Hurricane forecasts in the FSU models

A brief account of our studies on the hurricane forecast problem is presented here. This covers recent prediction results from the Florida State University (FSU) regional and global numerical weather prediction models. The re-gions covered are the Indian and the Pacific Oceans. The life cycle of the onset vortex (a hurricane) of the summer monsoon, typhoons over the western Pacific Ocean and tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal (Andhra Pradesh and the Bangladesh storms) are covered here. The essential elements in the storm formaton are the strong horizontal shear in the cyclogenetic areas, a lack of vertical shear and warn sea surface temperatures. The storm motion has a steering component largely described by the advection of vorticity by a vertically averaged layer mean wind, the recurvature of a storm appears to invoke physical processes via the advection of divergence by the divergent part of the wind especially in the outflow layers of the storm. Very high resolution global models seem to be able to handle the motion and structure during the entire life of typhoons quite reasonably. The scope for better diagnosis of the storms life cycle appears very promising in view of the realistic simulation of the life cycle.     

Development of an eye-wall like structure in a tropical cyclone model simulation

Structural changes during the intensification of a tropical storm into a hurricane in a numerical simulation are examined. A 10 layer primitive equation model that employs a horizontal grid spacing of 20 km over 4400 × 4400 km area is integrated. An elongated band in vertical motion over the storm area intensifies slowly during the first few hours. In the upper troposphere high pressures arise due to condensational heating. Between 8–12 h strong outflow winds develop in the upper troposphere due to the increased pressure gradients. Strong divergence occurs in the outflow wind region, and a large increase in the vertical motion, condensational heating and intensification rate of the storm ensues. Between 12–24 h the elongated band of the storm stage transforms into an eye-wall like structure, and the tropical storm intensifies into a hurricane. Regions with negative moist potential vorticity appear in the high troposphere. Widening of area of condensation and slanting of the convergence area occurs with height in the high level negative moist potential vorticity regions. Results suggest that the formation of anvil clouds in some cases may be due to the development of slantwise convection on the outer periphery of a hurricane's eye-wall.     

高层冷涡的不同结构对台风运动的影响

通过对不同水平和垂直结构的高层冷涡在台风移动中的作用的对比试验，发现高层冷涡的水平和垂直结构变化会影响台风的运动。对总涡度倾向分布和强度的比较分析，发现正压过程主导台风运动的方向，而斜压过程在某些情况下对台风移速有很大影响。通过各动力项对总涡度倾向贡献的讨论，发现涡度平流对总涡度倾向正中心的贡献主要来自引导气流对非对称涡度场的平流。散度场贡献主要来自行星涡度和非对称散度相关场。最后还得到预报性的结论:台风朝对流层上层的辐合中心或对流层中下层辐散中心方向移动。     

超强台风SANBA发展演变过程中涡度及环流收支的诊断分析

台风的增强过程与气旋性涡度的急剧发展相伴。使用滑动平均的空间滤波方法对WRF模式的模拟结果进行尺度分离, 进而诊断分析台风SANBA突然增强过程中垂直涡度及环流的发展演变特征。结果表明, 台风突然增强的过程中, 眼壁区上升速度增大, 暖心结构增强, 同时垂直涡度迅速增强。当SANBA从热带风暴发展为强热带风暴时, 对流层低层辐散辐合及垂直速度分布的不均匀对台风涡旋结构的增强强度相当, 在台风内部以增强区域为主同时与减弱区域交错分布; 当SANBA发展增强为强台风时, 对流层低层的散度项与倾斜项在台风中心附近均表现为强的正中心, 台风低层径向入流的增强导致低层辐合加强对台风的增强起到主要作用。台风中心区域平均环流强度随台风的不断增强而不断增大, 且从900 hPa高度不断向高层发展, 其中环流方程中的EED/EET项的发展变化可以表征台风发展初期散度项和倾斜项的主要变化。      

