2000 Vol. 6, No. 2
2000, 6(2): 113-122.
Abstract:
The NCEP reanalyzed data, OLR and SST observations are used to study the onset time and the multi-time scales features of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon in 1998 and its interaction with the sea surface temperature and the effect on the precipitation in Guangdong province. It is found that the 1998 SCS summer monsoon set in on May 17 (in the fourth pentad of the month). The year witnesses a weak monsoon with the OLR oscillating at cycles of about 1 month and the Southwest Monsoon of about 1/2 month. The mon-soon over the Bay of Bengal and the cross-equatorial current near 105°are two driving forces for low-frequency variations of the SCS monsoon. The weak activity in the year was resulted from positive anomalies of SST in the equatorial eastern Pacific in early spring and subsequent formation of positive anomalies of SST in the SCS through the Arabian Sea.
The NCEP reanalyzed data, OLR and SST observations are used to study the onset time and the multi-time scales features of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon in 1998 and its interaction with the sea surface temperature and the effect on the precipitation in Guangdong province. It is found that the 1998 SCS summer monsoon set in on May 17 (in the fourth pentad of the month). The year witnesses a weak monsoon with the OLR oscillating at cycles of about 1 month and the Southwest Monsoon of about 1/2 month. The mon-soon over the Bay of Bengal and the cross-equatorial current near 105°are two driving forces for low-frequency variations of the SCS monsoon. The weak activity in the year was resulted from positive anomalies of SST in the equatorial eastern Pacific in early spring and subsequent formation of positive anomalies of SST in the SCS through the Arabian Sea.
2000, 6(2): 123-131.
Abstract:
Conclusions are divided regarding the role of the variations of thermodynamics in the monsoon activity for the South China Sea region. In this study, primary eigenvectors are studied for the SSTA from East Asia to the tropical eastern Indian Ocean in May. The results show that temperature anomalies that center on Sumatra are closely related with the outbreak of the South China Sea monsoon. When the SST is warmer (cooler) than average year, it is likely that the monsoon set in late (early). It may be caused by the changes in meridional difference in thermodynamics between the Indochina Peninsula and its southern tropical oceans. Studying the temporal and spatial evolution of primary eigenvector distribution of the SSTA in the South China Sea-tropical eastern Indian Ocean from winter to summer, we find that the temperature anomalies that center around Sumatra in late spring and early summer can be traced back to the variations of the SST fields in the South China Sea in the preceding winter. Being well associated with the outbreak of the South China Sea monsoon, the latter is a signifi-cant index for it. The work helps understanding the atmospheric and oceanic background against which the South China Sea monsoon breaks out and behaves.
Conclusions are divided regarding the role of the variations of thermodynamics in the monsoon activity for the South China Sea region. In this study, primary eigenvectors are studied for the SSTA from East Asia to the tropical eastern Indian Ocean in May. The results show that temperature anomalies that center on Sumatra are closely related with the outbreak of the South China Sea monsoon. When the SST is warmer (cooler) than average year, it is likely that the monsoon set in late (early). It may be caused by the changes in meridional difference in thermodynamics between the Indochina Peninsula and its southern tropical oceans. Studying the temporal and spatial evolution of primary eigenvector distribution of the SSTA in the South China Sea-tropical eastern Indian Ocean from winter to summer, we find that the temperature anomalies that center around Sumatra in late spring and early summer can be traced back to the variations of the SST fields in the South China Sea in the preceding winter. Being well associated with the outbreak of the South China Sea monsoon, the latter is a signifi-cant index for it. The work helps understanding the atmospheric and oceanic background against which the South China Sea monsoon breaks out and behaves.
2000, 6(2): 132-134.
