2003～2004年冬季平流层爆发性增温动力诊断分析

利用逐日的欧洲中尺度天气预报中心(ECMWF)60层模式资料, 对2003年12月～2004年2月期间发生的一次非典型的爆发性增温中平流层结构的变化过程进行动力学诊断分析。充分利用资料层次高(最高层为0.1 hPa)和垂直分辨率高(垂直方向共60层)的优势, 通过对不同高度等熵面位涡分布的分析, 研究了极涡在平流层爆发性增温(SSW)发生前后的变化发展; 通过对EP通量及其散度的分析, 研究了SSW过程中行星波的变化特点; 通过对剩余环流的分析, 研究了在SSW过程中经圈环流的变化及其对动力过程的影响。得出: (1) 2003/2004年SSW增温过程持续时间长、强度大; (2) 增温最早发生在平流层上层并向下传播, 在10 hPa形成较强东风带后, 上层西风环流迅速恢复, 极涡再度形成, 下层则增温持续; (3) SSW前后行星波活动频繁, 有长时间多次的上传, 且以1波作用为主, 2波对其进行了补充; (4) 在SSW过程前后, 平流层中的剩余环流发生反转, 影响了平流层中、 高纬地区和低纬地区的物质交换以及上下层物质的重新分配。这一系列的工作为今后进一步研究平流层、 对流层交换, 发展完善气候模式打下基础。     

行星波活动对不同类型SSW的影响

依据WMO(World Meteorological Organization)对平流层爆发性增温(SSW,stratospheric sudden warming)的定义,首先将1957 2002年期间的52次SSW事件分为31次强增温事件和21次弱增温事件,然后根据其极涡的形态将31次强增温事件分为20次极涡转移型事件和11次极涡分裂型事件。利用逐日的ECMWF的ERA-40再分析资料,对这20次极涡转移型、11次极涡分裂型强平流层爆发性增温(SSW)过程以及21次弱增温过程分别做了合成分析,研究了这三类爆发性增温期间平流层的变化以及平流层中下层行星波1波和2波的异常。结果表明:极涡转移型强SSW在增温盛期低温中心和极涡都会发生偏移,同时高纬风场反转,极涡分裂型强SSW则在增温盛期低温中心和极涡发生分裂,高纬风场反转,而弱SSW只有低温中心出现偏移,极涡和高纬风场均未出现明显异常;在爆发性增温前期,1波都会出现异常增幅,在波振幅到达最大值以后发生爆发性增温。当增温开始以后,极涡转移型和弱SSW的1波振幅在到达极值后,会维持6~8天,而极涡分裂型1波振幅增温开始后开始减小;极涡转移型和弱SSW期间2波也较为相似,在增温前期波动振幅也会出现一定程度的增幅,在增温后开始减小,而极涡分裂型会在增温后出现2波振幅的增幅。1波和2波EP通量的分析表明,极涡转移型和弱SSW期间1波EP通量会在前期和盛期有较强的上传,2波EP通量上传较弱,而极涡分裂型2波EP通量上传则较强。     

北半球冬季平流层强、弱极涡事件演变过程的对比分析

利用1958～2017年逐日的NCEP/NCAR再分析资料对北半球冬季平流层强、弱极涡事件的演变过程进行了对比分析,同时比较了有平流层爆发性增温（SSW）和无SSW发生的两类弱极涡事件的环流演变和动力学特征。结果表明,强极涡的形成存在着缓慢发展和快速增强的过程,而弱极涡事件的建立非常迅速;和强极涡事件相比,弱极涡事件的峰值强度更强,异常中心的位置更高。此外,强、弱极涡事件的产生与波流相互作用的正反馈过程密切相关。对于强极涡事件,发展阶段的太平洋—北美（PNA）型异常削弱了行星波一波;当平流层西风达到一定强度,上传的行星波受到强烈抑制,使得极涡迅速增强达到峰值。而对于弱极涡事件,发展阶段一波型的异常增强了行星波上传,通过对纬向流的拖曳作用使得平流层很快处于弱西风状态,更多行星波进入平流层导致极涡急剧减弱甚至崩溃。针对有、无SSW发生的两类弱极涡事件的对比分析表明,有SSW发生的弱极涡事件发展阶段,平流层出现强的向上的一波Eliassen-Palm（EP）通量异常,通过正反馈过程使得一波和二波上传同时增强而导致极涡崩溃;无SSW发生的弱极涡事件发展阶段,平流层缺乏向上的一波通量,二波活动起到重要作用,其总的行星波上传远弱于有SSW发生的弱极涡事件。对于无SSW发生的弱极涡事件,其发展和成熟阶段对流层上部出现类似欧亚（EU）型的高度异常,伴随着强的向极的EP通量异常,导致对流层有极强的负北极涛动（AO）型异常。而有SSW发生的弱极涡事件发展阶段对流层上部主要表现为北太平洋上空来自低纬的波列异常,其后期的对流层效应更加滞后也不连续,对流层AO异常的强度明显弱于无SSW发生的弱极涡事件。     

