Teleconnection patterns and Rossby wave propagation associated to generalized frosts over southern South America

Based on previous observational studies of the mean atmospheric circulation leading to generalized frosts (GF) in central Southern South America, it is possible to establish a hypothesis that specific large scale patterns are associated to the frequency of occurrence of these events through the propagation of Rossby waves remotely excited. This hypothesis is tested here through a teleconnection analysis for austral winters which present an extreme frequency of occurrence of GF in southeastern South America, particularly over the Wet Pampa area in Argentina. Rossby wave propagation regions are identified for two basic states given by the composition of winters with maximum and minimum frequency of GF occurrence, during the 1961–1990 period. The stationary wavenumber K _s indicates the regions where the Rossby wave propagation is permitted and those where it will be inhibited (K _s = 0), highlighting the importance of the jets as waveguides. Nevertheless, differences exist between both basic states analyzed. These differences indicate that the locations for wave generation and its later evolution are conditioned by the basic state. Results are validated through a baroclinic model, which simulates the Rossby wave patterns responsible for the teleconnection. Numerical experiments confirm that the principal wave activity takes place inside the subtropical and polar jets. In particular, for the basic state with maximum frequency of GF occurrence, the wave trains propagating inside the subtropical and polar waveguides merge just before entering the continent, as shown by the observations prior to the occurrence of GF events. This configuration favors the development of an intense south wind anomaly with large meridional extension which results in the intensification of anticyclonic circulation in southern South America. A conceptual model is presented to summarise all these results.     

夏季欧亚中高纬环流持续异常事件的Rossby波传播特征

利用西风波导结构以及波作用通量, 探讨了夏季欧亚一类中高纬持续异常环流所对应的Rossby波的能量频散特征。中高纬度对流层上层存在结构较为复杂的弱波导, Rossby波能量频散过程基本上与该弱波导结构一致。Rossby波传播特征在不同时期以及两种环流型 （E型和C型) 之间存在显著差异: (1) 在梅雨前期, 与E型环流对应, Rossby波从南欧气旋式异常环流中心传播到乌拉尔山正高度异常中心, 并且波作用通量在乌拉尔山西侧辐合, 形成该地区正高度异常环流。乌拉尔山持续异常中心东侧重新激发出Rossby波, 并传播至贝加尔湖和鄂霍次克海地区, 维持对应的异常环流。与C型异常环流对应, Rossby波活动非常活跃。该型三个活动中心呈现高纬－中纬－高纬的分布特征, 这与波导结构密切相关。 (2) 在梅雨期, Rossby波的传播对两类持续异常环流的作用更加明显, 其传播路径基本上在处于极区和偏向中纬度一侧的两个“波障碍区”之间的带状西风波导区中。Rossby波从乌拉尔山活动中心向东传播, 最终形成贝加尔湖和鄂霍次克海地区的持续异常环流。在C型维持过程中则还存在另一种强迫因子。在C型中, Rossby波从乌拉尔山活动中心向中纬度传播, 并在亚洲急流中向东传播至东亚地区。 (3) 在后汛期, 在欧亚大陆上纬向“波障碍区”的增加使得Rossby波活动减弱。E型异常环流型的鄂霍次克海活动中心向东扩展到北太平洋, 但来自上游的Rossby波传播只作用于该活动中心的西北侧部分。C型中Rossby波的传播在乌拉尔山活动中心地区变弱。在夏季各个时期, E和C型持续异常环流对应着不同位相的EAP (或PJ) 型, 但并没有Rossby波从中纬度向北传播至鄂霍次克海地区的现象。     

Role of the subtropical westerly jet waveguide in a southern China heavy rainstorm in December 2013

An extreme rainstorm hit southern China during 13–17 December 2013, with a record-breaking daily rainfall rate, large spatial extent, and unusually long persistence. We examined what induced this heavy rainfall process, based on observed rainfall data and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data through composite and diagnostic methods. The results showed that a Rossby waveguide within the subtropical westerly jet caused the event. The Rossby wave originated from strong cold air intrusion into the subtropical westerly jet over the eastern Mediterranean. With the enhancement and northward shift of the Middle East westerly jet, the Rossby wave propagated slowly eastward and deepened the India–Burma trough, which transported a large amount of moisture from the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea to southern China. Strong divergence in the upper troposphere, caused by the enhancement of the East Asian westerly jet, also favored the heavy rainfall process over Southeast China. In addition, the Rossby wave was associated with a negative-to-positive phase shift and enhancement of the North Atlantic Oscillation, but convergence in the eastern Mediterranean played the key role in the eastward propagation of the Rossby wave within the subtropical westerly jet.     

