A climatology of major avalanche winters in Western Canada

Abstract

A nearly continuous record of avalanches on the Canadian Pacific Railway for the 70 years from 1910 is used to identify four major avalanche winters (1919–20, 1932–33, 1934–35 and 1971–72). The selection is based on the frequency and mass of avalanche snow, and the length of rail line affected near Rogers Pass, British Columbia. Daily weather data are compiled for these winters, and surface synoptic charts are examined for the most catastrophic avalanche events. Their climatology is further analysed by applying a weather‐typing scheme and by constructing monthly sea‐level pressure anomaly maps. More than one climatology is needed to explain these winters and the daily sea‐level map types are not very discriminating. Major avalanche winters tend to be cold in December or January or both. Some show large monthly anomalies in the average pressure distribution over the province. Large avalanches occur when there is a change in the atmospheric circulation, with a Pacific frontal system and warm sector replacing an Arctic high. These aspects of synoptic climatology are related to the mechanisms for producing big avalanches.     

河南省区域暴雨的客观分型

从多层聚类分析入手,利用微机对１９８０～１９９５ 年河南省２１３ 场区域暴雨过程的５００ ｈＰａ 高度场进行客观分型,得出了４ 类天气形势及其与暴雨落区的对应关系。     

珠海市暴雨天气的气候特征及影响形势分析

利用1962—2010年珠海市降雨资料和NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,应用小波分析、相关分析等统计方法,对珠海市暴雨天气气候特征及其影响系统进行分析。结果表明,珠海市白天发生暴雨的次数比夜间多,但夜间暴雨的雨量比白天大;大部分暴雨都出现在汛期,汛期暴雨具有次数多、雨量大的特点;暴雨占全年总降雨的比率越来越大,近阶段容易出现旱涝急转的气象灾害。普查分析得出,影响珠海市暴雨的天气形势可分为热带气旋型、锋面低槽型、低空急流型、高空槽和切变线型、辐合带北抬型、副高边缘和东风波型等。     

A comparative synoptic climatology of cool-season rainfall in major grain-growing regions of southern Australia

Two distinct synoptic weather systems, cut-off lows and fronts, deliver most of the cool-season rainfall to the cropping regions of southern Australia. A comparative synoptic climatology of daily rainfall events over approximately five decades reveals both spatial and temporal variations of the dominant synoptic types. The rainfall characteristics and associated large-scale drivers differ between the two synoptic types. Understanding regional rainfall depends on understanding these differences. Cut-off lows contribute one half of growing season rainfall in southeast Australia, while frontal systems associated with Southern Ocean depressions contribute about a third. The proportions are reversed in the Central Wheat Belt (CWB) of Western Australia where Southern Ocean fronts are the dominant source of growing season rainfall. In the southern island state of Tasmania, topography strongly influences the outcome with cut-off lows contributing about half the rainfall near the east coast and fronts dominating a short distance to the west. Cut-off lows generally contribute their highest proportion of rainfall in the austral autumn and spring while frontal rainfall is at its maximum in late winter. Cut-off low rainfall contributes more strongly in percentage terms to the recent decline in rainfall. The distribution of synoptic types is explained by the dominant long-wave structure in the winter half of the year. The major trough near Western Australia favours frontogenesis to the southwest of the CWB but fronts moving out of the region encounter a persistent meridional ridge in the Tasman Sea where there is a high frequency of blocking events.     

广东省暴雨强对流历史信息查询系统的设计

利用Visual Basic5.0设计了广东省暴雨强对流历史信息查询系统，该系统不仅能查询暴雨和强对流天气的历史资料，而且能查询发生某类天气的天气形势。此外，系统还提供实时天气图与历史天气图之间的比较，对预报非常有帮助。     

Main types of synoptic processes and circulation types generating heavy precipitation events in Armenia

