Ensemble data assimilation in a simple coupled climate model: The role of ocean-atmosphere interaction

A conceptual coupled ocean-atmosphere model was used to study coupled ensemble data assimilation schemes with a focus on the role of ocean-atmosphere interaction in the assimilation. The optimal scheme was the fully coupled data assimilation scheme that employs the coupled covariance matrix and assimilates observations in both the atmosphere and ocean. The assimilation of synoptic atmospheric variability that captures the temporal fluctuation of the weather noise was found to be critical for the estimation of not only the atmospheric, but also oceanic states. The synoptic atmosphere observation was especially important in the mid-latitude system, where oceanic variability is driven by weather noise. The assimilation of synoptic atmospheric variability in the coupled model improved the atmospheric variability in the analysis and the subsequent forecasts, reducing error in the surface forcing and, in turn, in the ocean state. Atmospheric observation was able to further improve the oceanic state estimation directly through the coupled covariance between the atmosphere and ocean states. Relative to the mid-latitude system, the tropical system was influenced more by ocean-atmosphere interaction and, thus, the assimilation of oceanic observation becomes more important for the estimation of the ocean and atmosphere.     

Regional Distribution of Perceived Temperatures Estimated by the Human Heat Budget Model （the Klima-Michel Model） in South Korea

The regional distribution of perceived temperatures (PT) for 28 major weather stations in South Korea during the past 22 years (1983–2004) was investigated by employing a human heat budget model, the Klima-Michel model. The frequencies of a cold stress and a heat load by each region were compared. The sensitivity of PT in terms of the input of synoptic meteorological variables were successfully tested. Seogwipo in Jeju Island appears to be the most comfortable city in Korea. Busan also shows a high frequenc...     

Multi-scale Cyclone Activity in the Changjiang River–Huaihe River Valleys during Spring and Its Relationship with Rainfall Anomalies

Based on the recognition framework of the outermost closed contours of cyclones, an automated identification algorithm capable of identifying the multi-scale cyclones that occur during spring in the Changjiang River–Huaihe River valleys(CHV)were developed. We studied the characteristics of the multi-scale cyclone activity that affects CHV and its relationship with rainfall during spring since 1979. The results indicated that the automated identification algorithm for cyclones proposed in this paper could intuitively identify multi-scale cyclones that affect CHV. The algorithm allows for effectively describing the shape and coverage area of the closed contours around the periphery of cyclones. We found that, compared to the meso- and sub-synoptic scale cyclone activities, the synoptic-scale cyclone activity showed more intimate correlation with the overall activity intensity of multi-scale CHV cyclones during spring. However, the frequency of occurrence of sub-synoptic scale cyclones was the highest, and their effect on changes in CHV cyclone activity could not be ignored. Based on the area of impact and the depth of the cyclones, the sub-synoptic scale, synoptic scale and comprehensive cyclone intensity indices were further defined, which showed a positive correlation with rainfall in CHV during spring. Additionally, the comprehensive cyclone intensity index was a good indicator of strong rainfall events.     

Characteristics of sea breeze front development with various synoptic conditions and its impact on lower troposphere ozone formation

To examine the correlation between the sizes of sea breeze fronts and pollutants under the influence of synoptic fields, a numerical simulation was conducted in the southeast coastal area of the Korean Peninsula, where relatively high concentrations of pollutants occur because of the presence of various kinds of industrial developments. Sea breeze and sea breeze front days during the period 2005-09 were identified using wind profiler data and, according to the results, the number of days were 72 and 53, respectively. When synoptic forcing was weak, sea breeze fronts moved fast both in horizontal fields and in terms of wind velocity, while in the case of strong synoptic forcing, sea breeze fronts remained at the coast or moved slowly due to strong opposing flows. In this case, the sea breeze front development function and horizontal potential temperature difference were larger than with weak synoptic forcing. The ozone concentration that moves together with sea breeze fronts was also formed along the frontal surfaces. Ozone advection and diffusion in the case of strong synoptic forcing was suppressed at the frontal surface and the concentration gradient was large. The vertical distribution of ozone was very low due to the Thermal Internal Boundary Layer (TIBL) being low.     

