-3541-2025, 2025
Short summary
Elucidating the boundary layer turbulence dissipation rate using high-resolution measurements from a radar wind profiler network over the Tibetan Plateau
Deli Meng, Jianping Guo, Xiaoran Guo, Yinjun Wang, Ning Li, Yuping Sun, Zhen Zhang, Na Tang, Haoran Li, Fan Zhang, Bing Tong, Hui Xu, and Tianmeng Chen
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8703–8720, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8703-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8703-2024, 2024
Short summary
Revisiting the evolution of downhill thunderstorms over Beijing: a new perspective from a radar wind profiler mesonet
Xiaoran Guo, Jianping Guo, Tianmeng Chen, Ning Li, Fan Zhang, and Yuping Sun
Atmos. Chem. Phys., 24, 8067–8083, https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8067-2024,https://doi.org/10.5194/acp-24-8067-2024, 2024
Short summary

Cited articles

Anthes, R. A., Kuo, Y. H., Benjamin, S. G., and Li, Y. F: The evolution of the mesoscale environment of severe local storms: Preliminary modeling results, Mon. Weather Rev., 110, 1187–1213, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1982)110<1187:TEOTME>2.0.CO;2, 1982. 
Bai, L., Chen, G., Huang, Y., and Meng, Z.: Convection initiation at a coastal rainfall hotspot in South China: Synoptic patterns and orographic effects, J. Geophys. Res.-Atmos., 126, e2021JD034642, https://doi.org/10.1029/2021JD034642, 2021. 
Blackadar, A. K.: Boundary layer wind maxima and their significance for the growth of nocturnal inversions, Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc., 38, 283–290, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0477-38.5.283, 1957. 
Bonner, W. D.: Climatology of the low-level jet, Mon. Weather Rev., 96, 833–850, https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1968)096<0833:COTLLJ>2.0.CO;2, 1968. 
Cao, Q., Guo, J., Xue, C., Li, Z., Xu, H., Li, N., Sun, Y., Zhang, Z., Wang, Y., Chen, J., Zhou, Y., and Chen, T.: Divergent Sounding-derived Precursor Pathways Enable Discrimination of Dry versus Wet Severe Convective Winds, Geophys. Res. Lett., 52, e2025GL117491, https://doi.org/10.1029/2025GL117491, 2025. 
Download
Short summary
Nighttime rainfall often links to low-level jets (LLJs), but we lack clarity on nationwide LLJ features. We here used a nationwide radar wind profiler network to study LLJ changes 2 hours before rainfall, covering China’s 2023–2024 rainy seasons. 56% nighttime rainfall had LLJs. The LLJs-associated heavy rain needed a rapid adjustment of LLJs’ vertical structure, especially a significant intensification within 30 minutes preceding rain. This shows the importance of LLJ in nowcasting rainfall.
Share
Altmetrics
Final-revised paper
Preprint