2010 Vol. 16, No. 1
2010, 16(1): 1-9.
Abstract:
The relationship between the intensity of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) and the Nino3.4 index and anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns associated with a strong and weak SCSSM are investigated using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) data and Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) data. The SCSSM is significantly positively correlated with the Nino3.4 index in the succeeding northern autumn and winter. In the strong minus weak SCSSM composite, a positive East Asia-Pacific teleconnection (EAP) pattern and a negative Europe-Asian-Pacific teleconnection (EUP) pattern appear in the 500 hPa height difference field; low-level cross-equatorial flows are strengthened over the Maritime Continent (MC) region; positive (negative) precipitation anomalies occur in the South China Sea and western north Pacific (MC). A possible mechanism through which SCSSM affects ENSO is proposed. A strong (weak) SCSSM strengthens (weakens) cross-equatorial flows over the MC. The anomalous cross-equatorial flows cool (warm) the SST around the MC through enhanced (reduced) surface latent heat fluxes. The cooling (warming) further leads to suppressed (enhanced) convection over the MC, and causes the anomalous westerly (easterly) in the equatorial western Pacific, which favors the onset of El Niño (La Niña) through modulating the positive air-sea feedback process.
The relationship between the intensity of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM) and the Nino3.4 index and anomalous atmospheric circulation patterns associated with a strong and weak SCSSM are investigated using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSST) data and Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation (CMAP) data. The SCSSM is significantly positively correlated with the Nino3.4 index in the succeeding northern autumn and winter. In the strong minus weak SCSSM composite, a positive East Asia-Pacific teleconnection (EAP) pattern and a negative Europe-Asian-Pacific teleconnection (EUP) pattern appear in the 500 hPa height difference field; low-level cross-equatorial flows are strengthened over the Maritime Continent (MC) region; positive (negative) precipitation anomalies occur in the South China Sea and western north Pacific (MC). A possible mechanism through which SCSSM affects ENSO is proposed. A strong (weak) SCSSM strengthens (weakens) cross-equatorial flows over the MC. The anomalous cross-equatorial flows cool (warm) the SST around the MC through enhanced (reduced) surface latent heat fluxes. The cooling (warming) further leads to suppressed (enhanced) convection over the MC, and causes the anomalous westerly (easterly) in the equatorial western Pacific, which favors the onset of El Niño (La Niña) through modulating the positive air-sea feedback process.
2010, 16(1): 10-19.
Abstract:
This study revises Weare’s latent heat parameterization scheme and conducts an associated theoretic analysis. The revised Weare’s scheme is found to present potentially better results than Zebiak’s scheme. The Zebiak-Cane coupled ocean-atmosphere model, initialized by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis of wind stress anomaly at 925 hPa, is referred to as the ZCW coupled model. The atmosphere models of the ZCW coupled model that use Zebiak’s scheme and the revised Weare’s scheme are referred to as the ZCW0 and ZCWN atmosphere models, respectively. The coupled ocean-atmosphere models that use Zebiak’s scheme and the revised Weare’s scheme are referred to as the ZCW0and ZCWN coupled models, respectively. The simulations between the ZCW0 and ZCWN atmosphere models and between the ZCW0 and ZCWN coupled models are analyzed. The results include: (1) The evolution of heat, meridional wind and divergence anomalies simulated by similar ZCW0 and ZCWN atmosphere models, although the magnitudes of the former are larger than those of the latter; (2) The prediction skill of the Niño3 index from 1982 to 1999 by the ZCWN coupled model shows improvement compared with those by the ZCW0 coupled model; (3) The analysis of El Niño events in 1982/1983, 1986/1987, and 1997/1998 and La Niña events in 1984/1985, 1988/1989, and 1998/2000 suggests that the ZCWN coupled model is better than the ZCW0 coupled model in predicting warm event evolution and cold event generation. The results also show the disadvantage of the ZCWN coupled model for predicting El Niño