引发暴雨天气的中尺度低涡的数值研究

2008年7月17—19日发生在山东的大到暴雨天气是由“海鸥”台风和副热带高压共同向山东输送水汽,与弱冷空气相互作用造成的。对流层低层的中尺度低涡是暴雨天气的直接制造者。利用常规观测资料和中尺度模式WRF（Weather Research and Forecasting）的模拟资料对该中尺度低涡的结构及形成机制进行了分析研究。结果表明,数值模拟可以清楚地捕捉到中尺度低涡东移过程中有新的涡旋中心形成,并与原来的涡旋中心合并的过程,而不是简单的沿切变线东移。中尺度低涡形成在增温增湿明显、上升运动为主的对流区内;中尺度低涡形成后其中心转为下沉运动,对流区东移,降水区位于低涡的东北和东南象限。中尺度低涡上空近地面层的冷池、600～400hPa的弱冷空气堆、900～850hPa的弱风区及高低空急流耦合发展是中尺度低涡形成和发展阶段的重要特征。中尺度低涡减弱阶段,下沉运动变强,低空急流和高空出流都明显减弱。涡度方程的收支表明,对流层低层的散度项、倾侧项及对流层中层的水平平流项和铅直输送项是正涡度的主要贡献者。中低层的水平辐合、涡度由低层向高层的垂直输送都有利于中尺度低涡的形成和发展。倾侧项对中尺度低涡的形成也有重要贡献。中尺度低涡形成后期,低层辐合、高层辐散及垂直输送的减弱导致正涡度制造的减弱,从而使中尺度低涡减弱。     

冬季西伯利亚高压动力结构的研究

本文研究了冬季西伯利亚高压建立时期的动力结构。研究得到,在高压建立前期,对流层中以正涡度为主。低层和高层有弱的辐合,中层是辐散;相应在700hPa以下是上升,以上是下沉。但当反气旋发展时,高层为正涡度和辐合气流,低层为负涡度和辐散气流,整层为下沉运动。这表明对流层中、上层的强质量辐合是导致西伯利亚高压发展的一个重要因子。涡度方程的诊断表明,西伯利亚高压区负涡度的出现和加强是对流层中、上层负涡度平流和低层散度项的作用。 另外,西伯利亚高压热平衡计算表明,对流层有深厚的冷却层(热汇)。这种非绝热冷却将在对流层中导致深厚的下沉运动,从而引起中高层的辐合,低层的辐散,有利于高压的加强。因而西伯利亚高压是在动力和热力因子共同作用下形成的。     

由台风低压倒槽引发的山东暴雨过程研究

2004年8月26-28日发生在山东省的大到暴雨过程主要是由"艾莉"台风减弱的低压和西风带冷空气远距离相互作用造成的,台风倒槽的发展与低空东南气流的加强及台风低压外围热量和动量的向北输送密切相关.采用双向三重嵌套网格非静力模式MM5对这一过程进行了数值模拟,研究了台风倒槽的中尺度结构特征,并通过涡度收支探讨了台风倒槽及中尺度低涡发生发展的物理过程.结果表明,强降水是在台风倒槽顶部强风中心与弱风中心之间的强辐合作用下触发的,台风倒槽的增强和中尺度低涡的形成是低空急流及其动力作用的结果,降水的非绝热加热也起着重要作用.涡度方程的收支诊断表明,对流层低层的散度项、对流层中层的水平平流项和铅直输送项是正涡度的主要贡献者,在同一等压面上散度项和水平平流项的作用是相反的.对流层中层铅直输送项的贡献为正,扭转项为负贡献,涡度变化的总趋势是它们相互作用的净结果.等压面上相对涡度的变化趋势并不是均匀的,中尺度低涡的东南象限相对涡度局地变化较强,这是强降水发生在此的重要原因.低层正涡度的增加是由水平辐合引起的,而高层正涡度的增加是涡度由低层向高层垂直输送的结果.因此台风倒槽的发展和中尺度低涡的形成主要是由于低层的涡度制造,另一方面来自中低层涡度的垂直输送.     

