GAME-HUBEX

Huaihe River Basin located between HuangHe River (Yellow River) and ChangJiang River (Yangtze River) in the eastern part of P. R. China was selected as sub-tropical experimental region, because there are advanced networks of meteorological and hydrological stations. The intensive observation is to focus on the formation process of meso-scale cloud/precipitation systems, and macro-scale hydrological models are to be developed for the forecasting of drought and flood events.

HUBEX-ETO (Extended Time Observation) was set from May to August in 1996 ~ 2000, and HUBEX-IFO (Intensive Field Observation) will be done from May to August in 1998. The field observation of HUBEX includes rain gauge network, radar network, enhanced radiosonde operation and AAN. China has an operational radar network in HUBEX area. The network which covers the HUBEX area consists of seven radars at NangJing, HeFei, Liuan, FuYang, XuZhou, LianYunGang and YanChen. Japan will install three X-band Doppler radars at HuaiNan, ShouXian and FengTai in the central area of HUBEX. The radar coverages of these radars are overlapped and multi-Doppler analysis will be performed along with enhanced raingauge measurements. Intensive hydrological observation will also be conducted in the Shiguang River basin for one week in each season of the intensive observation period. Surface measurements include: turbulent flux, radiation components and underground elements, such as profiles of soil moisture, temperature and heat flux. Special observation of runoff and water budget of the Shiguang River basin will also be performed by using raingauge and hydrological stations with additional instruments for runoff. Enhanced radiosonde observation will be performed in Huaihe River basin and its surrounding area (22stations, 2x3 weeks, 4 times/day).

In addition to the deeper understanding of multi-scale physical processes of energy and water cycle in the Huaihe River Basin and its surrounding area, the following products are expected.

• Regional-scale 4DDA data sets
  • Domain: Huaihe River Basin and its surrounding area
  • Period: GAME-IOP
  • Resolution: 20-30 km (horizontal), 16-18 layers (vertical), 6 hours (time)
  • Numerical model: Chinese and Japanese regional-scale models
  • Input data: Global reanalysis data of 50 km mesh, data of intensified radiosonde observation in GAME-IOP/HUBEX-IFO, rainfall data (including radar data, satellite data), vertical distribution of latent heat release (as derived from meso-scale cloud system 4DDA)
  • Output data: 3-dimesional distribution of geopotential height, temperature, humidity, wind velocity and direction, rainfall amount; vertical distributions of diabatic heating rate, moistening rate and condensation rate; fluxes of sensible heat, latent heat and momentum near the land surface

• Meso-scale cloud system 4DDA data sets
  • Domain: 100 km x 100km ~ 500 km x 500 km
  • Period: HUBEX-IFO
  • Horizontal resolution: 1km
  • Numerical model: Cloud-resolving models
  • Input data: Regional-scale 4DDA data; data of intensified radiosonde observation, special Doppler radar observation and special radar observation
  • Output data: Thermodynamical parameters, cloud-water and precipitation water contents

• Nested meteorological/hydrological model
  • Resolution: 20-30 km (horizontal), 16-18 layers (vertical)
  • Domain size: 2000km x 2000km ~ 4000km x 4000km
  • Numerical models: Regional model of NMC, MM4/MM5 and others (Chinese side); Regional spectral model of Meteorological Research Institute of JMA or revised one of 1988 JMA regional spectral model (Japanese side,); SiBUC (Simple Biosphere Model including Urban Canopy) of Kyoto University, a hydrological model of Hohai University and others

• Long-term monitoring AWS data
  • Site: Shou-Xian
  • Instrument: AWS (automatic weather station) as one of AAN (Asian AWS Network)

• Rainfall data in the Huaihe River Basin including radar-raingauge composite data

• Satellite data in the Huaihe River Basin and its surrounding area

HUBEX Executive Committee will be composed of members from HUBEX-related institutions in each country. Subjects associated with the execution of HUBEX collaborative plan will be discussed and decided in the Committee. HUBEX-IFO Headquarter will be established in Beijing. The Headquarter will give the adjustment and instruction, which will be necessary for the execution of collaborative HUBEX-IFO plan, to each group judging from HUBEX-related meteorological and hydrological information. HUBEX Project Office was established in Beijing ( National Climate Center of China). The office will keep connection with all participating institutions and adjust their on-going activities.