A SYNOPTIC CLIMATOLOGY OF TORNADOES IN VIRGINIA

Although tornadoes are microscale meteorological features, their occurrence is linked to the larger synoptic-scale environment. Most conceptual models of synoptic situations that give rise to tornadoes are based on conditions prevalent in the Great Plains of the United States. However, tornadoes develop in many different synoptic environments, particularly when they form beyond the boundaries of “Tornado Alley.”

Tornado occurrences in the state of Virginia are identified from 1951 through 1992. Using upper air data for the nearest site and observation time, a synoptic classification is produced via application of principal components analysis and cluster analysis. The five resulting synoptic classes each exhibit distinctive thermodynamic and flow conditions that serve as air-mass paradigms for tornado occurrence in Virginia. The groups include thermodynamic/northwest flow air masses, a mixed thermodynamic/dynamic category, a polar front jet situation, cool season midlatitude cyclone events, and Great Plains type tornadic air masses. A sixth type, tornadoes spawned by tropical systems, is defined separately.

A variety of indices have been developed by forecasters to provide information about the likelihood of severe weather and tornadic activity. The lifted index, K-index, Showalter index, SWEAT, Totals index, and a wind shear index are calculated for each tornado event. Analysis of variance indicates that most of these indices are statistically different between synoptic classes.

These results suggest that the synoptic-scale mechanisms responsible for tornado occurrence in the mid-Atlantic states are quite variable. Enhanced predictive capability could be gained by considering the prevailing synoptic conditions associated with individual storms. [Key words: synoptic climatology, tornadoes, Virginia, classification, severe weather.]     

SPATIAL,SYNOPTIC, AND SEASONAL PATTERNS OF HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

This paper examines the synoptic climatology and seasonality of heavy rainfall across the southeastern United States. Frontal systems (particularly cold fronts) were found to be the dominant mechanism that induces heavy rainfall across the study area, but tropical disturbances and air-mass storms also contribute, especially at the more coastal locations. Annual regimes were found to vary dramatically from one site to another, and seven of the eight sites investigated exhibited statistically significant seasonality. Generally, peaks in heavy rainfall are bimodal in the western portion of the region, occurring in the transitional seasons. The central portion of the region peaks in late winter and spring, whereas the area east of the Appalachians (including Florida) has summer peaks. This spatial pattern is likely related to patterns of mid-tropospheric air flow and positions of the Bermuda High in summer, and the seasonality of cyclogenesis in North America. [Key words: synoptic climatology, seasonality, heavy rainfall, storms, southeastern United States.]     

风廓线雷达资料在强降水预报中的应用

利用高分辨率风廓线雷达资料和自动站逐时降水资料,详细分析了云南省大理州2008年6月的两次大气环流背景较为相似,但降雨强度和范围却不同的强降水天气过程。在天气转折前,两次过程测站上空的垂直速度和信噪比的变化较相似,但有量值差异大、水平风垂直切变明显不同等特点。揭示了两次强对流天气在高层大气环流背景较为相似的情况下,因低层空间气流变化的剧烈和复杂程度不同而降水分布和降水特点不同的客观事实,并找出了强降水预报着眼点和定性指标。     

1960—2017年太湖流域不同等级降水时空特征

基于太湖流域1960—2017年逐日降水数据，运用Mann-Kendall非参数检验法、R/S分析等方法，分析太湖流域不同等级降水的时空变化特征，并探讨了不同等级降水对年降水的影响。结果表明：1）近60年来，流域小雨发生率最高，为73.55%；年总降水量中，中雨量所占比例最大，为32.05%。小雨发生率呈显著减少趋势，暴雨贡献率呈显著增加趋势。2）太湖流域大雨、暴雨的降水量和降水日数都呈显著增加，小雨日数显著减少，小雨强度、年总降水强度显著增强。3）不同等级降水变化趋势的空间分布存在明显差异。小雨日数与年总降水日数，以及小雨强度与年总降水强度的变化趋势空间格局相一致。中雨日数、大雨日数、暴雨日数变化趋势的空间分布与其对应的降水量变化趋势的空间格局相似。4）R/S分析结果显示，小雨、暴雨、年总降水相关指标（小雨量除外）都表现出较强的持续性，未来变化趋势与过去相一致。5）近60年来，太湖流域年总降水量、降水日数、年总降水强度的变化，分别受中雨量、小雨日数、暴雨量的影响较大。在旱年流域年降水量偏少受大雨量减少的影响较大，而涝年年降水量偏多受暴雨增加的影响较大。     

