INTENSITY CHANGE CHARACTERISTICS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES IN THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC AS REVEALED BY THREE DIFFERENT DATASETS

Analyzed in this paper are the 20-yr(1991-2010)tropical cyclone(TC)intensity from three forecast centers in the Western North Pacific,i.e.China Meteorological Administration(CMA),Japan Meteorological Agency(JMA),and Joint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC)of the United States.Results show that there is more or less discrepancy in the intensity change of a TC among different datasets.The maximum discrepancy reaches 22 hPa/6h(42 hPa/6h,33 hPa/6h)between CMA and JMA(CMA and JTWC,JMA and JTWC).Special attention is paid to the records for abrupt intensity change,which is currently a difficult issue for forecasters globally.It is found that an abrupt intensity change process recorded by one dataset can have,in some extreme cases,intensity change in another dataset varying from 0 to≥10 hPa/6h with the same sign or the opposite sign.In a total of 2511 cases experiencing rapid intensity change,only 14%have consensus among all the three datasets and 25%have agreement between two of the three datasets.In spite of such a significant uncertainty,the three datasets agree on the general statistical characteristics of abrupt intensity change,including regional and seasonal distribution,the relationship with initial intensity and TC moving speed,and persistence features.Notable disagreement is on very strong systems(SuperTY)and TCs moving very fast.     

A STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON THE DIFFERENT FEATURES OF TC EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION OVER LAND AND OCEAN

The extratropical transitions(ETs)of tropical cyclones(TCs)over China and the ocean east to 150°E are investigated by the use of best-track data and JRA-25 reanalysis spanning 1979-2008.The ET events occurring north of 25°N and in the warm season(from May to October)are extracted from the reanalysis to emphasize the interaction between TC and midlatitude circulation.Statistical analysis shows that 18.5%of the warm-season TCs go through land ETs north of 25°N in the western North Pacific.And 20.5%of the ET events occur over the ocean east of 150°E.Most(62.2%)ET TCs over China gradually die out after ET,but more(70.7%)ocean ET cases have post-ET reintensification.The evolutions in cyclone phase space and the composite fields for land and ocean ETs,as well as the ET cases with and without post-ET reintensification,are further analyzed.It is found that most TCs with ET over China and those without post-ET reintensification evolve along the typical ET phase path as follows:emergence of thermal asymmetry→losing upper-level warm core→losing lower-level cold core→evolving as extratropical cyclone.The TCs undergoing ETs over ocean and those with post-ET reintensification form a high-level cold core before the ET onset.The TCs with land ET have long distance between the landing TC and a high-level trough.That makes the TC maintain more tropical features and isolates the TC flow from the upstream and downstream jets of the midlatitude trough.The structure of circulation leads to weak development of baroclinicity in land ET.On the contrary,shorter distance between ocean TC and high-level trough makes the high-level trough absorb the TC absolutely.Under that baroclinicity-favorable environment,strong cold advection makes the TC lose its high-level warm core before ET onset.The composite fields confirm that the TC with ocean ET has stronger baroclinic features.Generally,the TC at land ET onset is located to the south of the ridge of the subtropical high,which tends to prevent the TCs from interacting with midlatitude circulation.But for the ocean ET,the situation is just the opposite.Similar analyses are also carried out for the TCs with and without post-ET reintensification over both land and ocean east of 150°E.The results further prove that the TC with stronger baroclinic characteristics,especially in the circumstance favorable to its interaction with high-level midlatitude systems,has more opportunity to reintensify as an extratropical cyclone after ET.     

热带气旋强度资料的差异性分析

通过对比西北太平洋3个主要预报中心(中国气象局(CMA)、日本东京台风中心(RSMC Tokyo)和美国联合台风警报中心(JTWC))的16 a数据,分析了不同来源的热带气旋(TC)强度资料的差异性。结果表明:CMA与RSMCTokyo和JTWC的TC强度均值分别相差0.6和1.7 m/s,均通过1%信度的统计检验,即存在显著差异;3个中心对同一TC确定的强度最大差异超过30 m/s;CMA资料的台风数多于RSMC Tokyo和JTWC,年台风频数的均方差也最大,但是3个中心资料的各级TC频数差异均无统计显著性。对比有、无飞机探测时段的资料发现,对TC进行飞机探测可在一定程度上减小各中心在确定TC强度方面的分歧。为了初步了解上述资料问题对TC强度预报的可能影响,采用一个气候持续性预报方法,取不同来源的TC强度资料进行了4 a(2000—2003年)的预报。发现据JTWC资料所得TC强度预报有最大的均方根误差,RSMCTokyo的最小,CMA居中;据CMA和RSMC Tokyo(CMA和JTWC)资料,对相同TC相同时次24 h预报的平均绝对偏差达2.5(4.0)m/s,最大可相差16(21)m/s。可见,西北太平洋TC强度的基本资料问题增加了预报的难度。     

