冬季1月昆明准静止锋进退及维持的结构特征

利用地面气象观测资料、ERA-Interim再分析数据以及DEM地形数据,使用合成分析方法,从大气环流场、锋面附近要素场及锋生函数诊断场探讨了昆明准静止锋在西进、东退及维持时的结构特征。结果表明,当锋后低层到地面等温线呈"V"型分布,锋后正的次级环流相对深厚,锋面易西进;当锋后低层呈较深厚的逆温层且锋后正次级环流较浅薄,锋面易东退;当逆温层仅限于低层而近地面为冷中心,锋面易维持。东西风风速零线西端在锋面左侧,锋面易西进,反之锋面易东退;零线的位置与锋面基本重合,锋面易维持。垂直运动倾斜项在锋面西进时105°E附近迎风坡出现强烈的锋消现象,锋面东退和维持时出现弱锋生现象。水平辐散项产生的强锋生区在锋面左侧时,指示锋面西进;强锋生区在锋面右侧,且锋生现象很弱时,指示锋面东退;锋面维持时,强锋生区与锋区基本重合。水平变形项中切变变形起主要的锋生作用,而由于冷气团受迎风坡影响,导致伸缩变形在104°E以东的锋后区域产生较强的锋生现象。     

地形上空边界层流中低层锋面结构的理论研究 I：冷锋、均匀地转流

文中利用一个包含地形、边界层摩擦作用的二层锋面简化模型 ,讨论了地形、边界层对冷锋锋面结构、环流的动力学影响作用问题。冷锋的倾斜主要与冷锋暖区的地转流分布、锋面移动速度、锋面与地形的相对位置有关。当冷锋位于迎风坡时 ,其坡度减小 ,位于背风坡时 ,其坡度增大。在静止冷锋存在两类不同的环流系 ,即位于大气低层、地面锋附近的反时针环流系和远离地面锋的顺时针环流系。静止冷锋位于背风坡 ,其冷域中的这支闭合环流增强 ,范围增大 ,而位于冷锋界面上的环流转向点沿锋面上移 ,暖域中沿锋面的暖空气运动范围变大。当静止冷锋位于迎风坡时 ,结果相反。冷锋移动较慢时 ,其冷域远离地面锋的这支顺时针环流主体可被地形完全阻塞在迎风坡。当静止冷锋移离地形时 ,由于地形作用可在锋面暖域、地形下游形成一个背风槽。地形对锋区的垂直运动影响主要通过地形与边界层共同作用 ,改变锋区流场辐合辐散的分布及地形强迫抬升两条途径实现。由于边界层摩擦的辐合作用 ,在地面冷锋的前缘可形成一支范围较窄、强度较大的上升运动带 ,当冷锋位于迎风坡时 ,其强度增强 ,当冷锋位于背风坡时 ,其强度减弱。当冷锋位于背风坡时 ,在暖区沿锋面上升的暖空气运动范围增大 ,可以出现沿锋面相间隔的多个上升区     

江淮梅雨期不同类型暴雨过程锋生特征分析

利用ERA5再分析资料和江苏省自动站降水量资料,根据运动学锋生原理,分析了2020年江淮梅雨期锋生特征和两类不同性质暴雨锋生的差异,揭示了不同层次锋生与降水的对应关系。研究结果表明:1)2020年梅雨期锋生特征显著,强降水与中低层锋生有较好对应关系,其中形变项占主要贡献,散度项次之,倾斜项最弱。强降水时段总锋生、散度和形变锋生作用叠加。2)江苏地区自北向南锋生特征有差异,强度逐渐减弱,锋生发展高度逐渐降低。不同类型降水锋生特征不同,对流性降水锋生范围偏大、发展层次高、锋生中心偏强,总锋生和各分解项叠加作用显著,稳定性降水锋生特征反之。3)典型过程对流降水“6.28”和稳定性降水“7.11”对比表明:锋区位置相近,锋生作用均出现在江淮切变线附近,锋区、切变线和θ_se密集带三者对应较好。降水落区有差异,对流性降水过程中,由于干冷空气的显著南压,使得主要降水发生在锋面南侧暖区,与多个次锋生中心相对应;稳定性降水过程中冷暖空气势力相当,降水主要集中在主锋区附近,触发机制和降水性质不同导致降水分布差异。4)两次过程垂直锋区由低到高均有向北倾斜的特征,“6.28”过程锋区南侧有显著暖湿气流输送,锋区内为强烈上升运动,低层辐合高层辐散的环流场使得锋区维持。“7.11”过程垂直上升运动高度偏低,高空没有显著辐散场,对流性较弱。对两类降水垂直锋区的合成分析表明,对流性降水的低层锋生明显强于稳定性降水,由低层锋区造成的抬升触发作用对强降水形成更加有利,同时垂直风场的合成中上升运动也更加强烈。两类降水中,中低层散度和形变锋生由低到高均为先增大后减小,强降水主要由700 hPa以下锋生增强导致,中高层大气基本为锋消作用。     