北半球冬季非定常扰动的气候分析

本文利用Hoskins提出的E向量和曾庆存提出的波包理论对北半球冬季非定常扰动的强度及其性质进行了气候分析。结果表明，非定常扰动的强度和高空急流及大地形有密切关系。非定常扰动的形状和传播揭示出:低频扰动大多是西退的，并且在急流出口区是正压衰减的；高频扰动大多是东进的，并且在急流入口区是正压发展的。高频扰动的分布和传播反映了Rossby波的波导及地面气旋、反气旋的路径。非定常扰动的气候分析为气候和大气环流的诊断提供了有用的背景材料。     

江淮流域持续性暴雨过程前期的欧亚波列特征及其模拟研究

利用50余年的NCAR/NCEP再分析资料,对江淮流域持续性暴雨过程前期的环流特征进行了相关与合成分析。发现在过程前2—1周的对流层中高层西风带上,中西亚、中国东部沿海和白令海南侧相继有低压槽发展,呈现显著的罗斯贝波列信号特征。分析表明,正是该欧亚波列的东传和消失伴随的环流调整,导致了有利于持续性暴雨产生的稳定环流的形成。进一步采用区域数值模式检验了该波列特征对后期持续性暴雨的作用和影响过程,以1991年一次典型的江淮流域持续性暴雨过程为例,根据欧亚波列信号特征设计一组初始流场扰动,进行初值集合模拟试验。结果表明,过程强雨带及其环流背景的模拟对于初始场上欧亚波列信号区的扰动特征是相当敏感的,该初始扰动对模拟环流的后继影响,与持续性暴雨期间稳定环流特征的建立和维持确有密切关系。     

东亚2005年和2006年冬季风异常及其与准定常行星波活动的关系

利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料系统地分析了2005年与2006年冬季欧亚大陆的气温和东亚冬季风的差别及其与北半球准定常波活动的关系。分析结果表明:2005年冬季欧亚大陆中、高纬度地区气温偏低,东亚冬季风偏强;而2006年冬季欧亚大陆中、高纬度地区气温偏高,出现暖冬,东亚冬季风偏弱。分析结果还表明,这两年冬季东亚冬季风的差别不仅是由于西伯利亚高压和阿留申低压的变异所造成,而且是由于北极涛动(北半球环状模)的变化所造成。并且,作者还从这两年冬季北半球准定常行星波活动的差异,在动力理论上进一步讨论了这两年冬季北半球气候和东亚冬季风差异的机理。结果表明:2005年冬季北半球行星波活动为低指数,准定常行星波在高纬度往平流层传播加强,而往低纬度对流层上层传播减弱,造成了行星波E-P通量在高纬度地区对流层中、上层辐合加强,而在副热带地区对流层中、上层辐散加强,引起了北半球高纬度地区极锋急流减弱,而副热带急流加强,这有利于西伯利亚高压的发展,从而引起了东亚冬季风增强;相反,2006年冬季北半球行星波活动为高指数,准定常行星波在高纬度往平流层传播减弱,而往低纬度对流层上层传播加强,造成了行星波E-P通量在高纬度地区对流层中、上层辐散加强,而在副热带地区对流层中、上层辐合加强,引起了北半球高纬度地区极锋急流加强,而副热带急流减弱,这不利于西伯利亚高压的发展,从而引起了东亚冬季风减弱。     

