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Korean Meteorological Society (한국기상학회)
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Characteristics and Risk Assessment of Winter Mid-level Precipitation Events in Central Korean Peninsula

겨울철 한반도 중부지역 중층 강수 현상의 특성과 위험성 연구

  • Kwang-Hee Han (Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Baek-Min Kim (Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University) ;
  • NamKyu Noh (Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Hyun-Joon Sung (Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University) ;
  • Jieun Choi (Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Major of Environmental Atmospheric Sciences, Pukyong National University)
  • 한광희 (부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경대기과학전공) ;
  • 김백민 (부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경대기과학전공) ;
  • 노남규 (부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경대기과학전공) ;
  • 성현준 (부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경대기과학전공) ;
  • 최지은 (부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경대기과학전공)
  • Received : 2024.11.14
  • Accepted : 2024.11.20
  • Published : 2025.02.28
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Abstract

This study investigates the meteorological characteristics of mid-level precipitation during winter in the central Korean Peninsula, focusing on both their formation mechanisms and potential hazardous outcomes. Using ERA5 reanalysis and KMA observational data from 2000 to 2023, we first identified 18 reference events of mid-level precipitation provided by KMA for the period 2017~2023. Based on these reference events, we established objective criteria for mid-level precipitation and subsequently selected 100 additional cases from 2000~2023 that met these criteria. The analysis revealed distinct synoptic-scale pressure patterns, characterized by a westward-tilting system with mid-upper level (700-500 hPa) troughs west of the Korean Peninsula and surface lows developing in the initial stage. The vertical structure showed a clear contrast between dry lower layers (below 700 hPa) and moist mid-upper layers, with strong ascending motion observed between 700-300 hPa. Surface precipitation was recorded in only 36% of cases, with an average of 1.3 mm. Pattern correlation analysis between composite and individual cases showed high similarities (> 0.9) at 700-500 hPa levels, confirming the consistency of synoptic patterns. With mean 925 hPa temperature at -0.4℃, freezing rain potential was particularly high near mountainous regions, including Mt. Jiri and Sobaek Mountains. This first systematic analysis of mid-level precipitation characteristics contributes to improving winter weather forecasting accuracy and establishing effective disaster prevention systems, particularly for transportation infrastructure vulnerable to freezing rain conditions.

Keywords

Acknowledgement

본 논문의 개선을 위해 좋은 의견을 제시해 주신 두 분의 심사위원께 감사를 드립니다. 이 연구는 기상청 「위험기상 선제대응 기술개발사업」(RS-2023-00240346)의 지원으로 수행되었습니다.

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