中国热带气旋潜在影响力指数分析(英文)

Tropical cyclone,a high energy destructive meteorological system with heavy rainfall and gale triggered massive landslides and windstorms,poses a significant threat to coastal areas.In this paper we have developed a Tropical Cyclone Potential Impact Index (TCPI) based on the air mass trajectories,disaster information,intensity,duration,and frequency of tropical cyclones.We analyzed the spatial pattern and interannual variation of the TCPI over the period 1949-2009,and taking the Super Typhoon Saomai as an example have examined the relationship between the TCPI and direct economic losses,total rainfall,and maximum wind speed.The results reveal that China’s TCPI appears to be a weak decreasing trend over the period,which is not significant overall,but significant in some periods.Over the past 20 years,the TCPI decreased in the southern China coastal provinces of Hainan,Guangdong and Guangxi,while it increased in the southeastern coastal provinces of Zhejiang,Fujian and Taiwan.The highest values of TCPI are mainly observed in Taiwan,Hainan,the coastal areas of Guangdong and Fujian and Zhejiang’s southern coast.The TCPI has a good correlation (P=0.01) with direct economic loss,rainfall,and maximum wind speed.     

A SYNOPTIC WEATHER TYPE ANALYSIS OF JANUARY HOURLY PRECIPITATION AT LAKE CHARLES,LOUISIANA

Each measurable hourly precipitation event during January at Lake Charles, Louisiana, over the 1951–80 period has been classified by associated synoptic weather type. Using Muller's synoptic classification, four types were found to produce rainfall over the study period. Frontal Overrunning accounted for 71% of the hourly events with an average hourly intensity of 1.78 mm. Frontal Gulf Return accounted for the greatest hourly intensity of the four types (3.05 mm) and accounted for 24% of the observations. The Gulf Return and Coastal Return types produced few hours of precipitation at this time of year owing to both the cooler surface temperatures which limit convection and the dominance of the frontal activity. The frequency of the events associated with these types varied significantly over the study period. The frontal-related weather types increased dramatically during the colder months, and also increased in association with El Nino events and related cyclogenesis in the western Gulf of Mexico. Non-frontal events were most common in the 1950s. This approach could be applied to hourly precipitation studies elsewhere so that processes underlying monthly and inter-annual climate fluctuations may be better understood. [Key words: Hourly Precipitation, Synoptic weather Types, Climate Fluctuations.]     

辽宁省夏季降水量和极端雨量日时空变化特征分析

根据辽宁省23个气象站点1960-2014年的逐日降水量资料,运用线性倾向估计、滑动平均、累积距平、小波分析以及普通克里金空间插值等方法对辽宁省夏季降水量和极端雨量日进行时空变化分析。结果表明：55a来辽宁省夏季降水量整体呈现下降趋势,但降水强度正逐年增大,1984年、1992年和2010年降水趋势回升明显,夏季降水量的变化存在38a左右的主周期和22a左右的次周期。空间分布表现为由辽东南向辽西北逐渐减少;持续干旱天数呈现出显著的增大趋势,大雨日呈现不明显的减少趋势,暴雨和大暴雨日都有不明显的增大趋势。极端雨量日4项指标周期变化具有一致性特征,都在35~40a的时间尺度上存在明显的周期变化。大雨、暴雨、大暴雨在空间分布上具有一致性特征,极端雨量日4项指标的变化倾向率在东北西南方向都存在不同程度的条带性高低交替变化的特征。     

