Catastrophic winter storms: An escalating problem

Winter storms are a major weather problem in the USA and their losses have been rapidly increasing. A total of 202 catastrophic winter storms, each causing more than $1 million in damages, occurred during 1949–2003, and their losses totaled $35.2 billion (2003 dollars). Catastrophic winter storms occurred in most parts of the contiguous USA, but were concentrated in the eastern half of the nation where 88% of all storm losses occurred. They were most frequent in the Northeast climate district (95 storms), and were least frequent in the West district (14 catastrophic storms). The annual average number of storms is 3.7 with a 1-year high of 9 storms, and 1 year had no storms. Temporal distributions of storms and their losses exhibited considerable spatial variability across the nation. For example, when storms were very frequent in the Northeast, they were infrequent elsewhere, a result of spatial differences in storm-producing synoptic weather conditions over time. The time distribution of the nation’s 202 storms during 1949–2003 had a sizable downward trend, whereas the nation’s storm losses had a major upward trend for the 55-year period. This increase over time in losses, given the decrease in storm incidences, was a result of significant temporal increases in storm sizes and storm intensities. Increases in storm intensities were small in the northern sections of the nation, but doubled across the southern two-thirds of the nation, reflecting a climatic shift in conditions producing intense winter storms.     

Temporal distribution of weather catastrophes in the USA

The temporal distributions of the nation’s four major storm types during 1950–2005 were assessed, including those for thunderstorms, hurricanes, tornadoes, and winter storms. Storms are labeled as catastrophes, defined as events causing $1 million or more in property losses, based on time-adjusted data provided by the insurance industry. Most catastrophic storms occurred in the eastern half of the nation. Analysis of the regional and national storm frequencies revealed there was little time-related relationship between storm types, reflecting how storm types were reported. That is, when tornadoes occurred with thunderstorms, the type producing the greatest losses was the one identified by the insurance industry, not both. Temporal agreement was found in the timing of relatively high incidences of thunderstorms, hurricanes, and winter storms during 2002–2005. This resulted in upward time trends in the national losses of hurricane and thunderstorm catastrophes, The temporal increase in hurricanes is in agreement with upward trends in population density, wealth, and insurance coverage in Gulf and East coastal areas. The upward trends in thunderstorm catastrophes and losses result from increases in heavy rain days, floods, high winds, and hail days, revealing that atmospheric conditions conducive to strong convective activity have been increasing since the 1960s. Tornado catastrophes and their losses peaked in 1966–1973 and had no upward time trend. Temporal variability in tornado catastrophes was large, whereas the variability in hurricane and thunderstorm catastrophes was only moderate, and that for winter storms was low.     

冬季太平洋SSTA对北太平洋风暴轴年际变化的影响

研究了冬季北太平洋风暴轴的年际异常及其与500hPa高度以及热带和北太平洋海温的联系。结果发现，冬季北太平洋风暴轴中心有线性增强、偏北、偏东的趋势。对15个冬季北太平洋风暴轴区域 500 hPa天气尺度滤波位势高度方差与同期热带和北太平洋海温的 SVD分析表明，第一对空间典型分布反映了 ENSO区海温异常对风暴轴年际变化的影响，而第二对空间典型分布反映了黑潮区域海温异常对风暴轴年际变化的影响。进一步的合成分析显示，ENSO区海温异常可以通过激发500hPa高度场上的PNA遥相关型影响冬季北太平洋风暴轴的东西摆动和中、东端的强度变化，而黑潮区域海温异常则通过激发 500 hPa高度场上的 WP遥相关型，主要影响冬季北太平洋风暴轴中、西端的强度变化和南北位移。     

冬季黑潮区域海温异常对北太平洋风暴轴的影响

该文对15个冬季北太平洋风暴轴区域500 hPa天气尺度滤波位势高度方差与北太平洋海表温度进行了奇异值分解 (SVD) 分析.结果表明, SVD得到的第二对空间典型分布反映了冬季黑潮区域的海温异常与风暴轴的异常变化密切相关.进一步的分析显示, 黑潮区域海温异常可能通过加强风暴轴入口区的斜压性, 激发或加强500 hPa高度场上的WP遥相关型, 主要影响冬季北太平洋风暴轴在入口区的强度变化和南北位移.     