Impacts of Oceanic Fronts and Eddies in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension Region on the Atmospheric General Circulation and Storm Track

This paper reviews the progress in our understanding of the atmospheric response to midlatitude oceanic fronts and eddies,emphasizing the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension(KOE)region.Oceanic perturbations of interest consist of sharp oceanic fronts,temperature anomalies associated with mesoscale eddies,and to some extent even higher-frequency submesoscale variability.The focus is on the free atmosphere above the boundary layer.As the midlatitude atmosphere is dominated by vigorous transient eddy activity in the storm track,the response of both the time-mean flow and the storm track is assessed.The storm track response arguably overwhelms the mean-flow response and makes the latter hard to detect from observations.Oceanic frontal impacts on the mesoscale structures of individual synoptic storms are discussed,followed by the role of oceanic fronts in maintaining the storm track as a whole.KOE fronts exhibit significant decadal variability and can therefore presumably modulate the storm track.Relevant studies are summarized and intercompared.Current understanding has advanced greatly but is still subject to large uncertainties arising from inadequate data resolution and other factors.Recent modeling studies highlighted the importance of mesoscale eddies and probably even submesoscale processes in maintaining the storm track but confirmation and validation are still needed.Moreover,the atmospheric response can potentially provide a feedback mechanism for the North Pacific climate.By reviewing the above aspects,we envision that future research shall focus more upon the interaction between smaller-scale oceanic processes(fronts,eddies,submesoscale features)and atmospheric processes(fronts,extratropical cyclones etc.),in an integrated way,within the context of different climate background states.     

Dynamic and Numerical Study of Waves in the Tibetan Plateau Vortex简

In terms of its dynamics, The Tibetan Plateau Vortex （TPV） is assumed to be a vortex in the botmdary layer forced by diabatic heating and friction. In order to analyze the basic characteristics of waves in the vortex, the governing equations for the vortex were established in column coordinates with the balance of gradient wind. Based on this, the type of mixed waves and their dispersion characteristics were deduced by solving the linear model. Two numerical simulations with triple-nested domains--one idealized large-eddy simulation and one of a TPV that took place on 14 August 2006---were also carried out. The aim of the simulations was to validate the mixed wave deduced from the governing equations. The high-resolution model output data were analyzed and the results showed that the tangential flow field of the TPV in the form of center heating was cyclonic and convergent in the lower levels and anticyclonic and divergent in the upper levels. The simulations also showed that the vorticity of the vortex is uneven and might have shear flow along the radial direction. The changing vorticity causes the formation and spreading of vortex Rossby （VR） waves, and divergence will cause changes to the n~otion of the excitation and evolution of inertial gravity （IG） waves. Therefore, the vortex may contain what we call mixed ：inertial gravity-vortex Rossby （IG-VR） waves. It is suggested that some strongly developed TPVs should be studied in the future, because of their effects on weather in downstream areas.     

Variations in extratropical cyclone activity in northern East Asia

Based on an improved objective cyclone detection and tracking algorithm, decadal variations in extratropical cyclones in northern East Asia are studied by using the ECMWF 40 Year Reanalysis (ERA-40) sea-level pressure data during 1958-2001. The results reveal that extratropical cyclone activity has displayed clear seasonal, interannual, and decadal variability in northern East Asia. Spring is the season when cyclones occur most frequently. The spatial distribution of extratropical cyclones shows that cyclon...     

POTENTIAL VORTICITY STRUCTURE OF SUMMER CYCLONES OVER THE CHANGJIANG-HUAIHE VALLEY

Based on the theory of Ertel potential vorticity,the isentropic potential vorticity maps and vertical pro-files of potential vorticity for two summer cyclones over the Changjiang-Huaihe Valley are analysed.Afterdiscussing a possible mechanism for the genesis and development of such systems and their differences fromtypical extratropical cyclones,a conceptual model for their activities is proposed:A weak disturbance in the mid-level of troposphere originated from around the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau may cause heavy precipitation underfavourable conditions and latent heat release in the mid-troposphere leads to downward extension of cycloniccirculation and a wave on the quasi-stationary front.This weak cyclone can develop substantially and becomea typical extratropical cyclone only when air from the lower stratosphere flows downslope along isentropic sur-faces into the region of interest.     