Spatial Distribution of Meso-Scale Precipitation in Scania, Southern Sweden

The aim of this study is to analyse the spatial variability of meso‐scale precipitation in Scania and to assess the influence of synoptic scale atmospheric circulation. The modes of spatial variation are revealed by EOF analysis of monthly precipitation totals between 1963 and 1990, which were obtained from a dense rain‐gauge network in Scania, southern Sweden. The influence of local physiography on the spatial distribution of precipitation is assessed by GIS techniques using a digital elevation model of Scania. The relation to synoptic scale atmospheric circulation is analysed using regional circulation indices and weather types. It is shown that the daily precipitation distribution in the area is significantly influenced by synoptic scale pressure patterns. Nevertheless, the covariability of the monthly precipitation within Scania is high. About 80% of the precipitation variability is connected to the passage of low‐pressure centres over or close to the region, which are likely to produce precipitation over the whole area. A wind‐direction dependency found in the distribution indicates that there might be a limit between precipitation regimes within the landscape. Topography greatly influences the spatial distribution in Scania. The distribution of land and surrounding sea is also an important factor and makes the relationship between physiography and precipitation rather complex. The physiographical effects vary over a single year. The dampening effect of the sea on the atmospheric temperature influences the local stability in coastal areas and results in seasonally dependent precipitation patterns.     

1960~2010年西北干旱区极端降水特征研究

基于中国西北干旱区1960~2010 年70个台站逐日降水资料,采用欧盟组织(STARDEX)定义的降水极值指数,分析结果表明: ① 研究区近51 a来强降水发生频次、湿期平均长度表现出增多和增长趋势,干日数和干期平均长度表现出减少和变短趋势; ② 单次强水的强度在增加,表现为：湿日数减少,而降水的总量却显著增加。③ 湿日数减少主要是0~6 mm强度的降水日数减少,12~24 mm强度的降水日数显著增加,后者对降水总量的增加贡献较大。④ 绝大部分站点强降水（>12 mm）的雨日（量）都以上升趋势为主,表现为下降趋势的站点极少。     

1960-2007年红河流域强降水事件频次和强度变化及其影响

利用中国境内红河流域23个气象站点1960-2007年的逐日降水数据,分析流域强降水事件频次和强度的变化特征及其相关影响。结果表明:①强降水频次和强度在空间上表现出由东南向西北逐渐递减的趋势,流域下游的河口-金平-绿春-江城一带为高值区,上游的巍山-南涧-弥渡一带则为低值区。②强降水频次和强度的变化趋势存在空间差异,趋势增加的站点大多分布在李仙江上游、元江中上游和藤条江流域,趋势减少的站点大多分布在李仙江下游、元江下游和盘龙河流域。③从流域整体来看,在α=0.05的显著性水平下,近48年来强降水频次和强度没有明显的上升趋势,频次和强度的趋势变化幅度分别为0.26 days/10a和0.18 mm·day^-1/10a;研究时段内频次和强度在时间变化上没有显著突变点。④基于相关统计数据分析强降水变化的影响,表明近20年间强降水频次和强度的增加,增大了局部地区滑坡泥石流、洪涝灾害的风险,河流泥沙含量也随之增加。     

Annual floods in New England (USA) and Atlantic Canada: synoptic climatology and generating mechanisms