地形上空边界层流中低层锋面结构的理论研究Ⅰ:冷锋、均匀地转流

文中利用一个包含地形、边界层摩擦作用的二层锋面简化模型,讨论了地形、边界层对冷锋锋面结构、环流的动力学影响作用问题.冷锋的倾斜主要与冷锋暖区的地转流分布、锋面移动速度、锋面与地形的相对位置有关.当冷锋位于迎风坡时,其坡度减小,位于背风坡时,其坡度增大.在静止冷锋存在两类不同的环流系,即位于大气低层、地面锋附近的反时针环流系和远离地面锋的顺时针环流系.静止冷锋位于背风坡,其冷域中的这支闭合环流增强,范围增大,而位于冷锋界面上的环流转向点沿锋面上移,暖域中沿锋面的暖空气运动范围变大.当静止冷锋位于迎风坡时,结果相反.冷锋移动较慢时,其冷域远离地面锋的这支顺时针环流主体可被地形完全阻塞在迎风坡.当静止冷锋移离地形时,由于地形作用可在锋面暖域、地形下游形成一个背风槽.地形对锋区的垂直运动影响主要通过地形与边界层共同作用,改变锋区流场辐合辐散的分布及地形强迫抬升两条途径实现.由于边界层摩擦的辐合作用,在地面冷锋的前缘可形成一支范围较窄、强度较大的上升运动带,当冷锋位于迎风坡时,其强度增强,当冷锋位于背风坡时,其强度减弱.当冷锋位于背风坡时,在暖区沿锋面上升的暖空气运动范围增大,可以出现沿锋面相间隔的多个上升区.     

梅雨锋结构的数值模拟

利用1999年6月下旬持续性梅雨锋降水过程的全程四维同化模拟结果,深入分析梅雨锋结构的时空不均匀变化特征及其与低涡降水强度的密切关系。结果表明,梅雨锋呈现明显的中层锋和边界层锋两段锋的特征,中层梅雨锋区对降水的影响比边界层锋更为关键,中层锋的加强、锋坡增大趋于垂直、锋区垂直环流的加强和与高空急流锋区的上下贯通,有利于梅雨锋降水的加强,强降水并不出现于中层锋区最强的时段,而是发生于大范围锋区强度达峰值之后约16—24 h。中低层总变形加强与梅雨锋的加强有密切关系。组成低空急流的中低层u,v分量呈现不同的分布和演变特征,强南风中心位于900—800 hPa,呈明显的低空急流状特征,贴近暴雨区还可能出现较小尺度的急流;而强西风中心出现于中层锋前700—500 hPa,表现为高空强西风区沿锋区上界的向下延伸;低空南风急流通常与总变形同时加强。强锋段的锋前饱和高湿高能气柱、锋前中低层急流状南风区和中层西风均匀大值区等要素场呈现高度组织化的特征。梅雨锋的低层特性,如辐合、锋区强度、总变形和南风分量及降水强度等要素呈现显著的中尺度扰动特征,有明显的日变化且受长江中下游中尺度地形影响,扰动特征有随时间上传的趋势。     

