Yu Du, Professor, Sun Yat-sen University
11/05/2026 – 11:00
CNR-ISAC, Bologna meeting room and online

Abstract
The formation mechanisms of heavy rainfall remain a frontier topic in synoptic and mesoscale
meteorology. Mesoscale processes such as low-level jets, gravity waves, and cold pools are often
strongly coupled with heavy rainfall, leading to complex and diverse dynamical mechanisms and posing
a major challenge for accurate forecasting. This talk focuses on these three key factors and their
interactions, particularly in South China.
(1) We propose a new conceptual model of “double low-level jet coupling” to explain the triggering of
warm-sector rainstorms in South China and establish new multidimensional jet-related predictors for
heavy rainfall forecasting.
(2) We develop a theoretical model for the generation and propagation of convectively induced gravity
waves, revealing a new mechanism through which frontal heavy rainfall in South China can modulate
warm-sector heavy rainfall via gravity waves.
(3) We characterize the fine vertical structure of cold pools and clarify the key dynamical mechanisms
through which interactions among cold pools, low-level jets, and gravity waves influence heavy rainfall
formation.

Bio
Yu Du is a leading researcher in mesoscale dynamics and severe weather, focusing on low-level jets,
gravity waves, cold pools, and the diurnal cycle of coastal rainfall. His work combines theoretical
modeling, high-resolution numerical simulations, and observational analysis to advance
understanding of convection initiation, warm-sector heavy rainfall, and multiscale interactions in
storm development in South China and beyond.
He received his Ph.D. in Meteorology from Peking University in 2015, after earning a B.S. in Physics
from Beijing Normal University. Early in his career, he held visiting positions at the National Center for
Atmospheric Research (with Richard Rotunno) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (with Yi-leng
Chen), followed by a research scientist role at IBM Research. He joined Sun Yat-sen University in 2017
and was promoted to Full Professor in 2022.
Yu Du has authored over 70 peer-reviewed publications, including first- and corresponding-author
papers in Nature Communications, Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences, Monthly Weather Review,
Journal of Climate, and Geophysical Research Letters. He serves as Editor for Advances in
Atmospheric Sciences, and as Associate Editor for Journal of the Atmospheric Sciences and Monthly
Weather Review. He is Vice Chair of the Synoptic Meteorology Committee of the Chinese
Meteorological Society, a member of WWRP’s Predictability, Dynamics, and Ensemble Forecasting
Working Group, and Co-Chief Scientist of a Key Innovation Team of the China Meteorological
Administration. His honors include the NSFC Excellent Young Scientists Fund and the China
Association of Science and Technology “Young Talent Support Project.” He has also received
multiple teaching awards, including Second Prize in the 3rd National Higher Education Teachers’
Teaching Innovation Competition.

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