Verification of a Synthesized Method for the Calculation of Low-Level Climatological Wind Fields Using a Mesoscale Boundary-Layer Model

Low-level climatological wind fields over the La Plata River region of South America are synthesized with a dry, hydrostatic mesoscale boundary-layer numerical model. The model is forced at the upper boundary with the 1200 UTC local radiosonde observations and at the lower boundary with a land-river differential heating function defined from the daily meteorological observations of the region. The climatological wind field is defined as the mean value of a series of individual daily forecasts, employing two methods. The simplified method considers a 192-member ensemble (16 wind directions and 12 wind-speed classes at the upper boundary). Each member has a probability of occurrence that is determined from the 1959–1984 observations; the daily method uses a total of 3,248 days with available data during the same period. In both methods each realization is a daily forecast from which the mean wind distributions at 0300, 0900, 1500 and 2100 local standard time are calculated and compared to the observations of five meteorological stations in the region. The validation of the climatological wind fields for both methods is evaluated by means of the root-mean-square error of the wind-direction frequency distribution and mean wind speed by wind sector. The results obtained with the two methods are similar, and the errors in wind speed are always smaller than those in wind direction. The combined errors of wind direction and wind speed show that the ensemble method is outperformed by the daily method, on average by meteorological station in only one out of five of them, and on average by the time of the day in only one out of 4 h. The conclusion of the study is that the ensemble method is an appropriate methodology for determining high resolution, low-level climatological wind fields, with the boundary-layer model applied to a region with a strong diurnal cycle of surface thermal contrast. The proposed methodology is of particular utility for synthesizing wind fields over regions with limited meteorological observations, since the 192-member matrix can be easily defined with few observing points, as well as in the case of relatively incomplete records.     

Sensitivity analysis of planetary boundary layer schemes using the WRF model in Northern Colombia during 2016 dry season

This study conducted meteorological simulations in northern Colombia by analyzing different planetary boundary layer (PBL) schemes available in the numerical Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. The study area included three nested domains with horizontal resolutions of 18 km, 6 km, and 2 km, with 38 vertical levels. The evolution and structure of the PBL were analyzed during the driest months (March, April, and May 2016) and in regions with the highest particulate matter concentrations. Sensitivity analysis of the WRF model was performed with two local and two non-local PBL schemes. The results were validated using observations of the surface air temperature, relative humidity, and surface wind speed collected from three meteorological stations in the area. The PBL heights were experimentally determined using radiosonde data provided by a station located in the center of the study area. Variations in PBL heights were estimated using linear regression methods and minimization of statistical errors for the bulk Richardson number, as well as analysis of vertical temperature and wind profiles. The WRF model reliably reproduced the daily values and diurnal cycles of temperature, relative humidity, and wind speed within the PBL and accounted for the influence of topography and sea breezes. Horizontal heat advection dominates the upwelling of air masses when sea breezes are active. The onshore wind direction starts to change from east to northwest, implying a decay in the land breeze regime. All schemes overestimate the mixing height and tend to underestimate surface air temperature values at night. All show wetter conditions and underestimate wind speed. Although the non-local Yonsei University (YSU) scheme shows the best performance, it also shows the largest sources of errors when determining the behavior of the surface layer during stable conditions. Relative humidity and wind speed estimates provided by the local Mellor‐Yamada‐Nakanishi‐Niino (MYNN) scheme were closer to those recorded at the meteorological stations.     

南极探空与两套再分析资料的对比分析

基于南极18个站点探空气象观测数据对欧洲中期天气预报中心的再分析数据(ERA-Interim)和美国国家环境预报中心的再分析数据(NECP)在南极地区高层大气的适用性进行验证。结果表明:在南极上空,随着高度抬升,探空气象观测数据与两套再分析数据中四个气象要素的差值均逐渐变大,再分析数据数值愈加偏离实际观测数值。两套再分析数据的位势高度和温度与探空观测数据偏差较小;风向则和探空观测数据相差甚远;两套再分析数据的风速与探空观测数据在300 hPa偏差较大。在季节变化中,南极的春季,再分析数据中的位势高度和温度与探空观测数据相差较大,在其他季节相差相对较小。再分析数据中的风速与探空观测数据在南极的夏季相差较小。再分析数据中的风向与探空观测数据存在较大偏差,且差值没有明显的季节变化。尽管两套再分析数据都存在很大偏差,但ERA-Interim数据整体上优于NCEP数据。对比分析也表明,采用这些再分析资料作为初始条件和边界条件驱动南极区域大气模式将带来较大的误差。未来需要加强南极探空观测,改进再分析资料同化和数值模拟系统。     