This study revises Weare’s latent heat parameterization scheme and conducts an associated theoretic analysis. The revised Weare’s scheme is found to present potentially better results than Zebiak’s scheme. The Zebiak-Cane coupled ocean-atmosphere model, initialized by the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis of wind stress anomaly at 925 hPa, is referred to as the ZCW coupled model. The atmosphere models of the ZCW coupled model that use Zebiak’s scheme and the revised Weare’s scheme are referred to as the ZCW0 and ZCWN atmosphere models, respectively. The coupled ocean-atmosphere models that use Zebiak’s scheme and the revised Weare’s scheme are referred to as the ZCW0and ZCWN coupled models, respectively. The simulations between the ZCW0 and ZCWN atmosphere models and between the ZCW0 and ZCWN coupled models are analyzed. The results include: (1) The evolution of heat, meridional wind and divergence anomalies simulated by similar ZCW0 and ZCWN atmosphere models, although the magnitudes of the former are larger than those of the latter; (2) The prediction skill of the Niño3 index from 1982 to 1999 by the ZCWN coupled model shows improvement compared with those by the ZCW0 coupled model; (3) The analysis of El Niño events in 1982/1983, 1986/1987, and 1997/1998 and La Niña events in 1984/1985, 1988/1989, and 1998/2000 suggests that the ZCWN coupled model is better than the ZCW0 coupled model in predicting warm event evolution and cold event generation. The results also show the disadvantage of the ZCWN coupled model for predicting El Niño
2010, 16(1): 20-26.
Abstract:
Based on the Typhoon Yearbook data (1980–C2000), some wind-pressure fitting relationships were established for different typhoon intensity at the different latitudes of the western North Pacific. As shown in validations with the 2001-2005 data, the relationships (namely, those between minimum sea level pressure (SLP) and maximum sustained wind near a typhoon center) are stable. They may be applied to correct the overestimated typhoon wind speeds in earlier years (1950–C1979). Statistical analysis showed that the stronger the typhoon, the more stable this wind-pressure relationship is. Moreover, it is more stable at the lower latitude belt (10°N–C30°N). On the basis of this result, a methodology of correcting typhoon’s wind speeds and frequency in these years was put forward, and the climatological series were reconstructed of yearly total typhoon frequencies over the western North Pacific in 1950-1979 and indices were determined of destructive power of typhoons in the offshore regions of China.
Based on the Typhoon Yearbook data (1980–C2000), some wind-pressure fitting relationships were established for different typhoon intensity at the different latitudes of the western North Pacific. As shown in validations with the 2001-2005 data, the relationships (namely, those between minimum sea level pressure (SLP) and maximum sustained wind near a typhoon center) are stable. They may be applied to correct the overestimated typhoon wind speeds in earlier years (1950–C1979). Statistical analysis showed that the stronger the typhoon, the more stable this wind-pressure relationship is. Moreover, it is more stable at the lower latitude belt (10°N–C30°N). On the basis of this result, a methodology of correcting typhoon’s wind speeds and frequency in these years was put forward, and the climatological series were reconstructed of yearly total typhoon frequencies over the western North Pacific in 1950-1979 and indices were determined of destructive power of typhoons in the offshore regions of China.
2010, 16(1): 27-34.
Abstract:
Features of atmospheric circulation and thermal structures are discussed using the NCAR/NCEP data to reveal the reasons for the late onset and anomalous southward persistence of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon (SCSSM) in 2005. The results show that three factors are crucial. First, a strong Arabian High overlaps with a high-latitude blocking high and channels strong cold air to southern Asia. Second, the Tibetan Plateau has a bigger snow cover than usual in spring and the melting of snow cools down the surface. Third, the Somali Jet breaks out at a much later date, being not conducive to convection over Indochina. The former two factors restrict atmospheric sensible heating over the Tibetan Plateau and nearby regions while the third one limits latent heating over Indochina. All of the factors slow down atmospheric warming and postpone the onset of SCSSM. Long after the onset of SCSSM, strong cold air over India advances the Southwest Monsoon northward slowly, resulting in weaker convection and latent heating over the Tibetan Plateau and nearby areas. The negative feedback conversely inhibits further northward movement of Southwest Monsoon.
