4～5月南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立过程特征及其可能机制

利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料, 发现菲律宾群岛以东洋面上空反气旋在4月第5候分裂成位于中南半岛上空的西部中心和仍位于菲律宾以东洋面上空的东部中心两部分, 其中位于中南半岛上空的反气旋中心加强后形成南亚高压。中南半岛高空反气旋生成加强和菲律宾群岛以东洋面高空反气旋减弱消亡的同时发生是4~5月南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立过程的主要特征, 其主要促发因子是亚洲南部大气非绝热加热状态的改变。事实上, 随着对流沿亚澳 “大陆桥” 北移和中南半岛对流建立, 中南半岛上升运动加强, 高空辐散加剧, 西部中心在中南半岛南部生成, 南亚高压初步建立。随后, 菲律宾群岛以东洋面上热源突然东撤至150°E以东, 中南半岛热源成为主导, 在加热区东面对流层高层激发出气旋式环流, 造成西太平洋高压在120°E附近分裂。之后, 孟加拉湾[CD*2]中南半岛夏季风建立, 孟加拉湾[CD*2]中南半岛对流加强, 在深对流作用下, 中南半岛上空释放大量潜热, 上升运动进一步加强, 西部中心加强北抬。同时, 南海对流开始加强, 其释放的潜热加热会在加热区东部的对流层高层激发出正涡度变率, 令东部中心减弱消亡, 南亚高压在中南半岛上空完全建立。     

4~5月南亚高压建立早晚年份环流差异及其可能成因

利用1979~2008年NCEP/NCAR逐日再分析资料和向外长波辐射(OLR)资料分析了4~5月南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立早晚年份的环流差异及可能机理。发现南亚高压建立早晚年,对流层高低层环流形势存在显著差异:在对流层高层,偏早年,菲律宾群岛以东洋面上空反气旋环流中心西移速度快,建立完成后,中南半岛上空南亚高压反气旋环流东西范围较宽,整个建立过程时间较长;偏晚年,建立开始前西太平洋上空无闭合的反气旋性环流中心,建立完成后,中南半岛上空南亚高压反气旋环流东西范围较窄,整个建立过程时间较短;在对流层低层,南亚高压建立早晚年风场和海平面气压场都呈现反相的分布形势,与之相联系的Walker环流强度也存在明显差异。中南半岛上空反气旋环流中心生成早晚与中南半岛地区对流建立发展关系密切,当中南半岛地区对流建立发展早时,中南半岛上空反气旋环流中心生成早;反之对流建立发展晚时,中南半岛上空反气旋环流中心生成晚,且中南半岛对流活跃稍早于南亚高压在该地区建立。菲律宾群岛以东洋面上空反气旋环流中心的西移快慢及有无闭合环流中心出现受该区域上空的上升运动和大气非绝热加热作用影响。当菲律宾群岛以东洋面上空的反气旋环流中心西移稳定至130°~145°E这一区域后,非绝热加热的垂直变化对该环流中心的维持及消亡起主要作用。由于前期冬春季节热带太平洋海温的异常分布,引起了后期Walker环流的强弱变化,进而影响了中南半岛至菲律宾群岛以东洋面上空的大气热力状况及上升运动,最终导致南亚高压建立期间环流的演变差异。     

春季南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立与500hPa副高断裂的关系

利用NCEP／NCAR再分析资料及NOAA的OLR资料,研究了春季南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立与500hPa副高在孟加拉湾上空断裂的关系。结果表明,南亚高压建立之前,对流从“海洋大陆”向北推进,首先在中南半岛建立;而孟加拉湾地区由于青藏高原感热作用在对流层中低层形成一个反Hadley环流型的局地经圈环流,15°N附近500—700hPa有下沉运动中心,它抑制了孟加拉湾对流的建立,也不利于500hPa副高带断裂。南亚高压在中南半岛建立之后,位于高压中心西南侧的孟加拉湾上空出现一个强的辐散中心,孟加拉湾地区15°N附近的下沉运动消失,对流发展起来,降水量增加并释放大量潜热,非绝热加热中心位于500hPa,此时副高脊线断裂。因此,高层南亚高压建立所产生的辐散运动很可能对孟加拉湾上空500hPa副高带断裂及对流建立起到了触发作用。     