冬季北太平洋风暴轴的年际变化及其与500hPa高度以及热带和北太平洋海温的联系

文中研究了冬季北太平洋风暴轴的年际异常及其与500hPa高度以及热带和北太平洋海温的联系。结果发现,各年冬季北太平洋风暴轴的中心强度和位置具有显著的年际差异。对15个冬季北太平洋风暴轴区域500hPa天气尺度滤波位势高度方差与热带和北太平洋海温的SVD分析表明,第一对空间典型分布反映了赤道中、东太平洋区域海温异常对风暴轴年际变化的影响,而第二对空间典型分布反映了黑潮区域海温异常对风暴轴年际变化的影响。进一步的合成分析显示,赤道中、东太平洋区域海温异常主要影响冬季北太平洋风暴轴的东西摆动和中、东端的强度变化,而黑潮区域海温异常则主要影响冬季北太平洋风暴轴中、西端的强度变化和南北位移。并且这种影响分别与500hPa高度场上的PNA遥相关型和WP遥相关型有密切联系。     

北太平洋风暴轴的气候特征及其变化的初步研究

本文使用ECMWF再分析网格点资料(ERA-40),分析了不同季节和不同高度层上北太平洋风暴轴(天气尺度瞬变扰动活动)的气候特征及其时间演变规律。分析表明,气候平均而言,北太平洋风暴轴冬季强且偏西南,夏季弱且偏东北。在近45 a里,冬季及夏季风暴轴在整个对流层、尤其是对流层中上层具有整体一致的年际和年代际变化特征。在各个高度层上冬季风暴轴于1985年前后一致性地发生了由弱至强的年代际跃变;夏季风暴轴发生年代际由弱至强跃变的时间在各个高度层上略有不同,对流层中高层的跃变时间与北太平洋大气海洋系统1970年代的跃变时间一致。在冬季风暴轴活动偏强年里,中纬度天气尺度瞬变扰动增强的同时,位置也有所北抬,反之亦然。夏季风暴轴活动偏强(弱)年则主要表现为瞬变扰动在气候平均位置上的增强(减弱)。     

The variable link between PNA and NAO in observations and in multi-century CGCM simulations

The link between the Pacific/North American pattern (PNA) and the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is investigated in reanalysis data (NCEP, ERA40) and multi-century CGCM runs for present day climate using three versions of the ECHAM model. PNA and NAO patterns and indices are determined via rotated principal component analysis on monthly mean 500?hPa geopotential height fields using the varimax criteria. On average, the multi-century CGCM simulations show a significant anti-correlation between PNA and NAO. Further, multi-decadal periods with significantly enhanced (high anti-correlation, active phase) or weakened (low correlations, inactive phase) coupling are found in all CGCMs. In the simulated active phases, the storm track activity near Newfoundland has a stronger link with the PNA variability than during the inactive phases. On average, the reanalysis datasets show no significant anti-correlation between PNA and NAO indices, but during the sub-period 1973?C1994 a significant anti-correlation is detected, suggesting that the present climate could correspond to an inactive period as detected in the CGCMs. An analysis of possible physical mechanisms suggests that the link between the patterns is established by the baroclinic waves forming the North Atlantic storm track. The geopotential height anomalies associated with negative PNA phases induce an increased advection of warm and moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cold air from Canada. Both types of advection contribute to increase baroclinicity over eastern North America and also to increase the low level latent heat content of the warm air masses. Thus, growth conditions for eddies at the entrance of the North Atlantic storm track are enhanced. Considering the average temporal development during winter for the CGCM, results show an enhanced Newfoundland storm track maximum in the early winter for negative PNA, followed by a downstream enhancement of the Atlantic storm track in the subsequent months. In active (passive) phases, this seasonal development is enhanced (suppressed). As the storm track over the central and eastern Atlantic is closely related to the NAO variability, this development can be explained by the shift of the NAO index to more positive values.     