DIFFERENCES AMONG DIFFERENT DATABASES IN THE NUMBER OF TROPICAL CYCLONES FORMING OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC

As shown in comparisons of the characteristics of inter-annual and inter-decadal variability and periodical changes in the number of tropical cyclones forming over the western North Pacific by three major forecast centers, i.e. China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Regional Specialized Meteorological Center of Tokyo (JMA) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of Guam, there are the following important points. (1) Climatology of tropical cyclone (TC) or typhoon (TC on the intensity of TS or stronger) shows some difference in tropical cyclone frequency among the centers, which is more notable with TC than with typhoon. Both of them are more at the database of CMA than at those of the other two centers. (2) The difference is too significant to ignore in the inter-annual variability of tropical cyclone frequency between CMA and JTWC, which mainly results from the obvious difference in the inter-annual variability of the number of generated tropical depression (TD) between the two databases. The difference is small in the inter-annual variability of TS formations among all the three databases, and consistence is good between JMA and CMA or JTWC. (3) Though differences are not significant in the periodical variation of TC formations between CMA and JTWC, they are markedly apart in the inter-decadal variability, which is mainly shown by an anti-phase during the 1990s. (4) Non-homogeneity may exist around the late stage of the 1960s in the data of tropical cyclone frequency.     

西北太平洋热带气旋生成数在不同资料集上的差异性比较

比较分析中国气象局(CMA)、美国台风联合警报中心(JTWC)和日本RSMC Tokyo台风中心(JMA)台风资料频次的年际、年代际变化和周期变化特征,结果表明,不同资料中心的热带气旋(TC)、台风(TS强度及以上的TC)生成数的气候值存在一定的差异,热带气旋生成数的差异较为明显,台风生成数的差异相对要小,CMA资料中热带气旋、台风生成数相对偏多;CMA与JTWC间热带气旋生成数年际间变化差异显著而难以忽略,其差异主要来自TD生成数的明显不同;三个中心关于台风生成数的一致性比较好,其中JMA台风资料与另外两个中心资料间的一致更好;CMA与JTWC西北太平洋热带气旋生成数的周期变化间无明显差异,但年代际间变化有明显差异,主要表现为1990年代的反位相;台风生成数资料可能在1960年代后期存在非均一性。     

Comparison of Three Tropical Cyclone Intensity Datasets

Analyzed in this paper are the 16-yr (1988-2003) tropical cyclone (TC) intensity data from three major forecast centers of the western North Pacific, i.e., China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Regional Specialized Meteorological Center Tokyo (RSMC Tokyo), and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of the United States. Results show that there are significant discrepancies (at 1% significance level) in the intensity of TCs among the three centers, with a maximum difference for the same TC over 30 m s-1. The flight reconnaissance over TC can minish the discrepancy to some extent. A climatic and persistent prediction model is set up to study the impact of initial data from different forecast centers on the prediction of TC intensity. It is obtained that the root mean square error (RMSE) of a 4-yr independent test is the largest using data from JTWC, while the smallest using data from RSMC Tokyo. Average absolute deviation in 24-h intensity prediction is 2.5 m s-1 between CMA and RSMC Tokyo data, and 4.0 m s-1 between CMA and JTWC data, with a maximum deviation reaching 21 m s-1. Such a problem in the initial value increases the difficulty in intensity prediction of TCs over the western North Pacific.     

COMPARISON OF SOME TROPICAL CYCLONE DATASETS AND CORRECTION OF YEARBOOK DATA

This is a study to compare three selected tropical cyclone datasets separately compiled by CMA Shanghai Typhoon Institute (CMA_SHI), the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC), and the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). The annual frequencies, observation times and destructive power index as the characteristic quantities are investigated of the tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific. The comparative study has resulted in the following findings: 1) Statistical gaps between the datasets compared are narrowing down as the intensity of tropical cyclones increases. 2) In the context of interdecadal distribution, there is for the 1950s a relatively large gap between the datasets, as compared with a narrowed gap for the period from the mid 1970s to the 1980s, and a recurring widened gap for the mid and late 1990s. Additionally, an approach is proposed in the paper to correct the wind speed data in the TC Yearbook.     