New England and Atlantic Canada are characterized by mixed flood regimes that reflect different storm types, antecedent land surface conditions, and flood seasonality. Mixed flood regimes are known to complicate flood risk analyses, yet the synoptic climatology and precipitation mechanisms that generate annual floods in this region have not been described in detail. We analyzed a set of long-term annual flood records at climate-sensitive stream gauges across the region and classified the synoptic climatology of each annual flood, quantitatively describing the precipitation mechanisms, and characterize flood seasonality. We find that annual floods here are dominantly generated by Great Lakes-sourced storms and Coastal lows, known locally as ‘nor’easters.’ Great Lakes storms tend to be associated with lower magnitude annual floods (<75th percentile) and Coastal lows are more clearly associated with higher magnitude events (>75th percentile). Tropical cyclones account for few of all annual floods, including extreme events, despite causing some of the region’s largest and most destructive floods. Late winter/early spring is when the greatest number of annual floods occur region wide, and rainfall is the dominant flood-producing mechanism. Rainfall in combination with snowmelt is also important. Both mechanisms are expected to be impacted by projected regional climate change. We find little evidence for associations between flood-producing synoptic storm types or precipitation mechanisms and large-scale atmospheric circulation indices or time periods, despite upward trends in New England annual flood magnitudes. To more completely investigate such associations, partial duration flood series that include more floods than just the largest of each year, and their associated synoptic climatologies and precipitation mechanisms, should be analyzed.     

近58a我国西北地区干期与湿期变化特征

利用西北地区1960—2017年68个站点逐日降雨气象数据，分别将日降雨小于（大于等于）0.1 mm和1 mm定义为旱日（湿日），从干期和湿期变化特征的角度分析西北地区雨日年内分配变化。结果表明：西北地区东部年降雨量变化不明显，降雨频率下降，平均降雨强度增加；西北地区西部年降雨量、降雨频率和平均降雨强度均呈现增加趋势，平均降雨强度增加主要是由于降雨量增加速率快于降雨频率增加速率。结合干期和湿期变化特征，发现西北地区东部虽然干期旱日总数增加，但干期平均长度、干期次数和最长干期旱日数变化不明显，同时湿期湿日数和次数减少，说明西北地区东部在降雨量不变情况下，降雨更加集中。在西北地区西部，干期次数增加，但干期旱日总数、干期平均长度以及最长干期旱日数减少，湿期湿日数和湿期次数增加，湿期平均长度不变，西北地区西部在降雨量和降雨频率增加过程中，干期持续时间缩短，对该区域农业生产和生态环境有利。另外，使用不同阈值会影响特征值变化趋势大小及其显著性，甚至会得到相反的变化趋势，说明选择合理阈值对于研究降雨、干期以及湿期变化十分重要，需要结合区域气候特征进一步研究。     

长沙降水中稳定同位素的昼夜差别

基于长沙地区降水稳定同位素的实测数据,对不同季节（暖半年、冷半年）、不同降水类型（对流降水、平流降水）、不同降水强度下昼、夜降水中稳定同位素的变化特征进行分析和比较,旨在揭示昼夜降水中稳定同位素的差异及其影响因素,深化对季风区降水稳定同位素变化规律的认识。结果表明：降水中δ¹⁸O在暖半年时段夜间比白天偏正,而在冷半年时段白天比夜间偏正,且均与降水量呈反比;无论在暖半年还是冷半年,相较于白天,夜间温度低相对湿度大,降落雨滴中重同位素蒸发富集作用较弱,从而降水中过量氘d在夜间偏正;由于下垫面水汽再循环对大气水线（LMWL）的影响大于雨滴云下二次蒸发的影响,LMWL的斜率在白天较夜间偏正。在对流降水主导条件下,强烈的辐合气流携带低层具有相对富集同位素的水汽上升,形成降水中的δ¹⁸O明显偏正;相较于对流降水主导,平流云中微弱的空气垂直运动使得高层具有相对贫化同位素的水汽辐合,形成降水中的δ¹⁸O较为偏负;LMWL的斜率则在平流降水主导时更大。随降水强度的增加,降水中稳定同位素逐渐偏负,LMWL斜率和截距均明显增大;在降水强度≥0.1 mm/12 h时,LMWL的斜率在白天更大,截距在暖半年晚上和冷半年白天更大;降水强度≥5.0 mm/12 h时,LMWL的斜率和截距在暖半年白天和冷半年晚上更大。     