南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立过程及其与亚洲南部夏季风建立的关系

利用NCEP(National Centers for Environmental Prediction)/NCAR(National Center for Atmospheric Research)再分析资料, 首先讨论了南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立日期的定义标准及其建立过程。结果表明, 南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立的日期平均为4月29日;合成的南亚高压建立前后的大气环流和非绝热加热的演变揭示出南亚高压建立始于菲律宾东南洋面上的反气旋环流分裂后, 西中心在中南半岛上空建立加强形成南亚高压, 该建立过程与中南半岛非绝热加热作用密切相关。在此基础上结合NOAA(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)的对外长波辐射(OLR)资料分析了南亚高压在中南半岛上空的建立与亚洲夏季风建立的关系。结果表明, 中南半岛夏季风建立和南亚高压在半岛上空建立几乎同时发生;南亚高压在中南半岛建立几天后, 东孟加拉湾夏季风开始建立;南亚高压建立大约20天后, 南海和菲律宾夏季风开始建立;大约一个月后, 西孟加拉湾、印度半岛和东阿拉伯海的夏季风建立。南亚高压在中南半岛上空的建立可视为亚洲夏季风建立的开始, 其对亚洲夏季风爆发有很好的指示意义。     

Subseasonal Zonal Oscillation of the Western Pacific Subtropical High during Early Summer

This study examines the features and dynamical processes of subseasonal zonal oscillation of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) during early summer, by performing a multivariate empirical orthogonal function (MVEOF) analysis on daily winds and a diagnosis on potential vorticity (PV) at 500 hPa for the period 1979–2016. The first MV-EOF mode is characterized by an anticyclonic anomaly occupying southeastern China to subtropical western North Pacific regions. It has a period of 10–25 days and represents zonal shift of the WPSH. When the WPSH stretches more westward, the South Asian high (SAH) extends more eastward. Above-normal precipitation is observed over the Yangtze–Huaihe River (YHR) basin. Suppressed convection with anomalous descending motion is located over the subtropical western North Pacific. The relative zonal movement of the SAH and the WPSH helps to establish an anomalous local vertical circulation of ascending motion with upper-level divergence over the YHR basin and descending motion with upper-level convergence over the subtropical western Pacific. The above local vertical circulation provides a dynamic condition for persistent rainfall over the YHR basin. An enhanced southwest flow over the WPSH’s western edge transports more moisture to eastern China, providing a necessary water vapor condition for the persistent rainfall over the YHR basin. A potential vorticity diagnosis reveals that anomalous diabatic heating is a main source for PV generation. The anomalous cooling over the subtropical western Pacific produces a local negative PV center at 500 hPa. The anomalous heating over the YHR basin generates a local positive PV center. The above south–north dipolar structure of PV anomaly along with the climatological southerly flow leads to northward advection of negative PV. These two processes are conducive to the WPSH’s westward extension. The vertical advection process is unfavorable to the westward extension but contributes to the eastward retreat of the WPSH.     

准平衡和非平衡流对台风百合（2001）内中尺度深厚湿对流的影响

利用台风百合(2001)的高分辨率模式资料, 应用PV－ω反演方法, 在分析台风准平衡和非平衡垂直环流基本特征的基础上, 诊断研究了热力和动力强迫对台风深厚湿对流结构的影响, 结果指出: 准平衡流能够描述台风中具有较长生命史过程的中尺度对流系统的环流结构, 中层大振幅垂直运动主要由准平衡ω方程中凝结潜热释放的热力强迫所决定; 台风低层由动力辐合强迫产生的弱对流, 对眼墙区深厚湿对流的形成起到触发作用; 而高层动力强迫产生的下沉运动则削弱了凝结潜热项的影响, 抑制了垂直运动向高层伸展。非平衡垂直环流结构上呈现的短波振荡和快时间尺度调整的时空分布特征表明, 它是与重力快波频散过程相联系的非定常环流。分析台风中深厚湿对流形成的物理模型可知, 准平衡动力强迫引起的低层弱对流达到一定振幅, 则会引起中层水汽相变引起的凝结潜热反馈, 使得准平衡和非平衡流叠加形成了眼墙区上升运动的大值中心, 加上非平衡垂直环流对动量和热量起到的补偿和调整作用, 构成了台风内中尺度深厚湿对流的组织化过程。     