冬半年南支西风中Rossby波传播及其与南支槽形成的关系

利用1948—2005年的10月—次年5月NCEP/NCAR再分析资料对西风急流中Rossby波的传播及其与冬半年副热带南支西风槽形成的关系进行研究, 结果表明:冬半年亚洲副热带西风急流下方存在3个南支波动, 分别位于阿拉伯海、孟加拉湾和我国华南地区, 其中孟加拉湾南支槽变率最小, 是半永久性低压槽; 从北非、阿拉伯海到孟加拉湾的“-+-”遥相关波列表明南支槽与北非槽呈正相关, 与阿拉伯海槽呈反相关。在西风波动从北非东传到孟加拉湾的过程中, 往往会在阿拉伯海有所停顿, 这种由西向东的传播过程约20 d一次, 具有明显的低频振荡特征; 源自北非的定常Rossby波能量沿着急流波导传播到孟加拉湾, 可能是南支槽明显增幅的一个主要机制; 另外, 从青藏高原东西两侧南下的冷空气活动也是南支槽加深发展的一个重要因素。     

Rossby wave propagation in a barotropic atmosphere

The ideas of ray tracing from geometrical optics and wave propagation in a slowly varying medium are applied to Rossby waves propagating in a barotropic atmosphere.The propagation of low-frequency Rossby waves in a zonally symmetric basic state is compared with that for stationary waves presented by Hoskins and Karoly (1981). These ideas are then used to study the propagation of Rossby waves in a basic state with zonally varying middle latitude or low latitude jets. Conditions which allow cross-equatorial wave propagation are presented. For a zonally varying middle latitude jet, there is weak wave convergence in regions of decreasing jet speed, However, this is not sufficient to explain the enhanced wave amplitude found in numerical-model experiments using a zonally varying basic state.     

Mean atmospheric circulation leading to generalized frosts in central southern South America

Summary The purpose of this study is to analyze the atmospheric circulation patterns associated to extreme frost episodes which affect the extensive region known as the Wet Pampas in the center-south of South America during the 1961–1990 period. The years with an extreme frequency of generalized frost are identified by selecting the cases beyond one standard deviation above and below the average of the corresponding period. Two groups were formed: one for the years with events above the average (+s) and the other with those below the average (−s). The years of generalized frosts were separated into the periods from May to September, June to August and individual months.From the comparison between the composite of the two groups (+s and −s), it was possible to determine that the anomaly fields are opposite in almost all the periods studied. In the seasonal composites of generalized frosts below average, the circulation field presented a barotropic structure with an anomalous cyclonic persistence over the south-west of South America and a weak subtropical jet over the continent. On the other hand, the structure and evolution of the systems that produce generalized frosts in extremely cold winters were analyzed by calculating the composites of the daily fields from these episodes. The results showed that the incursion of cold air in the lower levels begins with a migratory anticyclone moving from the south-east Pacific to the south of the continent and a deepening of an anomalous low pressure center over the south-east of the Argentine Atlantic coast. Both systems cause cold, dry air advection from the south, with a reduction in temperature over the center and eastern parts of the country. The development of a mid-latitude wave was observed at higher levels with a large-amplitude trough over South America extending to tropical latitudes and a progressive amplification from another trough located upstream in the Pacific Ocean.The analysis of the different periods confirmed the relationship between the intensification of the subtropical jet in South America and the higher frequency of generalized frosts. The intensification of the jet may be related to an amplification of the pressure gradient in the region due to the increase in Rossby wave activity.     

Circumglobal teleconnection and early summer rainfall in the US Intermountain West

Physical processes responsible for the abnormally wet condition in the Central Intermountain West (CIW) of the United States in June 2009 were investigated. It was illustrated that persistent rainy conditions over the CIW during June 2009 were associated with a pronounced circumglobal teleconnection pattern, which is characterized as a short Rossby wave train along the jet stream waveguide with a wave number 5 structure. The ascending motion and moisture flux convergence over the CIW associated with the cyclonic action center over the US West Coast in the teleconnection wave train could be essential for the persistent local rainfall during June 2009. Further analysis suggested that the June 2009 circulation pattern is consistent with a prevailing mode of the summer circumglobal teleconnection pattern. The findings in this study provide information for improved understanding of the early summer rainfall regime in the CIW.     