平流层爆发性增温期间行星波的活动

利用逐日的NCEP再分析资料分析了1978～2004年期间发生的18次强爆发性增温时平流层中下层行星波1波和2波的异常以及极涡崩溃的形式.分析表明, 爆发性增温前期1波都异常增幅, 波振幅达到峰值之后的一段时间内发生爆发性增温, 然而在增温过程中行星波2波的变化却有明显不同, 可分为三种情况: (1) 在增温前期, 行星波2波很弱; 在增温期间, 行星波2波异常发展, 伴随着极涡崩溃的形式是由偏心型向偶极型过渡. (2) 在增温前期, 行星波2波较强; 在增温期间, 行星波2波明显减弱, 极涡的变化形式是远离极地, 在极地外围活动, 但不发生分裂.(3) 在增温前期, 行星波2波不太强; 在增温期间, 行星波2波有所发展, 但始终强不过1波, 极涡的变化是先偏离极地, 然后发生不对称的变形.作者还计算和分析了EP通量及其散度, 利用波流相互作用理论对这三种行星波的异常变化及其与爆发性增温的关系进行解释.     

2020/2021年冬季大范围低温寒潮过程中一种典型的平流层—对流层耦合演变模态

平流层爆发性增温（SSW）超前于对流层环流异常,是延长冬季寒潮低温预报时效的重要途径之一。然而强SSW事件前后地面温度响应的区域和时间存在不确定性,其中涉及的平流层—对流层耦合过程和机理也不十分清楚。本文采用1979～2021年ERA5再分析数据集,研究了2020/2021年冬季“偏心型”强SSW事件前后中高纬度地区地面温度异常的演变特征,并分析了其与等熵大气经向质量环流平流层—对流层分支的耦合演变模态的动力联系。结果表明,伴随此次强SSW事件,亚洲和北美中纬度地区的寒潮低温事件分别在绕极西风反转为东风之前和再次恢复为西风之后发生。SSW前后大气经向质量环流的平流层向极地暖支与对流层高层向极暖支、低层向赤道冷支之间呈现出三个阶段的耦合演变模态: 同位相“加强—加强”、反位相“加强—减弱”以及反位相“减弱—加强”。加强的质量环流对流层向赤道冷支是SSW前后寒潮低温事件的主要原因,而加强的向极地平流层暖支是SSW发生及其伴随的北极涛动负位相持续加强的主要原因。大气经向质量环流不同的垂直耦合模态取决于行星波槽脊在对流层顶和对流层中低层两个关键等熵面上的西倾角异常。西倾角异常表征大气波动的斜压性,主要通过影响关键等熵面以上向极地的净质量输送和其下向赤道的净质量输送进行调控。尤其在SSW发生后的极涡恢复期,对流层顶处异常偏弱的斜压性会加强对流层向极地暖支,进而加强向赤道冷支,有利于寒潮低温的发生。本次SSW事件前后大气经向质量环流三支的耦合演变模态,与历年平流层北半球环状模（NAM）负事件中极区平流层温度异常信号下传滞后的平流层—对流层耦合演变类型相一致,其在波动尺度方面也存在共同特征,即SSW事件或NAM负事件前期对流层一波加强且上传,后期对流层二波加强但较难上传。     