Features of atmospheric circulation and thermal structures are discussed using the NCAR/NCEP data to reveal the reasons for the late onset and anomalous southward persistence of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon (SCSSM) in 2005. The results show that three factors are crucial. First, a strong Arabian High overlaps with a high-latitude blocking high and channels strong cold air to southern Asia. Second, the Tibetan Plateau has a bigger snow cover than usual in spring and the melting of snow cools down the surface. Third, the Somali Jet breaks out at a much later date, being not conducive to convection over Indochina. The former two factors restrict atmospheric sensible heating over the Tibetan Plateau and nearby regions while the third one limits latent heating over Indochina. All of the factors slow down atmospheric warming and postpone the onset of SCSSM. Long after the onset of SCSSM, strong cold air over India advances the Southwest Monsoon northward slowly, resulting in weaker convection and latent heating over the Tibetan Plateau and nearby areas. The negative feedback conversely inhibits further northward movement of Southwest Monsoon.
2010, 16(1): 35-41.
Abstract:
Based on the daily rainfall datasets of 743 stations in China and the NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data during the period of 1960–C2003, the relationship between the anomalous extreme precipitation (EP) in the south of China and atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere is analyzed. The phenomenon of opposite changes in the sea level pressure and geopotential height anomalies over the Ross Sea and New Zealand is defined as RN, and the index which describes this phenomenon is expressed as RNI. The results show that the RN has barotropic structure and the RNI in May is closely related to the June EP amount in the south of China (SCEP) and the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). The positive correlations between the May RNI at each level and the June SCEP are significant, and the related simultaneous correlations between the RNI and the June SCEP are also positive, suggesting that the potential impact of RN on the SCEP persists from May to June. Therefore, RN in May can be taken as one of the predictive factors for the June SCEP. Furthermore, one possible physical mechanism by which the RN affects the June SCEP is a barotropic meridional teleconnection emanating from the Southern Hemisphere to the western North Pacific.
Based on the daily rainfall datasets of 743 stations in China and the NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data during the period of 1960–C2003, the relationship between the anomalous extreme precipitation (EP) in the south of China and atmospheric circulation in the Southern Hemisphere is analyzed. The phenomenon of opposite changes in the sea level pressure and geopotential height anomalies over the Ross Sea and New Zealand is defined as RN, and the index which describes this phenomenon is expressed as RNI. The results show that the RN has barotropic structure and the RNI in May is closely related to the June EP amount in the south of China (SCEP) and the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM). The positive correlations between the May RNI at each level and the June SCEP are significant, and the related simultaneous correlations between the RNI and the June SCEP are also positive, suggesting that the potential impact of RN on the SCEP persists from May to June. Therefore, RN in May can be taken as one of the predictive factors for the June SCEP. Furthermore, one possible physical mechanism by which the RN affects the June SCEP is a barotropic meridional teleconnection emanating from the Southern Hemisphere to the western North Pacific.
2010, 16(1): 42-50.
Abstract:
This paper investigates the interannual variation of the West Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) intensity based on the data compiled by the Chinese National Climate Center. Monthly reanalysis data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) are also used to study the lead-lag relationship between WPSH intensity and surface heat flux anomalies. The three major findings are as follows: First, WPSH intensity presents good seasonal persistence, especially from winter to the ensuing summer. Persistence is more significant after 1977, especially from spring to summer, and from summer to autumn; persistence of anticyclonic anomalies are significantly better than cyclonic anomalies. Second, surface heat flux tends to present opposite anomalous patterns between the strong and weak years of the WPSH intensity, which is especially valid at the latent heat flux over the ocean. Simultaneous correlations between surface heat flux and WPSH intensity in each of the seasons are marked by similar key areas. Finally, surface heat flux from the preceding winter of a strong summer WPSH is quite similar to strong spring WPSH, but the positive anomalies over the northwest Pacific and south of Japan are notably stronger. The situations in the weak years are similar except for those over the northwest Pacific: winter surface heat flux shows negative anomalies for a weak spring WPSH, but positive anomalies for a weak summer WPSH. It is suggested that surface heat flux in the previous winter plays an important role in maintaining the WPSH intensity in the ensuing spring and summer.