Abstract:
Studies on oceanic conditions in the South China Sea (SCS) and adjacent waters are helpful for thorough understanding of summer monsoons in East Asia. To have a 3-dimensional picture of how the oceanic currents vary, the oceanic elements in the South China Sea (SCS) and its neighboring sea regions in January~August 1998 have been simulated by using the improved Princeton University Ocean Model (POM) in this paper. The main results are in good agreement with that of ocean investigations and other simulations. The results show that the SCS branch of the Kuroshio Current is an important part in the north SCS from January to August; the SCS warm current is reproduced clearly in all months except in winter; there always exists a large-scale anti-cyclonic vortex on the right of the Kuroshio Current from January to August. In the model domain, the surface currents of the SCS have the closest relations with the monsoon with an apparent seasonal variation. In addition, the developing characteristics of the SST in the SCS and its neighboring sea regions before and after the summer monsoon onset are also well simulated by the improved POM. Those are the foundation for developing a coupled regional ocean-atmospheric model system.
Studies on oceanic conditions in the South China Sea (SCS) and adjacent waters are helpful for thorough understanding of summer monsoons in East Asia. To have a 3-dimensional picture of how the oceanic currents vary, the oceanic elements in the South China Sea (SCS) and its neighboring sea regions in January~August 1998 have been simulated by using the improved Princeton University Ocean Model (POM) in this paper. The main results are in good agreement with that of ocean investigations and other simulations. The results show that the SCS branch of the Kuroshio Current is an important part in the north SCS from January to August; the SCS warm current is reproduced clearly in all months except in winter; there always exists a large-scale anti-cyclonic vortex on the right of the Kuroshio Current from January to August. In the model domain, the surface currents of the SCS have the closest relations with the monsoon with an apparent seasonal variation. In addition, the developing characteristics of the SST in the SCS and its neighboring sea regions before and after the summer monsoon onset are also well simulated by the improved POM. Those are the foundation for developing a coupled regional ocean-atmospheric model system.
2000, 6(2): 141-150.
Abstract:
The evolution of the tropospheric temperature fields over Indian and South China Sea monsoon areas and their thermal mechanisms are compared and analyzed during the period from March to June, 1996. The results show that the onsets of the Indian and South China Sea summer monsoons are closely associated with the seasonal warming in the troposphere over the zonal belt of 10°N~30°N in these areas, which leads to the inversion of meridional temperature gradient. During the pre-onset period, the warming over the South China Sea monsoon region is mainly due to the warm horizontal advection and diabatic (latent) heating processes. Meanwhile, the warming is suppressed by the vertical adiabatic process (cooling). In spring over the Indian monsoon region, the significant adiabatic heating due to the subsidence motion, which compensates the cooling due to the strong cold advection and diabatic cooling processes, results in a larger warming rate than over the South China Sea monsoon region. However, the meridional temperature gradient over the Indian monsoon region is so large during the late winter and early spring that it takes longer time to warm the troposphere to have the reversion of meridional temperature gradient than it does over the South China Sea monsoon region. It results in the phenomenon that the South China Sea summer monsoon generally breaks out earlier than the Indian summer monsoon.
The evolution of the tropospheric temperature fields over Indian and South China Sea monsoon areas and their thermal mechanisms are compared and analyzed during the period from March to June, 1996. The results show that the onsets of the Indian and South China Sea summer monsoons are closely associated with the seasonal warming in the troposphere over the zonal belt of 10°N~30°N in these areas, which leads to the inversion of meridional temperature gradient. During the pre-onset period, the warming over the South China Sea monsoon region is mainly due to the warm horizontal advection and diabatic (latent) heating processes. Meanwhile, the warming is suppressed by the vertical adiabatic process (cooling). In spring over the Indian monsoon region, the significant adiabatic heating due to the subsidence motion, which compensates the cooling due to the strong cold advection and diabatic cooling processes, results in a larger warming rate than over the South China Sea monsoon region. However, the meridional temperature gradient over the Indian monsoon region is so large during the late winter and early spring that it takes longer time to warm the troposphere to have the reversion of meridional temperature gradient than it does over the South China Sea monsoon region. It results in the phenomenon that the South China Sea summer monsoon generally breaks out earlier than the Indian summer monsoon.