飑线组织化过程对环境垂直风切变和水汽的响应

利用ARPS模式对飑线发生发展过程进行二维理想数值试验,讨论了低层环境垂直风切变和水汽条件变化时,飑线内部物理因子配置变化及其与系统强度演变的联系。研究表明,飑线发展过程中出现的动量、热量和水汽的再分配过程,造成系统内垂直环流结构和扰动温湿场分布发生变化,从而影响系统内部深对流的组织化过程和飑线强度的发展。基于低层环境垂直风切变和水汽两个要素的敏感性试验研究表明,低层环境垂直风切变增大（减小）时,飑线移速减慢（加快）,冷池前沿激发的新对流与中高层的垂直运动相互贯通（分离）,飑线系统强度随之增强（减弱）。此外,当低层水汽增加（减少）时,会导致输送到中层的水汽增加（减少）,中层凝结潜热释放增多（减少）,该层垂直运动增强（减弱）;同时,飑线系统区域环境释放的对流有效位能（CAPE）增大（减小）,新生对流的强度增强（减弱）。低层水汽条件通过水汽输送和能量释放,改变冷池前沿新对流与中高层垂直环流的组织化结构,从而影响飑线强度。     

Modulation of Tropical Cyclone Activity Over the Northwestern Pacific Through the Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation

The quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) is the second most dominant intraseasonal mode for circulation over the Northwestern Pacific (WNP) during boreal summer. In this study, we investigated how the QBWO modulates tropical cyclone (TC) activities over the WNP from dynamic and thermodynamic perspectives. The propagation of the QBWO can be divided into four phases through empirical orthogonal function analysis of the vorticity at 850 hPa, which was proven to be effective in extracting the QBWO signal. TC generation and landings are significantly enhanced during the active period (phases 1 and 2) relative to the inactive period (phases 3 and 4). Composite analyses show the QBWO could significantly modulate TC activity as it propagates northwestward by changing the atmospheric circulation at both high and low levels. Cumulus convection provides an important link between TCs and the QBWO. The major component of the atmosphere heat source is found to be the latent heat release of convection. The condensation latent heat centers, vertical circulation, and water vapor flux divergence cooperate well during different phases of the QBWO. The vertical profile of the condensation latent heat indicates upper-level heating (cooling) during the active (inactive) phases of the QBWO. Thus, the northwestward propagation of the QBWO can modulate TC activity by affecting the configuration of atmospheric heating over the WNP.     

2019年4～6月云南持续性高温天气的大气环流异常成因

2019年4～6月云南省发生了历史罕见的持续性极端高温天气,并引发了严重气象干旱。本文利用1961～2019年逐日温度和大气再分析等资料以及CESM-LE计划（Community Earth System Model Large Ensemble Project）模式模拟结果,分析了历史同期云南极端高温天气发生的环流特征,探讨了2019年云南破纪录持续性高温的成因。历史极端高温日的合成分析表明,云南地区对流层上层显著异常反气旋伴随的强下沉异常和到达地表太阳辐射增加,是引发该区域极端高温天气的主要成因。该异常反气旋的形成主要源自北大西洋经东欧平原、西西伯利亚平原向东亚传播的高纬度罗斯贝波和经北非、黑海、伊朗高原向东亚传播的中纬度罗斯贝波之间的相互作用。2019年极端高温的强度和与之相应异常反气旋出现自1961年以来的最强。外强迫导致的增暖对2019年极端暖异常强度的贡献约为37.51%,同时对类似2019年以及更强极端暖事件发生概率的贡献为56.32%,内部变率对该事件也具有重要贡献。2019年4～6月北极涛动（Arctic Oscillation,AO）和ENSO事件分别处于历史极端负位相和暖位相。一方面,在AO强负位相影响下,极地上空深厚的位势高度正异常向南伸至东欧平原,有利于高纬度波列和云南上空的反气旋异常增强。另一方面,ENSO事件暖位相加强了西北太平洋异常反气旋环流,令西北太平洋副热带高压增强西伸至我国内陆地区,维持了云南上空反气旋异常。两者的共同作用,造成了2019年4～6月云南上空持续的深厚异常反气旋,云南地区继而出现持续性极端高温事件。     