The results of synoptic analysis and objective Lamb circulation classification scheme (LAMB) during the days with heavy precipitation events in Armenia are presented. An analysis of synoptic situations in the area of Armenia and Southern Caucasus for the researched period 2001–2009 has shown that there are seven types of synoptic process characteristic of days with heavy precipitation events in Armenia. Adoption of the LAMB made it possible to identify the typical circulation types for each type of the synoptic process singled out. The results suggest that the LAMB is able to recognize the typical pattern of the distribution of sea level pressure field for each type of the synoptic processes. However, the use of the LAMB is further complicated in Southern Caucasus which can be explained by the existence of regional peculiarities of atmospheric circulation associated with significant influence of the Caucasian ridge. The LAMB may be recommended as an extra tool for synoptic analysis as well as for developing of synoptic climatology and statistical downscaling methods for Armenia and Southern Caucasus.     

Characteristics of the atmospheric circulation associated with cold-season heavy rainfall and flooding over a complex terrain region in Greece

Raingauge data from four meteorological stations in Chalkidiki peninsula (Greece) were used to identify the characteristics of the synoptic circulation patterns associated with cold-season heavy rainfall events and corresponding flooding over the area. Precipitation climatology over the complex topography of Chalkidiki is characterized by limited annual rainfall, but in the occurrence of heavy rainfall episodes daily accumulations are exceptionally high with increased precipitation rates, leading often to severe flooding. Fifty-five cases of high daily accumulations for the period of 1997 to 2010, mostly observed during December and October, were classified into eight clusters by applying S-Mode Factor Analysis and Cluster Analysis to the ERA-Interim grid point reanalysis data. The results revealed that, in most cases, intense rainfall and flooding is produced by synoptic scale disturbances that generate and sustain cyclonic activity over south Italy, the Ionian, and less frequently over the Aegean Sea. In particular, the atmospheric circulation patterns associated with heavy rainfall are characterized by the presence of a southeasterly–easterly low-level humid flow over Chalkidiki in conjunction with the potentially unstable lower troposphere influenced by mid-level cyclonic vorticity advection and enhanced low-level convergence over the complex terrain.     

Moisture transport and intraseasonal variability in the South America monsoon system

This paper examines moisture transport on intraseasonal timescales over the continent and over the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ) during the South America (SA) summer monsoon. Combined Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis (EOFc) of Global Precipitation Climatology Project pentad precipitation, specific humidity, air temperature, zonal and meridional winds at 850?hPa (NCEP/NCAR reanalysis) are performed to identify the large-scale variability of the South America monsoon system and the SACZ. The first EOFc was used as a large-scale index for the South American monsoon (LISAM), whereas the second EOFc characterized the SACZ. LISAM (SACZ) index showed spectral variance on 30?C90 (15?C20) days and were both band filtered (10?C100?days). Intraseasonal wet anomalies were defined when LISAM and SACZ anomalies were above the 75th percentile of their respective distribution. LISAM and SACZ wet events were examined independently of each other and when they occur simultaneously. LISAM wet events were observed with the amplification of wave activity in the Northern Hemisphere and the enhancement of northwesterly cross-equatorial moisture transport over tropical continental SA. Enhanced SACZ was observed with moisture transport from the extratropics of the Southern Hemisphere. Simultaneous LISAM and SACZ wet events are associated with cross-equatorial moisture transport along with moisture transport from Subtropical Southwestern Atlantic.     

The relationship between South Atlantic SST and SACZ intensity and positioning

This study explores the ocean–atmosphere interaction in the formation and dynamics of the South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ), through the analysis of the heat sources estimated through the outgoing longwave radiation. The results obtained with this study show that the coupled variability between SACZ and the South Atlantic Ocean indicates that in northern positioned SACZ cases (over Southeastern Brazil), westerly anomalies are verified in the low level continental tropical circulation, consistent with the active phase of the South America Monsoon System (SAMS). In these cases, cold anomalies in the subtropical Atlantic Ocean cause an increase in the continent–ocean temperature gradient, favoring an easterly flow in this region, and blocking the SACZ at a northerly position. Easterly anomalies in the tropical continent were verified in the low level circulation in southern positioned cases (over Southern Brazil), consistent with the SAMS break phase. The SST anomaly patterns indicate cold anomalies in the tropics and warm anomalies in the subtropics, which do not favor the development of an easterly flow at low levels over the western tropical Atlantic. In these cases, two situations may occur: the strengthening of the Low Level Jet (LLJ), which prevails in the eastern subtropical South America and convergence with the South Atlantic Subtropical High at its southern position; or the atmospheric unstable conditions caused by ocean warm SST anomalies (in this case the LLJ may be weaker than its climatological intensity).     