2000, 6(2): 151-161.
Abstract:
Sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) exerts great influence on the generation of global weather and climate. Much progress has been made with respect to SSTA in the Pacific Ocean region in contrast to the Indian Ocean. The IAP9L model, which is developed at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science, is used to simulate the influence of the Indian Ocean SSTA on the general circulation and weather/climate anomalies in the monsoon region of Asia. It is found that the warm (cool) SSTA in the equatorial low latitudes of the Indian Ocean triggers winter (summer) teleconnection patterns in middle and higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere that are similar to PNA or EAP. They play a very important role in the anomaly of circulation or weather and climate in the middle and lower latitudes of the Asian summer monsoon region. With the warm (cool) SSTA forcing in the Indian Ocean, the Asian summer monsoon sets up at a late (early) date and withdraws at a early (late) date, lasting for a short (long) duration at a weak (strong) intensity. The Indian Ocean SSTA is shown to be an indicator for precipitation variation in China.
Sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) exerts great influence on the generation of global weather and climate. Much progress has been made with respect to SSTA in the Pacific Ocean region in contrast to the Indian Ocean. The IAP9L model, which is developed at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Science, is used to simulate the influence of the Indian Ocean SSTA on the general circulation and weather/climate anomalies in the monsoon region of Asia. It is found that the warm (cool) SSTA in the equatorial low latitudes of the Indian Ocean triggers winter (summer) teleconnection patterns in middle and higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere that are similar to PNA or EAP. They play a very important role in the anomaly of circulation or weather and climate in the middle and lower latitudes of the Asian summer monsoon region. With the warm (cool) SSTA forcing in the Indian Ocean, the Asian summer monsoon sets up at a late (early) date and withdraws at a early (late) date, lasting for a short (long) duration at a weak (strong) intensity. The Indian Ocean SSTA is shown to be an indicator for precipitation variation in China.
2000, 6(2): 162-171.
Abstract:
In this paper, a newly established "South China Regional Short Range Climate Prediction Model System" is introduced and its performance is analyzed in real case simulation. It shows that the system has a good performance and suitable for short range climate modeling. The model simulates well the monthly mean, pentad mean and daily field, pentad mean and daily field and can depict more details than coarse resolution analyses. Weather systems and information can pass into and out of the model domain through lateral boundaries without notable damping. Almost all of the weather and climate changes can be reflected in the simulation, in which both the changing tendencies, amplitudes, speeds, and phases are consistent with the real cases. The simulated precipitation is much close to the observed one, both in the extent, position and in the intensity of rainfall. In addition, some smaller precipitation centers could also be reflected in the simulation.
In this paper, a newly established "South China Regional Short Range Climate Prediction Model System" is introduced and its performance is analyzed in real case simulation. It shows that the system has a good performance and suitable for short range climate modeling. The model simulates well the monthly mean, pentad mean and daily field, pentad mean and daily field and can depict more details than coarse resolution analyses. Weather systems and information can pass into and out of the model domain through lateral boundaries without notable damping. Almost all of the weather and climate changes can be reflected in the simulation, in which both the changing tendencies, amplitudes, speeds, and phases are consistent with the real cases. The simulated precipitation is much close to the observed one, both in the extent, position and in the intensity of rainfall. In addition, some smaller precipitation centers could also be reflected in the simulation.
2000, 6(2): 172-178.
Abstract:
It is necessary to study the tropical western Pacific SST in association with variations of other parts of the globe. Two basic compositions are revealed of long-term variation in SST over three major tropical oceans since the 1950's (linear warming and El Nino-La Nina oscillations) and typical patterns with which they are displayed over the oceans are compared. On the basis of it, difference in long-term variation of SST over western, central and eastern tropical Pacific is analyzed in details. It is pointed out that the El Nino-La Nina oscillations are relatively weak in the long-term variation of SST in the tropical western Pacific and linear warming trend there is replaced by interdecadal oscillations. Further understanding of the peculiarity over the region helps improve short-term climatic predictions in China.