一次梅雨锋特大暴雨过程的数值模拟研究：不同尺度天气系统的影响作用

2003年7月4~5日在江淮地区沿梅雨锋有一系列中尺度对流系统相继生成和强烈发展,导致了江淮地区特大暴雨的形成。该研究利用中尺度数值模式MM5对这次梅雨锋暴雨过程进行了数值模拟,在模拟结果的基础上重点分析了不同尺度天气系统相互作用对这次特大暴雨过程的影响作用。在这次特大暴雨过程中,位于梅雨锋北侧的东北—西南走向深厚、稳定的短波槽系统与槽前从西南移来的低涡系统相配合,加强了位于梅雨锋北侧的反气旋性扰动发展,从而导致梅雨锋北侧反气旋性涡旋的形成。该类反气旋性涡旋形成对江淮切变线的加强与维持起重要作用。中尺度对流系统的潜热释放首先导致梅雨锋低层切变线上的中尺度对流性涡旋(MCV)的形成,而中尺度对流性涡旋的形成进一步加强了切变线上的低层辐合,中尺度对流性涡旋消亡后,在切变线上形成低涡。梅雨锋附近主要存在4种不同垂直环流,它在降水的不同阶段具有不同的结构、配置与动力学作用。其中跨锋面、高层非地转两支垂直环流对锋区的对流扰动发展和暴雨形成最为重要,而降水发展可以调整锋区垂直环流的结构、配置,随降水的减弱,梅雨锋区的不同垂直环流系统又重新恢复到先前结构。梅雨锋上不同尺度、高度的天气系统之间的相互作用主要通过这些垂直环流系统调整实现。     

2011年福建省雨季首场暴雨过程分析

利用常规资料和NCEP每6h一次的全球再分析资料(水平分辨率为1°×1°),对2011年福建省雨季首场暴雨过程进行分析.结果表明:福建处于中层的南支槽前西南气流和西风槽后西北气流的交汇区、高空急流入口区的南侧辐散区、低层切变及地面锋面附近辐合区,有利于强降雨过程产生.强降水期间,福建省处在高能区,且大气不稳定和水汽输送条件充沛.本次过程,福建省水平运动锋生较强,强锋生带有利于低层辐合.强降水区和水平运动锋生场相对应.湿位涡的子项即经向涡度和相当位温经向梯度的相互作用项负值中心及强负值区与锋面降水也有较好的对应关系.     

云南倒春寒天气过程的分析研究

利用常规观测和NCEP 1°×1°的6小时再分析资料,总结1980-2011年云南15次低温雨雪强倒春寒天气过程,得出500 hPa形势高纬为两槽一脊和横槽型,700 hPa为典型北高南低特征.重点分析2011年3月14-19日和2005年3月2-6日不同类型下两次强过程,过程中均有昆明准静止锋增强和川滇切变线南下,新西伯利亚冷空气南下自东北向西南侵入云南.前者地面强降温由中低层强冷平流引发,而后者是由低层强冷平流和高层强冷平流下传共同造成.强雨雪天气对应有深厚垂直上升运动或对流层中低层以下层存在强上升运动柱.孟加拉湾为水汽源地,强高、低空急流和其垂直耦合的次级环流输送了水汽和热量.强降雪期间,无南支槽时需要大而强的水汽通量和水汽辐合,有南支槽配合时中低层水汽通量有迅速增加过程.低层为冷层或近地面强冷平流利于降水物冷凝成雪.过程中均有强锋生作用推动锋面南下,锋面前进方向锋生函数零线对应低层850 hPaQ矢量辐合线,锋区梯度大,能量积聚多对应降雪范围大.低层等露点线有Ω型特征,露点锋抬升作用触发干湿交界面上干冷、暖湿气流交汇,露点锋和低空急流位置强度及Q矢量辐合区与云南强倒春寒降雪区有较好对应关系,地面降温幅度与850 hPa锋生函数正值强度成正比.     

高空西风急流和低空南风急流中的冷锋环流

文中利用原始方程模式研究了不同背景风场中的冷锋环流，计算结果显示，对越锋非地转环流和锋区垂直运动起主要作用的是垂直于锋面的背景风场，沿锋的背景风场也有影响，但比前者小得多，后者产生的越锋非地转环流和上升速度也比前者弱得多；具有强垂直切变的西风急流更有利于在锋区产生强的越锋环流和大的上升速度；此外，越锋非地转环流还与Richardson数的小值区相联系。     

冬季华南准静止锋的结构和类型特征研究

利用12年(2000～2011年)逐日的FNL(Final Operational Global Analysis)分析资料和逐日的中国站点降水资料, 定义了一个冬季华南准静止锋强度指数, 并根据该指数挑选出强准静止锋事件, 研究了强事件的结构特征、环流分型及其与降水的关系。结果表明:冬季强准静止锋事件多发于1、2月, 其发生频次在近12年里呈现明显上升趋势。强准静止锋锋区表现为等假相当位温线、等温线的密集带, 但是锋区湿度变化不明显, 并有明显逆温, 锋区由南北风辐合构成, 上升气流主要位于锋区上部, 纬向有两个次级环流与锋区相对应, 伴随正相对涡度和水汽通量辐合。根据850 hPa风场在锋区的辐合情况, 强准静止锋可分为北风辐合型、南北风辐合型、南风辐合型三种类型。在这三种类型中, 北风辐合型对应的北方冷空气最强, 华南降水最少;南风辐合型对应的南支槽最活跃, 华南降水最多;南北风辐合型介于两者之间。冬季华南准静止锋与冬季华南降水有一定相关, 在强准静止锋的背景下, 降水偏多时, 锋区低层的水汽通量辐合和上升运动偏强, 华南处于偏强南支槽前。     