A Study on a Heavy Rainfall Event Triggered by an Inverted Typhoon Trough in Shandong Province

A heavy rainfall event that occurred in Shandong Province in 26 28 August 2004 was caused mainly by Typhoon Acre and cold air activities related to a westerly trough. The event was triggered by an inverted typhoon trough, which was closely associated with the intensification of the low-level southeasterly flow and the northward transport of heat and momentum in the periphery of the typhoon low. A numerical simulation of this event is performed using the nonhydrostatic mesoscale model MM5 with two-way interactive and triply-nested grids, and the structure of the inverted typhoon trough is studied. Furthermore, the formation and development mechanism of the inverted typhoon trough and a mesoscale vortex are discussed through a vorticity budget analysis. The results show that the heavy rainfall was induced by the strong convergence between the strong and weak winds within the inverted typhoon trough. Dynamic effects of the low-level jet and the diabatic heating of precipitation played an important role in the development of the inverted typhoon trough and the formation of the mesoscale vortex. The vorticity budget analysis suggests that the divergence term in the low troposphere, the horizontal advection term, and the convection term in the middle troposphere were main contributors to positive vorticity. Nonetheless, at the same pressure level, the effect of the divergence term and that of the adveetion term were opposite to each other. In the middle troposphere, the vertical transport term made a positive contribution while the tilting term made a negative contribution, and the total vorticity tendency was the net result of their counteractions. It is found that the change tendency of the relative vorticity was not uniform horizontally. A strong positive vorticity tendency occurred in the southeast of the mesoscale vortex, which is why the heavy rainfall was concentrated there. The increase of positive vorticity in the low （upper） troposphere was caused by horizontal convergence （upward transport of vorticity from the lower troposphere）. Therefore, the development of the inverted typhoon trough and the formation of the mesoscale vortex were mainly attributed to the vorticity generated in the low troposphere, and also the vertical transport of vorticity from the low and middle troposphere.     

赤道反气旋的合成结构和涡度收支

本文通过普查1979—1983年7—9月在10°S—15°N、90°E—140°E范围内的赤道反气旋活动情况,从中选出15个强度和范围较接近的赤道反气旋进行综合分析,得到它们的平均三维结构特征。结果表明,赤道反气旋是一个暖性的中低层系统。反气旋环流与涡度、散度及垂直运动有较好的配合。在赤道反气旋的低层,环流中心为负涡度区和辐散区,并与下沉运动区相对应,四周为正涡度和辐合区,以及上升运动区。高层正好相反。加热场与垂直运动场有较好的对应关系,中心区是干绝热下沉增温区。对涡度收支的计算表明,中低层有负涡度积累,上层有正涡度积累,局地涡度变化主要决定于散度项、平流项和垂直输送项。      

一次秋季强降水超级单体风暴过程分析

利用雷达、加密自动站、NCEP再分析资料和常规观测资料,对2011年11月4日发生在江苏中北部由超级单体产生的短时强降水过程,经分析表明:(1)本次过程中500 hPa为西南暖干气流,上下层温度平流差动不明显,上下层湿度平流差动是前期位势不稳定建立的主要原因。(2)超级单体风暴低层强烈的后侧入流,不断为其输入暖湿气流,其前侧为强烈的上升气流,而高空有较强的后向流出。在这种流场的作用下,超级单体风暴的发展得到加强和维持。(3)对流首先在700 hPa相对湿度梯度大值区与地面中尺度辐合线相交处被触发,整个过程中强对流回波出现在地面中尺度辐合线附近,并伴随其东移。东移的地面辐合线与盐城东部局地生成的对流风暴所造成的地面辐散出流相遇,演变为一条新的地面辐合线,地面辐合显著增强,导致短时强降水的发生。中尺度地面辐合线的移动和增强在这次超级单体风暴过程中起到了触发和维持、加强的作用。(4)对流发展初期,地面辐合区对应着未来对流回波生成区域,有很好的超前性;随着对流发展,地面负散度大值区与对流回波区逐渐重合,当散度场出现临近正负散度中心对时,对流发展达到最强。     