Impact of the Spring SST Gradient between the Tropical Indian Ocean and Western Pacific on Landfalling Tropical Cyclone Frequency in China

The present study identifies a significant influence of the sea surface temperature gradient(SSTG) between the tropical Indian Ocean(TIO; 15°S-15°N, 40°-90°E) and the western Pacific warm pool(WWP; 0°-15°N, 125°-155°E) in boreal spring on tropical cyclone(TC) landfall frequency in mainland China in boreal summer. During the period 1979-2015, a positive spring SSTG induces a zonal inter-basin circulation anomaly with lower-level convergence, mid-tropospheric ascendance and upper-level divergence over the west-central TIO, and the opposite situation over the WWP, which produces lower-level anomalous easterlies and upper-level anomalous westerlies between the TIO and WWP. This zonal circulation anomaly further warms the west-central TIO by driving warm water westward and cools the WWP by inducing local upwelling, which facilitates the persistence of the anomaly until the summer. Consequently, lower-level negative vorticity, strong vertical wind shear and lower-level anticyclonic anomalies prevail over most of the western North Pacific(WNP), which decreases the TC genesis frequency. Meanwhile, there is an anomalous mid-tropospheric anticyclone over the main WNP TC genesis region,meaning a westerly anomaly dominates over coastal regions of mainland China, which is unfavorable for steering TCs to make landfall in mainland China during summer. This implies that the spring SSTG may act as a potential indicator for TC landfall frequency in mainland China.     

Deep convective clouds over the northern Pacific and their relationship with oceanic cyclones

Based on combined Cloud Sat/CALIPSO detections, the seasonal occurrence of deep convective clouds(DCCs) over the midlatitude North Pacific(NP) and cyclonic activity in winter were compared. In winter, DCCs are more frequent over the central NP, from approximately 30°N to 45°N, than over other regions. The high frequencies are roughly equal to those occurring in this region in summer. Most of these DCCs have cloud tops above a 12 km altitude, and the highest top is approximately 15 km. These wintertime marine DCCs commonly occur during surface circulation conditions of low pressure, high temperature, strong meridional wind, and high relative humidity. Further, the maximum probability of DCCs,according to the high correlation coefficient, was found in the region 10°–20° east and 5°–10° south of the center of the cyclones. The potential relationship between DCCs and cyclones regarding their relative locations and circulation conditions was also identified by a case study. Deep clouds were generated in the warm conveyor belt by strong updrafts from baroclinic flows. The updrafts intensified when latent heat was released during the adjustment of the cyclone circulation current. This indicates that the dynamics of cyclones are the primary energy source for DCCs over the NP in winter.     

Impact of tropical cyclone development on the instability of South Asian High and the summer monsoon onset over Bay of Bengal

This paper analyzes the evolution of the South Asian High (SAH) during and after the development of tropical cyclone Neoguri over the South China Sea (SCS) in mid-April 2008, the formation of tropical storm Nargis over the Bay of Bengal (BOB) in late April, and the Asian summer monsoon onset, as well as their interrelationships. Numerical sensitivity experiments are conducted to explore the underlying mechanism responsible for these seasonal transitions in 2008. It is demonstrated that strong latent heating related with tropical cyclone activities over the SCS can enhance the development of the SAH aloft and generate zonal asymmetric potential vorticity (PV) forcing, with positive vorticity advection to its east and negative advection to its west. Following the decay of the tropical cyclone, this asymmetric forcing leads to instability development of the SAH, presenting as a slowly westward-propagating Rossby wave accompanied by a westward shift of the high PV advection. A strong upper tropospheric divergence on the southwest of the SAH also shifts westward, while positive PV eddies are shed from the high PV advection and eventually arrives in the southern BOB. Such synoptic patterns provide favorable pumping conditions for local cyclonic vorticity to develop. The latent heating release from the cyclogenesis further intensifies the upper-layer divergence, and the lower and upper circulations become phase locked, leading to the explosive development of the tropical cyclone over the southern BOB. Consequently, a tropical storm is generated and the BOB summer monsoon commences.     