This paper investigates the interannual variation of the West Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) intensity based on the data compiled by the Chinese National Climate Center. Monthly reanalysis data from National Centers for Environmental Prediction and National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) are also used to study the lead-lag relationship between WPSH intensity and surface heat flux anomalies. The three major findings are as follows: First, WPSH intensity presents good seasonal persistence, especially from winter to the ensuing summer. Persistence is more significant after 1977, especially from spring to summer, and from summer to autumn; persistence of anticyclonic anomalies are significantly better than cyclonic anomalies. Second, surface heat flux tends to present opposite anomalous patterns between the strong and weak years of the WPSH intensity, which is especially valid at the latent heat flux over the ocean. Simultaneous correlations between surface heat flux and WPSH intensity in each of the seasons are marked by similar key areas. Finally, surface heat flux from the preceding winter of a strong summer WPSH is quite similar to strong spring WPSH, but the positive anomalies over the northwest Pacific and south of Japan are notably stronger. The situations in the weak years are similar except for those over the northwest Pacific: winter surface heat flux shows negative anomalies for a weak spring WPSH, but positive anomalies for a weak summer WPSH. It is suggested that surface heat flux in the previous winter plays an important role in maintaining the WPSH intensity in the ensuing spring and summer.
2010, 16(1): 51-58.
Abstract:
Using monthly reanalysis data of the National Center for Environmental Research/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) and Objectively Analyzed Air–CSea Heat Flux (OAFlux) gathered during the winter, singular vector decomposition (SVD) analysis was conducted to reveal the coupled mode between the Kuroshio marine heating anomaly and the geopotential height at 500 hPa (Z500) over the North Pacific. The first SVD mode showed that when the northern Kuroshio marine heating anomaly was positive, the Z500 in the central and western sections of the North Pacific was anomalously low. By composing the meteorological field anomalies in the positive (or negative) years, it has been revealed that while the Aleutian Low deepens (or shallows), the northwesterly wind overlying the Kuroshio strengthens (or weakens) and induces the near-surface air to be cool (or warm). Furthermore, this increases (or decreases) the upward heat flux anomaly and cools (or warms) the sea surface temperature (SST) accordingly. In the vicinity of Kuroshio and its downstream region, the vertical structure of the air temperature along the latitude is baroclinic; however, the geopotential height is equivalently barotropic, which presents a cool trough (or warm ridge) spatial structure. The divergent wind and vertical velocities are introduced to show the anomalous zonal circulation cell. These are characterized by the rising (or descending) air in the central North Pacific, which flows westward and eastward toward the upper troposphere, descends (or rises) in the Kuroshio and in the western section of North America, and then strengthens (or weakens) the mid-latitude zonal cell (MZC).
Using monthly reanalysis data of the National Center for Environmental Research/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) and Objectively Analyzed Air–CSea Heat Flux (OAFlux) gathered during the winter, singular vector decomposition (SVD) analysis was conducted to reveal the coupled mode between the Kuroshio marine heating anomaly and the geopotential height at 500 hPa (Z500) over the North Pacific. The first SVD mode showed that when the northern Kuroshio marine heating anomaly was positive, the Z500 in the central and western sections of the North Pacific was anomalously low. By composing the meteorological field anomalies in the positive (or negative) years, it has been revealed that while the Aleutian Low deepens (or shallows), the northwesterly wind overlying the Kuroshio strengthens (or weakens) and induces the near-surface air to be cool (or warm). Furthermore, this increases (or decreases) the upward heat flux anomaly and cools (or warms) the sea surface temperature (SST) accordingly. In the vicinity of Kuroshio and its downstream region, the vertical structure of the air temperature along the latitude is baroclinic; however, the geopotential height is equivalently barotropic, which presents a cool trough (or warm ridge) spatial structure. The divergent wind and vertical velocities are introduced to show the anomalous zonal circulation cell. These are characterized by the rising (or descending) air in the central North Pacific, which flows westward and eastward toward the upper troposphere, descends (or rises) in the Kuroshio and in the western section of North America, and then strengthens (or weakens) the mid-latitude zonal cell (MZC).
