2020 Vol. 26, No. 3

Articles
Synoptic Characteristics Related to Warm-Sector Torrential Rainfall Events in South China During the Annually First Rainy Season
WU Ya-li, GAO Yu-dong, CHEN De-hui, MENG Wei-guang, LIN Liang-xun, LIN Wen-shi
2020, 26(3): 253-260. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.023
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Abstract:
Warm-sector torrential rainfall (WSTR) events that occur in the annually first rainy season in south China are characterized by high rainfall intensity and low radar echo centroids. To understand the synoptic characteristics related to these features, 16 WSTR events that occurred in 2013-2017 were examined with another 16 squall line (SL) events occurred during the same period as references. Composite analysis derived from ERA-Interim reanalysis data indicated the importance of the deep layer of warm and moist air for WSTR events. The most significant difference between WSTR and SL events lies in their low-level convergence and lifting; for WSTR events, the low-level convergence and lifting is much shallower with comparable or stronger intensity. The trumpet-shaped topography to the north of the WSTR centers is favorable for the development of such shallow convergences in WSTR events. Results in this study will provide references for future studies to improve the predictability of WSTR.
Wind Speed and Altitude Dependent AMDAR Observational Error and Its Impacts on Data Assimilation and Forecasting
CHEN Yao-deng, ZHOU Bing-jun, CHEN Min, WANG Yuan-bing
2020, 26(3): 261-274. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.024
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Abstract:
Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) observations have been widely used in numerical weather prediction (NWP) because of its high spatiotemporal resolution. The observational error of AMDAR is influenced by aircraft flight altitude and atmospheric condition. In this study, the wind speed and altitude dependent observational error of AMDAR is estimated. The statistical results show that the temperature and the observational error in wind speeds slightly decrease as altitude increases, and the observational error in wind speed increases as wind speed increases. Pseudo single AMDAR observation assimilation tests demonstrate that the wind speed and altitude dependent observational error can provide more reasonable analysis increment. Furthermore, to assess the performance of wind speed and altitude dependent observational error on data assimilation and forecasting, two-month 3-hourly cycling data assimilation and forecast experiments based on the Weather Research and Forecasting Model (WRF) and its Data Assimilation system (WRFDA) are performed for the period during 1 September-31 October, 2017. The results of the two-month 3-hourly cycling experiments indicate that new observational error improves analysis and forecast of wind field and geo-potential height, and has slight improvements on temperature. The Fractions Skill Score (FSS) of the 6-h accumulated precipitation shows that new wind speed and altitude dependent observational error leads to better precipitation forecast skill than the default observational error in the WRFDA does.
Raindrop Size Distribution Parameters Retrieved from Xinfeng C-Band Polarimetric Radar Observations
DING Yan, WAN Qi-lin, YANG Ling, LIU Xian-tong, XIA Feng, FENG Lu
2020, 26(3): 275-285. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.025
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Abstract:
The objective of this research was to acquire a raindrop size distribution (DSDs) retrieved from C-band polarimetric radar observations scheme for the first time in south China. An observation period of the precipitation process was selected, and the shape-slope (μ-Λ) relationship of this region was statistically analyzed using the raindrop sample observations from the two-dimensional video disdrometer (2DVD) at Xinfeng Station, Guangdong Province. Simulated data of the C-band polarimetric radar reflectivity ZHH and differential reflectivity ZDR were obtained through scattering simulation. The simulation data were combined with DSD fitting to determine the ZDR-Λ and log10(ZHH/N0)-Λ relationships. Using Xinfeng C-band polarimetric radar observations ZDR and ZHH, the raindrop Gamma size distribution parameters μ, Λ, and N0 were retrieved. A scheme for using C-band polarimetric radar to retrieve the DSDs was developed. This research revealed that during precipitation process, the DSDs obtained using the C-band polarimetric radar retrieval scheme are similar to the 2DVD observations, the precipitation characteristics of rainfall intensity (R), mass-weighted mean diameter (Dm) and intercept parameter (Nw) with time obtained by radar retrieval are basically consistent with the observational results of the 2DVD. This scheme establishes the relationship between the observations of the C-band polarimetric radar and the physical quantities of the numerical model. This method not only can test the prediction of the model data assimilation system on the convective scale and determine error sources, but also can improve the microphysical precipitation processes analysis and radar quantitative precipitation estimation. The present research will facilitate radar data assimilation in the future.