A GCM-Based Forecasting Model for the Landfall of Tropical Cyclones in China

A statistical dynamic model for forecasting Chinese landfall of tropical cyclones (CLTCs) was developed based on the empirical relationship between the observed CLTC variability and the hindcast atmospheric circulations from the Pusan National University coupled general circulation model (PNU-CGCM).In the last 31 years,CLTCs have shown strong year-to-year variability,with a maximum frequency in 1994 and a minimum frequency in 1987.Such features were well forecasted by the model.A cross-validation test showed that the correlation between the observed index and the forecasted CLTC index was high,with a coefficient of 0.71.The relative error percentage (16.3%) and root-mean-square error (1.07) were low.Therefore the coupled model performs well in terms of forecasting CLTCs;the model has potential for dynamic forecasting of landfall of tropical cyclones.     

ATMOSPHERIC BOUNDARY LAYER CONCEPT MODEL OF THE PEARL RIVER DELTA AND ITS APPLICATION

Based on the geographical circumstance, climate and the boundary layer meteorology features of the Pearl River Delta, a boundary layer concept model of the Pearl River Delta was built. The concept model consists of four fundamental factors that affect the boundary layer meteorology of the Pearl River Delta and can convincingly explain the reason of the air quality change in the Pearl River Delta. The model can be used to the diffusion capability analysis, the air pollution potential forecasting or haze forecasting, etc.     

冬季北太平洋爆发性气旋的天气气候特征

本文利用1975—1984年12—2月北太平洋爆发性温带气旋资料以及500 hPa天气图，概括出气旋爆发式加强前12小时五种环流型，即北美高压型（NAH）、东太平洋高压型（EPH）、中太平洋高压型（MPH）、白令海阻高型（BBH）、太平洋低压型（PL）。以NAH型和EPH型出现的机会最多，稳定时间最长，并且在这两种天气形势下气旋最易发展。另外本文还分析了气旋爆发后的路径趋势，指出在形势稳定期，气旋爆发后的路径亦稳定；在形势调整期，气旋后期路径随太平洋长波系统的演变而变化。     

影响靖宇地区温带气旋的统计分析

核电站因它不排放如二氧化碳这样的温室气体,核电对降低能源部门的碳密集作出了贡献,因此愈益受到人们的重视.在对核电站地区的天气、气候环境进行分析的基础上,对影响靖宇核电站地区的温带气旋作了研究.结果表明:1949-2007年期间影响靖宇地区的温带气旋计111个;受温带气旋影响的年数有41年(约2/3).影响靖宇地区且产生强降雨的温带气旋,主要发生在6、7、8月这3个月,并且一半以上出现在7月.影响靖宇地区的温带气旋大部分是东北气旋,占总数的65%;蒙古气旋与华北气旋次之.此外,对造成严重影响的温带气旋的个例也从天气学角度进行了分析.     

北太平洋爆发性气旋的气候特征

利用1968—1987年的海平面天气图资料，分析了爆发性气旋的气候特点。主要内容有:爆发性气旋的发生频率，频率的时间分布，地理分布，大风强度及分布方位、气旋爆发前后的大风、中心气压、加深率等要素的变化。     

中国近海大风的天气学分型

利用2010—2014年地面观测站（包括288个海岛站、380个沿海气象站、28个浮标站、37个船舶站、53个气象观测塔、13个海上平台站、9个沿海风廓线仪等）和高空气象观测站资料,采用天气学分型和统计分析方法,对2010—2014年285次中国近海6级及以上大风天气个例进行了分析,将近海的大风天气过程归纳为冷空气型、温带气旋型和热带气旋型3种类型。其中冷空气型又分为小槽东移型、小槽发展型和横槽转竖型;温带气旋型又分为东海气旋型、黄渤海气旋型和蒙古气旋型。这些分型可为海上大风预报预警提供天气学背景参考依据。     

