Interpreting convective development from high frequency rainwater isotopes and surface based meteorological monitoring in Costa Rica
Abstract
Diurnal convective development is associated with rainfall that shapes the annual cycle of precipitation across Costa Rica. In the presence of tropical cyclones and waves, such development may result in heavy rainfall linked to the occurrence of extreme events. While the annual cycle of rainfall is well established, the underlying processes that account for differences in the development of convection over the course of the annual cycle, such as during the first and second legs of the rainy season, remain elusive. The analysis of convective development tends to be hindered by limited availability of operational surface meteorological data and the lack of radiosondes in coastal areas. During August-October 2019, the land component of the Organization of Tropical East Pacific Convection (OTREC) field campaign targeted collection of high frequency meteorological data, GPS based estimates of precipitable water vapor across an east-west transect as well as subdaily radiosondes in the Caribbean and north Pacific coastal regions of Costa Rica. Additionally, Costa Rica-led efforts collected daily and hourly rainwater samples for stable water isotopes analysis at selected sites. Here we present the isotopic composition of rainwater at high frequencies combined with the surface and upper air observations to assess convective development during the second leg of the rainy season in Costa Rica.
- Publication:
-
AGU Fall Meeting Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- December 2021
- Bibcode:
- 2021AGUFM.A35O1853D