Analysis of the decadal and interdecadal variations of the east asian winter monsoon as simulated by 20 coupled models in IPCC AR4

Using the output data of 20 coupled climate models used in IPCC AR4 and observational data from NCEP, the capability of the models to simulate the boreal winter climatology of the East Asian sea level pressure, 850-hPa wind, and surface air temperature; the decadal variations of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) intensity and EAWM-related circulation, and the interdecadal variations of EAWM-related circulation are systematically evaluated. The results indicate that 16 models can weakly simulate the declining trend of the EAWM in the 1980s. More than half of the models produce relatively reasonable decadal variations of the EAWM-related circulation and the interdecadal differences of EAWM-related circulation between the boreal winters of 1960-1985 and 1986-1998, including the weakened Siberian high, Aleutian low, and East Asian trough, the enhanced Arctic oscillation and North Pacific oscillation, and a deepened polar vortex. It is found that the performance of the multi-selected-model ensemble in reproducing the spatial distribution of the variations is encouraging, although the variational amplitudes are generally smaller than the observations. In addition, it is found that BCCR-BCM2.0, CGCM3.1-T63, CNRM-CM3, CSIRO-MK3.0, GISS-ER, INM-CM3.0, and MRI-CGCM2.3.2 perform well in every aspect.     

Interdecadal Variability of the East Asian Winter Monsoon and Its Possible Links to Global Climate Change

This paper presents a concise summary of the studies on interdecadal variability of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) from three main perspectives. (1) The EAWM has been significantly affected by global climate change. Winter temperature in China has experienced three stages of variations from the beginning of the 1950s: a cold period (from the beginning of the 1950s to the early or mid 1980s), a warm period (from the early or mid 1980s to the early 2000s), and a hiatus period in recent 10 years (starting from 1998). The strength of the EAWM has also varied in three stages: a stronger winter monsoon period (1950 to 1986/87), a weaker period (1986/87 to 2004/05), and a strengthening period (from 2005). (2) Corresponding to the interdecadal variations of the EAWM, the East Asian atmospheric circulation, winter temperature of China, and the occurrence of cold waves over China have all exhibited coherent interdecadal variability. The upper-level zonal circulation was stronger, the mid-tropospheric trough over East Asia was deeper with stronger downdrafts behind the trough, and the Siberian high was stronger during the cold period than during the warm period. (3) The interdecadal variations of the EAWM seem closely related to major modes of variability in the atmospheric circulation and the Pacific sea surface temperature. When the Northern Hemisphere annular mode/Arctic Oscillation and the Pacific decadal oscillation were in negative (positive) phase, the EAWM was stronger (weaker), leading to colder (warmer) temperatures in China. In addition, the negative (positive) phase of the Atlantic multi decadal oscillation coincided with relatively cold (warm) temperatures and stronger (weaker) EAWMs. It is thus inferred that the interdecadal variations in the ocean may be one of the most important natural factors influencing long-term variability in the EAWM, although global warming may have also played a significant role in weakening the EAWM.     

东亚冬季风指数的定义及其年际年代际异常

利用NCAR/NCEP再分析资料,通过相关分析方法分析了多种可以表征东亚冬季风活动的气象要素指数的相关性特征,选取地面温度、海平面海陆气压差和500hPa高度3个要素,综合定义了一个东亚冬季风指数。结果表明,该指数表征的东亚冬季风有明显的QTO和QFO周期振荡特征,这一特征与冬季风年代际背景有关,强冬季风年代背景下的振荡比弱冬季风年代背景下的振荡显著,同时该指数能很好地表征东亚冬季风活动的各个方面。对强弱冬季风年的大气环流的结构及其相应的低纬度对流活动、海洋和高低层大气热力状况的分析表明,强弱冬季风活动不仅表现在中高纬度高低层大气环流变化的差异,在局地Hadley环流和赤道附近Walker环流、低纬度对流活动、海洋和大气的热力状况的变化方面也表现出了显著的差异。     