2010, 16(1): 59-65.
Abstract:
Techniques of artificially-triggered lightning have provided a significantly useful means to directly measure various physical parameters of lightning discharge and to conduct research on protection methods of lightning electromagnetic pulses. In this study, using capacitive and resistive dividers, current probes and optical fiber transmission devices, we measured and analyzed the induced overvoltage on the overhead transmission line and the overcurrent through Surge Protective Devices (SPD) when a lightning discharge was artificially triggered nearby on August 12, 2008 at Conghua Field Lightning Experiment Site. The triggered lightning discharge contained an initial current stage and eight return strokes whose peak currents ranged from 6.6kA to 26.4kA. We found that overcurrents through SPD were induced on the power line both during the initial continuous current stage and the return stroke processes. During the return strokes, the residual voltage and the current through the SPD lasted up to the ms (millisecond) range, and the overcurrents exhibited a mean waveform up to 22/69μs with a peak value of less than 2kA. Based on the observed data, simple calculations show that the corresponding single discharge energy was much greater than the values of the high voltage pulse generators commonly used in the experiments regulated for SPD. The SPD discharge current peak was not synchronous to that of the residual voltage with the former obviously lagging behind the latter. The SPD discharge current peak was well correlated with the triggered lightning current peak and the wave-front current gradient. The long duration of the SPD current is one of the major reasons why the SPD was damaged even with a big nominal discharge current.
Techniques of artificially-triggered lightning have provided a significantly useful means to directly measure various physical parameters of lightning discharge and to conduct research on protection methods of lightning electromagnetic pulses. In this study, using capacitive and resistive dividers, current probes and optical fiber transmission devices, we measured and analyzed the induced overvoltage on the overhead transmission line and the overcurrent through Surge Protective Devices (SPD) when a lightning discharge was artificially triggered nearby on August 12, 2008 at Conghua Field Lightning Experiment Site. The triggered lightning discharge contained an initial current stage and eight return strokes whose peak currents ranged from 6.6kA to 26.4kA. We found that overcurrents through SPD were induced on the power line both during the initial continuous current stage and the return stroke processes. During the return strokes, the residual voltage and the current through the SPD lasted up to the ms (millisecond) range, and the overcurrents exhibited a mean waveform up to 22/69μs with a peak value of less than 2kA. Based on the observed data, simple calculations show that the corresponding single discharge energy was much greater than the values of the high voltage pulse generators commonly used in the experiments regulated for SPD. The SPD discharge current peak was not synchronous to that of the residual voltage with the former obviously lagging behind the latter. The SPD discharge current peak was well correlated with the triggered lightning current peak and the wave-front current gradient. The long duration of the SPD current is one of the major reasons why the SPD was damaged even with a big nominal discharge current.
2010, 16(1): 66-70.
Abstract:
This paper demonstrates that an annular mode can be constructed from the combination of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Pacific/North American (PNA) patterns. The quasi-annularity, meridional dipole and vertical barotropy of the constructed annular mode resemble those of the Atlantic Oscillation (AO) pattern. It is also a dominant mode in terms of the variance contribution. Moreover, its temporal correlation with the AO is quite strong. This new annular mode has the advantage over the AO in that it incorporates a large portion of the PNA and makes the center of action in the Pacific stronger and more physically relevant than that of the AO. Or, more generally, it may be regarded as a physical mode unlike the AO. The results of this study also indicate the NAO–CPNA perspective contains most of the information of the AO, whereas the AO perspective only contains about half of the information of the NAO-PNA. Consequently, the NAO–CPNA perspective is regarded by the authors to be more comprehensive than that of the AO.