中国大陆中纬度带不同等级降水的变化特征

为研究中国大陆中纬度带不同等级降水的变化特征,利用筛选后的100个测站1960-2014年的日降水量数据,根据站点降水趋势进行区域划分,根据中国不同年降水量对应的降水等级进行强度划分,在此基础上对中国大陆中纬度带不同等级降水分地区、分季节做了详细分析。结果表明：（1）中国大陆中纬度带东、西部降水存在很大的地域性差异,降水类型以中等以下强度降水过程为主且暴雨和大雨主要发生在夏季。（2）全球变暖大背景下,20世纪80年代中期东、西部降水均出现转折,西部降水由少变多,暖湿化加剧;东部降水减少,由湿变干;东、西部降水反相变化。（3）近几十年西部暖湿化加剧的主要表现形式为不同等级年降水量显著增加,东部降水减少的主要表现形式为年暴雨和大雨量减少。（4）东、西部不同等级年降水日数对相应等级年降水量起着决定性作用。（5）东、西部降水日数变化引起的降水量变化远大于降水强度变化引起的降水量变化且东部降水强度对总降水量的贡献较西部大。     

“8.12”甘肃大暴雨特征分析

 2010年8月10～13日,甘肃省河东出现了中到大雨,局地暴雨或大暴雨,是舟曲山洪地质灾害气象应急响应开始后迎来的第一场区域性暴雨过程,对前方救灾抢险工作造成严重威胁。利用实况观测资料和NCEP再分析资料对大暴雨过程的天气特征、水汽条件、动力条件、不稳定条件等进行综合分析,并总结了暴雨过程的中尺度云团特征及雷达回波特征。结果表明：此次暴雨过程持续时间较长,但大暴雨出现时段集中,雨强大,危害性强。副高强盛,北部冷空气分裂南下,青藏高原切变线活动频繁,是本次暴雨过程的主要环流特征。500 hPa锋区和700 hPa低涡切变线是造成暴雨天气的直接影响系统。低层正涡度区、水汽辐合、上升运动、正螺旋度中心以及层结不稳定等因素为暴雨产生创造了热力、动力和能量条件。此次暴雨的触发机制是低层中尺度切变线的发展和维持、偏南暖湿气流的增强,以及低层辐合高层辐散的大气上下层抽吸作用。多个中β尺度对流云团沿700 hPa切变南侧发展东移,表明本次大暴雨过程中存在明显中小尺度系统,其中低层气旋式辐合、高层辐散流场的配置是降雨范围及强度增大的重要原因。     

A Synoptic Evaluation of Frequencies and Intensities of Extreme Three-and 24-Hour Rainfall in Louisiana*

This research classifies extreme three-hour and 24-hour rainfall events in Louisiana by synoptic weather types (Frontal, Gulf Tropical Disturbance, and Air Mass). These classes were used to analyze differences in frequencies and intensities of extreme rainfall. Significant differences were found in the storm frequencies by weather type. However, no significant differences were detected in rainfall intensities between weather types during either duration. These findings have a bearing on statistical procedures associated with estimating storm probabilities in the region.     

Characteristics of Autumn Precipitation Trends in the Northeastern United States

Previous research has shown that the northeastern United States experienced a significant increase in precipitation during the twentieth century, especially during the autumn. This shift toward wetter conditions can be explained by examining trends in daily precipitation characteristics. Early season precipitation changes in the western portion of the study area were associated with increases in the frequency of precipitation‐days. Later in the season a coincident increase in precipitation‐day intensity enhanced these trends. Tropical storms had little influence on autumn precipitation increases. The study suggests that, instead, changes in regional atmospheric circulation may be responsible for changing precipitation characteristics.     