How Well do Existing Indices Measure the Strength of the East Asian Winter Monsoon？

Defining the intensity of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) with a simple index has been a difficult task. This paper elaborates on the meanings of 18 existing EAWM strength indices and classifies them into four categories: low level wind indices, upper zonal wind shear indices, east-west pressure contrast indices, and East Asian trough indices. The temporal/spatial performance and prediction potential of these indices are then analyzed for the 1957--2001 period. It reveals that on the decadal timescale, most indices except the east--west pressure contrast indices can well capture the continuous weakening of the EAWM around 1986. On the interannual timescale, the low level wind indices and East Asian trough indices have the best predictability based on knowledge of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation and Arctic Oscillation, respectively. All the 18 existing indices can well describe the EAWM-related circulation, precipitation, and lower tropospheric air temperature anomalies. However, the variations of surface air temperature over large areas of central China cannot be well captured by most indices, which is possibly related to topographic effects. The results of this study may provide a possible reference for future studies of the EAWM.     

东亚冬季风的年代际变化及其与全球气候变化的可能联系

对近年来中外关于东亚冬季风(EAWM)年代际变化问题研究进展做了回顾和评述,主要包括以下3个方面内容:(1)东亚冬季风明显受到全球气候变化的影响,从20世纪50年代开始,中国冬季气温经历了一次冷期(从20世纪50年代延续到80年代初中期),一次暖期(从20世纪80年代初中后期延续到21世纪初)和近10-15年(约从1998年开始)出现的气候变暖趋缓期(也称气候变暖停顿期)。(2)东亚冬季风主要表现出强-弱-强3阶段的特征,即从1950年到1986/1987年,明显偏强;从1986/1987年冬季开始,东亚冬季风减弱;约2005年之后,东亚冬季风开始由弱转强。与东亚冬季风的年代际变化特征相对应,东亚冬季大气环流以及中国冬季气温和寒潮都表现出一致的年代际变化。(3)东亚冬季风的年代际变化与大气环流和太平洋海表温度(SST)的区域模态变化密切相关。当北半球环状模/北极涛动(NAM/AO)和太平洋年代际振荡(PDO)处于负(正)位相,东亚冬季风偏强(弱),中国冬季气温偏低(高)。此外,北大西洋年代尺度振荡(AMO)对东亚冬季风也有重要影响,在AMO负位相时,对应东亚冷期(强冬季风),正位相对应暖期(弱冬季风)。因而海洋的年代际变化是造成东亚冬季风气候脉动的主要自然原因,而全球气候变暖对东亚冬季风强度的减弱也有明显影响。     

对流层上层副热带西风急流与东亚冬季风的关系

利用NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料,研究冬季对流层上层西风急流的时空变化特征,提出表征急流强度和位置变化的指数,进而探讨西风急流与东亚冬季风的关系。结果表明:冬季西风急流强度指数体现了西太平洋与高纬大陆的热力对比,较好地反映了西伯利亚高压与阿留申低压的强度变化,可作为表征冬季风强弱变化的一个定量指标,急流增强(减弱)对应西伯利亚冷高压和阿留申低压加强(减弱),东亚冬季风偏强(弱)。急流强度指数与不同高度冬季风子系统的显著相关表明,东亚冬季风活动异常不只是对流层中低层的现象,而在整个对流层都有明显反映,低层的西伯利亚高压和阿留申低压、中层的欧亚脊、东亚大槽及西太平洋副热带高压与高层的西风急流是同相变化的。在此基础上还比较了急流强度指数和北极涛动指数(AO)与东亚冬季风的关系,急流强度变化体现了欧亚大陆与西太平洋的热力差异,而AO则主要反映极地与中纬度环状模的反相变化,所以急流强度变化与东亚冬季风的关系更为密切。     