风廓线雷达资料对华南区域模式预报的影响

设计基于GRAPES_Meso的不同试验模拟2014年3月28日-4月8日的广东前汛期降水过程,评估风廓线资料对同化和预报的影响。对资料同化后分析增量的分析表明:相比同化时仅使用自动气象站资料,风廓线雷达资料对1000 hPa到850 hPa纬向风增量均有贡献,在850 hPa,700 hPa高度以上贡献迅速减小。应用3个试验的预报结果计算探空站、风廓线雷达站预报值与观测值的11 d均方根误差发现,同化加入风廓线雷达资料对各预报要素的改善在850 hPa高度最明显,其中风速预报误差显著降低,为0.7 m·s-1。此外,风廓线雷达资料对700 hPa风速预报有一定改善,而在925 hPa高度模拟效果反而降低。通过对2014年3月30日12:00（世界时）的个例分析发现,同化加入风廓线雷达资料的风速预报均方根误差在大雨级别以上的降水落区更大,其原因还有待于进一步研究。     

An assessment of radiosonde launch conditions affected by the surface wind

Carried out is an analysis of radiosonde launch conditions affected by the horizontal surface wind. Mathematically stated is a condition of successful launch agreed qualitatively with the known practical methods and upper-air sounding techniques. This condition is defined by several main factors taking account of the clamping force impact on the balloon, adaptation of the balloon speed to the wind speed, and approaching of the instrumental box of radiosonde to the surface immediately after the launch due to the deviation of the harness string from the vertical. The results obtained provide a theoretical basis for analyzing the launch parameters in order to increase the reliability of upper-air sounding and to develop the ways of its successful use under conditions of strong winds.     

BJ-RUC系统对北京夏季边界层的预报性能评估

以北京市观象台2010年8月、2011年8月每日3次 (08:00, 14:00, 20:00,北京时,下同) L波段探空秒间隔数据为实况,对BJ-RUC系统 (rapid updated cycle system for the Beijing area) 分析和预报边界层性能进行了初步评估。结果表明:BJ-RUC系统对北京地区夏季白天边界层的细致特征具有较好的预报能力,但也存在明显的系统性误差。08:00边界层偏冷; 14:00和20:00 1 km以下的边界层则显著偏暖, 边界层内明显偏湿。整体上模式对边界层内温度、湿度的预报误差均高于自由大气。该系统对北京地区边界层内早晨 (08:00) 从夜间山风向白天谷风环流过渡、午后 (14:00) 到日落后 (20:00)1500 m以下盛行西南偏南气流的日变化特征具有较强的预报能力。系统预报的14:00边界层顶高度与评估时段内实际对流边界层高度的变化趋势一致。但预报的对流边界层顶偏高,这与BJ-RUC系统采用YSU边界层参数化方案的垂直混合更强有关。     

雷达资料快速更新四维变分同化中增加地面资料同化对强对流临近数值预报的影响

基于雷达资料快速更新四维变分同化（RR4DVar）技术和三维数值云模式发展的快速更新雷达四维变分分析系统（VDRAS）,通过在系统中加入地面自动气象站观测资料的同化方法,对发生在北京地区的10个强对流过程开展了地面资料同化的高分辨率模拟分析和检验评估,并与已经业务使用的地面资料融合方法进行对比。研究结果发现,地面观测资料同化使边界层1 km高度以下的分析场改善最为明显,风速和风向的均方根误差分别平均降低0.1 m/s和7.2°,温度的均方根误差降低0.2℃。模式最低层100 m高度的风速均方根误差降低0.5 m/s,风速的误差随高度上升逐渐增大。模式最低层风向的均方根误差降低15.5°,温度的均方根误差降低0.4℃,且1.5 km高度以下的温度偏差都减小。区域内地面10 m高风速的均方根误差平均降低0.2 m/s,风向的均方根误差降低10.8°,地面2 m气温的偏差也降低。随着预报时效的延长,地面温度和风场的误差不断增大,但地面资料同化方法在一定程度上可以提高1 h内地面气象要素的预报效果。对2019年5月17日北京地区局地强对流新生和增强过程的详细分析表明,地面自动气象站观测资料的同化方法相对于融合,可以通过更细致准确地分析低层大气的热动力特征,改善低层气象要素的预报效果。在此基础上,通过探究对流单体的局地触发机理发现,海风锋辐合线与城市的相互作用一定程度上影响了对流的局地新生和发展,该同化方法可以进一步提高北京地区局地突发强对流的临近数值预报能力。      

