This study examined the rainfall characteristics and related synoptic processes of two extreme rainfall events that affected North China during 29 July–1 August 2023 (“23·7” rainstorm) and 3–5 August 1996 (“96·8” rainstorm), respectively. A stable dual-typhoon circulation pattern was observed in both rainstorm events. The surviving vortex of a landed typhoon, slowly approaching the rainstorm region, was blocked by a high-pressure system as it moved northwestward. Meanwhile, the second typhoon over the western Pacific Ocean facilitated remote northward transport of moisture. The low-level jet between the surviving vortex and the western Pacific subtropical high relayed moist warm air from the area of the South China Sea and western Pacific into the rainstorm region. Although the circulation patterns are similar, the stratification conditions, driving factors, and moisture budget of the two rainstorms differed during the main period of rainfall. The “23·7” rainstorm was categorized as warm-sector rainfall, as a result of the lifting of warm moist air over the eastern foothills of Taihang Mountains. In comparison with the situation of the “96·8” rainstorm, the surviving vortex of the “23·7” rainstorm traveled further northeastward and directly impacted the occurrence and progression of the rainfall, leading to relative northward displacement of the rainfall center, while the stronger net inward moisture flux caused greater regional average rainfall. The “96·8” rainstorm was broadly analogous to precipitation of a cold front, and the rainfall center was observed in the convergence area of warm and cold air masses before the mountains; the surviving vortex did not exert direct impact on the rainfall; and the more unstable stratification led to stronger hourly rainfall. The results derived through comparison of the two rainstorms could serve as valuable scientific reference for operational forecasting of heavy rainfall under similar environmental conditions over North China.

North China experienced devastating rainfall from 29 July to 1 August 2023, which caused substantial flooding and damage. This study analyzed observations from surface rain gauges and S-band dual-polarization radars to reveal the following unique features of the precipitation evolution from the plain to the mountains during this event. (1) The total rainfall was found concentrated along the Taihang Mountains at elevations generally > 200 m, and its spatiotemporal evolution was closely associated with northward-moving low-level jets. (2) Storms propagated northwestward with southeasterly steering winds, producing continuous rainfall along the eastern slopes of the Taihang Mountains owing to mountain blocking, which resulted in the formation of local centers of precipitation maxima. However, most rainfall episodes with an extreme hourly rainfall rate (HRR), corresponding to large horizontal wind shear at low levels, actively occurred in the plain area to the east of the Taihang Mountains. (3) The western portion of the extreme heavy rain belt in the north was mainly caused by long-lasting cumulus–stratus mixed precipitation with HRR < 20 mm h⁻¹; the eastern portion was dominated by short-duration convective precipitation with HRR > 20 mm h⁻¹. The contributions of convective precipitation and cumulus–stratus mixed precipitation to the total rainfall of the southern and middle rain belts were broadly equivalent. (4) The local HRR maxima located at the transition zone from the plain to the mountains were induced by moderate storm-scale convective cells with active warm-rain processes and large number of small-sized rain droplets. (5) During the devastating rainfall event, it was observed that the rainfall peaked at around 1800 local time (LT) every day over the upstream plain area (no diurnal cycle of rainfall was observed in relation to the accumulated rainfall centers over mountain areas). This was attributable to convective activities along the storm propagation path, which was a result of the more unstable stratification with a suitable steering mechanism that was related to afternoon solar heating and enhanced water vapor. The findings of this study improve our understanding and knowledge of the extreme precipitation that can develop from the plain to the mountains in North China.

A comparative analysis of the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of rainfall and lightning in coastal and inland areas of Guangdong Province of China during the pre-summer rainy season (PSRS) from 2008 to 2017 reveals distinct patterns. In the inland target region (ITR), rainfall is concentrated in the central and eastern mountainous areas. It exhibits a bimodal diurnal variation, with peaks in the afternoon and morning. The afternoon peak becomes more pronounced during the post-monsoon-onset period because of the increased rainfall frequency. Similarly, in the coastal target region (CTR), rainfall concentrates around mountainous peripheries. However, CTR’s rainfall is weaker than ITR’s during the pre-monsoon-onset period, primarily associated with the lower-level moisture outflow in CTR, but it strengthens significantly during the post-monsoon-onset period owing to enhanced moisture inflow. CTR’s diurnal rainfall variation transitions from bimodal to a single broad peak during the post-monsoon-onset period, influenced by changes in both rainfall frequency and intensity. In contrast to rainfall, the spatiotemporal distribution of lightning centers remains relatively stable during the PSRS. The strongest center is located over ITR’s plains west of the rainfall center, with a secondary center in the western plains of CTR. Lightning activity significantly increases during the post-monsoon-onset period, particularly in ITR, primarily because of the increased lightning hours. The diurnal lightning flash density and lightning hours show a single afternoon peak in the two target regions, and the timing of the peak in ITR is approximately two hours later than in CTR. Composite circulation analysis indicates that during early morning, the lower atmosphere is nearly neutral in stratification. The advected warm, moist, unstable airflow, combined with topography, favors convection initiation. In the afternoon, solar radiation increases thermal instability, further enhancing the convection frequency and intensity. Improved moisture and thermal conditions contribute to an increase in rainfall and lightning during the post-monsoon-onset period. Moreover, the occurrence of lightning is found to be closely linked to the most unstable convective available potential energy, low-level vertical wind shear, and updraft intensity.