It is necessary to study the tropical western Pacific SST in association with variations of other parts of the globe. Two basic compositions are revealed of long-term variation in SST over three major tropical oceans since the 1950's (linear warming and El Nino-La Nina oscillations) and typical patterns with which they are displayed over the oceans are compared. On the basis of it, difference in long-term variation of SST over western, central and eastern tropical Pacific is analyzed in details. It is pointed out that the El Nino-La Nina oscillations are relatively weak in the long-term variation of SST in the tropical western Pacific and linear warming trend there is replaced by interdecadal oscillations. Further understanding of the peculiarity over the region helps improve short-term climatic predictions in China.
2000, 6(2): 179-184.
Abstract:
In view of the SSTA study mostly confined to summer, this work tries to take another look from the point of winter. Using a two-layer general circulation model (IAP-GCM Ⅱ)developed at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, numerical experiments are conducted to study the transmission paths of the 500-hPa response field of temperature in association with monthly winter anomalies of SST for the South China Sea. The result shows that the response field splits into two branches in transmission when the anomaly is positive-one travels counterclockwise to the north arriving in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau via southeastern China after leaving the sea and the other goes southwards; the transmission becomes clockwise when anomaly turns negative so that it starts from the sea and passes the Bay of Thailand before, as in the case of positive anomaly, reaching the plateau. Our work has shown that the South China Sea SST is essential for the prediction of short-term climate in southeast China.
In view of the SSTA study mostly confined to summer, this work tries to take another look from the point of winter. Using a two-layer general circulation model (IAP-GCM Ⅱ)developed at the Institute of Atmospheric Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, numerical experiments are conducted to study the transmission paths of the 500-hPa response field of temperature in association with monthly winter anomalies of SST for the South China Sea. The result shows that the response field splits into two branches in transmission when the anomaly is positive-one travels counterclockwise to the north arriving in the Qinghai-Xizang (Tibetan) Plateau via southeastern China after leaving the sea and the other goes southwards; the transmission becomes clockwise when anomaly turns negative so that it starts from the sea and passes the Bay of Thailand before, as in the case of positive anomaly, reaching the plateau. Our work has shown that the South China Sea SST is essential for the prediction of short-term climate in southeast China.
2000, 6(2): 186-193.
Abstract:
Most of the study on correlation between the subtropical high and SST focus on the location or intensity of the former versus the latter. It is worthwhile to work on links other than what is usually addressed to identify guidelines in the prediction of the subtropical high. Based on the analysis of subtropical high in west Pacific summer and its correlation with SST in equatorial and north Pacific from previous December to subsequent November, correlation between the area index, west-extending point, location of the subtropical high ridge and SST is discussed. It is conducted by looking into the confidence level of gridpoints and their percentage in the total and examining how they vary with time. From the point of intensity and movement/expansion, feedbacks from the subtropical high to SST are also studied. The SST affects the subtropical high just as the subtropical high affects the SST. A linkage model is thus set up to assist the making of summer rainfall prediction in China's raining seasons.
Most of the study on correlation between the subtropical high and SST focus on the location or intensity of the former versus the latter. It is worthwhile to work on links other than what is usually addressed to identify guidelines in the prediction of the subtropical high. Based on the analysis of subtropical high in west Pacific summer and its correlation with SST in equatorial and north Pacific from previous December to subsequent November, correlation between the area index, west-extending point, location of the subtropical high ridge and SST is discussed. It is conducted by looking into the confidence level of gridpoints and their percentage in the total and examining how they vary with time. From the point of intensity and movement/expansion, feedbacks from the subtropical high to SST are also studied. The SST affects the subtropical high just as the subtropical high affects the SST. A linkage model is thus set up to assist the making of summer rainfall prediction in China's raining seasons.
2000, 6(2): 194-201.