东亚季风系统的动力过程和准定常行星波活动的研究进展

本文系统地回顾了近几年来关于东亚季风系统的动力过程与机理方面的研究,特别是关于东亚季风系统年际和年代际变异与准定常行星波活动关系的研究。最近的许多研究表明东亚夏季风系统变异的动力过程主要与东亚／太平洋型(即EAP型)遥相关有关,利用EAP型遥相关理论不仅可以说明东亚夏季风系统各成员之间内在联系的机理,而且可以揭示热带西太平洋热力和菲律宾周围对流活动影响东亚夏季风系统季节内、年际变化及其异常的经向三极子结构的动力过程;除了EAP型遥相关外,研究还表明北半球夏季从北非到东亚的对流层上层经向风异常存在一个沿急流传播的遥相关型,它对东亚夏季风系统异常的经向三极子型分布也有重要影响。并且,最近关于东亚冬季风变异与行星波活动的关系已做出许多研究,并获得很大进展。这些研究表明:北半球冬季准定常行星波传播波导在年际和年代际变化上存在着反相振荡特征,即若“极地波导”加强,则“低纬波导”将减弱,反之亦然;准定常行星波两支波导的反相振荡与北半球环状模(NAM)的年际和年代际振荡有紧密联系,而NAM的变化通过行星波活动的异常可以导致东亚冬季风的年际和年代际变化;此外,准定常行星波活动的年际变化与东亚冬季风异常之间的关系明显地受热带平流层纬向风准两年周期振荡(QBO)的调制,进一步的研究还提出了可能的机理。最后本文还指出:2005～2007年冬季东亚冬季风的异常不仅与西伯利亚高压和阿留申低压的变异有关,而且与极涡的演变和准定常行星波活动密切相关。     

An Index of East Asian Winter Monsoon Applied to the Description of China's Mainland Winter Temperature Changes

Using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data （Version 1.0） and the observation data of China from January 1951 to February 2007, a new index of East Asian winter monsoon circulation （I EAWM） was defined based on the comparison of previous different winter monsoon indices and circulation factors influencing the winter climate over China. Its relationships with winter temperature over China and large-scale circulation were analyzed. Results show that IEAWM can successfully describe the variation of China＇s mainland winter temperature and the East Asian winter monsoon （EAWM） system. This index reflects the integrated effect of the circulations over high and low latitudes and the thermal difference between the continent and the ocean. While in the previous studies, most monsoon indices only describe the single monsoon member. The IEAWM is a good indicator of the intensity of the EAWM. Positive values of/EAWM correspond to the strong EAWM, the stronger Siberian high and East Asian trough than normal , and the strengthening of the meridional shear of 500-hPa zonal wind between high and low latitudes over East Asia, and therefore, the southward cold advection becomes stronger and leads to the decrease in surface temperature over China; and vice versa. The IEAWM inter decadal change is obviously positive before the mid-1980s, but negative since the mid-1980s, in good agreement with the fact of the winter warming in China after 1985.     

近百年东亚冬季风的突变性和周期性

该文利用海平面气压场资料,计算了1873～1990年的东亚冬季风强度指数,并用滑动t检验和奇异谱分析方法（SSA）对近百年的东亚冬季风的突变性和周期性进行了研究。研究表明:东亚冬季风强度具有显著的年际及年代际变化。当冬季风强时,中国大部分地区温度降低,蒙古高压升高,阿留申低压加深。当冬季风弱时,天气及环流特点几乎与之相反。东亚冬季风存在QBO、LFO和IDO现象,各振荡分量都具有年代际的差别。     