Quality Assessment of FY-4A Lightning Data in Inland China
LIU Rui-xia, LU Qi-feng, CHEN Min, ZHANG Yong, HUI Wen, LI Xiao-qing
2020, 26(3): 286-299. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.026
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Abstract:
The Lightning Mapping Imager (LMI) equipped on the FY-4A (FengYun-4A) geostationary satellite achieves lightning positioning through optical imaging and has the advantages of high temporal resolution, high stability, and continuous observation. In this study, FY-4A LMI lightning event, group and flash data from April to August 2018 are selected, and their quality are assessed through qualitative and quantitative comparison with the ground-based Advanced Time of Arrival and Direction system (ADTD) lightning observation network data and the American International Space Station (ISS) lightning imaging sensor (LIS) data. The results show that the spatial distributions of FY-4A lightning are consistent with those of the ground-based ADTD and ISS LIS. The temporal variation in FY-4A lightning group frequency is consistent with that of ADTD stroke, which reflects that FY-4A LMI can capture the lightning occurrence in inland China. Quantitative statistics show that the consistency rate of FY-4A LMI and ISS LIS events is relatively high but their consistency rate is lower in terms of lightning group and flash data. Compared with the lightning observations by the ISS LIS and the ground-based ADTD, FY-4A LMI reports fewer lightning events in the Tibetan Plateau. The application of Tibetan Plateau lightning data requires further processing and consideration.
An Algorithm for Detecting Ice Cloud at Different Altitudes by Combining Dual CrIS Full Spectrum Resolution CO2 Channels
WANG Li-wen, ZHENG You-fei, TIAN Miao, XU Jing-xin
2020, 26(3): 300-310. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.027
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Abstract:
Using infrared sensors to detect ice clouds in different atmospheric layers is still a challenge. The different scattering and absorption properties of longwave and shortwave infrared channels can be utilized to fulfill this purpose. In this study, the release of Suomi-NPP Cross-track Infrared Sounder (CrIS) full spectrum resolution is used to select and pair channels from longwave (~ 15 μm) and shortwave (~4.3 μm) CO2 absorption bands under stricter conditions, so as to better detect ice clouds. Besides, the differences of the weighting function peaks and cloud insensitive level altitudes of the paired channels are both within 50 hPa so that the variances due to atmospheric conditions can be minimized. The training data of clear sky are determined by Visible Infrared Imaging Radiometer Suite (VIIRS) cloud mask product and used to find the linear relationship between the paired longwave and shortwave CO2 absorption channels. From the linear relationship, the so-called cloud emission and scattering index (CESI) is derived to detect ice clouds. CESI clearly captures the center and the ice cloud features of the Super Typhoon Hato located above 415 hPa. Moreover, the CESI distributions agree with cloud top pressure from the VIIRS in both daytime and nighttime in different atmospheric layers.
A New Index About the Walker Circulation
SHI Dan-dan, RONG Yan-shu, LYU Xing-yue, WU Fu-ting
2020, 26(3): 311-320. doi: 10.16555/j.1006-8775.2020.028
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Abstract:
The Walker circulation (WC) has always been an important issue in atmospheric science research due to the association between the WC and tropical Pacific sea surface temperature (SST), and between the WC and ENSO events. In this paper, a new index-Omega index (OMGI)-is constructed for WC characterization based on the NCEP /NCAR reanalysis data of monthly mean vertical velocity in recent 70 years (1948-2017). Results show that the OMGI can accurately depict the variation characteristics of WC on seasonal, annual and decadal time-scales. There is a significant inverse correlation between the OMGI and equatorial eastern and central Pacific SST. Meanwhile, the peak of the OMGI appears ahead of the ENSO peak, and therefore is able to reflect the SST in the equatorial Pacific. Especially, in 35 ENSO events, the peak of the OMGI appears earlier than Niño 3.4 index for 19 times with 2.6 months ahead on average. In 16 El Niño events, the peak of the OMGI occurs ahead of the El Niño for 9 times with 4 months ahead on average. In 19 La Niña events, the OMGI peak arises 10 times earlier than the La Niña peak, with an average of 1.4 months ahead. OMGI shows obvious leading effect and stability over ENSO events with different strengths and types of single peak and multi peaks: the peak of the OMGI keeps about 2-3 months ahead of the ENSO. Compared with other WC indexes such as UWI and SPLI, OMGI has some advantages in the ability to describe WC changes and present the probability and the time of prediction of ENSO event peaks.