两次加拿大型增温的动力诊断分析

通过资料分析,挑选了1965年12月和1968年11月的两次强加拿大型增温作为研究对象来研究加拿大型增温过程中环流的变化及异常.两次加拿大型增温过程中平流层高层的增温不明显,只是在平流层中低层有较弱的增温过程,并且增温过程中所形成的纬向东风较弱,持续的时间较短.从距平场来看,两次加拿大型增温使得平流层极涡环流减弱,但加拿大型增温所造成的环流异常明显要比强爆发性增温所造成的异常强度弱.另外,两次加拿大增温过程中没有发现爆发性增温前的“预先”过程.一般而言,上传的行星波是冬季平流层环流扰动的重要影响因素,两次加拿大型增温过程中第0天前后都有行星波上传的增加,这与爆发性增温有明显的不同.北极涛动指数随时间和高度的变化显示由两次加拿大型增温所造成极涡异常能够形成北极涛动异常的下传,但两次加拿大型增温过程中的北极涛动异常都没有能够到达对流层低层.     

平流层爆发性增温及其影响研究进展

平流层爆发性增温(stratospheric sudden warming,SSW)是冬季平流层大气环流结构的一种突变现象,在短时间内平流层中高纬度的温度、风和极涡都会发生剧烈变化。因此,SSW也就成为平流层大气环流及其变化研究的重要方面之一。在强SSW期间,高纬地区温度急剧升高,西风被东风取代,极涡几乎全部崩溃。SSW极大地影响着北半球对流层大气,甚至整个中高层大气,包括对平流层乃至中层大气微量气体分布的重要影响。随着临近空间飞行平台的研究应用,以及由此而提出的临近空间环境条件的保障问题,作为临近空间重要组成部分的平流层环流变化将更加引起人们的关注。本文就SSW的特征、发生机制、对上下层相互作用的重要影响,以及SSW与准两年振荡、ENSO等的密切关系和SSW的数值模拟等方面的研究工作,进行了回顾和总结。     

涡动在南北半球平流层极涡崩溃过程中作用的比较

比较了南北半球春季平流层极涡的崩溃过程以及涡动在此崩溃过程中的作用。极涡的崩溃时间以平流层极夜急流核区最后一次西风转换为东风的时间来确定。结果表明南北半球平流层极涡的崩溃过程有着共同的特点,涡动和非绝热加热过程都对极涡的崩溃起着重要的作用,在极涡崩溃前平流层行星尺度波动活动明显,极涡崩溃以后,这种波动活动便迅速减弱。其中从对流层上传的行星波决定着极涡的具体崩溃时间。两个半球的差别主要表现在南半球极涡崩溃过程一般始于平流层高层,然后逐渐下传,而北半球这种下传不是很明显。其次,北半球平流层极涡崩溃偏晚年,极涡的减弱有两次过程,第一次为快速变化过程,第二次变化比较缓慢,而南半球平流层极涡崩溃无论早晚年只有一次减弱过程。长期的变化趋势分析表明南北半球平流层极涡的崩溃时间逐渐推迟,特别是20世纪90年代中后期以来,这种推迟更加明显。进一步的研究还发现,伴随着平流层极涡的崩溃过程平流层和对流层存在强烈的动力耦合,南北半球极涡迅速减弱前,各自半球的环状模指数也由负指数增加为正指数,表明低层环流对于平流层极涡的崩溃起到重要的作用;同时极涡不同强度所对应的低层环状模指数也不同,这可能与不同强度平流层极涡对于上传的行星波的反射有关。     

Analysis of the variations in the strength and position of stratospheric sudden warming in the past three decades