An approach to the mapping of the statistical properties of gradient winds (over Canada)

This paper describes the preparation of a preliminary set of maps of gradient‐level wind climate over Canada and some neighbouring regions of the United States. The data for this study were drawn from twice‐daily records of radiosonde ascents at a network of ten Canadian upper air stations. The period covered by the data was 1960–69, and this was supplemented by statistical information on upper level winds at fourteen points in the United States.

The analysis and subsequent mapping were carried out for 300 and 500 m above ground level and were based on a number of statistical models: the bivariate Gaussian distribution of wind velocities characterized by the vector mean and standard vector deviation, monthly Weibull distributions of wind speed and a new model of extreme annual wind occurrences developed from a consideration of wind as a stochastic process.     

Use of Surface Observations to Estimate Upper Air Humidity for the Objective Analysis of Relative Humidity over Indian Region

In the present study objective analyses of relative humidity (RH) at surface and at the levels of 850,700 and 500 hPa have been made using Gandin’s (1963) optimum interpolation scheme. As the horizontal resolution of the radiosonde stations is rather inadequate for upper air humidity analysis, a scheme has been developed, following Rasmussen (1982) to estimate the upper air RH from the surface observations like surface RH, present weather and cloud cover. The relative humidities at the levels 850, 700 and 500 hPa were related to the surface observations through three separate regression relations. The RH values at 850, 700 and 500 hPa levels were estimated from the surface RH, cloud coverage and present weather using the above regression relations and subsequently the objective analyses at 00 GMT for the period from 4 July to 8 July 1979, were made using these estimated data along with the observed radiosonde data. Objective analyses were also made for the same period using only the radiosonde data for comparison to study the impact of those estimated data. Root mean square errors were computed for all the five days by interpolating RH at the observing stations from the objectively analysed field and comparing them with the actually observed RH to examine how best the analyses (with and without estimated data) fitted the observations. Lastly they were compared with satellite cloud pictures. This study shows that the estimated upper air RH values have positive impact on the analysis of upper air RH and could be used over radiosonde date sparse region and even over oceanic regions.     

Low-Level Wind Forecast over the La Plata River Region with a Mesoscale Boundary-Layer Model Forced by Regional Operational Forecasts

A mesoscale boundary-layer model (BLM) is used for running 12-h low-level wind forecasts for the La Plata River region. Several experiments are performed with different boundary conditions that include operational forecasts of the Eta/CPTEC model, local observations, as well as a combination of both. The BLM wind forecasts are compared to the surface wind observations of five weather stations during the period November 2003–April 2004. Two accuracy measures are used: the hit rate or percentage of cases with agreement in the wind direction sector, and the root-mean-squared error (RMSE) of the horizontal wind components. The BLM surface wind forecasts are always more accurate, since its averaged hit rate is three times greater and its averaged RMSE is one half smaller than the Eta forecasts. Despite the large errors in the surface winds displayed by the Eta forecasts, its 850 hPa winds and surface temperature forecasts are able to drive the BLM model to obtain surface winds forecasts with smaller errors than the Eta model. An additional experiment demonstrates that the advantage of using the BLM model for forecasting low-level winds over the La Plata River region is the result of a more appropriate definition of the land–river surface temperature contrast. The particular formulation that the BLM model has for the geometry of the river coasts is fundamental for resolving the smaller scale details of the low-level local circulation. The main conclusion of the study is that operational low-level wind forecasts for the La Plata River region can be improved by running the BLM model forced by the Eta operational forecasts. L. Sraibman and G. J. Berri—Members of Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET) of Argentina. An erratum to this article can be found at     

Extremes of near-surface wind speed over Europe and their future changes as estimated from an ensemble of RCM simulations