This paper demonstrates that an annular mode can be constructed from the combination of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Pacific/North American (PNA) patterns. The quasi-annularity, meridional dipole and vertical barotropy of the constructed annular mode resemble those of the Atlantic Oscillation (AO) pattern. It is also a dominant mode in terms of the variance contribution. Moreover, its temporal correlation with the AO is quite strong. This new annular mode has the advantage over the AO in that it incorporates a large portion of the PNA and makes the center of action in the Pacific stronger and more physically relevant than that of the AO. Or, more generally, it may be regarded as a physical mode unlike the AO. The results of this study also indicate the NAO–CPNA perspective contains most of the information of the AO, whereas the AO perspective only contains about half of the information of the NAO-PNA. Consequently, the NAO–CPNA perspective is regarded by the authors to be more comprehensive than that of the AO.
2010, 16(1): 71-76.
Abstract:
To better assimilate Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (ATOVS) radiance data and provide more accurate initial fields for a numerical model, two bias correction schemes are employed to correct the ATOVS radiance data. The difference in the two schemes lies in the predictors use in air-mass bias correction. The predictors used in SCHEME 1 are all obtained from model first-guess, while those in SCHEME 2 are from model first-guess and radiance observations. The results from the two schemes show that after bias correction, the observation residual became smaller and closer to a Gaussian distribution. For both land and ocean data sets, the results obtained from SCHEME 1 are similar to those from SCHEME 2, which indicates that the predictors could be used in bias correction of ATOVS data.
To better assimilate Advanced TIROS Operational Vertical Sounder (ATOVS) radiance data and provide more accurate initial fields for a numerical model, two bias correction schemes are employed to correct the ATOVS radiance data. The difference in the two schemes lies in the predictors use in air-mass bias correction. The predictors used in SCHEME 1 are all obtained from model first-guess, while those in SCHEME 2 are from model first-guess and radiance observations. The results from the two schemes show that after bias correction, the observation residual became smaller and closer to a Gaussian distribution. For both land and ocean data sets, the results obtained from SCHEME 1 are similar to those from SCHEME 2, which indicates that the predictors could be used in bias correction of ATOVS data.
2010, 16(1): 77-81.
Abstract:
Four landfalling typhoon cases in 2005 were selected for a numerical simulation study with the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System (GRAPES) model. The preliminary assessment results of the performance of the model, including the predictions of typhoon track, landfall time, location and intensity, etc., are presented and the sources of errors are analyzed. The 24-hour distance forecast error of the typhoon center by the model is shown to be about 131 km, while the 48-hour error is 252 km. The model was relatively more skilful at forecasts of landfall time and locations than those of intensity at landfall. On average, the 24-hour forecasts were slightly better than the 48-hour ones. An analysis of data impacts indicates that the assimilation of unconventional observation data is essential for the improvement of the model simulation. The model could also be improved by increasing model resolution to simulate the mesoscale and fine scale systems and by improving methods of terrain refinement processing.
Four landfalling typhoon cases in 2005 were selected for a numerical simulation study with the Global/Regional Assimilation and Prediction System (GRAPES) model. The preliminary assessment results of the performance of the model, including the predictions of typhoon track, landfall time, location and intensity, etc., are presented and the sources of errors are analyzed. The 24-hour distance forecast error of the typhoon center by the model is shown to be about 131 km, while the 48-hour error is 252 km. The model was relatively more skilful at forecasts of landfall time and locations than those of intensity at landfall. On average, the 24-hour forecasts were slightly better than the 48-hour ones. An analysis of data impacts indicates that the assimilation of unconventional observation data is essential for the improvement of the model simulation. The model could also be improved by increasing model resolution to simulate the mesoscale and fine scale systems and by improving methods of terrain refinement processing.
2010, 16(1): 82-85.