CHARACTERISTICS AND TRENDS OF CLIMATIC EXTREMES IN CHINA DURING 1959–2014

The spatial and temporal variations of daily maximum temperature(Tmax), daily minimum temperature(Tmin), daily maximum precipitation(Pmax) and daily maximum wind speed(WSmax) were examined in China using Mann-Kendall test and linear regression method. The results indicated that for China as a whole, Tmax, Tmin and Pmax had significant increasing trends at rates of 0.15℃ per decade, 0.45℃ per decade and 0.58 mm per decade,respectively, while WSmax had decreased significantly at 1.18 m·s~(-1) per decade during 1959—2014. In all regions of China, Tmin increased and WSmax decreased significantly. Spatially, Tmax increased significantly at most of the stations in South China(SC), northwestern North China(NC), northeastern Northeast China(NEC), eastern Northwest China(NWC) and eastern Southwest China(SWC), and the increasing trends were significant in NC, SC, NWC and SWC on the regional average. Tmin increased significantly at most of the stations in China, with notable increase in NEC, northern and southeastern NC and northwestern and eastern NWC. Pmax showed no significant trend at most of the stations in China, and on the regional average it decreased significantly in NC but increased in SC, NWC and the mid-lower Yangtze River valley(YR). WSmax decreased significantly at the vast majority of stations in China, with remarkable decrease in northern NC, northern and central YR, central and southern SC and in parts of central NEC and western NWC. With global climate change and rapidly economic development, China has become more vulnerable to climatic extremes and meteorological disasters, so more strategies of mitigation and/or adaptation of climatic extremes,such as environmentally-friendly and low-cost energy production systems and the enhancement of engineering defense measures are necessary for government and social publics.     

Could the Recent Taal Volcano Eruption Trigger an El Ni?o and Lead to Eurasian Warming?

正The Taal Volcano in Luzon is one of the most active and dangerous volcanoes of the Philippines. A recent eruption occurred on 12 January 2020(Fig. 1a), and this volcano is still active with the occurrence of volcanic earthquakes. The eruption has become a deep concern worldwide, not only for its damage on local society, but also for potential hazardous consequences on the Earth's climate and environment.     

VARIABILITY OF INTER-ANNUAL RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INDIAN OCEAN DIPOLE AND HUAXI REGION’S AUTUMN PRECIPITATION

The moving-window correlation analysis was applied to investigate the relationship between autumn Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) events and the synchronous autumn precipitation in Huaxi region, based on the daily precipitation, sea surface temperature (SST) and atmospheric circulation data from 1960 to 2012. The correlation curves of IOD and the early modulation of Huaxi region’s autumn precipitation indicated a mutational site appeared in the 1970s. During 1960 to 1979, when the IOD was in positive phase in autumn, the circulations changed from a “W” shape to an ”M” shape at 500 hPa in Asia middle-high latitude region. Cold flux got into the Sichuan province with Northwest flow, the positive anomaly of the water vapor flux transported from Western Pacific to Huaxi region strengthened, caused precipitation increase in east Huaxi region. During 1980 to 1999, when the IOD in autumn was positive phase, the atmospheric circulation presented a “W” shape at 500 hPa, the positive anomaly of the water vapor flux transported from Bay of Bengal to Huaxi region strengthened, caused precipitation ascend in west Huaxi region. In summary, the Indian Ocean changed from cold phase to warm phase since the 1970s, caused the instability of the inter-annual relationship between the IOD and the autumn rainfall in Huaxi region.     