A Study of Structure and Mechanism of a Meso-beta-scale Convective Vortex and Associated Heavy Rainfall in the Dabie Mountain Area Part I: Diagnostic Analysis of the Structure

An analysis was conducted on the evolutional process of a mesoscale convective vortex (MCV) and associated heavy rainfall in the Dabie Mountain area on 21-22 June 2008,as well as their structural characteristics in different stages,by using the mesoscale reanalysis data with 3 km and 1 h resolution generated by the Local Analysis and Prediction System (LAPS) in the Southern China Heavy Rainfall Experiment.The results showed that the latent heat released by convection in the midtroposphere was the main energy source for the development of a low-level vortex.There was a positive feedback interaction between the convection and the vortex,and the evolution of the MCV was closely related to the strength of the positive interaction.The most typical characteristics of the thermal structure in different stages were that,there was a relatively thin diabatic heating layer in the midtroposphere in the formative stage;the thickness of diabatic heating layer significantly increased in the mature stage;and it almost disappeared in the decay stage.The characteristics of the dynamic structure were that,in the formative stage,there was no anticyclonic circulation at the high level;in the mature stage,an anticyclonic circulation with strong divergence was formed at the high level;in the decay stage,the anticyclonic circulation was damaged and the high-level atmosphere was in a disordered state of turbulence.Finally,the structural schematics of the MCV in the formative and mature stage were established respectively.     

THE TIMING OF SOUTH-ASIAN HIGH ESTABLISHMENT AND ITS RELATION TO TROPICAL ASIAN SUMMER MONSOON AND PRECIPITATION OVER EAST-CENTRAL CHINA IN SUMMER

The timing of the South Asian High (SAH) establishment over the Indochina Peninsula (IP) from April to May and its relations to the setup of the subsequent tropical Asian summer monsoon and precipitation over eastern-central China in summer are investigated by using NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data and the daily precipitation data from 753 weather stations in China. It is found that the transitions of the zonal wind vertical shear and convection establishment over tropical Asia are earlier (later) in the years of early (late) establishment of SAH. In the lower troposphere, anti-cyclonic (cyclonic) anomaly circulation dominates the equatorial Indian Ocean. Correspondingly, the tropical Asian summer monsoon establishes earlier (later). Furthermore, the atmospheric circulation and the water vapor transport in the years of advanced SAH establishment are significantly different from the delayed years in Asia in summer. Out-of-phase distribution of precipitation in eastern-central China will appear with a weak (strong) SAH and western Pacific subtropical high, strong (weak) ascending motion in the area south of Yangtze River but weak (strong) ascending motion in the area north of it, and cyclonic (anti-cyclonic) water vapor flux anomaly circulation from the eastern-central China to western Pacific. Accordingly, the timing of the SAH establishment at the upper levels of IP is indicative of the subsequent onset of the tropical Asian summer monsoon and the flood-drought pattern over eastern-central China in summer.     