In this study, we analyse the uncertainty of the effect of enhanced greenhouse gas conditions on windiness projected by an ensemble of regional model simulations driven by the same global control and climate change simulations. These global conditions, representative for 1961–1990 and 2071–2100, were prepared by the Hadley Centre based on the IPCC SRES/A2 scenario. The basic data sets consist of simulated daily maximum and daily mean wind speed fields (over land) from the PRUDENCE data archive at the Danish Meteorological Institute. The main focus is on the results from the standard 50 km-resolution runs of eight regional models. The best parameter for determining possible future changes in extreme wind speeds and possible change in the number of storm events is maximum daily wind speed. It turned out during this study that the method for calculating maximum daily wind speed differs among the regional models. A comparison of simulated winds with observations for the control period shows that models without gust parameterisation are not able to realistically capture high wind speeds. The two models with gust parametrization estimate an increase of up to 20% of the number of storm peak (defined as gusts?≥?8 Bft in this paper) events over Central Europe in the future. In order to use a larger ensemble of models than just the two with gust parameterisation, we also look at the 99th percentile of daily mean wind speed. We divide Europe into eight sub-regions (e.g., British Isles, Iberian Peninsula, NE Europe) and investigate the inter-monthly variation of wind over these regions as well as differences between today’s climate and a possible future climate. Results show differences and similarities between the sub-regions in magnitude, spread, and seasonal tendencies. The model ensemble indicates a possible increase in future mean daily wind speed during winter months, and a decrease during autumn in areas influenced by North Atlantic extra-tropical cyclones.     

影响云南空气质量的风场特征分析

利用美国NCEP/NCAR风场再分析资料和云南高空、地面、高山风塔实测风资料,对云南地区的大气风场特征进行了分析。结果表明,云南对流层中低层大气风场常年盛行偏西气流,风向稳定,尤以西南风最多,冬-春-夏-秋四季风场变化特征明显。腾冲、思茅高空盛行风向以西风为主。云南除滇东北、滇东南和局地地形影响外,大部分地区近地面全年以盛行西南风为主。山区全年盛行风向以西南风为主。云南近地面年平均风速1.9m/s,北部大于南部,东部大于西部,冬春季风大,夏秋季风小,风速日变化特征显著。昆明地区大气边界层存在逆温现象,冬季突出,夏季微弱,秋冬春季频率高,夏季频率低。云南空气污染具有干湿季分布特点,1-5月为主要污染时段,冬春季节存在西南和东北两条污染传输通道。     

Evaluation of atmospheric boundary layer characteristics simulated by the regional model

Carried out is the comparison of the temporal courses of temperature and wind speed at different levels as well as of the wind and temperature profiles in the atmospheric boundary layer obtained from the WRF regional model forecasts and using the upper-air in situ and remote measurements in Moscow region. The errors in temperature and wind speed forecasts at different levels are computed as well as the statistical estimates of the forecast of temperature inversions, atmospheric stratification types, and monthly mean wind speed profiles on the basis of model forecasts and acoustic sounding.     

登陆台风边界层风廓线特征的地基雷达观测

为了分析登陆台风边界层风廓线特征,利用2004—2013年中国东南沿海新一代多普勒天气雷达收集的17个登陆台风资料,采用飓风速度体积分析方法,反演登陆台风的边界层风场结构特征。与探空观测对比表明,利用雷达径向风场可以准确地反演登陆台风的边界层风场结构,其风速误差小于2 m/s,风向误差小于5°。所有登陆台风合成的边界层风廓线显示,在近地层(100 m)以上,边界层风廓线存在类似急流的最大切向风,其高度均在1 km以上,显著高于大西洋观测到的飓风边界层急流高度(低于1 km)。陆地边界层内低层入流强度也明显大于过去海上观测,这主要是由陆地上摩擦增大引起。越靠近台风中心,边界层风廓线离散度越大,其中,径向风廓线比全风速以及切向风廓线离散度更大。将风廓线相对台风移动方向分为4个象限,分析边界层风廓线非对称特征显示,台风移动前侧入流层明显高于移动后侧。最大切向风位于台风移动左后侧,而台风右后侧没有显著的急流特征,与过去理想模拟的海陆差异导致的台风非对称分布特征一致。     

Simulation of meteorological fields over a land-water-land terrain and comparison with observations

