A 4-years of radar-based observation of bow echo over Bandung basin Indonesia

Background This study presents a 4-year (January 2019–April 2023) X-band radar network-based bow echo observa
tion over Great Bandung Indonesia. This study provides insight into the temporal and spatial variability of bow echo
distribution and presents the atmospheric condition associated with the bow echo events. Temporal analysis is cat
egorical into monthly, seasonally, and diurnal. The analysis was performed using X-band radar network and reanalysis
data (ERA5).
Result At least 26 bow echoes were identified across the Bandung basin from X-band radar network dur
ing the study period. From this total number of bow echoes, the observation of initiation modes is primarily gener
ated from a weakly organized cell, with few coming from the squall line. The bow echo mostly evolved from noon
until afternoon. The rainy season (December–January–February) and transition season (March–April–May) is the most
frequent period of bow echo occurrence, with March being the most active month. Nevertheless, this study
also found bow echo occurrence in the dry season (June–July–August). For the spatial analysis, the studied area
is divided into two regions representing the eastern and western part of Bandung basin. The eastern region recorded
the most intense occurrences with 14 events. The movement of bow echo in this region covered a shorter distance
(average distance only 4.56 km), with all initiation modes occurring inside the region. The atmospheric condition
within this region has less moisture flux, with higher CAPE and slightly higher surface temperature. Meanwhile,
in the western region have different characteristics with higher moisture flux, a slight effect of CAPE and CINH,
with longer distance and zonal movement direction of bow echo displacement.
Conclusion These conditions indicate that local convection is the dominant mode of bow echo initiation mode
in the eastern region of Bandung basin. Meanwhile, the monsoon effect influences the bow echo initiation mode
in the western region. Given that the observed 4-year bow echo has different characteristics from previous studies
of bow echo in mid latitudes, developing different criteria for bow echo detection in the tropics is crucial