南亚高压季节内变化与热带季节内振荡之间的关系

采用观测分析和数值试验等方法,分析夏季南亚高压与热带季节内振荡（ISO）之间的关系,并对两者之间的相互作用进行量化诊断,探讨其物理过程。主要结果表明:南亚高压ISO与热带ISO活动关系密切,当热带ISO处于印度洋位相（第1、2、3位相）,则南亚高压东脊点位置偏西,当ISO处于太平洋位相（第5、6、7位相）,则南亚高压东脊点位置偏东。与热带ISO关系最密切的是南亚高压东部附近区域,即东亚—西太平洋地区（15°～25°N,110°～140°E）,该关键区也是南亚高压ISO最显著区域。在热带ISO的调制下,关键区对流层大气垂直结构产生斜压性异常变化,导致高层南亚高压东脊点的东伸（西退）对应中低层西太平洋副热带高压西脊点的东退（西伸）。在南亚高压与热带ISO之间关系中,主要是热带ISO对南亚高压的影响,南亚高压东部关键区ISO强度40%来源于热带ISO的贡献,而南亚高压对热带ISO平均强度的影响很弱。热带ISO影响南亚高压的物理过程如下,热带ISO从印度洋向东传播至西太平洋时,强对流产生分支,部分由于东亚—西太平洋的有利夏季风背景转为向北传播,ISO向北传播过程中对流强度进一度加强,这就相当于存在一个赤道非对称热源。在热源的作用下,大气产生异常响应,在热源的西北侧,即东亚—西太平洋地区,对流层低层为气旋性环流异常、位势高度负异常,对流层高层为反气旋性环流异常、位势高度正异常,从而导致南亚高压东脊点偏东。而当热带ISO处于印度洋位相时,大气异常响应与上述相反,南亚高压东部位势高度降低,南亚高压东脊点西撤。     

4—5月南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立的年际变化特征及其与亚洲南部夏季风的关系

利用1979--2008年NCEP／NCAR逐日再分析资料和向外长波辐射资料讨论了4-5月南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立的年际变化特征及其与亚洲南部夏季风的关系。发现南亚高压建立偏早年其建立过程时间长,中南半岛高空反气旋环流强,建立开始前位于菲律宾群岛以东洋面上空的反气旋环流中心位置较为偏西;偏晚年南亚高压建立过程时间短,中南半岛高空反气旋环流弱,建立开始前西太平洋上空无闭合的反气旋性环流中心。南亚高压建立的早晚与中南半岛地区对流建立发展关系密切,当中南半岛地区对流建立发展较早时,南亚高压建立较早;反之,对流建立发展偏晚时,南亚高压建立偏晚。南亚高压建立早晚年,亚洲南部夏季风的爆发存在明显差异。南亚高压建立偏早年,孟加拉湾东部一中南半岛夏季风和南海夏季风爆发早;建立偏晚年,孟加拉湾东部一中南半岛夏季风和南海夏季风爆发晚,因此南亚高压在中南半岛上空建立的早晚对后期亚洲南部夏季风的爆发具有较好的指示意义。     

South Indian Ocean Rossby Waves

ABSTRACT

South Indian Ocean Rossby waves (SIO-RW) are identified in the Global Ocean Data Assimilation System (GODAS) 1.5–7?yr filtered sea surface height (SSH) time series. There is a persistent three-year oscillation in the 5°–15°S latitude band from 55° to 85°E. Field correlations show little coupling at 90°E, but as the SIO-RW undulates westward at approximately 0.19?m?s^?1 across the mid-basin, a northwest–southeast axis of warm sea surface temperatures (SSTs) and deep convection forms. Many teleconnections in earlier work are confirmed: interannual pulses of zonal wind in the eastern basin trigger the SIO-RW via anticyclonic wind stress curl. New insights derive from an understanding of links with the upper troposphere. As the SIO-RWs move westward with the onset of an El Niño in the Pacific, increased convection over the north Indian Ocean corresponds to reduced evaporation and SST warming. Mid-tropospheric heating T′?>?2°C over the northwest Indian Ocean accelerates the southern sub-tropical jet to greater than 10?m?s^?1 over the southeast Indian Ocean, reinforcing the anticyclonic vorticity. The downstream acceleration of the jet generates upper-level divergence and moist convection over the western basin, anchoring an atmospheric Rossby wave in a northwest–southeast alignment underpinned by differential propagation of the SIO-RW. As the ocean Rossby wave reaches Africa, the coupling fades and transitions. What distinguishes Indian Ocean from Pacific Ocean Rossby waves are their southern latitude and higher frequency. The tropical mid-tropospheric heating that accelerates the southern sub-tropical jet shifts westward in tandem with the SIO-RW.     