利用ERA-Interim再分析资料统计分析了1920–2016年期间北半球33次强平流层爆发性增温(SSW)事件和22次弱增温事件的强度和位置变化特征。发现SSW主要发生在二月,其纬向平均温度的最大经向梯度变化在1979–8319年和1998–2011年呈上升趋势,1984–1997年和2012–2016年呈下降趋势,但是整体呈现略微下降的线性趋势,并且强SSW事件的强度和持续时间的变化特征相似。一些SSW事件几乎同时在100 hPa到10 hPa上出现,一些SSW事件却首先出现在10 hPa上再向低层下传。另外,我们还发现这55个SSW事件的最大增温中心主要位于欧亚大陆30°E到120°E之间,这或许跟过去三十年中欧亚大陆的极涡转移有关。     

华北地区“16·7”极端强降水事件之环流及扰动能量变化特征

2016年7月18—22日在华北地区发生了一次极端强降水事件，其中19—20日降水较为集中，20日降水最强。本文利用NCEP/NCAR再分析逐日风场资料和国家级地面气象站基本气象要素日值数据集，研究了本次事件的Rossby波活动及能量变化，结果表明：本次极端强降水事件持续时间约5 d，雨带呈西南—东北走向。华北地区受对流层中低层的气旋性异常环流和对流层上层反气旋性异常环流的控制，水汽则主要源于孟加拉湾和中国南海地区。发生极端降水期间，波扰动能量在对流层低层主要呈经向传播而在对流层上层呈纬向传播，对流层低层的波扰动能量对华北地区的影响比上层更为明显。涡动动能在华北地区的增强和维持主要是涡动非地转位势通量散度项、涡动有效位能和涡动动能的斜压转换项以及其他剩余部分与摩擦耗散引起的能量损耗之和的共同作用，涡动动能在19日增强、20日维持，随后减弱。涡动热量通量变化显示低层有暖湿空气向北输送，高层有干冷空气向南输送，支持了正压和斜压转换，而华北地区上空涡动动量通量的变化则使得基本气流中的涡动动能增强，这些变化影响到极端降水事件的发生发展。     

天津城区大雾过程近地面层特征研究

地面倒槽、华北地形槽和地面弱高压是天津冬季雾日多见的地面气压系统。为了解雾事件在上述三种天气系统下近地面层气象要素的演变规律,利用天津市250m气象铁塔梯度观测和常规气象观测资料,分别选取2002、2003和2004年相应气压场下的雾个例,比较分析了冬季雾天近地面层结构及低层水汽分布特征。结果表明:(1)三种天气系统条件下,均存在近地层逆位温层结和增湿现象,近地面40m以下高度为弱风。(2)地面倒槽形势下的平流雾过程中,逆温层结稳定且厚达千米,近地层呈多层逆温或弱逆位温层结;80m以上,雾前风力较强,雾中风力较弱;低空各层水汽显著上升时间提前于起雾时间约15h,且日夜增速持续均匀,雾中呈现出逆湿特征,雾顶超过250m。(3)华北地形槽和地面弱高压下的辐射雾过程中,日落后近地面浅薄逆温层结生成并于05时(北京时间,下同)左右达最强,日出后减弱,于11时左右消散;仅夜间近地层水汽显著增加,且塔层250m逆温强度达到3.0℃时才开始出现,距起雾时间约2～9h;雾形成后,逆温层底抬升,雾体中逐渐演变呈不稳定层结;雾中呈现下湿上干特征,雾厚分别为80m和60m左右。(4)华北地形槽和地面弱高压下的风廓线演变规律有显著差异,即前者80m以上6m.s-1左右南风和北风呈规律性日变化转换特征,而后者250m低层大气恒为弱风控制。     

两类El Ni?o事件对我国西南地区冬季降水的影响

采用1960~2014年西南地区93个站的逐月降水资料以及NCEP/NCAR再分析月平均资料,分析了东部型El Ni?o（EP El Ni?o）和中部型El Ni?o（CP El Ni?o）对我国西南地区冬季降水的不同影响。结果表明,EP ElNi?o年冬季和CP El Ni?o事件中1994/1995年、2002/2003年冬季,我国西南地区受异常偏东风影响,获得来自孟加拉湾和南海的水汽供应。同时,西南地区存在明显的幅合上升运动,上升运动异常增强,对流加强,导致西南地区冬季降水偏多;而CP El Ni?o事件中1968/1969年、1977/1978年,2004/2005年、2009/2010年冬季,我国西南地区受异常西北风影响,来自孟加拉湾和南海的水汽减少。同时,西南地区存在明显的幅散下沉运动,上升运动异常减弱,对流减弱,导致西南地区冬季降水偏少。     