Abstract:
The study of low-frequency oscillations is an important part of climate variability research. In view of insufficient efforts spent on multidecadal and ENSO-scale changes of the climate, the present paper undertakes study of > 30 year slowly-varying means, called climate base state (CBS), of northern winter AAC's in the past 100 years and more, with the CBS variability and its temporal evolution investigated, indicating that Aleutian low and Icelandic low (North Pacific high and North American high) experience maximum (minimum) variation in the CBS. The CBS exhibits two modes for its variation. The positive (negative) phase of mode Ⅰ presents a weak (strong) NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation), a weaker (stronger) NPO (North Pacific Oscillation), a robust (feeble) Siberian high and a quite weak (vigorous) Aleutian low whilst the positive (negative) phase of mode Ⅱ reveals a feeble (strong) Aleutian low and a weak (robust) Siberian high. Also, the research shows that the recent CBS of northern circulations is in a remarkably negative phase of mode Ⅰ and a noticeably positive phase of mode Ⅱ, viz., in the background of slowly-varying circulations of an exceptionally weak Siberian high, an extremely vigorous Aleutian low and an intense NAO. The background field is likely to persist for a matter of 30 years such that northern winter temperature is expected to be in such a warm situation for a long period to follow.
The study of low-frequency oscillations is an important part of climate variability research. In view of insufficient efforts spent on multidecadal and ENSO-scale changes of the climate, the present paper undertakes study of > 30 year slowly-varying means, called climate base state (CBS), of northern winter AAC's in the past 100 years and more, with the CBS variability and its temporal evolution investigated, indicating that Aleutian low and Icelandic low (North Pacific high and North American high) experience maximum (minimum) variation in the CBS. The CBS exhibits two modes for its variation. The positive (negative) phase of mode Ⅰ presents a weak (strong) NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation), a weaker (stronger) NPO (North Pacific Oscillation), a robust (feeble) Siberian high and a quite weak (vigorous) Aleutian low whilst the positive (negative) phase of mode Ⅱ reveals a feeble (strong) Aleutian low and a weak (robust) Siberian high. Also, the research shows that the recent CBS of northern circulations is in a remarkably negative phase of mode Ⅰ and a noticeably positive phase of mode Ⅱ, viz., in the background of slowly-varying circulations of an exceptionally weak Siberian high, an extremely vigorous Aleutian low and an intense NAO. The background field is likely to persist for a matter of 30 years such that northern winter temperature is expected to be in such a warm situation for a long period to follow.
2000, 6(2): 202-211.
Abstract:
It is a worthwhile attempt to address the role of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in the seasonal transition of general circulation from a global prospective. In this paper, the CCM1 (R15L7)-LNWP spectral model is used to study the influences of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau on the seasonal transfer of the general circulation, with the objective analysis form the State Meteorological Center for March 17, 1996 as the initial field. A mid-level heating source in regions on the same latitudes is shown to cause a warming center of 224 K to form on the level of 200 hPa that warms up the atmosphere by more than 7 K and a drop of temperature by about 6 K on most of the 200-hPa layer over the Antarctic continent, with the largest negative center being-8.28 K. It is favorable to the deepening and widening of the polar vortexes in the course of transition from summer to winter. The topographic effect of the plateau plays a vital role in forming and maintaining the mean troughs and ridges of the atmospheric circulation in Northern Hemisphere such that it strengthens (weakens) the south-north positive gradient of temperature on the northern (southern) side of the latitude zone in which the plateau sits and increases the north-south gradient of temperature near 30°N. The seasonal transition is thus favored so that the bulk travel of global westerly at the middle latitudes and the formation of Asian monsoon in early summer are made possible. In the equatorial and low-latitude areas where the geopotential is increased, the effect of the plateau terrain is also evident in that it is favorable for the northern withdrawal of the tropical high ridge in Southern Hemisphere and the northern shift of the subtropical high in Northern Hemisphere. In addition, the effect also helps increase the polar easterly over the Southern Hemisphere and weaken the low zone at 500 hPa. It acts as an increasing factor for the polar vortex around the Ross Sea and contributes to the genesis of the Somali Jet on the equator.