Squall Line and Its Vertical Motion Under Different Moisture Profiles in Eastern China
ZHENG Lin-lin, SUN Jian-hua, ZHANG Jiao, QIU Xue-xing, YAO Chen
2020, 26(3): 321-335. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.029
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The impacts of different moisture profiles on the structure and vertical motion of squall lines were investigated by conducting a set of numerical simulations. The base state was determined by an observational sounding, with high precipitable water representing moist environmental conditions in the East Asian monsoon region. To reveal the impact of moisture at different levels, the moisture content at the middle and low levels were changed in the numerical simulations. The numerical results showed that more convective cells developed and covered a larger area in the high moisture experiments, which was characteristic of the convection during the Meiyu season in China. In addition, high moisture content at low levels favored the development of updrafts and triggered convection of greater intensity. This was demonstrated by the thermodynamic parameters, including Convective Available Potential Energy (CAPE), Lifted Index (LI), Lift Condensation Level (LCL), and Level of Free Convection (LFC). Dry air at middle levels led to strong downdrafts in the environment and updrafts in clouds. This could be because dry air at middle levels favors the release of latent heat, thereby promoting updrafts in clouds and downdrafts in the environment. Therefore, high relative humidity (RH) at low levels and low RH at middle levels favors updrafts in the cloud cores. Additionally, moist air at low levels and dry air at middle levels promotes the development of convective cells and the intensification of cold pool. The squall line can be organized by the outflow boundary induced by cold pool. The balance of cold pool and environmental wind shear is favorable for the maintenance and strengthening of squall lines.
A Modeling Study on the Mechanism of Convective Initiation of a Squall Line over Northeastern China
ZHANG Zhe, ZHOU Yu-shu, DENG Guo
2020, 26(3): 336-347. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.030
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Abstract:
High-resolution numerical simulation results of a squall line initiated along a convergence zone in northeast China on 26 June 2014 were presented in this study. The simulation was performed by a convection-permitting model with coarse and fine grids of 4 and 1.33 km, respectively, and the simulation results were validated against the observation. Results showed that the simulation adequately reproduced the life cycle of the squall line, which allowed detailed investigation of the mechanism of convective initiation in this case. The synoptic condition was favorable for convective initiation and the convection was triggered in a convergence zone, where a branch of dry and cold air and a branch of moist and warm air collided. The water vapor flux divergence was inhomogeneous and some cores of water vapor convergence existed in the convergence zone. These cores were the spots where water vapor converged intensely and the air there was forced to rise, creating favorable spots where the convection was initially triggered. A series of quasi-equally spaced vortices near the surface, which themselves were the result of horizontal shear instability, were accountable for the inhomogeneity of the surface water vapor flux divergence. These vortices rotated the moist air into their north and dry air into their south, thus creating more favorable spots for convective initiation in their north. After initiation, the updraft turned the horizontal vorticity into vertical vorticity in the mid-level. The vortices near the surface collaborated with the vorticity maxima in the mid-level and enhanced the development of convection by providing water vapor.