Abstract:
With Doppler radar data from Shantou and Xiamen and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data, the characteristics of a short-term heavy rainstorm on 17 May 2006 caused by Typhoon Chanchu are studied. Doppler radar data indicates that during the period from 1800 to 1900 May 17, the azimuthal phases of the positive and negative radial wind maximums are asymmetric around the core radius of the typhoon, i.e., the radial wind on the left side of the track is anomalously larger than that on the right side. Studies show that this is induced by the intrusion of cold air (northeasterly wind), which is primarily located at the mid-lower layers, lower than 4 km; this is due to the intruding cold air that forces the atmosphere to uplift, enhancing the release of instability energy, which triggers the heavy precipitation. During the late stage of the cold air activity, the typhoon is rapidly weakened. Consistent with the radar-observed intrusion of cold air, the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis of wind data also shows that there are obvious large scalar wind values at the mid-lower layers (approximately 1–C3 km) to the left of the typhoon center (1800 May 17), and in all regions―except those affected by the intruding cold air―the wind speeds on the right side of the track remain larger than those on the left side. Furthermore, the Rankine model results confirm that northeasterly cold air is introduced to the typhoon at the mid-lower layers to the left of the track. Calculations also point out that there exists a frontal zone with high θse that tilts from southeast to northwest with height and the super heavy rainstorm occurring in the south of Fujian province lies just near the frontal zone.
With Doppler radar data from Shantou and Xiamen and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis data, the characteristics of a short-term heavy rainstorm on 17 May 2006 caused by Typhoon Chanchu are studied. Doppler radar data indicates that during the period from 1800 to 1900 May 17, the azimuthal phases of the positive and negative radial wind maximums are asymmetric around the core radius of the typhoon, i.e., the radial wind on the left side of the track is anomalously larger than that on the right side. Studies show that this is induced by the intrusion of cold air (northeasterly wind), which is primarily located at the mid-lower layers, lower than 4 km; this is due to the intruding cold air that forces the atmosphere to uplift, enhancing the release of instability energy, which triggers the heavy precipitation. During the late stage of the cold air activity, the typhoon is rapidly weakened. Consistent with the radar-observed intrusion of cold air, the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis of wind data also shows that there are obvious large scalar wind values at the mid-lower layers (approximately 1–C3 km) to the left of the typhoon center (1800 May 17), and in all regions―except those affected by the intruding cold air―the wind speeds on the right side of the track remain larger than those on the left side. Furthermore, the Rankine model results confirm that northeasterly cold air is introduced to the typhoon at the mid-lower layers to the left of the track. Calculations also point out that there exists a frontal zone with high θse that tilts from southeast to northwest with height and the super heavy rainstorm occurring in the south of Fujian province lies just near the frontal zone.
2010, 16(1): 86-90.
Abstract:
The variation characteristics of precipitation during the winter (between October and the following March, to be referred to as just “the winter” hereafter) in Guangdong province during the past 50 years (from 1957 to 2006) and the relationship with Pacific SST are studied using the methods of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, wavelet analysis, and correlation analysis. The results show that The Guangdong precipitation during the winter exhibits quasi-periodic significant oscillations of 40 years and 2 years; rainfall is less from the end of the 1950s to the start of the 1970s and from the end of the 1990s to the present than from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s. The frequency of sustained drought is more than sustained flooding during the winter. The Guangdong precipitation during this time period is in significantly positive correlation to the equatorial central and eastern Pacific SST, but in a significantly negative correlation with the western and northern Pacific SST east of the Philippine Sea. 61.5% of the sustained drought occurred in the phase of negative anomalies of the Niño3.4 index and 38.5% in the phase of positive ones. A composite analysis of atmospheric circulation is performed for the positive and negative phases of the Niño3.4 region associated with the sustained drought. The results showed that a weak polar vortex, a strong trough in Europe and a ridge near Balkhash Lake, active cold air and consistent northerly wind anomalies controlling Guangdong at low levels, an inactive westerly low disturbance in the low-mid latitude of the Asian continent, and a weak southern branch westerly trough, are all mutual causes for the sustained drought.