东亚冬季风的时空变化及其与ENSO、AO相互关系的研究进展

作为亚洲季风系统中的一个重要组成部分, 东亚冬季风的变化对北半球甚至全球的天气气候都有重要的影响。本文回顾了近些年国内外关于东亚冬季风变化特征, 主要包括其时间和空间演变及其与ENSO、AO之间相互作用等研究的主要进展。目前已有的研究结果表明, 东亚冬季风系统是一个贯穿于整个大气对流层的深厚型环流系统, 其异常表现为东亚区域整层环流系统的异常;东亚冬季风具有2a, 5~7a的年际变化和10a以上的年代际变化, 有空间分布的不均匀性及爆发与撤退日期的突变性;强弱冬季风年的异常环流形势在对流层各层以及高纬度、中纬度和低纬度地区都有所表现;在年际尺度上, ENSO、AO与东亚冬季风有一定的相关性, 但是在年代际上, 东亚冬季风同两者之间有着更显著的联系, 通过大气动力和热力过程, 它们之间相互影响、相互作用, 共同影响我国、东亚甚至于全球天气气候的变化。      

东亚冬季风气候变异和机理以及平流层过程的影响

本文综述了近几年来关于东亚冬季风变异特征和机理方面的研究,特别对平流层过程对东亚冬季风和气候异常的可能影响作了回顾和进一步分析.东亚冬季风的变异除了季风强弱变化外,还有东亚冬季风的路径变化;研究表明,前者往往对应全国气温一致的变化,而后者可以引起我国气温的南北反相振荡,并导致东亚冬季风变异存在南北两个子系统.此外,进入本世纪后,东亚冬季风的建立推迟,并且东亚冬季风在盛期明显减弱,但冬季风活动在早春比以往要更为活跃,这些变化与冬季气温南北反相变化也有密切的联系.进一步的分析揭示出东亚气温的南北反相变化是东亚冬季风变异的主要模态之一,而且它与平流层极涡强度密切相关.当异常的平流层极涡向下传播时,可以引起对流层低层北极涛动(AO)的异常以及西伯利亚高压的异常,并在东亚地区出现南北反相的温度变化.有关东亚冬季风变异的成因研究表明,上世纪70年代中后期以后,热带厄尔尼诺—南方涛动(ENSO)的影响变弱,而中高纬的北太平洋涛动(NPO)和乌拉尔地区阻塞强度的影响显著增强,相关研究还揭示了这些变化的原因.此外,东亚冬季风在1987年以后的持续减弱主要与准定常行星波活动年代际变化有关,行星波活动通过波流相互作用可以影响AO以及西伯利亚高压和阿留申低压,从而导致冬季风异常.最后,本文还讨论了太阳活动11年周期变化对东亚冬季气候异常的可能影响和过程.     

Interdecadal change in the connection between Hadley circulation and winter temperature in East Asia

Based on NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the interdecadal variability of Hadley circulation （HC） and its association with East Asian temperature in winter are investigated. Results indicate that the Northern Hemisphere winter HC underwent apparent change in the 1970s, with transition occurring around 1976/77. Along with interdecadal variability of HC, its linkage to surface air temperature （SAT） in East Asia also varied decadally, from weak relations to strong relations. Such a change may be related to the interaction between HC and the atmospheric circulation system over the Philippines, which is associated with the East Asian winter monsoon （EAWM）. Before the 1970s, the connection between HC and the anticyclonic circulation around the Philippines was insignificant, but after the late 1970s their linkage entered a strong regime. The intensification of this connection may therefore be responsible for the strong relations between HC and East Asian winter temperatures after the late 1970s.     

Application of UTCI in China from tourism perspective

This paper investigates the processes and mechanisms by which the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) affects the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) over the equatorial western Pacific in boreal winter (November–April). The results show that both the EAWM and MJO over the equatorial western Pacific have prominent interannual and interdecadal variabilities, and they are closely related, especially on the interannual timescales. The EAWM influences MJO via the feedback effect of convective heating, because the strong northerlies of EAWM can enhance the ascending motion and lead the convection to be strengthened over the equatorial western Pacific by reinforcing the convergence in the lower troposphere. Daily composite analysis in the phase 4 of MJO (i.e., strong MJO convection over the Maritime Continent and equatorial western Pacific) shows that the kinetic energy, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), moisture flux, vertical velocity, zonal wind, moist static energy, and atmospheric stability differ greatly between strong and weak EAWM processes over the western Pacific. The strong EAWM causes the intensity of MJO to increase, and the eastward propagation of MJO to become more persistent. MJO activities over the equatorial western Pacific have different modes. Furthermore, these modes have differing relationships with the EAWM, and other factors can also affect the activities of MJO; consequently, the relationship between the MJO and EAWM shows both interannual and interdecadal variabilities.     