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIAN MONSOON SYSTEMS IN SUMMER AND THE CONTINUOUS HEAVY RAIN OVER THE UPPER REACHES OF CHANGJIANG RIVER

In this paper,the continuous heavy rains over the upper reaches of Changjiang River during June—Augustare analyzed.They are closely related to the Indian monsoon systems.The average synoptic situationsand the average distributions of some meteorological elements over the Bay of Bengal during the period ofheavy rains are presented.The correlation coefficients between meteorological elements and rainfall arecalculated and the main monsoon influence systems and the key regions are denoted.Results can be usedas a reference in the 24 h forecast of rainfall.     

Climatology of cyclones over the southwest Pacific: 1992–2001

Summary The Australian east coast is subject to a range of synoptic/mesoscale weather systems ranging from low-pressure troughs, small explosive low-pressure systems near the Australian east coast, to synoptic scale maritime low-pressure systems, and both tropical and extra-tropical cyclones. These systems vary dynamically in intensity and structure across a spectrum that includes both weak and intense cold-cored systems, to warm-cored tropical cyclones and “hybrid” systems. A preliminary 10 year climatology, from 1992 to 2001, is presented that concentrates on those cyclones in open waters that threaten life and property as a result of heavy coastal rain or the combined effects of wind, sea state and swell, including both long fetch and storm surges. There are 28 systems in the 10-year climatology. In terms of their development, the most numerous were the 50% of storms that occurred as systems within an easterly trough, followed by 21% that occurred as circulations on decaying Tasman Sea cold fronts. In addition, a numerical weather prediction (NWP) modelling case study of the ‘hybrid’ sub-tropical cyclone system of March 2001 was carried out using archived real-time data. Operational numerical weather prediction (NWP) model forecasts of this system, which was not named in accordance with Australian classification policy, were all poor except for the US MRF model, which provided marginally useful guidance. None of the operational global and regional models available to forecasters predicted an intense cyclone, and only the US MRF model predicted landfall. A high-resolution forecast using all available data produced significantly improved predictions over the operational models up to four days before landfall.     

Simulating the influence of the South Atlantic dipole on the South Atlantic convergence zone during neutral ENSO

The South Atlantic Convergence Zone (SACZ) is an intrinsic characteristic of the South American Summer Monsoon. In a recent study, we verified that the main mode of coupled variability over the South Atlantic (South Atlantic Dipole (SAD)) plays a role in modulating the position of extratropical cyclones that affect the SACZ precipitation. In this study, we perform numerical experiments to further investigate the mechanisms between SAD and the SACZ. Numerical experiments forced with prescribed SST anomalies showed that, even though the Atlantic SST affects the position of the cyclone associated with the SACZ, the atmospheric response and precipitation patterns over land are opposed to the observations. On the other hand, experiments forced with prescribed anomalous driving fields showed that the atmospheric component of SAD plays a significant role for the right position and intensity of precipitation associated with the SACZ. SAD negative anomalies provide the low-level and upper-level atmospheric support for the intensification of the cyclone at surface and for the increase in precipitation over the land portion of the SACZ. Therefore, the numerical experiments suggest that, during El Niño Southern Oscillation neutral conditions, the SACZ precipitation variability associated with SAD is largely dependent on the atmospheric variability rather than the underlying SST.     