ANALYSIS OF “BIMODAL PATTERN” STORM ACTIVITY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE BAY OF BENGAL

Storms that occur at the Bay of Bengal (BoB) are of a bimodal pattern, which is different from that of the other sea areas. By using the NCEP, SST and JTWC data, the causes of the bimodal pattern storm activity of the BoB are diagnosed and analyzed in this paper. The result shows that the seasonal variation of general atmosphere circulation in East Asia has a regulating and controlling impact on the BoB storm activity, and the “bimodal period” of the storm activity corresponds exactly to the seasonal conversion period of atmospheric circulation. The minor wind speed of shear spring and autumn contributed to the storm, which was a crucial factor for the generation and occurrence of the “bimodal pattern” storm activity in the BoB. The analysis on sea surface temperature (SST) shows that the SSTs of all the year around in the BoB area meet the conditions required for the generation of tropical cyclones (TCs). However, the SSTs in the central area of the bay are higher than that of the surrounding areas in spring and autumn, which facilitates the occurrence of a “two-peak” storm activity pattern. The genesis potential index (GPI) quantifies and reflects the environmental conditions for the generation of the BoB storms. For GPI, the intense low-level vortex disturbance in the troposphere and high-humidity atmosphere are the sufficient conditions for storms, while large maximum wind velocity of the ground vortex radius and small vertical wind shear are the necessary conditions of storms.     

LOW-FREQUENCY CIRCULATION AND EXTENDED-RANGE FORECAST IN CONNECTION WITH AUTUMN EXTREME HEAVY RAINFALL PROCESS IN HAINAN

Observed daily precipitation data from the National Meteorological Observatory in Hainan province and daily data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis-2 dataset from 1981 to 2014 are used to analyze the relationship between Hainan extreme heavy rainfall processes in autumn (referred to as EHRPs) and 10–30 d low-frequency circulation. Based on the key low-frequency signals and the NCEP Climate Forecast System Version 2 (CFSv2) model forecasting products, a dynamical-statistical method is established for the extended-range forecast of EHRPs. The results suggest that EHRPs have a close relationship with the 10–30 d low-frequency oscillation of 850 hPa zonal wind over Hainan Island and to its north, and that they basically occur during the trough phase of the low-frequency oscillation of zonal wind. The latitudinal propagation of the low-frequency wave train in the middle-high latitudes and the meridional propagation of the low-frequency wave train along the coast of East Asia contribute to the ‘north high (cold), south low (warm)’ pattern near Hainan Island, which results in the zonal wind over Hainan Island and to its north reaching its trough, consequently leading to EHRPs. Considering the link between low-frequency circulation and EHRPs, a low-frequency wave train index (LWTI) is defined and adopted to forecast EHRPs by using NCEP CFSv2 forecasting products. EHRPs are predicted to occur during peak phases of LWTI with value larger than 1 for three or more consecutive forecast days. Hindcast experiments for EHRPs in 2015–2016 indicate that EHRPs can be predicted 8–24 d in advance, with an average period of validity of 16.7 d.     

AN ATTRIBUTION ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN POTENTIAL EVAPOTRANSPIRATION IN THE BEIJING–TIANJIN–HEBEI REGION UNDER CLIMATE CHANGE

Based on the measurements obtained at 64 national meteorological stations in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) region between 1970 and 2013, the potential evapotranspiration (ET0) in this region was estimated using the Penman–Monteith equation and its sensitivity to maximum temperature (Tmax), minimum temperature (Tmin), wind speed (Vw), net radiation (Rn) and water vapor pressure (Pwv) was analyzed, respectively. The results are shown as follows. (1) The climatic elements in the BTH region underwent significant changes in the study period. Vw and Rn decreased significantly, whereas Tmin, Tmax and Pwv increased considerably. (2) In the BTH region, ET0 also exhibited a significant decreasing trend, and the sensitivity of ET0 to the climatic elements exhibited seasonal characteristics. Of all the climatic elements, ET0 was most sensitive to Pwv in the fall and winter and Rn in the spring and summer. On the annual scale, ET0 was most sensitive to Pwv, followed by Rn, Vw, Tmax and Tmin. In addition, the sensitivity coefficient of ET0 with respect to Pwv had a negative value for all the areas, indicating that increases in Pwv can prevent ET0 from increasing. (3) The sensitivity of ET0 to Tmin and Tmax was significantly lower than its sensitivity to other climatic elements. However, increases in temperature can lead to changes in Pwv and Rn. The temperature should be considered the key intrinsic climatic element that has caused the "evaporation paradox" phenomenon in the BTH region.     