江淮地区夏季雨量与北半球500 hPa环流遥相关的不稳定性

用50年 (1951~2000年) 观测资料, 分成1951~1976年和1977~2000年两个时段, 研究了江淮地区夏季 (6~8月) 雨量与北半球500 hPa季平均环流时滞遥相关的年代际变化, 同时提出了遥相关不稳定指数, 讨论了遥相关不稳定性的空间分布和季节变化。结果表明, 这两个时段遥相关的空间分布存在显著差异, 且前一时期时滞遥相关强度明显强于后一时期, 特别是江淮地区夏季雨量与前期冬季西太平洋型 (WP) 的相关仅在1976年以前显著, 1977年以后迅速减弱消失, 而对于后一时期, 与春季欧亚遥相关型 (EU) 的相关明显加强。另外, 后一时期江淮地区夏季雨量与夏季EAP波列的相关明显强于前一时期。它反映了太平洋年代际振荡 (PDO) 对东亚季风降水和环流年际相关的影响, 这种遥相关的不稳定性与年代际和年际时间尺度振荡之间的相互作用有密切联系。     

与EAWM相关的海陆气相互作用及亚洲夏季风

基于观测资料分析，本文讨论了与东亚冬季风（EAWM）异常活动相联系的海－陆－气系统的特征，指出它往往是随后亚洲夏季风异常的一个信号。我们分析并确定了一类重要的海气耦合模态，即EAWM。它所包含的海－气双向相互作用，使该模态的SSTA分布得以发展和持续。特别是在西太平洋和南海等关键地区，SSTA异常将从冬季维持到夏季。在强冬季风年，青藏高原积雪冬季在其东部出现负距平区，春季则延伸到高原西北部。SSTA及高原积雪分布，共同构成调制亚洲季风环流的重要因子，它将有助于1）随后南海季风和季风降水的增强；2）梅雨期西太平洋副高偏北，长江流域少雨；3）夏季我国东北和日本多雨；4）阿拉伯海和印度东北多雨，而印度西南部及孟加拉湾少雨。总之，强EAWM及相联的海气相互作用，一定程度上，预示着亚洲夏季风的活动特征。     

Evaluation of the twentieth century reanalysis dataset in describing East Asian winter monsoon variability

The Twentieth Century Reanalysis （20thCR） dataset released in 2010 covers the period 1871-2010 and is one of the longest reanalysis datasets available worldwide. Using ERA-40, ERA-Interim and NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data, as well as HadSLP2 data and meteorological temperature records over eastern China, the performances of 20thCR in reproducing the spatial patterns and temporal variability of the East Asian winter monsoon （EAWM） are examined. Results indicate that 20thCR data： （1） can accurately reproduce the most typical configuration patterns of all sub-factors differences in the main circulation fields over East Asia involved in the EAWM system, albeit with some in comparison to ERA-40 reanalysis data; （2） is reliable and stable in describing the temporal variability of EAWM since the 1930s; and （3） can describe the high-frequency variability of EAWM better than the low-frequency fluctuations, especially in the early period. In conclusion, caution should be taken when using 20thCR data to study interdecadal variabilities or long-term trends of the EAWM, especially prior to the 1930s.     