Spatio-temporal accuracy evaluation of MSWEP daily precipitation over the Huaihe River Basin,China: A comparison study with representative satellite- and reanalysis-based products

Multi-source weighted-ensemble precipitation (MSWEP) is one of the most popular merged global precipitation products with long-term spanning and high spatial resolution. While various studies have acknowledged its ability to accurately estimate precipitation in terms of temporal dynamics, its performance regarding spatial pattern and extreme rainfall is overlooked. To fill this knowledge gap, the daily precipitation of two versions of MSWEP (MSWEP V2.1 & V2.2) are compared with that of three representative satellite- and reanalysis-based products, namely the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM 3B42 V7), the climate prediction center morphing technique satellite-gauge merged product (CMORPH BLD), and the fifth-generation reanalysis product of the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts (ERA5). The comparison is made according to the dense daily rainfall observations from 539 rain gauges over the Huaihe River Basin in China during 2006-2015. The results show that MSWEP V2.1, MSWEP V2.2 and CMORPH BLD have better performance on temporal accuracy of precipitation estimation, followed by ERA5 and TRMM 3B42 V7. MSWEPs yield the most even spatial distribution across the basin since it takes full advantage of the multi datasets. As the weighted-ensemble method is independently carried out on each grid in MSWEPs, the spatial distribution of local precipitation is changed by different source data, which results in that MSWEPs perform worse than CMORPH BLD in terms of the representation of precipitation spatial pattern. In addition, the capability of MSWEPs to describe the spatial structure in the rainy season is lower than that in the dry season. Strong precipitation (≥100 mm/d) events are better represented in TRMM 3B42 V7 products than in MSWEPs. Finally, based on the comparison results, we suggest to improve the merging algorithm of MSWEP by considering the precipitation spatial self-correlation and adjusting the merging weights based on the performance of the source datasets under different precipitation intensities.     

中等排放情景下中国未来不同强度降雨对总降雨贡献的区域差异（2006―2100年）

采用RCP6.0中等排放情景下2006―2100年WRF 30 km×30 km日值降雨数据,根据中国气象局颁布的降雨强度等级划分标准,探究了中国不同强度降雨及其对总降雨贡献的变化趋势的空间差异特征。结果表明：1）在雨量上,中等排放情景下2006―2100年中国不同强度降雨呈现出不同的空间分异格局。小雨和中雨自东北向西南呈“高―低―高”的三块式空间分布特征;大雨、暴雨、大暴雨和总暴雨均呈“东南高,西北低”的分异格局;特大暴雨仅东南沿海的部分地区分布较多;总降雨呈“南方高,北方次之,西北低”的空间分异格局。2）在雨量贡献率上,强降雨对总降雨的贡献率普遍存在“东南高,西北低”特征,而弱降雨对总降雨的贡献率恰恰相反;不同强度暴雨对总暴雨的贡献率也有类似分布特征。3）在雨量变化趋势上,中国不同强度降雨变化趋势呈现出不同的空间分异格局,但强降雨呈增加趋势的区域显著多于呈减少趋势的区域。4）在雨量贡献率变化趋势上,强（弱）降雨对总降雨的贡献率呈增加（减少）趋势的区域占主导,强降雨对总降雨的贡献率呈增加趋势的地区明显多于弱降雨。5）在不同强度暴雨对总暴雨贡献率的变化趋势上,大暴雨和特大暴雨对总暴雨的贡献率呈增加趋势的区域明显多于暴雨。预估结果表明,中国东部降雨在朝着极端化方向发展。     

暖湿背景下新疆逐时降水变化特征研究

基于新疆16个国家基准站1991-2013年5~9月逐小时的降水观测资料,分析研究了新疆夏半年逐时降水的时空分布和日变化特征。结果表明:新疆小时降雨频数呈现西北多、东南少的特征;4 mm·h^-1以上量级雨强的强降雨高频时段北疆自西向东依次出现在下午、前半夜和后半夜,南疆多出现在夜间;新疆各区域逐时降水频率的日变化特征明显不同,各区域逐时降水分布并不均匀:塔城北部、阿勒泰地区日降水分布呈现双峰型特征,北疆其余地区则是较为一致的单峰型;南疆各区域以双峰型居多。南北疆0.1 mm·h^-1以上、4 mm·h^-1以上量级雨强的出现总频次均呈明显增加趋势,进入21世纪10年代南疆强降雨频次增加更显著。