Multi-Fractal Analysis of Daily Air Temperature Time Series in Coastal Areas of China
LI Zhong-liang, HE Guang-xin, SHEN Wei-shou, ZHEN Xiao-ju, HAN Jing
2020, 26(3): 348-362. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.031
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In this article, the Multi-Fractal Detrended Fluctuation Analysis (MF-DFA) method is adopted to study the temperature, i. e., the maximum temperature (Tmax), mean temperature (Tavg) and minimum (Tmin) air temperature, multifractal characteristics and their formation mechanism, in the typical temperature zones in the coastal regions in Guangdong, Jiangsu and Liaoning Provinces. Following are some terms and concepts used in the present study. Multifractality is defined as a term that characterizes the complexity and self-similarity of objects, and fractal characteristics depict the distribution of probability over the whole set caused by different local conditions or different levels in the process of evolution. Fractality strength denotes the fluctuation range of the data set, and long-range correlation (LRC) measures the stability of the climate system and the trend of climate change in the future. In this research, it is found that the internal stability and feedback mechanism of climate systems in different regions show regional differences. Furthermore, the research also proves that the Tavg, Tmax and Tmin of the above three provinces are highly multifractal. The temperature series multifractality of each province decreases in the order of temperature series multifractality of Liaoning > temperature series multifractality of Guangdong > temperature series multifractality of Jiangsu, and the corresponding long-range correlations follow the same order. It reveals that the most stable temperature series is that of Liaoning, followed by the temperature series of Guangdong, and the most unstable one is that of Jiangsu. Liaoning has the most stable climate system, and it will thus be less responsive to the future climate warming. The stability of the climate system in Jiangsu is the weakest, and its temperature fluctuation will continue to increase in the future, which will probably result in the meteorological disasters of high temperature and heat wave there. Guangdong possesses the strongest degree of multifractal strength, which indicates that its internal temperature series fluctuation is the largest among the three regions. The Tmax multifractal strength of Jiangsu is stronger than that of Liaoning, while the Tavg and Tmin multifractal strength of Jiangsu is weaker than that of Liaoning, showing that Jiangsu has a larger internal Tmax fluctuation than Liaoning does, while it has a smaller fluctuation of Tavg and Tmin than Liaoning does. Guangdong and Liaoning both show the strongest Tmin multifractal strength, followed by Tavg multifractal strength, and the weakest Tmax multifractal strength. However, Jiangsu has the strongest Tmax, followed by Tavg, and the weakest Tmin. The research findings show that these phenomena are closely related to solar radiation, monsoon strength, topography and some other factors. In addition, the multifractality of the temperature time series results from the negative power-law distribution and long-range correlation, in which the long-range correlation influence of temperature series itself plays the dominant role. With the backdrop of global climate change, this research can provide a theoretical basis for the prediction of the spatial-temporal air temperature variation in the eastern coastal areas of China and help us understand its characteristics and causes, and thus the present study will be significant for the environmental protection of coastal areas.
An Interdecadal Change of Summer Atmospheric Circulation over Asian Mid-High Latitudes and Associated Effects
ZHOU Chang-yan, LI Di, REN Qian, QI Dong-mei
2020, 26(3): 363-376. doi: 10.46267/j.1006-8775.2020.032
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The atmospheric circulation over the mid-high latitudes in Asia has an important influence on regional climate, yet its long-term variation has not been fully explored. The main task of this study is to reveal the interdecadal variation features of summer atmospheric circulation over Asian mid-high latitudes in recent decades. The results show that the atmospheric circulation over mid-high latitudes of Asia has stronger interdecadal fluctuations than that over low latitudes and one significant change center appears near Lake Baikal. It is found that the atmospheric circulation near Lake Baikal has a significant interdecadal change around 1996 and a deep anomalous anticyclonic circulation has been controlling this region since then, which contributes to the significant increase in the surface temperature near Lake Baikal since 1997 and makes the region a remarkable warming center in Asia in recent 40 years. During 1997-2015, the pattern of less precipitation in the north and more precipitation in the south of east China is closely related to the anomalous anticyclonic circulation near Lake Baikal. Especially, this anomalous circulation near Lake Baikal has been found to contribute to the obvious interdecadal decrease of the precipitation in northeast China and north China near 1997. The sea surface temperature (SST) of northwestern Atlantic is an important influence factor to the interdecadal change in the atmospheric circulation near Lake Baikal around 1996.