Revisiting the Concentration Observations and Source Apportionment of Atmospheric Ammonia

正While China’s Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan on particulate matter since 2013 has reduced sulfate significantly, aerosol ammonium nitrate remains high in East China. As the high nitrate abundances are strongly linked with ammonia, reducing ammonia emissions is becoming increasingly important to improve the air quality of China. Although satellite data provide evidence of substantial increases in atmospheric ammonia concentrations over major agricultural regions, long-term surface observation of ammonia concentrations are sparse. In addition, there is still no consensus on     

全球贸易隐含碳变化及其影响分析

基于最新的GTAP8 (Global Trade Analysis Project）数据库,使用投入产出法,分析了2004年到2007年全球贸易变化下南北集团贸易隐含碳变化及对全球碳排放的影响。结果显示,随着发展中国家进出口规模扩张,全球贸易隐含碳流向的重心逐渐向发展中国家转移。2004年到2007年,发达国家高端设备制造业和服务业出口以及发展中国家资源、能源密集型行业及中低端制造业出口的趋势加强,该过程的生产转移导致全球碳排放增长4.15亿t,占研究时段全球贸易隐含碳增量的63%。未来发展中国家的出口隐含碳比重还将进一步提高。贸易变化带来的南北集团隐含碳流动变化对全球应对气候变化行动的影响日益突出,发达国家对此负有重要责任。     

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF VARIOUS DATA OF AIR–SEA TEMPERATURE DIFFERENCE AND ITS VARIATION ACROSS SOUTH CHINA SEA IN THE PAST 35 YEARS

Using the International Comprehensive Ocean-Atmosphere Data Set(ICOADS) and ERA-Interim data, spatial distributions of air-sea temperature difference(ASTD) in the South China Sea(SCS) for the past 35 years are compared,and variations of spatial and temporal distributions of ASTD in this region are addressed using empirical orthogonal function decomposition and wavelet analysis methods. The results indicate that both ICOADS and ERA-Interim data can reflect actual distribution characteristics of ASTD in the SCS, but values of ASTD from the ERA-Interim data are smaller than those of the ICOADS data in the same region. In addition, the ASTD characteristics from the ERA-Interim data are not obvious inshore. A seesaw-type, north-south distribution of ASTD is dominant in the SCS; i.e., a positive peak in the south is associated with a negative peak in the north in November, and a negative peak in the south is accompanied by a positive peak in the north during April and May. Interannual ASTD variations in summer or autumn are decreasing. There is a seesaw-type distribution of ASTD between Beibu Bay and most of the SCS in summer, and the center of large values is in the Nansha Islands area in autumn. The ASTD in the SCS has a strong quasi-3a oscillation period in all seasons, and a quasi-11 a period in winter and spring. The ASTD is positively correlated with the Nio3.4 index in summer and autumn but negatively correlated in spring and winter.     

Retrieval of outgoing longwave radiation from COMS narrowband infrared imagery

Hourly outgoing longwave radiation(OLR) from the geostationary satellite Communication Oceanography Meteorological Satellite(COMS) has been retrieved since June 2010. The COMS OLR retrieval algorithms are based on regression analyses of radiative transfer simulations for spectral functions of COMS infrared channels. This study documents the accuracies of OLRs for future climate applications by making an intercomparison of four OLRs from one single-channel algorithm(OLR12.0using the 12.0 μm channel) and three multiple-channel algorithms(OLR10.8+12.0using the 10.8 and 12.0 μm channels; OLR6.7+10.8using the 6.7 and 10.8 μm channels; and OLR All using the 6.7, 10.8, and 12.0 μm channels). The COMS OLRs from these algorithms were validated with direct measurements of OLR from a broadband radiometer of the Clouds and Earth's Radiant Energy System(CERES) over the full COMS field of view [roughly(50°S–50°N, 70°–170°E)] during April 2011.Validation results show that the root-mean-square errors of COMS OLRs are 5–7 W m-2, which indicates good agreement with CERES OLR over the vast domain. OLR6.7+10.8and OLR All have much smaller errors(～ 6 W m-2) than OLR12.0and OLR10.8+12.0(～ 8 W m-2). Moreover, the small errors of OLR6.7+10.8and OLR All are systematic and can be readily reduced through additional mean bias correction and/or radiance calibration. These results indicate a noteworthy role of the6.7 μm water vapor absorption channel in improving the accuracy of the OLRs. The dependence of the accuracy of COMS OLRs on various surface, atmospheric, and observational conditions is also discussed.