一次江淮地区MCV过程的数值模拟分析

本文在前期统计工作的基础上,选取了一次典型的中尺度对流涡旋(MCV)个例,利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料分析其背景场特征,并利用WRF数值模拟结果分析其成因及其触发"二次对流"的可能机制。结果表明:MCV发生前,江淮地区处于200 h Pa强辐散场中,高层抽吸作用明显,500 h Pa江淮西北部短波槽槽后不断有冷空气南下,加强该地区大气层结不稳定,850 h Pa湖北至安徽中部有切变线活动,这种高低层配置十分有利于MCV生成及对流发生;MCV生命史各阶段垂直输送项和涡管倾斜项呈反位相分布,而水平平流项和辐合辐散项的作用基本是相互抵消的,垂直输送项和辐合辐散项是MCV生成阶段中低层涡度的主要来源;MCV引发的"二次对流"出现在其生成阶段,且位于其南侧,MCV发展成熟后,对流迅速减弱;MCV的生成使南侧西南低空急流加强,伴随水平涡度的变化,"二次对流"的发生发展与水平涡度对应的垂直环流上升支有直接联系。     

高层冷涡对台风路径影响的数值模拟和动力分析

通过六层斜压干模式模拟了高层冷涡对台风运动的影响，并用涡度方程各动力项的诊断分析，证实了高层冷涡对台风运动的影响主要是通过改变台风中心周围的环流结构而达到的。分析还指出了总涡度倾向和台风运动的直接联系以及这种联系的持续稳定性。同时也发现总涡度倾向主要来自于涡度水平平流和散度场的贡献。说明台风运动主要由正压性动力因子控制。     

海南岛“0810”特大暴雨物理量诊断及多普勒特征分析

应用常规观测、海口多普勒回波及NCEP1×1°再分析等资料,对2008年10月12～15日海南特大暴雨成因进行诊断分析,并揭示了暴雨过程中的多普勒回波特征。结果表明：导致海南岛产生强降水的主要原因是热带低压移动缓慢和弱冷空气的低层入侵;当冷暖空气交绥,大气温湿结构发生突变,θse面陡立造成对流系统斜压发展,激发位势不稳定能量释放。正差动假相当位温平流意味着低层暖湿空气的平流大于高层,加强了层结对流不稳定发展;在斜压扰动作用下,对流层中层正差动涡度平流和低压东侧的暖平流破坏了海南岛的准地转平衡,动力强迫和热力强迫共同作用激发了次级环流,导致暴雨区上空的垂直运动的发展,促使暴雨增强。充沛的水汽输送及水汽的强烈辐合,为暴雨发生的有利水汽条件。多普勒径向速度揭示了暴雨区低层冷平流高层暖平流、风向风速的垂直切变大的垂直结构以及持续性的强烈辐合等等特征,回波停滞和＂列车效应＂使降水增幅,降水回波的性质差异,可造成强降水区域分布的不同。     

高空急流对青藏高原切变线影响的数值试验与动力诊断

利用NCEP 1°×1° FNL分析资料和中尺度数值模式WRF对一次青藏高原（简称高原）切变线过程进行了数值试验,主要研究高空急流强度对高原切变线的影响,并结合ω方程分析了影响高原切变线上垂直上升运动的若干因子。研究得出高空急流的强度对低层风场有重要影响,急流增强会使高原切变线上的风切变增大,切变线变长,同时高空急流强度的增强也有利于高原切变线上水汽的辐合。高空急流可通过影响高层辐散、低层辐合的散度场垂直配置对高原切变线上的正涡度柱与辐合上升运动产生作用。ω方程的诊断分析表明,温度平流的拉普拉斯项对高原切变线上的垂直上升运动起主导作用,低层暖平流有利于切变线上产生上升运动。高空急流强度的变化对差动涡度平流项的影响要大于温度平流拉普拉斯项,高空急流强度的增强会放大差动涡度平流项和温度平流项的正贡献,从而更加有利于上升运动及高原切变线的维持。      

Vorticity budget investigation of a simulated long-lived mesoscale vortex in South China