北太平洋风暴轴的三维空间结构

文中利用最新的0.5°×0.5°分辨率QuikSCAT(QuikBird Satellite Microwave Scatterometer Sea Winds Data)海面风场资料、NCEP(National Center for Environmental Prediction)的10 m高度风场资料和全球客观再分析资料,对1999-2005年冬季(1月)和夏季(7月)北太平洋风暴轴的三维空间结构进行了分析,发现冬季北太平洋风暴轴的强度较强,呈明显的纬向拉伸带状分布特征,位置偏南.夏季北太平洋风暴轴的强度较弱,位置偏北.根据不同高度上位势高度方差的水平分布特征,绘制了北太平洋风暴轴的三维结构示意图.利用高分辨率QuikSCAT资料对风暴轴特征的刻画更为细致,不但验证了Nakamu-ra在南大洋发现的双风暴轴现象,而且还发现在北太平洋和北大西洋下层分别存在"副热带风暴轴"和"副极地风暴轴"两个风暴轴.对1999-2005年冬季北太平洋气旋和反气旋的移动路径进行的统计分析,为北太平洋"双风暴轴"的存在提供了强有力的证据.     

INFLUENCE ON NORTHERN PACIFIC STORM TRACK OF EQUATO-RIAL CENTRAL AND EASTERN PACIFIC SSTA DURING WINTER

Singular value decomposition (SVD) is conducted of 15 winter tropical Pacific SST with 500 hPa filtered potential height variance over the northern Pacific storm track. It is shown that the first coupled mode obtained depicts the effect on the track of SSTA over equatorial central and eastern Pacific. Further composite analysis indicates that the SSTA over there during winter can give rise to or invigorate PNA teleconnection response pattern in 500 hPa height field which, in turn, exerts crucial influence on the interannual variability in vigor and east-west displacement of the Pacific storm track, especially over its central and eastern part.     

Three-Dimensional Structure and Low-Level Features of the North Pacific Storm Track from 1999 to 2005

A storm track is a region in which synoptic eddy activities are statistically most prevalent and intense. At daily weather charts, it roughly corresponds to the mean trajectories of cyclones and anticyclones. In this paper, the recent QuikSCAT （Quick Scatterometer） satellite sea winds data with a 0.5°×0.5° horizontal resolution, and the NCEP （National Centers for Environmental Prediction） 10-m height Gaussian grid wind data and pressure-level reanalysis data, are employed to document the spatial structure of the North Pacific storm track in winter （January） and summer （July） from 1999 to 2005. The results show that in winter the North Pacific storm track is stronger, and is located in lower latitudes with a distinct zonal distribution. In summer, it is weaker, and is located in higher latitudes. Based on the horizontal distributions of geopotential height variance at various levels, three-dimensional schematic diagrams of the North Pacific storm track in winter and summer are extracted and presented. Analyses of the QuikSCAT wind data indicate that this dataset can depict the low-level storm track features in detail. The double storm tracks over the Southern Oceans found by Nakamura and Shimpo are confirmed. More significantly, two new pairs of low-level storm tracks over the North Pacific and the North Atlantic are identified by using this high-resolution dataset. The pair over the North Pacific is focused in this paper, and is named as the ＂subtropical storm track＂ and the ＂subpolar storm track＂, respectively. Moreover, statistical analyses of cyclone and anticyclone trajectories in the winters of 1999 to 2005 reveal as well the existence of the low-level double storm tracks over the North Pacific.     