东亚季风系统的时空变化及其对我国气候异常影响的最近研究进展

本文回顾了关于东亚季风系统的时空变化及其对我国气候异常影响的最近研究进展。许多研究说明,东亚季风系统无论风场的垂直结构、年循环或是水汽输送和降水特征都明显不同于南亚和北澳季风系统,它是亚澳季风系统中一个相对独立的季风系统。并且,研究结果表明了东亚季风系统有明显的时空变化:其中夏季风系统在年际时间尺度上存在着一个准两年周期振荡和具有极向三极子异常的空间分布特征,并从20世纪70年代中后期起至今发生了明显变弱的年代际变化,这个变化在华北尤其显著;而东亚冬季风在年际时间尺度上存在一个准四年周期振荡,从20世纪80年代中后期起也发生了明显变弱的年代际变化,它引起了我国的持续暖冬。进一步的研究还揭示了东亚季风系统的变异是与海–陆–气耦合系统变异及其相互作用密切相关,因而,东亚季风系统可以看成是一个大气–海洋–陆地的耦合气候系统,即称之为东亚季风气候系统。此外,本文还从上述东亚季风气候系统的年际和年代际变异提出了长江流域严重洪涝灾害发生的气候学概念模型和华北持续干旱的气候背景。     

近40年来东亚冬季风的年代际时空变化趋势

利用经验正交函数－奇异值分解（EOF－SVD）综合分析方法和1961～2000年NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料对近40年来东亚冬季风和冬季表面气温的年代际变化特征及其相关关系进行了分析。研究结果表明, EOF得到的冬季海平面气压场主成分空间结构（第一特征向量）及其时间系数可以较好地反映出东亚冬季风的变化, 而且可以同时得到东亚冬季风强度和南扩程度的变化, 具有一定的优越性。通过对冬季海平面气压和表面气温年代际分量的EOF－SVD综合分析, 发现了东亚冬季风强度减弱、南扩加强的年代际变化趋势, 冬季表面气温则表现出中高纬地区海陆热力差异减弱、低纬地区海陆热力差异加强的年代际变化特征, 两者之间存在很好的对应关系。另外, 大陆冬季表面气温与海平面气压的年代际对应关系比海洋的更加显著, 表明对温室效应的区域气候响应与东亚冬季风的年代际变化之间可能存在较为密切的联系。     

20世纪90年代末东亚冬季风年代际变化的外强迫因子分析

使用NCEP/NCAR、英国气象局哈德莱中心(Met Office Hadley Center)Had ISST以及NOAA提供的再分析资料分析了海温、海冰及雪盖异常对20世纪90年代末我国冬季气温和东亚冬季风(EAWM)年代际跃变的外部强迫作用,同时也对比分析了20世纪90年代EAWM年代际跃变与20世纪80年代EAWM年代际跃变特征和成因的一些差异。结果表明:20世纪80年代中期EAWM的年代际变化特征主要表现为全国一致偏冷型,同时中国近海的海温也偏低;该年代际变化的主要原因来自大气内部动力过程,而海温和海冰的作用不显著。20世纪90年代末EAWM年代际变化的特征表现为东亚北方气温显著偏冷而南方偏暖的南北反相变化分布;EAWM在20世纪90年代末的年代际变化受北大西洋海温和热带太平洋海温的共同影响。北大西洋显著的异常暖海温,激发一个向下游传播的波列,使得西伯利亚高压加强,EAWM加强,从而导致我国北方气温下降;同时,秋冬季北极海冰异常偏少和秋季欧亚雪盖偏多对东亚冬季风的增强也有一定的作用。此外,热带西太平洋的暖海温异常会导致在海洋性大陆地区有异常的辐合和对流增强,引起大气环流的Gill型响应,对流西侧的异常气旋在孟加拉湾至我国西南地区出现南风异常,使得东亚南部地区温度偏高。因此,20世纪90年代末之后东亚温度呈现南暖北冷的分布特征。     

我国东部梅雨期降水的年际和年代际变化特征及其与大气环流和海温的关系

基于我国160站59年(1951～2009年)的月降水观测资料、美国气象环境预报中心和国家大气研究中心(NCEP/NCAR)提供的再分析资料和Hadley中心的海表温度(Sea Surface Temperature,简称SST)资料,对我国东部(100°E以东,15°N～40°N)梅雨期(6月和7月)降水的时空变化特...