Snow/Rainfall Anomaly in Winter of Northern China and Associated Atmospheric Circulation and Aerosol Distribution Features

Based on the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data,China station precipitation data from 1960 to 2008,and aerosol optical depth (AOD) data in northern China from 1980 to 2004,this paper investigates the variability of winter snow/rainfall in northern China and the associated atmospheric circulation and aerosol distribution characteristics by using composite analysis.The results show that winter precipitation in northern China has been generally increasing since the 1960s.Among the winters of 1990-2008,the years with more rain/snow (MRSYs) are 1998,2003,and 2006,while the years with less rain/snow (LRSYs) are 2005,1997,and 2001.Composite analysis finds that the main differences of atmospheric circulation in East Asia between MRSYs and LRSYs are as follows.1) In MRSYs,strong low-level cold air over the northern polar region and Taymyr Peninsula migrates southward to northern China (Northwest,North,and Northeast China),establishing a channel favoring continuous southward transport of cold air.In LRSYs,however,this cold air channel does not exist.2) In MRSYs,the frontal zone and westerlies are over North China,and the low-level geopotential height field from eastern China to West Pacific exhibits an "east high,west low" pattern,which is conducive to easterly and southerly airflows moving northward along 110 E.In LRSYs,the 500-hPa prevailing westerly winds stay far away from China and the low-level southeasterlies move to higher latitudes,which are disadvantageous to the development of precipitation in northern China.3) In MRSYs,large-scale upward motions combined with local-scale updrafts develop into strong slanted climbing airflows,forming a vertical circulation that favors the generation of heavy snows in eastern China.In LRSYs,the vertical circulation moves eastward into the Pacific Ocean.Furthermore,the correlation analysis on AOD and winter precipitation during the period 1980-2004 in northern China reveals that AOD differs significantly between MRSYs and LRSYs and the annual variation of winter rain/snow is positively correlated to the annual variation of AOD with a correlation coefficient of 0.415 at the 0.001 significance level.     

High resolution simulation of recent Arctic and Antarctic stratospheric chemical ozone loss compared to observations

Simulations of polar ozone losses were performed using the three-dimensional high-resolution (1^∘ × 1^∘) chemical transport model MIMOSA-CHIM. Three Arctic winters 1999–2000, 2001–2002, 2002–2003 and three Antarctic winters 2001, 2002, and 2003 were considered for the study. The cumulative ozone loss in the Arctic winter 2002–2003 reached around 35% at 475 K inside the vortex, as compared to more than 60% in 1999–2000. During 1999–2000, denitrification induces a maximum of about 23% extra ozone loss at 475 K as compared to 17% in 2002–2003. Unlike these two colder Arctic winters, the 2001–2002 Arctic was warmer and did not experience much ozone loss. Sensitivity tests showed that the chosen resolution of 1^∘ × 1^∘ provides a better evaluation of ozone loss at the edge of the polar vortex in high solar zenith angle conditions. The simulation results for ozone, ClO, HNO₃, N₂O, and NO _y for winters 1999–2000 and 2002–2003 were compared with measurements on board ER-2 and Geophysica aircraft respectively. Sensitivity tests showed that increasing heating rates calculated by the model by 50% and doubling the PSC (Polar Stratospheric Clouds) particle density (from 5 × 10⁻³ to 10⁻² cm⁻³) refines the agreement with in situ ozone, N₂O and NO _y levels. In this configuration, simulated ClO levels are increased and are in better agreement with observations in January but are overestimated by about 20% in March. The use of the Burkholder et al. (1990) Cl₂O₂ absorption cross-sections slightly increases further ClO levels especially in high solar zenith angle conditions. Comparisons of the modelled ozone values with ozonesonde measurement in the Antarctic winter 2003 and with Polar Ozone and Aerosol Measurement III (POAM III) measurements in the Antarctic winters 2001 and 2002, shows that the simulations underestimate the ozone loss rate at the end of the ozone destruction period. A slightly better agreement is obtained with the use of Burkholder et al. (1990) Cl₂O₂ absorption cross-sections.     