Understanding the impact of climate change on Northern Hemisphere extra-tropical cyclones

Extra-tropical cyclones strongly influence weather and climate in mid-latitudes and any future changes may have large impacts on the local scale. In this study Northern Hemisphere storms are analysed in ensembles of time-slice experiments carried out with an atmosphere only model with present day and future anthropogenic emissions. The present day experiment is forced by observed sea-surface temperature and sea-ice. The sea-surface temperatures and sea-ice for the future experiment are derived by adding anomalies, from parallel but lower resolution coupled model experiments, to the observed data. The storms in the present day simulation compare fairly well with observations in all seasons but some errors remain. In the future simulations there is some evidence of a poleward shift in the storm tracks in some seasons and regions. There are fewer cyclones in the Northern Hemisphere in winter and spring. The northeast end of the North Atlantic storm track is shifted south in winter giving more storms and increased frequency of strong winds over the British Isles. This shift is related to an increase in baroclinicity and a southward shift of the jet that occurs as a response to a minimum in ocean warming in the central North Atlantic. An increase in the frequency of storms over the UK is likely to cause enhanced levels of wind and flood damage. These results concur with those from some other models, however, large uncertainties remain.     

华北春季沙尘暴频次与环流年际变率的相关分析

分析了近40年来华北春季沙尘暴频次与前秋、前冬和当年春季大尺度大气环流因子的关系,重点是检查年际尺度上的相关。结果表明,年际尺度上与沙尘暴频次有密切关系的环流因子包括:春季太平洋/北美遥相关型(PNA)、春季北太平洋指数(NP)、冬季亚洲区极涡面积。前者为正相关,后二者为负相关。这与用包含低频变率的原始序列进行分析的结果有很大的不同。原始序列分析的结果表明,与华北沙尘暴频次有关的环流因子主要是春季太平洋准10年振荡(PDO,为负相关),春季北半球极涡面积和亚洲区极涡面积(正相关)、前冬西大西洋型(WA,为正相关),以及前秋亚洲区极涡面积(正相关)。说明在不同时间尺度上,大气环流因子有不同的作用。此外,除了PNA、NP和亚洲区极涡面积外,年际尺度上ENSO及WA也可能对沙尘暴频次存在适度的影响。年际尺度上春季12个环流因子对春季沙尘暴频次的方差贡献率为65.3%。     

SAMPLE OPTIMIZATION OF ENSEMBLE FORECAST TO SIMULATE TROPICAL STORMS (MERBOK, MAWAR, AND GUCHOL) USING THE OBSERVED TRACK

Nowadays, ensemble forecasting is popular in numerical weather prediction (NWP). However, an ensemble may not produce a perfect Gaussian probability distribution owing to limited members and the fact that some members significantly deviate from the true atmospheric state. Therefore, event samples with small probabilities may downgrade the accuracy of an ensemble forecast. In this study, the evolution of tropical storms (weak typhoon) was investigated and an observed tropical storm track was used to limit the probability distribution of samples. The ensemble forecast method used pure observation data instead of assimilated data. In addition, the prediction results for three tropical storm systems, Merbok, Mawar, and Guchol, showed that track and intensity errors could be reduced through sample optimization. In the research, the vertical structures of these tropical storms were compared, and the existence of different thermal structures was discovered. One possible reason for structural differences is sample optimization, and it may affect storm intensity and track.     