A numerical two-dimensional-mesoscale model with a level 1.5 closure scheme for turbulence is described. The model is used to simulate the boundary layer over coastal complex terrain. Meteorological data available from the Øresund land-sea-land terrain experiment are used to study the performance of the model. The model could simulate generally observed complexities in the mean wind and temperature fields. Internal boundary layers over the water and land surfaces were identified by the height of lowest value in the turbulence kinetic energy profile and this showed good agreement with radiosonde (RS) observations.Some disagreements with the data were also noticed, especially near the surface. The wind speed was over-predicted. Attempts were made to improve the model performance by adopting different schemes for model initialisation. Results showed that initialisation with an early model start time and observed wind profile near the inflow boundary improved the performance. The wind speed over-prediction could be further minimised by using a more realistic objective initialisation scheme. The problem centred around the proper estimation of the turbulent diffusion coefficient K through the closure scheme. Despite using the most popular empirical relationships in the level 1.5 closure scheme, these differences persisted. While this needs further investigation, the present model can be used to supply wind fields for practical purposes such as air pollution calculations.     

一次冷锋过境后的边界层结构

本文利用声雷达探测、80米铁塔观测的风、温资料和探生资料,结合天气图分析,讨论锋后强天气过程的边界层结构。结果表明,冷锋后大风的形成是与高层下沉冷空气有着密切的关系,并与边界层过程也有密切的联系。 资料分析表明,大风天气过程的形成可能是下沉运动引起的边界层动量和热量输送相互作用的结果。     

2005年江西一次秋季暴雨天气过程诊断分析

利用天气图、T213物理量场以及相关实况资料,综合分析了2005年11月8—11日江西一次暴雨天气过程的主要天气系统和行星尺度环流背景。分析结果表明,副高异常偏强且位置适中,孟加拉湾低槽偏强,中高纬度“双阻”形势以及东北冷涡异常偏强,导致了这次超历史强度的连续暴雨过程;高空低槽、西南气流、低层切变、地面倒槽和静止锋是主要天气系统;暴雨区始终集中在急流以北风速辐合最大处和地面静止锋的北侧。通过对物理量的比较分析发现,此次过程的热力条件和水汽条件均低于汛期,但动力抬升条件则明显强于汛期。     

Conditions for freezing precipitation at some airports of Russia and the CIS: IV. Airport of Nizhni Novgorod

Results of study of conditions for freezing precipitation (FP) at the airport of Nizhni Novgorod based on 20-year series of surface observations are described. The cloud tops are estimated from radiosonde data. It is found that the monthly mean FP frequency does not exceed 0.44%; the phenomenon occurs from October to February. Over 20 years, a total of 113 FP episodes were observed, or less than six episodes annually. Freezing precipitation is more frequent at night and in the morning and very rare in the afternoon, at surface air temperatures not exceeding 0°C and not below ?10°C; in half of the cases, the air temperature is within ?0.1 to ?2.0°C. Surface wind is most frequently from south or southwest, while in the lower 4-km layer, according to the radiosonde data, wind direction mostly veers with height from south to west and north. In the boundary layer, FP is often associated with low-level jet streams, most frequently of southwest direction in the cloudy layers. The warm layers within and below the clouds occur in more than 20% of the cases. The most typical precipitation is FP from “all cold” clouds. Using objective criteria of the fronts, synoptic situations, advection, and baroclinicity, it is shown that almost all cases of freezing rain are observed in frontal zones, while freezing drizzle is as frequent at the fronts as under airmass conditions. Both types of FP are associated mainly with high baroclinicity and warm advection. The results can be used to develop an objective method of FP forecasting.     

Estimating Variances of Horizontal Wind Fluctuations in Stable Conditions

Information concerning the average wind speed and the variances of lateral and longitudinal wind velocity fluctuations is required by dispersion models to characterise turbulence in the atmospheric boundary layer. When the winds are weak, the scalar average wind speed and the vector average wind speed need to be clearly distinguished and both lateral and longitudinal wind velocity fluctuations assume equal importance in dispersion calculations. We examine commonly-used methods of estimating these variances from wind-speed and wind-direction statistics measured separately, for example, by a cup anemometer and a wind vane, and evaluate the implied relationship between the scalar and vector wind speeds, using measurements taken under low-wind stable conditions. We highlight several inconsistencies inherent in the existing formulations and show that the widely-used assumption that the lateral velocity variance is equal to the longitudinal velocity variance is not necessarily true. We derive improved relations for the two variances, and although data under stable stratification are considered for comparison, our analysis is applicable more generally.