Middle Stratospheric Polar Vortex Ozone Budget during the Warming Arctic Winter, 2002--2003

The ozone budget inside the middle stratospheric polar vortex(24-36 km) during the 2002-2003 Arctic winter is studied by analyzing Michelson Interferometer for Passive Atmospheric Sounding(MIPAS) satellite data.A comprehensive global chemical transport model(Model for Ozone and Related Chemical Tracers,MOZART-3) is used to analyze the observed variation in polar vortex ozone during the stratospheric sudden warming(SSW) events.Both MIPAS measurement and MOZART-3 calculation show that a pronounced increase(26-28 DU) in the polar vortex ozone due to the SSW events.Due to the weakening of the polar vortex,the exchange of ozone mass across the edge of the polar vortex increases substantially and amounts to about 3.0× 107 kg according to MOZART-3 calculation.The enhanced downward transport offsets about 80% of polar vortex ozone mass increase by horizontal transport.A "passive ozone" experiment shows that only ～55% of the vertical ozone mass flux in February and March can be attributed to the variation in vertical transport.It is also shown that the enhanced downward ozone above ～32 km should be attributed to the springtime photochemical ozone production.Due to the increase of air temperature,the NOx reaction rate increases by 40%-80% during the SSW events.As a result,NOx catalytic cycle causes another 44% decrease in polar vortex ozone compared to the net ozone changes due to dynamical transport.It is also shown that the largest change in polar vortex ozone is due to horizontal advection by planetary waves in January 2003.     

Seasonal prediction and predictability of the Asian winter temperature variability

Efforts have been made to appreciate the extent to which we can predict the dominant modes of December–January–February (DJF) 2 m air temperature (TS) variability over the Asian winter monsoon region with dynamical models and a physically based statistical model. Dynamical prediction was made on the basis of multi-model ensemble (MME) of 13 coupled models with the November 1 initial condition for 21 boreal winters of 1981/1982–2001/2002. Statistical prediction was performed for 21 winters of 1981/1982–2001/2002 in a cross-validated way and for 11 winters of 1999/2000–2009/2010 in an independent verification. The first four observed modes of empirical orthogonal function analysis of DJF TS variability explain 69 % of the total variability and are statistically separated from other higher modes. We identify these as predictable modes, because they have clear physical meaning and the MME reproduces them with acceptable criteria. The MME skill basically originates from the models’ ability to capture the predictable modes. The MME shows better skill for the first mode, represented by a basin-wide warming trend, and for second mode related to the Arctic Oscillation. However, the statistical model better captures the third and fourth modes, which are strongly related to El Niño and Southern Oscillation (ENSO) variability on interannual and interdecadal timescales, respectively. Independent statistical forecasting for the recent 11-year period further reveals that the first and fourth modes are highly predictable. The second and third modes are less predictable due to lower persistence of boundary forcing and reduced potential predictability during the recent years. In particular, the notable decadal change in the monsoon–ENSO relationship makes the statistical forecast difficult.     

Evolution of geophysical parameters over the Indian Ocean region during contrasting monsoon years of 2002 and 2003 using TRMM/TMI data

