Zhicheng Ding

Classical bow echoes (CBEs) normally develop due to rear‐inflow jets, while merger‐formation bow echoes (MFBEs) evolve from the merger between linear systems and preline convection. MFBEs are rarely documented before, and the key processes remain unclear because of the small‐scale and fast‐evolving merging processes. Using radar observations during 2015–2019, this study examines the characteristics of these two types of bow echoes over South China. Eighteen MFBEs and 11 CBEs are identified, accounting for 62% and 38% of the total 29 bow echoes, respectively. MFBEs commonly occur over coastal regions in the afternoon, where southerly sea breezes provide favorable thermodynamic conditions. About half CBEs develop over mountainous areas in the morning, and northerly winds enhance the local baroclinity and kinematic convergence. A new Merger‐Classical index is proposed to distinguish the environments for the development of two types of bow echoes, disclosing the more favorable near‐surface thermal conditions for MFBEs. In addition, more severe weather occurs in metropolitan area near the Pearl River Delta region during MFBEs, in which the accumulated precipitation is about 2.5 times higher than that during CBEs. This study reveals the discrepancies between MFBEs and CBEs over South China, emphasizing the MFBEs account for more than half of the total bow echoes and cause more high‐impact weather in the metropolitan area. This study proposes a new perspective on the environment in which bow echo forms by merger process over South China, urging for more research to explore the underlying processes.