西北太平洋热带气旋达到不同强度时所处位置的变化趋势研究

本文利用美国联合台风预警中心（JTWC)、中国气象局上海台风研究所（CMA）及日本气象厅东京台风中心（JMA）3 套热带气旋（TC）数据集,分别选取TC 达到生命史极值强度时、达到台风等级时以及达到热带风暴等级时所在的位置作为研究指标,分析了1980—2013 年5—11 月西北太平洋TC 达到不同强度时所在位置的长期变化趋势。研究得出如下结论：西北太平洋TC 在达到生命史极值强度时所处的位置表现为显著向北移动的趋势,3 个不同数据集向北移动趋势值分别为90、93、113 km/10a。同时TC 在达到台风和热带风暴级别时还存在相对明显的向北和向西移动趋势。本文进一步从环境场出发,分析了垂直风切变、海表温度以及潜在生成指数等影响因子的变化特征,为TC达不同强度时所处位置的长期变化趋势给出可能的物理解释。     

登陆台湾岛热带气旋强度和结构变化的统计分析

利用1949—2008年共60年的《台风年鉴》、《热带气旋年鉴》资料及CMA-STI热带气旋最佳路径数据集,2001—2008年美国联合台风警报中心(JTWC)热带气旋尺度相关资料及日本气象厅(JMA)的TBB资料,统计分析西北太平洋(包括南海)热带气旋(TC)在登陆台湾过程中强度和结构变化的基本特征,主要结论有:(1)TC登陆台湾时强度为台风及以上级别的样本数占总样本数约60%,主要出现在6—9月,东部登陆TC的强度一般比在西部登陆的强;(2)大部分TC在岛上维持6 h左右,登陆时最大风速≤5级和强度为超强台风的TC穿越台湾岛时移动比较缓慢;(3)126个登陆台湾的TC样本过岛后近中心海平面气压平均增加5.61 hPa,近中心最大风速平均减小3.58 m/s,在台湾东部地区登陆TC的衰减率比在西部登陆的大3倍左右;(4)TC在登陆台湾前6 h至离岛后6 h期间其8级和10级风圈半径均明显减小,TC形状略呈长轴为NE-SW向的椭圆状,而其最大风速的半径却逐渐增大;(5)TBB分析结果显示,TC登陆台湾前,其外围对流主要出现在南侧和西侧,结构不对称,登陆以后,TC北部及东部的对流显著发展,外围结构区域对称;但中心附近的强对流则从登陆前6 h开始逐渐减弱消失。表明TC穿越台湾过程中内核结构松散、强度减弱。     

PRELIMINARY RESEARCH ON THE RELATIONSHIPS BETWEEN THE INNER CORE SIZE AND OUTER SIZE OF TROPICAL CYCLONES AND THEIR INTENSITY

Based on the Regional Spectral Model (RSM) re-analysis data from Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) with a horizontal resolution of 20 km and a time interval of 6 h, this study works on the outer and inner core size of 2174 samples of tropical cyclones (TCs) occurring over the western North Pacific between 2001 and 2007. Some conclusions have been drawn on the basis of preliminary analysis of the TC inner core size and outer size and their relationship with TC intensity. First, the outer size increase (decrease) helps TCs intensify (weaken). Second, the enlargement (shrinking) of the inner core size helps TCs intensify (weaken) if TCs have a large inner core (with radius of maximum winds larger than 120 km). Contrarily, when TCs have small inner core (with radius of maximum winds smaller than 120 km), the enlargement (shrinking) of the inner core is good for weakening (intensifying) of TCs.     

A CLIMATOLOGY OF EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION OF TROPICAL CYCLONES IN THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC

Based on best-track data and JRA-25 reanalysis, a climatology of western North Pacific extratropical transition (ET) of tropical cyclone (TC) is presented in this paper. It was found that 35% (318 out of 912) of all TCs underwent ET during 1979–2008. The warm-season (June through September) ETs account for 64% of all ET events with the most occurrence in September. The area 120°E–150°E and 20°N–40°N is the most favorable region for ET onsets in western North Pacific. The TCs experience ET at latitudes 30°N–40°N and have the greatest intensity in contrast to other latitude bands. The distribution of ET onset locations shows obviously meridional migration in different seasons. A cyclone phase space (CPS) method was used to analyze the TC evolution during ET. Except for some cases of abnormal ET at relatively high latitudes, typical phase evolution paths—along which TC firstly showed thermal asymmetry and an upper-level cold core and then lost its low-level warm core—can be used to describe the main features of ET processes in western North Pacific. Some seasonal variations of ET evolution paths in CPS were also found at low latitudes south of 15°N, which suggests different ET onset mechanisms there. Further composite analysis concluded that warm-season ETs have generally two types of evolutions, but only one type in cold season (October through next May). The first type of warm-season ETs has less baroclinicity due to long distance between the TC and upper-level mid-latitude system. However, significant interactions between a mid-latitude upper -level trough and TC, of either approaching or being absorbed into the trough, and TC’s relations with downstream and upstream upper-level jets, are the fingerprints for both a second type of warm-season ETs and almost all the cold-season ETs. For each type of ETs, detailed structural characteristics as well as precipitation distribution are illustrated by latitude.     