2000/2001年冬季北欧异常流型形成机理及其对我国北方天气的影响

从Rossby波能量的频散和瞬变斜压扰动的正压反馈角度,探讨了2000/2001年冬季盛行的斯堪的纳维亚环流型(正位相)的维持机理,并讨论了其对我国北方地区天气气候的影响。该环流型上游部分,即北大西洋和斯堪的纳维亚半岛的两个活动中心主要由瞬变斜压扰动的正压反馈所形成,部分由Rossby波能量频散所维持。而下游部分,即贝加尔湖附近的气旋式环流异常主要由Rossby波能量从上游频散所形成和维持。与该环流型对应,冷空气在西、中西伯利亚堆积,并在其南侧的西风气流区中平流,使得我国华北部分地区和东北地区比常年冷。该环流型导致新疆北部地区、内蒙古东部及东北地区降雪量显著增强。大西洋急流的东伸及对应斜压扰动的显著加强是预报北疆和内蒙古东部及东北地区多雪的一个重要前兆因子。     

Typical Circulation Patterns and Associated Mechanisms for Persistent Heavy Rainfall Events over Yangtze–Huaihe River Valley during 1981–2020※

Persistent heavy rainfall events (PHREs) over the Yangtze–Huaihe River Valley (YHRV) during 1981–2020 are classified into three types (type-A, type-B and type-C) according to pattern correlation. The characteristics of the synoptic systems for the PHREs and their possible development mechanisms are investigated. The anomalous cyclonic disturbance over the southern part of the YHRV during type-A events is primarily maintained and intensified by the propagation of Rossby wave energy originating from the northeast Atlantic in the mid–upper troposphere and the northward propagation of Rossby wave packets from the western Pacific in the mid–lower troposphere. The zonal propagation of Rossby wave packets and the northward propagation of Rossby wave packets during type-B events are more coherent than those for type-A events, which induces eastward propagation of stronger anomaly centers of geopotential height from the northeast Atlantic Ocean to the YHRV and a meridional anomaly in geopotential height over the Asian continent. Type-C events have "two ridges and one trough" in the high latitudes of the Eurasian continent, but the anomalous intensity of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and the trough of the YHRV region are weaker than those for type-A and type-B events. The composite synoptic circulation of four PHREs in 2020 is basically consistent with that of the corresponding PHRE type. The location of the South Asian high (SAH) in three of the PHREs in 2020 moves eastward as in the composite of the three types, but the position of the WPSH of the four PHREs is clearly westward and northward. Two water vapor conveyor belts and two cold air conveyor belts are tracked during the four PHREs in 2020, but the water vapor path from the western Pacific is not seen, which may be caused by the westward extension of the WPSH.     

The Mid-latitudinal influence on the formation of the monsoon gyre in August 1991

This study investigates the formation of the monsoon gyre (MG) in August 1991. The results suggest the mid-latitudinal processes play an important role in the formation of the MG. The repeating upper-tropospheric Rossby wave breaking events took place in the exit region of mid-latitude jet during the period of interest. The wave energy dispersed southeastward and downward from the jet exit region, exciting a low-level subtropical low. Furthermore, the Rossby wave breaking induced salient ageostrophic forcing by disturbing the upper-level PV fields. The Q-vector analysis shows that the ageostrophic motion forced by the upper PV streamer favors the early development of the subtropical low. Thereafter, this system moved southwestward, and interacted with the tropical monsoon flows to induce a strong convective band to the southern and southeastern periphery. The enhanced convective heating further strengthened the cyclonic low through the Gill-type response. Furthermore, the asymmetric water vapor transport induced asymmetric convective structure. This pattern suppressed the scale contraction and maintained a large size, leading to the formation of a large-scale monsoon gyre eventually.     

