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Andrea Buzzi

Bio: Andrea Buzzi is an academic researcher from University of Bologna. The author has contributed to research in topics: Mesoscale meteorology & Precipitation. The author has an hindex of 25, co-authored 57 publications receiving 2725 citations.


Papers
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP; see Table 1 for a list of acronyms) is a measured response of the international atmospheric and hydrologic community to the challenge of improving the understanding and prediction of these events as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Intense weather over major mountain ranges such as the Alps brings a high cost to society in the form of floods, windstorms, and threats to aviation. The Mesoscale Alpine Programme (MAP; see Table 1 for a list of acronyms) is a measured response of the international atmospheric and hydrologic community to the challenge of improving the understanding and prediction of these events. It relies on intense international cooperation to assemble an alpine-scale dataset suitable to advance the basic knowledge and prediction techniques. The following scientific objectives for MAP were published in the MAP Design Proposal (Binder and Schär 1996).

437 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a case of deep and rapid cyclogenesis in the lee of the Alps is analyzed by means of cross-sections, isentropic maps and trajectories based on synoptic data, to investigate the three-dimensional structure of the phenomenon and the nature of the processes that are responsible for it.
Abstract: A case of deep and rapid cyclogenesis in the lee of the Alps is analysed by means of cross-sections, isentropic maps and trajectories based on synoptic data, to investigate the three-dimensional structure of the phenomenon and the nature of the processes that are responsible for it. The results of the analysis are also compared with available theoretical models. Considerations of the various scales involved in the development lead to a description of the phenomenon in terms of two distinct phases: a very rapid ‘trigger’ phase due to interaction between the frontal layer and the Alps, and a more usual ‘baroclinic development’ phase. Through a selection process typical of baroclinic instability, the lee cyclone acquires the observed horizontal and vertical scales and undergoes the normal life of a mid-latitude depression. The insufficiency of the present synoptic network for a satisfactory analysis of such a meteorological phenomenon is also stressed.

223 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, a meteorological mesoscale model (BOLAM) was used to simulate and test the intensity and timing of the most intense rain over Piedmont in northwestern Italy.
Abstract: The intense precipitation event that occurred between 3 and 6 November 1994 and caused extensive flooding over Piedmont in northwestern Italy is simulated and tested with respect to various physical aspects, using a meteorological mesoscale model (BOLAM). The period when the most intense rain occurred, mainly covering the second half of 4 and all of 5 November, is examined. A control experiment, starting at 1200 UTC 4 November, simulates the two observed precipitation peaks and captures the magnitude and timing of the most intense precipitation well even at relatively low horizontal resolution (about 30 km). The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts analyses are used to provide the initial and boundary conditions. Model output diagnostics and comparison with observations indicate that most of the precipitation is associated with a prefrontal low-level jet, ahead of the cold front, impinging upon the orography of the region (Alps and Apennines). The model simulates a multiple rainband...

219 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article, the performance of a limited-area mesoscale LAM was examined in cases of winter cyclones over the southern European-central Mediterranean area with particular attention to standard precipitation statistical scores (bias, threat score, false alarms).
Abstract: We have examined the performance of a limited-area mesoscale model of our design in cases of winter cyclones over the southern European-central Mediterranean area with particular ticular attention to standard precipitation statistical scores (bias, threat score, false alarms), obtaining results which compare favourably with other state-of-the-art LAM's documented in the literature. The model, which we briefly describe here, uses standard procedures and includes Geleyn's radiation package and Emanuel's moist convective adjustment scheme. We also discuss the model's performance from the viewpoint of individual surface fields, which display a variety of-mesoscale features correctly reproducing, in most cases, those of the observed fields. The latter have been re-analyzed for this purpose using conventional SYNOP data and ECMWF analyses as first guess.

154 citations


Cited by
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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This article presented a review of climate change projections over the Mediterranean region based on the most recent and comprehensive ensembles of global and regional climate change simulations completed as part of international collaborative projects.