登陆华东热带气旋的气候特征分析

利用1949—2006年西北太平洋及南海的热带气旋（TC）资料,分析了登陆我国的TC强度、登陆时间、登陆后路径趋向及强度变化等气候特征,并重点讨论了直接登陆华东和登陆台湾后再次登陆华东的TC路径和强度趋势差异。结果表明,直接登陆华东的TC比登陆台湾后再次登陆华东（以下简称为间接登陆）的TC更易北上或北上转向,而间接登陆的TC更易维持西偏北行;另外直接登陆华东的TC登陆后的强度更易维持,其登陆后路径趋向在西北偏西和西南方位的强度明显减弱的百分比率比其它方位的大。      

Variations in Frequency and Intensity of Strong Tropical Cyclones Affecting China During

 Based on tropical cyclone track dataset in the western North Pacific from China Meteorological Administration (CMA), variations in frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones (TCs) in the western North Pacific, affecting-China TCs (ACTCs) and landfall TCs (LTCs) achieving a typhoon intensity during 1957-2004 were studied. Frequencies of strong tropical cyclones showed significant decreasing trends from 1957 to 2004 and the linear trend was much greater when the intensity was stronger. There was no linear trend in the portion of strong tropical cyclones achieving a typhoon (TY) intensity, while those reaching a strong typhoon (STY) and a super typhoon (SuperTY) intensity showed decreasing trends during 1957-2004. The maximum intensities of TCs, ACTCs and LTCs all decreased during the period of 1957-2004. The mean intensities of TCs and ACTCs displayed decreasing trends and the mean intensity of LTCs achieving a TY intensity also showed a decreasing trend.     

1957-2004年影响我国的强热带气旋频数和强度变化

Based on tropical cyclone track dataset in the western North Pacific from China Meteorological Administration(CMA),variations in frequency and intensity of tropical cyclones(TCs)in the western North Pacific,affecting-China TCs(ACTCs)and landfall TCs(LTCs)achieving a typhoon intensity during 1957-2004 were studied.Frequencies of strong tropical cyclones showed significant decreasing trends from 1957 to 2004 and the linear trend was much greater when the intensity was stronger.There was no linear trend in the portion of strong tropical cyclones achieving a typhoon(TY)intensity,while those reaching a strong typhoon(STY)and a super typhoon(SuperTY)intensity showed decreasing trends during 1957-2004.The maximum intensities of TCs,ACTCs and LTCs all decreased during the period of 1957-2004.The mean intensities of TCs and ACTCs displayed decreasing trends and the mean intensity of LTCs achieving a TY intensity also showed a decreasing trend.     

1999—2003年西北太平洋热带气旋综合预报的误差分析

应用1999—2003年中国中央气象台 (CMO)、日本气象厅 (JMA) 以及美国联合台风警报中心 (JTWC) 发布的西北太平洋热带气旋综合预报资料, 从总误差、逐年误差趋势、不同海区误差、不同路径趋势误差、不同强度趋势误差等5个方面对各预报中心的路径及强度预报结果进行分析, 结果表明:5年总的平均误差以JTWC的路径预报误差最小, 而JMA的强度预报较准确; 在不同海域, 各预报中心的路径预报能力各有优势, 但在热带气旋的强度预报方面, JMA的方法在各海区都较稳定; 对不同路径趋势热带气旋的预报方面, 除了南海转向热带气旋的路径预报比JMA和CMO稍差一些之外, JTWC的路径预报在大多数情况下都是好于或相当于JMA和CMO; 在不同强度变化趋势热带气旋的预报方面, JTWC在大多数情况下都优于其他中心。上述结果帮助业务和科技人员全面了解各预报中心的预报能力优劣, 也为今后改进我国的热带气旋预报提供有益的参考。     

基于ECMWF海平面气压场的热带气旋路径预报效果检验

将三次样条插值方法应用到欧洲中心(ECMWF)海平面气压场(24～120 h)进行热带气旋(TC)中心定位定强和误差计算,并与同期美国联合台风警报中心(JTWC)、日本气象厅(JMA)和中国中央气象台(CMO)综合预报进行路径误差对比分析。结果表明:72 h以内预报以JTWC表现最好,其次是JMA的综合预报,ECMWF客观预报最差,但ECMWF对于96 h和120 h的热带气旋(TC)中期路径趋势比JTWC综合预报有更好的参考价值。ECMWF对24～120 h TC中心定强偏高15～20 hPa。分别统计08时和20时TC路径预报误差发现,24 h和48 h二者没有差异,而72～120 h 20时预报水平好于08时。     