High and low latitude types of the downstream influences of the North Atlantic Oscillation

Using reanalysis data, we find that the downstream-propagating quasi-stationary Rossby wave train associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) generally propagates along a high (low)-latitude pathway during warm (cold) El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) boreal winters. Consistent with the different propagation directions of the NAO-related downstream wave train, during the warm (cold) ENSO winters, the NAO is associated with significant 300 hPa geopotential height anomalies over eastern Siberia (the Arabian Sea, the east coast of Asia at around 40°N, and the North Pacific), and the near-surface air temperature perturbations associated with the NAO over the high latitudes of Asia are relatively strong (weak). Based on these differences, we argue that the NAO has two distinct types of downstream influence: a high-latitude type and a low-latitude type. Furthermore, we argue that the two types of NAO’s downstream influence are modulated by the intensity of the subtropical potential vorticity (PV) meridional gradient over Africa. When this gradient is weak (strong), as in the warm (cold) ENSO winters, the NAO’s downstream influence tends to be of the high (low)-latitude type. These results are further supported by analysis of intraseasonal NAO events. We separate NAO events into two categories in terms of the intensity of the subtropical PV gradient over Africa. Composites of the NAO events accompanied by a weak (strong) subtropical PV gradient show that the NAO-related downstream wave train tends to propagate along a high (low)-latitude pathway.     

THE INTERLINKAGE OF LARGE-SCALE SYSTEMS BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW LATITUDES RELATED TO PROPAGATION OF THE PLANETARY WAVE AROUND EAST ASIA IN SUMMER*

This study has reviewed recent studies about impact of the Rossby wave propagation on the weather of East Asia.Then,we have focused on the northward progression of the subtropical high affected by the propagations and their interaction.The following results are obtained:(1) The two kinds of meridional Rossby wave propagations often affect the East Asian weather in summer,which propagate in two conflicting directions(northwest-southeastward and southwest-northeast-ward).This is considered as the interaction of the large-scale systems between high and low latitudes with wave propagation,especially to the circulation systems around East Asia.(2) The northward progression of the subtropical high is largely restrained,aecompanied by the southward shift of the convective activity in middle latitudes,under the strong and persistent Rossby wave propagation from high to low latitudes.And the opposite role could be found in the Rossby wave propagation from low to high latitudes.     

THE INTERLINKAGE OF LARGE-SCALE SYSTEMS BETWEEN HIGH AND LOW LATITUDES RELATED TO PROPAGATION OF THE PLANETARY WAVE AROUND EAST ASIA IN SUMMER

This study has reviewed recent studies about impact of the Rossby wave propagation on theweather of East Asia.Then,we have focused on the northward progression of the subtropical highaffected by the propagations and their interaction.The following results are obtained:(1)The twokinds of meridional Rossby wave propagations often affect the East Asian weather in summer,which propagate in two conflicting directions(northwest-southeastward and southwest-northeast-ward).This is considered as the interaction of the large-scale systems between high and lowlatitudes with wave propagation,especially to the circulation systems around East Asia.(2)Thenorthward progression of the subtropical high is largely restrained,aecompanied by the southwardshift of the convective activity in middle latitudes,under the strong and persistent Rossby wavepropagation from high to low latitudes.And the opposite role could be found in the Rossby wavepropagation from low to high latitudes.     

华南夏季12-30 d持续性强降水的低频特征分析

利用1982-2011年夏季（5-8月）中国气象观测站点逐日降水资料、NCEP/NCAR逐日再分析资料、NOAA逐日向外长波辐射和海表温度资料集,通过选取低频降水事件的方法,分析了华南夏季12-30 d持续性强降水事件的基本特征,然后利用位相合成法对持续性强降水期间伴随的低频大气环流型以及低频信号的来源和传播情况进行研究,同时也分析了低频海-气耦合过程对持续性强降水的影响。结果表明：（1）华南夏季降水具有显著的12-30 d低频振荡特征,持续性强降水事件在6月发生次数最多,低频降水期间的雨带自东南向西北传播。（2）在持续性强降水发生期间,华南及邻近海域低层受强大的低频气旋式环流控制,低频上升运动显著,而中国南海-菲律宾海一带则是强的低频反气旋式环流,其西侧向北的低频水汽输送不断将中国南海的水汽送至华南及邻近海域进行辐合上升。低层的低频信号来源于热带西太平洋和中国南海-菲律宾海一带低频振荡的西北向传播,同时伴随着西太平洋副热带高压明显的西伸东退过程。（3）在高层,华南北侧（22°-45°N,95°-130°E）区域强大的低频气旋式环流和孟加拉湾-中国南海一带的低频反气旋式环流相互配合,使华南高层处于强大的辐散环境中,从而加强了华南低层的辐合与低频上升运动,造成持续性强降水的增强。高层的低频信号来源于低频罗斯贝波列的东南向传播。（4）低频大气环流异常通过云辐射和热通量过程改变低频海表温度异常,而由大气强迫的低频海表温度异常通过影响低层大气的稳定性来对大气施加明显的反馈作用,该海-气耦合过程有利于大气低层低频信号向华南地区传播,从而影响了华南持续性强降水的发生、发展与结束。     