2,524 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors presented a European land-only daily high-resolution gridded data set for precipitation and minimum, maximum, and mean surface temperature for the period 1950-2006.
Abstract: We present a European land-only daily high-resolution gridded data set for precipitation and minimum, maximum, and mean surface temperature for the period 1950-2006. This data set improves on previous products in its spatial resolution and extent, time period, number of contributing stations, and attention to finding the most appropriate method for spatial interpolation of daily climate observations. The gridded data are delivered on four spatial resolutions to match the grids used in previous products as well as many of the rotated pole Regional Climate Models (RCMs) currently in use. Each data set has been designed to provide the best estimate of grid box averages rather than point values to enable direct comparison with RCMs. We employ a three-step process of interpolation, by first interpolating the monthly precipitation totals and monthly mean temperature using three-dimensional thin-plate splines, then interpolating the daily anomalies using indicator and universal kriging for precipitation and kriging with an external drift for temperature, then combining the monthly and daily estimates. Interpolation uncertainty is quantified by the provision of daily standard errors for every grid square. The daily uncertainty averaged across the entire region is shown to be largely dependent on the season and number of contributing observations. We examine the effect that interpolation has on the magnitude of the extremes in the observations by calculating areal reduction factors for daily maximum temperature and precipitation events with return periods up to 10 years. Copyright 2008 by the American Geophysical Union.

2,359 citations

Book ChapterDOI
Ronald B. Smith1
TL;DR: In this article, a review of the meteorological phenomena associated with topography is presented and the theory of two-dimensional mountain waves with the help of its governing equations is presented.
Abstract: Publisher Summary The chapter reviews the meteorological phenomena that are associated with topography. The study of airflow past mountains is complicated by the wide range of scales that must be considered. The ratios of the mountain width to each of the natural length scales are important in determining the physical regime of the flow. This idea is emphasized in the chapter by treating the effects of boundary layers and buoyancy. The theory of two-dimensional mountain waves with the help of its governing equations is presented and the observations of mountain waves are presented. The chapter also examines the influence of the boundary layer on mountain flows and slope winds and mountain and valley winds. It considers the perturbation to the wind flow caused by a mountain of intermediate scale where the rotation of the Earth cannot be neglected. For this the flow near mesoscale and synoptic-scale mountains, quasi-geostrophic flow over a mountain, the effect of inertia on the flow over mesoscale mountains, and theories of lee cyclogenesis are discussed. Finally the chapter describes planetary-scale mountain waves; a vertically integrated model of topographically forced planetary waves; the vertical structure of planetary waves; models of stationary planetary waves allowing meridional propagation and lateral; and variation in the background wind.

1,018 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors review the scientific drivers of this shift towards ensemble flood forecasting and discuss several of the questions surrounding best practice in using ensemble prediction systems in flood forecasting systems.

865 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: This study aims to provide a common basis for CPM climate simulations by giving a holistic review of the topic, and presents the consolidated outcome of studies that addressed the added value of CPMClimate simulations compared to LSMs.
Abstract: Regional climate modeling using convection-permitting models (CPMs; horizontal grid spacing 10 km). CPMs no longer rely on convection parameterization schemes, which had been identified as a major source of errors and uncertainties in LSMs. Moreover, CPMs allow for a more accurate representation of surface and orography fields. The drawback of CPMs is the high demand on computational resources. For this reason, first CPM climate simulations only appeared a decade ago. In this study, we aim to provide a common basis for CPM climate simulations by giving a holistic review of the topic. The most important components in CPMs such as physical parameterizations and dynamical formulations are discussed critically. An overview of weaknesses and an outlook on required future developments is provided. Most importantly, this review presents the consolidated outcome of studies that addressed the added value of CPM climate simulations compared to LSMs. Improvements are evident mostly for climate statistics related to deep convection, mountainous regions, or extreme events. The climate change signals of CPM simulations suggest an increase in flash floods, changes in hail storm characteristics, and reductions in the snowpack over mountains. In conclusion, CPMs are a very promising tool for future climate research. However, coordinated modeling programs are crucially needed to advance parameterizations of unresolved physics and to assess the full potential of CPMs.

833 citations