Influence of the Madden Julian Oscillation on precipitation and surface air temperature in South America

The regional influence of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on South America is described. Maps of probability of weekly-averaged rainfall exceeding the upper tercile were computed for all seasons and related statistically with the phase of the MJO as characterized by the Wheeler–Hendon real-time multivariate MJO (RMM) index and with the OLR MJO Index. The accompanying surface air temperature and circulation anomalies were also calculated. The influence of the MJO on regional scales along with their marked seasonal variations was documented. During December–February when the South American monsoon system is active, chances of enhanced rainfall are observed in southeastern South America (SESA) region mainly during RMM phases 3 and 4, accompanied by cold anomalies in the extratropics, while enhanced rainfall in the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) region is observed in phases 8 and 1. The SESA (SACZ) signal is characterized by upper-level convergence (divergence) over tropical South America and a cyclonic (anticyclonic) anomaly near the southern tip of the continent. Impacts during March–May are similar, but attenuated in the extratropics. Conversely, in June–November, reduced rainfall and cold anomalies are observed near the coast of the SACZ region during phases 4 and 5, favored by upper-level convergence over tropical South America and an anticyclonic anomaly over southern South America. In September–November, enhanced rainfall and upper-level divergence are observed in the SACZ region during phases 7 and 8. These signals are generated primarily through the propagation of Rossby wave energy generated in the region of anomalous heating associated with the MJO.     

Mechanism of high rainfall over the Indian west coast region during the monsoon season

The mechanism responsible for high rainfall over the Indian west coast region has been investigated by studying dynamical, thermodynamical and microphysical processes over the region for the monsoon season of 2009. The European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts wind and NCEP flux data have been used to study the large scale dynamical parameters. The moist adiabatic and multi-level inversion stratifications are found to exist during the high and low rainfall spells, respectively. In the moist adiabatic stratification regime, shallow and deep convective clouds are found coexisting. The Cloud Aerosol Interaction and Precipitation Enhancement EXperiment aircraft data showed cloud updraft spectrum ranging from 1 to 10 m s^?1 having modal speed 1–2.5 m s^?1. The low updrafts rates provide sufficient time required for warm rain processes to produce rainfall from shallow clouds. The low cloud liquid water is observed above the freezing level indicating efficient warm rain process. The updrafts at the high spectrum end go above freezing level to generate ice particles produced due to mixed-phase rainfall process from deep convective clouds. With aging, deep convection gets transformed into stratiform type, which has been inferred through the vertical distribution of the large scale omega and heating fields. The stratiform heating, high latent heat flux, strong wind shear in the lower and middle tropospheric levels and low level convergence support the sustenance of convection for longer time to produce high rainfall spell. The advection of warm dry air in the middle tropospheric regions inhibits the convection and produce low rainfall spell. The mechanisms producing these spells have been summarized with the block diagram.     

Circulation Features Associated with the Record-breaking Typhoon Silence in August 2014

Climatologically, August is the month with the most tropical cyclone(TC) formation over the western North Pacific(WNP) during the typhoon season. In this study, the reason for abnormal TC activity during August is discussed—especially August 2014, when no TCs formed. The large-scale background of August 2014 is presented, with low-level large-scale easterly anomalies and anticyclonic anomalies dominating over the main TC genesis region, a weak monsoon trough system,and a strong WNP subtropical high(WPSH), leading to significantly reduced low-level convergence, upper-level divergence,and mid-level upward motion. These unfavorable large-scale conditions suppressed convection and cyclogenesis. In August2014, equatorial waves were inactive within the negative phase of the Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO), with fewer tropical disturbances. Although the low-level vorticity and convection of those disturbances were partly promoted by the convective envelopes of equatorial waves, the integral evolution of disturbances, as well as the equatorial waves, were suppressed when propagating into the negative MJO phase. Moreover, the upper-level potential vorticity(PV) streamers associated with anticyclonic Rossby wave breaking events imported extratropical cold and dry air into the tropics. The peripheral tropospheric dryness and enhanced vertical wind shear by PV streamer intrusion combined with the negative MJO phase were responsible for the absence of TC formation over the WNP in August 2014.