北大西洋涛动对新疆夏季降水异常的影响

利用1961~2003年NCEP/NCAR再分析和新疆75个气象站月降水资料,分析新疆夏季降水与沿西亚副热带西风急流Rossby波和北大西洋涛动（NAO）的关系,研究表明,夏季斯堪的纳维亚半岛-中欧—西亚和中亚的准静止波传播是联系NAO与沿西亚副热带西风急流波活动和新疆夏季降水变化的纽带。通过波作用量的动力学诊断分析,讨论了夏季NAO正、负位相异常年准静止波传播特征和差异,夏季NAO强弱活动影响斯堪的纳维亚半岛EP通量散度强度和位置异常,该区EP通量散度强度和位置异常导致强辐散中心在中高纬向东传播的准静止波和沿副热带西风急流准静止波活动变化,从而影响新疆夏季降水。     

欧洲东部土壤湿度对东北亚初夏气温异常转折的影响及其可能物理过程

采用1979—2020年观测和再分析资料,研究了年际时间尺度上初夏(5—6月)东北亚气温异常月际转折的基本特征,以及欧洲东部土壤湿度异常对其的影响及可能物理过程。结果表明,年际时间尺度上东北亚初夏气温异常月际演变的主导模态为转折模态,即5月偏暖(冷)则6月偏冷(暖);转折模态的形成直接源于东北亚地区环流异常的转折。进一步分析发现,5月欧洲东部土壤湿度偏低往往导致东北亚5月偏暖而6月偏冷,可能的物理过程如下:5月土壤湿度偏低导致局地土壤温度和对流层低层增温,进而造成地中海地区(欧洲北部)对流层低层经向温度梯度和大气斜压性减弱(增强),相应地高频瞬变波活动减弱(增强),并通过瞬变涡度强迫有利于欧洲中东部形成异常高压和Rossby波波源;相关的Rossby波沿极锋急流东传,导致东北亚为准正压的异常高压,地表升温。土壤湿度异常可持续到6月,但强度减弱;类似地,其可通过瞬变涡度强迫有利于异常高压和Rossby波波源的形成,但中心西移至欧洲西部;相关Rossby波活动导致东北亚为准正压的异常低压,地表降温。5月和6月欧洲东部土壤湿度异常相关的 Rossby波的活动特征(波源、活动中心和传播路径)存在明显差异,这与两个月欧亚北部大气平均态的差异密切相关。当5月欧洲东部土壤湿度偏高时,上述物理过程则大致相反。     

亚洲季风与ENSO循环的相互作用

ＥＮＳＯ事件对亚洲季风有很大影响,特别是对东亚夏季风环流有较大影响。许多观测事实表明,在ＥＮＳＯ事件处于发展阶段的夏季,江淮流域往往发生洪涝,黄河流域往往发生干旱,东北地区往往发生冷夏。本研究利用观测资料分析了亚洲季风对ＥＮＳＯ事件发生的影响。分析结果表明,在ＥＮＳＯ事件发生前,在热带太平洋上空对流层下层有明显的西风异常;这个西风异常将会加强东传暖Ｋｅｌｖｉｎ波和西传冷Ｒｏｓｓｂｙ波,为ＥＮＳＯ循环提供必要的赤道海洋波动条件;并且这个西风异常与东亚季风区西风异常向南传播有密切关系。通过遥相关分析表明,东亚季风西风异常的南传是通过欧亚型遥相关的波列来实现。通过分析,本研究提出一种亚洲季风与ＥＮＳＯ循环相互作用的物理图像。