Summary The evolution of geophysical parameters over Indian Ocean during two contrasting monsoon years 2002 (drought) and 2003 (normal) were studied using TRMM/TMI satellite data. Analysis indicates that there was a lack of total water vapour (TWV) build up over Western Indian Ocean (WIO) during May 2002 (drought) when compared to 2003 (normal). Negative (positive) TWV anomalies were found over the WIO in May 2002 (2003). In 2002, negative SST anomaly of ∼1.5 °C is found over entire WIO when compared to 2003. Anomalously high sea surface wind speed (SWS) anomaly over the South West Indian Ocean (SWIO) and WIO would have resulted in cooling of the sea surface in May 2002 in comparison to 2003. In 2003 the wind speed anomaly over entire WIO and Arabian Sea (AS) was negative, whereas sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly was positive over the same region, which would have resulted in higher moisture availability over these regions. A negative (positive) TWV anomaly over Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) and positive (negative) anomaly over WIO forms a dipole structure. In the month of June no major difference is seen in all these parameters over the Indian Ocean. In July 2002 the entire WIO and AS was drier by 10–15 mm as compared to 2003. The pentad (5 day) average TWV values shows high (>55 mm) TWV convergence over EAS and Bay of Bengal (BoB) during active periods of 2003, which gives high rainfall over these regions. However, during 2002 although TWV over BoB was >55 mm but it was ∼45–55 mm over EAS during entire July and hence less rainfall. The evaporation has been calculated from the bulk aerodynamic formula using TRMM/TMI geophysical products. It has been seen that the major portion of evaporative moisture flux is coming from southern Indian Ocean (SIO) between 15 and 25° S. Evaporation in June was more over AS and SIO in 2003 when compared to 2002 which may lead to reduce moisture supply in July 2002 and hence less rainfall compared to July 2003.     

Impact of Global Oceanic Warming on Winter Eurasian Climate

In the 20 th century, Eurasian warming was observed and was closely related to global oceanic warming(the first leading rotated empirical orthogonal function of annual mean sea surface temperature over the period 1901–2004). Here, large-scale patterns of covariability between global oceanic warming and circulation anomalies are investigated based on NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data. In winter, certain dominant features are found, such as a positive pattern of the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO), low-pressure anomalies over northern Eurasia, and a weakened East Asian trough. Numerical experiments with the CAM3.5, CCM3 and GFDL models are used to explore the contribution of global oceanic warming to the winter Eurasian climate. Results show that a positive NAO anomaly, low-pressure anomalies in northern Eurasia, and a weaker-than-normal East Asian trough are induced by global oceanic warming. Consequently, there are warmer winters in Europe and the northern part of East Asia. However, the Eurasian climate changes differ slightly among the three models. Eddy forcing and convective heating from those models may be the reason for the different responses of Eurasian climate.     

A study on the variability of atmospheric and oceanic processes over the Arabian Sea during contrasting monsoons

Summary The atmospheric and oceanic conditions associated with the southwest monsoon during the contrasting monsoon years of 2002 and 2003 over the Arabian Sea have been analyzed in the present study. Early onset of southwesterlies and reduced net heat gain due to low solar radiation were responsible for low sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) over the Arabian Sea during 2002 pre-monsoon (particularly in May). Conversely, light winds and an increased net heat gain set up the pre-monsoon warming in 2003. The development and intensification of deep convection over a large area of the Arabian Sea prior to the onset of the monsoon was observed during 2003, but was absent in 2002. Weak cross equatorial flow and a weak low level jet over the Arabian Sea reduced moisture transport towards the Indian subcontinent in July 2002. This scenario helped to contribute to a prolonged break in monsoon conditions during July. However, no such break in conditions occurred during July 2003. In 2002, the summer monsoon cooling of the Arabian Sea occurred well before July, whereas in 2003 cooling occurred during July. Estimates of wind driven Ekman (horizontal) and vertical transports showed maximum values in the month of June (July) in 2002 (2003). These estimates clearly show the importance of horizontal and vertical advection in the summer cooling of the Arabian Sea. During the southwest monsoon period, the Arabian Sea was warmer in 2003 than in 2002. Late onset of the southwesterlies in June, late cooling of the Arabian Sea in July, and downwelling Rossby wave propagation were responsible for the warm SSTs in 2003. Weak wind stress curl in July dampened the westward propagating sea surface height anomaly signals (Rossby waves) before they reached the western Arabian Sea in 2002, whereas, in 2003 strong wind stress curl enhanced Rossby wave propagation. During the summer monsoon period, subsurface temperatures in the south central Arabian Sea were warmer in 2003 than in 2002, particularly in July and August. Strong Ekman convergence, solar penetration, and downwelling (downward velocities) are responsible for the enhanced subsurface warming in 2003.