Abstract:A numerical study was carried out by using the Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model on a rainstrom related to shear line over the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin from July 12 to 13, 2010,during Mei-yuperiod. This study focuses on the impact of intensity, vertical thickness, and transportation position change of water vapor on the south side of the shear line on the occurrence and development of the rainstorm, and reveals the indications of the wet potential vorticity on the Jianghuai shear line precipitation. Results show that:the upper tropospheric water vapor has relatively little effect on precipitation intensity and rainband distribution, whereas the middle tropospheric water vapor plays an important role in maintaining the overall rainband shape.The change of the low-level water vapor intensity mainly affects the shape of heavy rain area and the precipitation intensity in the heavy rain center. The closer the water vapor transports to the shear line, the more favorable it is for the occurrence and development of heavy rain. Moreover, the change of water vapor on the south side of the shear line has an impact on the occurrence and development of the shear line and southwesterly low-level jet, as well as the high and low level divergence and upward movement. The more water vapor supply is on the south side of the shear line, the stronger the water vapor intensity, the deeper the water vapor column, and the closer the transportation position are to the shear line, the more fully the coupling between the high and low altitude divergence development, the more vigorous vertical upward movement, and the greater the shear deformation potential. Consequently, more active low vortex are on the shear line, and stronger corresponding precipitation intensity and wider rainband distribution are obtained. It is also found that the Moist Potential Vorticity (MPV) is a good indication of precipitation related to shear line over the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin, and the influence and indication of MPV1 are relatively more important. The occurrence of a negative peak of MPV1 indicates the peak of precipitation will occur. When MPV1< -1.5 PVU, there will be a short-term heavy rainfall with hourly rainfall greater than 20 mm near the shear line. For MPV1<0, if ︱MPV2︱>0.05 PVU and especially when MPV2>0, the precipitation will significantly enhance. If the negative MPV1 and positive MPV2 maintain longer, and the ︱MPV1︱ and ︱MPV2︱become larger, the rain will be heavier and last longer.