Establishment of an Objective Standard for the Definition of Binary Tropical Cyclones in the Western North Pacific

To develop an objective standard for defining binary tropical cyclones (BTCs) in the western North Pacific (WNP), two best-track datasets, from the China Meteorological Administration and the Joint Typhoon Warning Center, were adopted for statistical analyses on two important characteristics of BTCs—two TCs approaching each other, and counterclockwise spinning. Based on the high consistency between the two datasets, we established an objective standard, which includes a main standard for defining BTCs and a secondary standard for identifying typical/atypical BTCs. The main standard includes two requirements: two coexisting TCs are a pair of BTCs if (i) the separation distance is ≤ 1800 km, and (ii) this separation maintains for at least 12 h. Meanwhile, the secondary standard defines a typical BTC as one for which there is at least one observation when the two TCs approach each other and spin counterclockwise simultaneously. Under the standard, the ratio of typical BTCs increases as the BTC duration increases or the minimum distance between the two TCs decreases. Then, using the JTWC dataset, it was found that there are 505 pairs of BTCs during the period 1951?2014, including 328 typical BTCs and 177 atypical BTCs, accounting for 65.0% and 35.0% of the total, respectively. In addition, a study of two extreme phenomena—the maximum approaching speed and the maximum counterclockwise angular velocity in typical BTCs—shows that the configuration of the circulation conditions and the distribution of the BTCs favor the formation of these extreme phenomena.     

ANALYSIS OF STRUCTURE EVOLUTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC DURING EXTRATROPICAL TRANSITION

Fifty-eight extratropical transition (ET) cases in the years 2000-2008, including 2,021 observations (at 6-hour intervals), over the western North Pacific are analyzed using the cyclone phase space (CPS) method, in an effort to get the characteristics of the structure evolution and environmental conditions of tropical cyclones (TCs) during ET over this area. Cluster analysis of the CPS dataset shows that strong TCs are more likely to undergo ET. ET begins with the increment of thermal asymmetry in TCs, along with the generation and intensification of an upper-level cold core, and ends with the occurrence of a lower-level cold core. ET lasts an average duration of about 28 hours. Dynamic composite analysis of the environmental field of different clusters shows that, in general, when TCs move northward, they are gradually embedded in the westerlies and gradually transform into extratropical cyclones under the influence of the mid- and higher-latitude baroclinic systems. As for those TCs which complete ET, there is always much greater potential vorticity gradient in the northwest of them and obvious water vapor transport channels in the environment.     

Impact of the Subtropical High on the Extratropical Transition of Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific

Recent publications have investigated the interactions between the extratropical transitions （ETs） of tropical cyclones （TCs） and midlatitude circulations; however, studies of ET events have rarely considered the relationship between the storm and the nearby subtropical high. The TC best-track data provided by the Regional Specialized Meteorological Center-Tokyo Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorology Agency are used in conjunction with the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data to discuss the potential effects of the subtropical high on ETs over the western North Pacific basin. When the western Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） is weakened and withdrawn toward the east, more TCs follow recurving paths and the midlatitude trough activity is intensified. These changes lead to enhanced ET activity. By contrast, when the WPSH strengthens and extends westward, the number of TCs that follow direct westward paths increases and the midlatitude trough is relatively inactive. These conditions lead to reduced occurrences of ET cases. Abnormal activity of the WPSH should be considered as an important factor in determining ET activity.     

Influences of Tropical Cyclones on China During 1965-2004

Using the Joint Typhoon Warning Center （JTWC） and China Meteorological Administration （CMA） tropical cyclone track datasets, variations in frequency and intensity of the affecting-China tropical cyclones （ACTCs） are studied for the period of 1965-2004. First, the differences between the two tropical cyclone datasets are examined. The annual frequencies of tropical cyclones in the western North Pacific basin are reasonably consistent to each other, while the intensity records are less reliable. The annual numbers of ACTCs based on different datasets are close to each other with similar interdecadal and interannual variations. However, the maximum intensity and the annual frequency of ACTCs for strong categories show great dependence on datasets. Tropical cyclone impacts on China show the same variations as the annual number of ACTCs and also show dependence on datasets. Differences in tropical cyclone impacts on China are mainly caused by datasets used. The annual frequency of ACTCs, especially the length of lifetime of ones that make landfall, and the intensity estimates all have effects on the value of impacts on China.