冬季北太平洋风暴轴指数的评估及其改进

首先对风暴轴的定义及其强度和位置表征方法进行了归纳总结, 然后利用1958～2001年44年冬季ERA40位势高度场资料重新评估了几种不同的风暴轴特征指数, 分析得到: 这些不同的定义方法在表征风暴轴强度变化方面具有一致性, 但在描述风暴轴的位置变动方面有较大差异。根据冬季北太平洋风暴轴主体的强度和位置变化特征, 提出了一组更为恰当的动态定量的表征方法, 即取北太平洋及其周边区域 (30°N～60°N, 120°E～120°W) 冬季500 hPa位势高度天气尺度滤波方差大于20 dagpm2的所有格点滤波方差的平均值, 以及满足上述条件所有格点的经度平均和纬度平均分别作为冬季北太平洋风暴轴的强度指数 (NII)、经度指数 (NXI) 和纬度指数 (NYI)。通过比较分析, 证明了新定义的指数更能反映风暴轴实际的变动特征。继而利用新指数分析了冬季北太平洋风暴轴的强度和位置的长期变化, 得到以下结论:44年中, 冬季北太平洋风暴轴的强度微弱增加, 且在1970年代中期以前北太平洋风暴轴的强度和位置的年代际变化关系复杂; 1970年代中期以后北太平洋风暴轴的强度和位置的年代际变化具有准协同一致性, 表现为偏弱期位置偏西偏南, 偏强期位置偏东偏北。而且, 这种长期变化与太平洋海气系统成员的低频变化有相关性, 其变化成因是复杂的。     

Impacts of Oceanic Fronts and Eddies in the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension Region on the Atmospheric General Circulation and Storm Track

This paper reviews the progress in our understanding of the atmospheric response to midlatitude oceanic fronts and eddies,emphasizing the Kuroshio-Oyashio Extension(KOE)region.Oceanic perturbations of interest consist of sharp oceanic fronts,temperature anomalies associated with mesoscale eddies,and to some extent even higher-frequency submesoscale variability.The focus is on the free atmosphere above the boundary layer.As the midlatitude atmosphere is dominated by vigorous transient eddy activity in the storm track,the response of both the time-mean flow and the storm track is assessed.The storm track response arguably overwhelms the mean-flow response and makes the latter hard to detect from observations.Oceanic frontal impacts on the mesoscale structures of individual synoptic storms are discussed,followed by the role of oceanic fronts in maintaining the storm track as a whole.KOE fronts exhibit significant decadal variability and can therefore presumably modulate the storm track.Relevant studies are summarized and intercompared.Current understanding has advanced greatly but is still subject to large uncertainties arising from inadequate data resolution and other factors.Recent modeling studies highlighted the importance of mesoscale eddies and probably even submesoscale processes in maintaining the storm track but confirmation and validation are still needed.Moreover,the atmospheric response can potentially provide a feedback mechanism for the North Pacific climate.By reviewing the above aspects,we envision that future research shall focus more upon the interaction between smaller-scale oceanic processes(fronts,eddies,submesoscale features)and atmospheric processes(fronts,extratropical cyclones etc.),in an integrated way,within the context of different climate background states.     

Increased probability of fire during late Holocene droughts in northern New England

A 101 year time-series of storm losses in the Netherlands is developed from the near-surface wind speed records at five Dutch stations. Station metadata combined with results from statistical tests were used to homogenise the data and retain the temporal variability driven solely by changes in climate processes. The wind speed data were transformed into storm damage using a model measuring loss impacts upon society. The resulting windstorm loss time-series for the Netherlands contains some interesting features. Annual losses are stable over the whole period and have a dominant cycle with a period of about 50 years. The Netherlands is currently experiencing the minimum aggregate storm damage of the past 100 years, though only slightly lower than a quiet period of 50 years ago. Both of these minima are driven primarily by lowered rates of occurrence of damaging storms. However, further analysis reveals the present-day minimum has different characteristics from the previous lull: currently, the frequency of stronger storms is slightly above the previous minimum whereas the frequency of weaker storms is uniquely low. A seasonal analysis provides more information: there is a dearth of damaging storms in the earlier half of the storm season in the present day; since this period contains generally weaker storms, this seasonality is also manifested as a lack of weaker storms. These results suggest a different mix of climate forcing mechanisms in modern times compared to 50 years ago, in the earlier half of the storm season.     