天气形势调整过程中连续暴雨的个例分析

本文在分析了天气尺度背景及形成连续暴雨的物理量条件的基础上，找出连续三天暴雨的成因：由于大范围形势调整过程中同一低压系统在不同的环流形势配置下造成的，是天气形势调整过程中产生的，而不是通常概念上由于大范围环流形势稳定、有利降雨的系统得以持续影响造成的。     

Riders under storms: Contributions of nomadic herders’ observations to analysing climate change in Mongolia

Predictions of climate change and its impacts are highly uncertain at regional and local levels. Downscaled models often operate with a too coarse scale and look at standard parameters that may be irrelevant to resource-dependent people. This article argues that a more robust analysis and prediction of climate change at local levels can be inferred from the integration of local people's observation of change with meteorological records and models.The example proposed here is the analysis of climate change in the desert-steppe region of Mongolia. While regional models and local analyses agree that Mongolia has become warmer, predictions either ignore or are contradictory about the changes in precipitations and sand storms. The Mongolian pastoral nomads on the other hand identify longer and more intense droughts and sand storms as the most important recent climatic changes, relevant to their livelihoods. In addition, they record detailed changes in the precipitations regime. Thus, they are unequivocal that rains have become patchy – ‘silk embroidery rains’ – (forcing pastoralists to move farther and more frequently), more intense (thus less effective due to runoff) and that summer rains are delayed (reducing the growing season).The observations of the pastoralists can only partly be investigated in light of meteorological records due to different parameters observed by the two systems. Nevertheless, additional evidence derived from the analysis of meteorological records resonates with the perceptions of the herders and adds elements for further investigation. This combined evidence suggests that due to a southern shift of the East Asian Monsoon, rains in southern Mongolia rely on re-circulated local moisture, leading to large-scale droughts and in turn more frequent sand storms.The analysis provided herein shows that combining the two knowledge systems (local people's observations and climatology) holds the potential to provide more reliant and relevant investigations of climate change and allow for better planned adaptations.     

Influence of the South Atlantic convergence zone and SouthAtlantic Sea surface temperature on interannual summerrainfall variability in Southeastern South America

Summary  In subtropical Argentina, Paraguay and southern Brazil, precipitation is most abundant during summer but its interannual variability is large. At this time a zone of low-level convergence, upper-level divergence, and intense convection is developed to the north of this area. This feature is known as the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ) and seems to be related to the interannual variability of summer rainfall to its south. The aim of this work is to document this relationship. Reduced (increased) precipitation in southern Brazil, most of Uruguay and northeastern Argentina is associated with a strong (weak) SACZ and a northward (southward) displacement of it, while increased (reduced) rainfall occurs further south in subtropical Argentina. Also, warm (cold) SST in the region 20° S–40° S and west of 30° W is likely accompanied by a southward (northward) shift of the SACZ. Aside of this relation with the SACZ that affect on the precipitation field of Southeastern South America, the proximate Atlantic Ocean SST seems to force the precipitation over this region by other mechanisms as well. The result of this additional SST forcing is to enhance the signal of the SACZ in northeastern Argentina, Uruguay and southern Brazil and to oppose the SACZ effect in southern subtropical Argentina. Received July 24, 1999 Revised July 5, 2000     

Winter cyclone frequencies in thirteen models participating in the Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project (AMIP1)