A vorticity budget investigation is performed using the output data from a numerical simulation of a typical MCV (mesoscale convectively generated votex) case in South China. Results suggest that the divergence caused by convection in the low troposphere is the main producer of positive vorticity, while vertical vorticity transferred by the tilting term from the horizontal vorticity compensates the upward output of cyclonic vorticity. Scale analyses of the vorticity equation suggest that the advection of planetary vorticity can be neglected owing to the low latitude, which is different from the larger scale systems in high latitude areas. In addition, the distribution of relative vorticity tendency on pressure level is not uniform. A vortex will move along the vector from the negative to the positive vorticity tendency region. The mechanism of the phenomenon-that nearly all of the convectively ascending region is located southward/southeastward of the vortex center-is also discussed. Convergence with regard to latent heat release would be in favor of the spin-up of meso-vortex, however, the horizontal vorticity caused by windshear is tilted by vertical motion due to convection. Consequently, the negative and positive vorticity tendencies are located symmetrically about the convective center, which suggests that the vortex southward movement is dynamically driven by convection.     

1822号台风“山竹”的涡旋Rossby波特征分析

采用WRF中尺度模式对2018年22号台风“山竹”进行高分辨率的数值模拟,在此基础上,分析台风的精细动力结构和雨带特征。分析结果发现,台风“山竹”的眼墙处具有低层辐合流入、高层辐散流出的动力配置;台风眼墙附近存在切向风速的高值区和明显的垂直上升区,并且随着高度逐渐向外侧倾斜,同时该处的雷达回波也较强,对流系统较为深厚。然后利用尺度分离方法得到涡旋罗斯贝(Rossby）波的扰动场,进一步分析了台风“山竹”内部的涡旋Rossby波特征。研究发现：1）1波和2波会同时沿着切向和径向方向传播,2波的振幅明显小于1波;1波和2波的正涡度扰动大值区基本覆盖强的雷达回波区域,同时伴有较强的对流活动。2）垂直方向上,降水区的涡度扰动呈现出上层为正、下层为负的动力配置时,同时散度扰动的垂直方向也有类似配置时,则会加强对流系统的发展,有利于降水的增强。由此可见,1波和2波扰动的上层辐散下层辐合的动力配置会促使对流系统的加强,同时也会对台风降水的强度和分布有一定的作用。     

登陆台风“凡亚比”(1011)合力散度特征诊断研究——垂直分布特征

本文利用2010年1011号台风“凡亚比”登陆过程高分辨率数值模拟资料,诊断分析了“凡亚比”台风环流合力散度的垂直分布及其演变特征。结果指出,合力散度的显著区一直与台风系统相伴随,可以有效地示踪热带气旋（Tropical Cyclone,简称TC）的移动,并能较好地识别TC强度、结构的发展演变。台风中心偏东一侧流入层的合力散度异常信号首先出现并发展,反映出环流的非对称特征。随着台风趋于成熟,合力散度逐渐增强,高度扩展,对称性也逐渐增加;台风中心上空为合力辐合,外围为合力辐散,垂直方向上合力辐合与辐散相间的结构对应上升运动极值区及强降水,即对应台风眼墙位置。合力散度面积指数和强度指数的分析指出,垂直方向上辐合与辐散面积指数负相关;各层的合力辐合强度指数普遍大于辐散强度指数,垂直方向上两强度指数呈显著的正相关关系;结合面积指数与强度指数,可知垂直方向上合力辐合与辐散此消彼长。运用合力散度方程对该垂直分布特征的成因展开分析,发现风速u分量平流随经度变化项和风速v分量平流随纬度的变化项是TC眼区合力辐合部分的主要贡献项,垂直运动项决定了TC眼墙的合力辐合与辐散相间的垂直分布特征。     

位涡倾向在Muifa台风路径转折中的应用

利用ECMWF资料诊断分析了位涡倾向方程中的水平平流项和非绝热加热项分别在Muifa台风两次路径转折中的作用。结果表明:第一次路径转折过程中,非绝热加热项的量级比水平平流项小一个量级,水平平流项所表征的外部大尺度环流因素是第一次路径转折的主要原因;第二次路径转向过程由水平平流项和非绝热加热项共同控制,其中水平平流项控制台风的移向,非绝热加热项表征的内部非对称结构对台风转向有抑制作用。     