A climatic study of severe storms over Bulgaria produced by Mediterranean cyclones in 1990−2001 period

Over south-eastern Europe, severe weather events are often associated with Mediterranean cyclones. This paper presents a climatic study of severe storms over Bulgaria produced by synoptic-scale Mediterranean cyclones, which are the main high-impact weather systems for the region during the winter season. The study is based on a synoptically oriented data set that contains systematic information about the pronounced Mediterranean cyclones including their life and trajectories over the Mediterranean area and the severe storms over Bulgaria produced by them. The definition of a severe storm is a storm in which the wind speed and precipitation exceed thresholds of 15 m/s and 30 mm/24 h, respectively. The observed severe storms were split into two groups by the number of districts where they have caused damages. During the last years a trend of decreasing numbers of initiating synoptic-scale Mediterranean cyclones has been observed. However, the number of those producing a high-impact weather phenomenon over Bulgaria has increased. In these high-impact cases, the observed paths of the cyclones are connected to the specific circulation conditions over the region. In the most severe cases, almost 80% of the cyclones move through the southernmost parts of Balkan Peninsula and for a large portion of them, this motion is associated with a blocking regime in the mid-level mass field.The development of such Mediterranean cyclone cases has been studied and results are presented here. The results illustrate the synoptic-scale mechanisms for intensification of a feeding flow of Mediterranean air towards the area affected by extremely severe weather.     

冬季北太平洋风暴轴异常及其与东亚大气环流的关系

利用NCEP/NCAR逐日再分析资料,应用滤波方差、相关分析、合成分析等研究了1963年冬季至2011年冬季北太平洋风暴轴的时空演变特征,并探讨了风暴轴活动强弱与东亚—北太平洋大气环流的关系。结果表明：与1980s后期风暴轴活动显著增强相比,近10 a来风暴轴活动又进入较气候平均水平偏低的阶段,且风暴轴主体位置有着向东北、西南两侧的振荡现象。风暴轴活动强（弱）年,东亚地区近地面温度偏高（低）、对流层低层阿留申低压和西伯利亚高压偏弱（强）、中国东部及日本上空850 hPa北风减弱（加强）;对流层中层东亚大槽减弱北缩（加深南进）、对流层高层西风急流减弱（加强）。风暴轴活动与冬季影响中国的冷空气活动次数相关关系显著。     

冬季格陵兰以东区域海冰异常对北大西洋风暴轴的影响研究

对45个冬季格陵兰以东区域海冰密集度场与北大西洋500hPa位势高度滤波方差作奇异值(SVD)分析,结果表明:SVD得到的第一对空间典型分布反映了冬季格陵兰以东区域海冰异常与风暴轴的异常变化密切相关。进一步的合成分析显示,海冰异常使得大气环流调整,气压梯度、天气尺度涡动热量的经向通量和垂直通量、局地斜压性均发生改变,从而对风暴轴的强度及中心的位移造成影响。     

春季北太平洋风暴轴的年际与年代际变化特征及其与太平洋海温异常的关系

利用20世纪大气再分析资料和欧洲中心海温资料研究了春季西北太平洋风暴轴的年（代）际变化特征以及在不同年代际背景下风暴轴与太平洋海温关系的转变。结果表明,春季西北太平洋风暴轴主要存在两种空间变化模态,即反映其强度变化的第1模态和反映其南北位置变化的第2模态。年代际及以上时间尺度上,风暴轴强度、位置与太平洋海温的关系主要表现为大气对海洋的强迫作用。在不同年代际背景下,风暴轴与太平洋海温的关系则存在明显的年代际转变：1977年以后,风暴轴强度与太平洋海温的关系主要表现为大气对海洋的强迫作用,而在1977年之前则主要表现为海洋对大气的强迫作用,特别是同期冬季日本以东黑潮和黑潮延伸区海温异常的强迫作用;风暴轴南北位置与太平洋海温异常的关系,在1977年以后表现为大气对海洋的强迫作用,主要表现为对北太平洋中部海温的影响,但在1977年以前表现为海洋和大气的共同作用,风暴轴南北位置的变化还与同期的赤道中东太平洋海温异常有关,表明ENSO可能对风暴轴的位置变化存在影响。