The variation characteristics of precipitation during the winter (between October and the following March, to be referred to as just “the winter” hereafter) in Guangdong province during the past 50 years (from 1957 to 2006) and the relationship with Pacific SST are studied using the methods of Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis, wavelet analysis, and correlation analysis. The results show that The Guangdong precipitation during the winter exhibits quasi-periodic significant oscillations of 40 years and 2 years; rainfall is less from the end of the 1950s to the start of the 1970s and from the end of the 1990s to the present than from the mid 1970s to the mid 1990s. The frequency of sustained drought is more than sustained flooding during the winter. The Guangdong precipitation during this time period is in significantly positive correlation to the equatorial central and eastern Pacific SST, but in a significantly negative correlation with the western and northern Pacific SST east of the Philippine Sea. 61.5% of the sustained drought occurred in the phase of negative anomalies of the Niño3.4 index and 38.5% in the phase of positive ones. A composite analysis of atmospheric circulation is performed for the positive and negative phases of the Niño3.4 region associated with the sustained drought. The results showed that a weak polar vortex, a strong trough in Europe and a ridge near Balkhash Lake, active cold air and consistent northerly wind anomalies controlling Guangdong at low levels, an inactive westerly low disturbance in the low-mid latitude of the Asian continent, and a weak southern branch westerly trough, are all mutual causes for the sustained drought.
2010, 16(1): 91-95.
Abstract:
The structural characteristics of 2004 typhoon Aere’s precipitation are analyzed using the high-resolution data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) of the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA). It is found that the typhoon’s characteristics vary at different stages of its development. To analyze the asymmetric causation of precipitation distribution, data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis are used to calculate the vertical integral of the water vapor flux vector. The results show that because of this process, along with the unique phenomenon of twin-typhoon circulation, the easterly air current of the typhoon’s northern side and the southwesterly air current of its southern side play a joint role in transporting water vapor. Furthermore, its transport effects vary greatly at the different stages of development, showing the peculiarity of the water source for this typhoon process. The distributions of the typhoon convection area―characterized by heavy precipitation and a maximum-value area of the water vapor flux, as well as a strong ascending-motion area―differ at different stages of the typhoon’s development. The non-uniform distribution of water vapor flux and the vertical motion bring about asymmetrical distribution of the typhoon precipitation.
The structural characteristics of 2004 typhoon Aere’s precipitation are analyzed using the high-resolution data from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) of the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA). It is found that the typhoon’s characteristics vary at different stages of its development. To analyze the asymmetric causation of precipitation distribution, data from the National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) reanalysis are used to calculate the vertical integral of the water vapor flux vector. The results show that because of this process, along with the unique phenomenon of twin-typhoon circulation, the easterly air current of the typhoon’s northern side and the southwesterly air current of its southern side play a joint role in transporting water vapor. Furthermore, its transport effects vary greatly at the different stages of development, showing the peculiarity of the water source for this typhoon process. The distributions of the typhoon convection area―characterized by heavy precipitation and a maximum-value area of the water vapor flux, as well as a strong ascending-motion area―differ at different stages of the typhoon’s development. The non-uniform distribution of water vapor flux and the vertical motion bring about asymmetrical distribution of the typhoon precipitation.
2010, 16(1): 96-100.
Abstract:
With the advances of numerical weather simulation and reduced data assimilation updating cycle, surface observation data assimilation becomes more and more important in data assimilation systems. It is widely accepted that a better data assimilation system should contain the restriction of thermodynamic processes in the surface layer. Therefore, in this paper, a new surface wind observation operator is utilized in Global and Regional Assimilation PrEdiction System_3D-Variance (GRAPES_3D-Var), with the restriction of thermodynamic process in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). In order to research the ability of this new surface wind observation operator in assimilation and forecasting, a series of experiments are operated by using the GRAPES model. The main results indicate that this new method of surface wind observation operator has positive impact on the forecast with the GRAPES model.
With the advances of numerical weather simulation and reduced data assimilation updating cycle, surface observation data assimilation becomes more and more important in data assimilation systems. It is widely accepted that a better data assimilation system should contain the restriction of thermodynamic processes in the surface layer. Therefore, in this paper, a new surface wind observation operator is utilized in Global and Regional Assimilation PrEdiction System_3D-Variance (GRAPES_3D-Var), with the restriction of thermodynamic process in the planetary boundary layer (PBL). In order to research the ability of this new surface wind observation operator in assimilation and forecasting, a series of experiments are operated by using the GRAPES model. The main results indicate that this new method of surface wind observation operator has positive impact on the forecast with the GRAPES model.
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