Atypical occlusion process caused by the merger of a sea-breeze front and gust front

An atypical occlusion process that occurred in North China on 14 July 2011 is studied based on both observations and a real-data Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model simulation. The results show that this atypical occlusion process was significantly different from the traditional, synoptic-scale occlusion process that occurs within extratropical cyclones. It was caused by the merger of two cold-type mesoscale fronts. One of the fronts developed from the gust front of convective storms, while the other was a sea-breeze front. As the two fronts moved towards each other, the warm air between them was squeezed and separated from the surface. An atypical occluded front was formed when the two fronts merged, with the warm air forced aloft. This kind of occlusion is termed a "merger" process, different from the well-known "catch-up" and "wrap-up" processes. Moreover, local convection was found to be enhanced during the merger process, with severe convective weather produced in the merger area.     

北半球温带气旋活动和风暴路径的年代际变化

基于欧洲中心再分析数据ERA40的海平面气压场和高度场,本文分别采用拉格朗日和欧拉方法研究分析了1958～2001年北半球的不同季节温带气旋活动和风暴路径的年代际变化,以及可能的原因.以客观判定和追踪温带气旋为基础的拉格朗日方法得到了北半球的两个温带气旋主要活动中心,即北太平洋地区和北大西洋/北美地区,同时以500 hPa位势高度天气尺度滤波方差为基础的欧拉方法得到了同主要气旋活动中心相吻合的两条风暴轴.研究表明,44年中北大西洋/北美地区温带气旋活动北移加强,以春季最为显著.风暴轴也同样存在着向极移动并加强的特征,并且温带气旋和风暴路径两者移动趋势的相关性很高.作为一个典型地区,北大西洋/北美地区的气旋活动体现了风暴路径的北移,以及温带地区向极地的扩展.但有意思的是北太平洋的情况完全不同,即北太平洋地区的温带气旋活动和风暴轴向低纬度偏移并加强,以春季的南移趋势最为显著.对于此结论,两种方法也有很高的统计相关性.虽然大量研究表明北半球整体上呈现出风暴路径北移的变化特征,但对于具体地区情况有明显差异.另外,400 hPa最大Eady增长率和气旋活动频率的经验正交展开函数 (EOF) 第一模态的空间分布和时间序列非常相似,北太平洋地区和北大西洋地区风暴路径相反的变化趋势很可能同其大气斜压性的同位相的变化有着密切的关系.这也从另一个方面支持了本文对温带气旋和风暴路径年代际变化的分析.     

POTENTIAL VORTICITY STRUCTURE OF SUMMER CYCLONES OVER THE CHANGJIANG-HUAIHE VALLEY*

Based on the theory of Ertel potential vorticity,the isentropic potential vorticity maps and vertical profiles of potential vorticity for two summer cyclones over the Changjiang-Huaihe Valley are analysed.After discussing a possible mechanism for the genesis and development of such systems and their differences from typical extratropical cyclones,a conceptual model for their activities is proposed:A weak disturbance in the midlevel of troposphere originated from around the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau may cause heavy precipitation under favourable conditions and latent heat release in the mid-troposphere leads to downward extension of cyclonic circulation and a wave on the quasi-stationary front.This weak cyclone can develop substantially and become a typical extratropical cyclone only when air from the lower stratosphere flows downslope along isentropic surfaces into the region of interest.     

The relation between circulation intensity in the temperate latitude cyclone and air temperature and precipitation anomalies

The relationship between air temperature, precipitation, and circulation intensity in extratropical cyclones at subsequent stages of their evolution is studied. The cyclones observed in the Atlantic and Pacific sectors in winters from 1991 to 2000 are considered. The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, GPCP database, and cyclone trajectory archive of the Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, are used. It is demonstrated that there are significant connections between circulation intensity, air temperature, and precipitation in cyclones. The intensity of circulation along the cyclone contour reflects both the precipitation fall in the cyclone center and a synoptic structure of frontal precipitation. It was concluded that speed circulation along the cyclone contour can be recommended as a characteristic of cyclone intensity together with the currently used pressure in the cyclone center.