It is a worthwhile attempt to address the role of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau in the seasonal transition of general circulation from a global prospective. In this paper, the CCM1 (R15L7)-LNWP spectral model is used to study the influences of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau on the seasonal transfer of the general circulation, with the objective analysis form the State Meteorological Center for March 17, 1996 as the initial field. A mid-level heating source in regions on the same latitudes is shown to cause a warming center of 224 K to form on the level of 200 hPa that warms up the atmosphere by more than 7 K and a drop of temperature by about 6 K on most of the 200-hPa layer over the Antarctic continent, with the largest negative center being-8.28 K. It is favorable to the deepening and widening of the polar vortexes in the course of transition from summer to winter. The topographic effect of the plateau plays a vital role in forming and maintaining the mean troughs and ridges of the atmospheric circulation in Northern Hemisphere such that it strengthens (weakens) the south-north positive gradient of temperature on the northern (southern) side of the latitude zone in which the plateau sits and increases the north-south gradient of temperature near 30°N. The seasonal transition is thus favored so that the bulk travel of global westerly at the middle latitudes and the formation of Asian monsoon in early summer are made possible. In the equatorial and low-latitude areas where the geopotential is increased, the effect of the plateau terrain is also evident in that it is favorable for the northern withdrawal of the tropical high ridge in Southern Hemisphere and the northern shift of the subtropical high in Northern Hemisphere. In addition, the effect also helps increase the polar easterly over the Southern Hemisphere and weaken the low zone at 500 hPa. It acts as an increasing factor for the polar vortex around the Ross Sea and contributes to the genesis of the Somali Jet on the equator.
2000, 6(2): 212-218.
Abstract:
It is important for predictions of heavy rainfall to include radar data to provide better reflection of moisture. Numerical experiments were carried out with real cases of heavy rains in the Changjiang (Yangtze)-Huaihe River Basin using a PSU/NCAR mesoscale model that incorporated radar data. Processed radar data were added to the model to change the analysis of initial humidity field before 24-h numerical simulations were made and the results compared with a control experiment. It is suggested that the radar-data-incorporated numerical predictions could produce locations of precipitation areas and maximum rainfall that are closer to reality than the control, due to the fact that moisture and converging updraft are strengthened in the middle and lower levels of the troposphere in the area of heavy rains and areas nearby. The work is expected to improve numerical modeling and forecasts of heavy rains in middle and lower latitudes of China.
It is important for predictions of heavy rainfall to include radar data to provide better reflection of moisture. Numerical experiments were carried out with real cases of heavy rains in the Changjiang (Yangtze)-Huaihe River Basin using a PSU/NCAR mesoscale model that incorporated radar data. Processed radar data were added to the model to change the analysis of initial humidity field before 24-h numerical simulations were made and the results compared with a control experiment. It is suggested that the radar-data-incorporated numerical predictions could produce locations of precipitation areas and maximum rainfall that are closer to reality than the control, due to the fact that moisture and converging updraft are strengthened in the middle and lower levels of the troposphere in the area of heavy rains and areas nearby. The work is expected to improve numerical modeling and forecasts of heavy rains in middle and lower latitudes of China.
2000, 6(2): 219-224.
Abstract:
Derivation of bulk transport coefficients helps solving land surface processes. A similarity-based method for determining the turbulent transfer (including the flux exchange, the vertical distribution of wind and potential temperature) in the atmospheric surface layer is presented. Comparisons with iterative schemes (Businger, 1971) are given to demonstrate the advantages of the calculation methods.
Derivation of bulk transport coefficients helps solving land surface processes. A similarity-based method for determining the turbulent transfer (including the flux exchange, the vertical distribution of wind and potential temperature) in the atmospheric surface layer is presented. Comparisons with iterative schemes (Businger, 1971) are given to demonstrate the advantages of the calculation methods.