Role of soil moisture gradients in favoring mesoscale convective systems in east China
Lu, Yutong 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5209-6380; Marsham, John H. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3219-8472; Parker, Douglas J. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2335-8198; Klein, Cornelia M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6686-0458; Taylor, Christopher M. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0120-3198; Fang, Juan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3099-0231; Tang, Jianping ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1098-2656.
2025
Role of soil moisture gradients in favoring mesoscale convective systems in east China.
Geophysical Research Letters, 52 (17), e2025GL117137.
11, pp.
10.1029/2025GL117137
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Abstract/Summary
Mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) contribute significantly to summer precipitation in the tropics and midlatitude. Although soil moisture (SM) effects on convection are globally recognized, its specific role on mature MCSs in East China remains unclear. Using convection-permitting simulations spanning 22 summers, we find that convective cores within mature MCSs preferentially develop on the drier side of strong SM gradients (∼200 km). This is evidenced by a 2.5-fold increase in core occurrences downstream of the steepest 10% of SM gradients versus a near-uniform surface. SM gradients shape sensible heat flux gradients via evapotranspiration, while upstream pre-storm rain-producing clouds suppress surface available energy. These processes favor MCSs through enhancing near-surface temperature gradients which strengthen moisture convergence and zonal wind shear. Our results highlight the critical role of SM gradients in favoring MCS propagation in East China. As climate change intensifies SM heterogeneity, improved land-surface representation offers potential for advancing rainfall prediction and projection.
| Item Type: | Publication - Article |
|---|---|
| Digital Object Identifier (DOI): | 10.1029/2025GL117137 |
| UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas: | Water and Climate Science (2025-) |
| ISSN: | 0094-8276 |
| Additional Information: | Open Access paper - full text available via Official URL link. |
| Additional Keywords: | mesoscale convective system, propagating convection, soil moisture, vertical wind shear |
| NORA Subject Terms: | Agriculture and Soil Science Atmospheric Sciences Data and Information |
| Related URLs: | |
| Date made live: | 08 Sep 2025 14:19 +0 (UTC) |
| URI: | https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/540199 |
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