EFFECTS OF VERTICAL WIND SHEAR ON INTENSITY AND STRUCTURE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE

In this study,the effect of vertical wind shear(VWS)on the intensification of tropical cyclone(TC)is investigated via the numerical simulations.Results indicate that weak shear tends to facilitate the development of TC while strong shear appears to inhibit the intensification of TC.As the VWS is imposed on the TC,the vortex of the cyclone tends to tilt vertically and significantly in the upper troposphere.Consequently,the upward motion is considerably enhanced in the downshear side of the storm center and correspondingly,the low-to mid-level potential temperature decreases under the effect of adiabatic cooling,which leads to the increase of the low-to mid-level static instability and relative humidity and then facilitates the burst of convection.In the case of weak shear,the vertical tilting of the vortex is weak and the increase of ascent,static instability and relative humidity occur in the area close to the TC center.Therefore,active convection happens in the TC center region and facilitates the enhancement of vorticity in the inner core region and then the intensification of TC.In contrast,due to strong VWS,the increase of the ascent,static instability and relative humidity induced by the vertical tilting mainly appear in the outer region of TC in the case with stronger shear,and the convection in the inner-core area of TC is rather weak and convective activity mainly happens in the outer-region of the TC.Therefore,the development of a warm core is inhibited and then the intensification of TC is delayed.Different from previous numerical results obtained by imposing VWS suddenly to a strong TC,the simulation performed in this work shows that,even when the VWS is as strong as 12 m s-1,the tropical storm can still experience rapid intensification and finally develop into a strong tropical cyclone after a relatively long period of adjustment.It is found that the convection plays an important role in the adjusting period.On one hand,the convection leads to the horizontal convergence of the low-level vorticity flux and therefore leads to the enhancement of the low-level vorticity in the inner-core area of the cyclone.On the other hand,the active ascent accompanying the convection tends to transport the low-level vorticity to the middle levels.The enhanced vorticity in the lower to middle troposphere strengths the interaction between the low-and mid-level cyclonical circulation and the upper-level circulation deviated from the storm center under the effect of VWS.As a result,the vertical tilting of the vortex is considerably decreased,and then the cyclone starts to develop rapidly.     

台风“山竹”（2018）远距离暴雨的成因分析

热带气旋远距离暴雨（TRP）往往成为高影响天气,是业务预报难点。本文用地面、探空观测资料、雷达遥感资料以及NCEP一日四次0.5°×0.5°再分析资料,对2018年第22号台风“山竹”登陆广东期间在长江三角洲（简称长三角）地区引起的远距离暴雨过程进行分析。结果表明:（1）这是一次发生在副热带高压（简称副高）控制范围内的热带气旋远距离暴雨,低层受台风倒槽影响。（2）这次过程第一阶段暴雨主要是在强的对流不稳定条件下,由对流层低层“山竹”倒槽中的辐合线触发对流产生,同时对流层高层“山竹”的极向流出汇入加大了中纬度西风风速,在长三角地区上空产生辐散,有利于上升运动的维持。第二阶段,对流不稳定条件有所减弱,但前一阶段强回波产生的低层偏北外出气流与东南风形成辐合线,辐合线上还有中γ尺度的涡旋产生,又促进了对流发展。850 hPa台风倒槽北端形成一个低涡,500 hPa副高边缘发展出一个短波槽,暴雨的动力条件更为有利。（3）长三角的3个强降水中心分别在长江口、杭州湾北岸的嘉兴沿海及宁波沿海,都是在水陆边界附近。（4）远距离暴雨区的涡度收支诊断发现:暴雨的初始扰动主要由近地层水平辐合辐散项提供,850 hPa的水平辐合辐散项和扭曲项共同作用形成和加强低涡,并通过垂直运动上传使中层700～500 hPa附近涡度增长,进而发展出500 hPa短波槽。850 hPa涡度来自于台风倒槽和副高边缘的偏南急流。（5）在这次远距离暴雨过程中,台风“山竹”与海上西太平洋副高之间形成偏南低空急流,向长三角输送水汽,这与典型TRP事件相似。不同之处在于:典型TRP中暴雨的初始扰动一般由西风槽提供,而这次过程主要由低空台风倒槽和偏南急流提供,涡度上传形成高空短波槽,是不同于典型TRP事件的一个物理过程。