Various aspects of the simulated behaviour of cyclones in thirteen models participating in the AMIP1 exercise are presented. In the simulation of the winter climatological mean sea level pressure field for the Northern Hemisphere, the models produce reasonable simulations of the "semi-permanent" features of the climatology. The greatest departures from the observed climatology occur near the exit regions of the oceanic storm tracks; i.e., over northwestern North America, over and to the west of the British Isles and in the Mediterranean. The departures in the three geographical areas are very systematic in that at least eleven of the models exhibit similar departures from observations. In the Southern Hemisphere the intensity of the circumpolar trough is generally well simulated but positioned slightly too far north. Most models exhibit errors south of Africa, New Zealand, and South America. The simulations of the cyclone events show that the models are reasonably successful in reproducing the large-scale aspects of observed cyclone events but deficiencies in the details of the simulations are apparent. The paucity of simulated events to the south of the Alps and to the east of the Rockies suggests that the models have difficulty simulating lee cyclogenesis. Over much of North America, the models have difficulty simulating the correct level of synoptic activity as demonstrated by the low numbers of both cyclone events and anticyclone events. The models have difficulty simulating the distribution of cyclone events as a function of central pressure. The most common problem is that the models exhibit an ever increasing deficit of events with decreasing central pressure. This problem is more apparent in the Southern Hemisphere than in the Northern Hemisphere and does not appear to be resolution dependent. There is an apparent ENSO signal in the observed Northern Hemisphere interannual variability of intense winter cyclone events. With the exception of ECMWF, the models fail to reproduce this phenomenon. There is some evidence that the models do indeed respond to the interannual variability in the SSTs, but the response tends to be negatively correlated with that of the real atmosphere. In the Southern Hemisphere, there does not appear to be ENSO-induced interannual variability in the observed numbers of cyclone events. Consequently, it could be argued that the models have been reasonably successful in the Southern Hemisphere since they, like the observations, do not exhibit any ENSO-induced interannual variability.     

Monthly Anticyclonicity in Southern Europe and the Mediterranean Region

Summary The geographical distribution of 13-year anticyclone centres frequency, and averages of monthly anticyclonicity and anticyclone immobility times over southern Europe and the Mediterranean basin for the years 1981–1993 are presented. Monthly changes in anticyclonicity and immobility times are analyzed and discussed. Reference is made to the atmospheric climatology of the study region as well as to some synoptic scale features of its climatology. Comparisons are made with an established synoptic climatology of the region and with relevant climatologies contained in the literature. Finally, reference is made to past work relating to the synoptic climatology of the region and to similar studies for different continental and maritime areas. Received May 8, 1996 Revised February 10, 1997     

An evaluation of the role of hurricane Olga (2001) in an extreme rainy event in Israel using dynamic tropopause maps

Summary During the period from end of November to early December 2001, a sequence of extremely intense synoptic developments occurred over the area from the Atlantic to Mediterranean. These included the formation of hurricane Olga, an intensification of the Icelandic Low, strengthening of the subtropical westerly jet stream (STJ) over North Africa, formation of the Red Sea Trough (RST) and Cyprus Low cyclones, which resulted in torrential rains in Israel on December 4–5. The evolution of the synoptic processes over a large area from the Atlantic to Western Europe and the Mediterranean region during November 25–December 2 is investigated here with the help of dynamic tropopause patterns calculated based on reanalysis data. It is shown that the chain of extreme weather events was triggered by the acceleration of a coherent tropopause disturbance (CTD) over the Labrador Sea. Two branches of the process may be distinguished, southern and northern. The southern one was associated with the transformation of a tropical storm into hurricane Olga, strengthening of the STJ and eventually the formation of the RST cyclone. The RST contributed to the intensification of the transport of moist air masses from equatorial Africa to the Mediterranean region. The northern branch was determined by an eastward drift of the CTD, moist air mass transport from the area of the hurricane to the North Atlantic and the European-Mediterranean region, strengthening of the Icelandic Low and formation of an upper troposphere potential vorticity-streamer system over western Scandinavia. Displacement of the streamer to the Mediterranean region and its interaction with the RST system played a major role in the development of the powerful Cyprus Low cyclone over the northeastern Mediterranean region.     

闽中北短时暴雨概念模型

通过对福建中北部35个站1994～2001年97次暴雨过程的环流背景、影响系统等进行分析,将天气类型分为冷式切变(或槽)影响型、西南气流影响型、副高型(Ⅰ～Ⅱ型),归纳总结了各天气型的雷达回波源地、加强区域、路径、演变及降水特征,建立了天气图等常规资料与雷达回波资料相结合的闽中北短时暴雨3种概念模型。Ⅰ、Ⅱ型的降水强度总体相差不很大,有西南风急流比没有时降水强,Ⅱ型尤其明显,Ⅲ型降水强度最弱、持续时间最短。