Performance of WRF Large Eddy Simulations in Modeling the Convective Boundary Layer over the Taklimakan Desert,China

The maximum height of the convective boundary layer(CBL)over the Taklimakan Desert can exceed 5000 m during summer and plays a crucial role in the regional circulation and weather.We combined the Weather Research and Forecasting Large Eddy Simulation(WRF-LES)with data from Global Positioning System(GPS)radiosondes and from eddy covariance stations to evaluate the performance of the WRF-LES in simulating the characteristics of the deep CBL over the central Taklimakan Desert.The model reproduced the evolution of the CBL processes reasonably well,but the simulations generated warmer and moister conditions than the observation as a result of the over-prediction of surface fluxes and large-scale advection.Further simulations were performed with multiple configurations and sensitivity tests.The sensitivity tests for the lateral boundary conditions(LBCs)showed that the model results are sensitive to changes in the time resolution and domain size of the specified LBCs.A larger domain size varies the distance of the area of interest from the LBCs and reduces the influence of large forecast errors near the LBCs.Comparing the model results using the original parameterization of sensible heat flux with the Noah land surface scheme and those of the sensitivity experiments showed that the desert CBL is sensitive to the sensible heat flux produced by the land surface scheme during daytime in summer.A reduction in the sensible heat flux can correct overestimates of the potential temperature profile.However,increasing the sensible heat flux significantly reduces the total time needed to increase the CBL to a relatively low altitude(3 km)in the middle and initial stages of the development of the CBL rather than producing a higher CBL in the later stages.     

Performance of WRF Large Eddy Simulations in Modeling the Convective Boundary Layer over the Taklimakan Desert,China

The maximum height of the convective boundary layer (CBL) over the Taklimakan Desert can exceed 5000 m during summer and plays a crucial role in the regional circulation and weather. We combined the Weather Research and Forecasting Large Eddy Simulation (WRF-LES) with data from Global Positioning System (GPS) radiosondes and from eddy covariance stations to evaluate the performance of the WRF-LES in simulating the characteristics of the deep CBL over the central Taklimakan Desert. The model reproduced the evolution of the CBL processes reasonably well, but the simulations generated warmer and moister conditions than the observation as a result of the over-prediction of surface fluxes and large-scale advection. Further simulations were performed with multiple configurations and sensitivity tests. The sensitivity tests for the lateral boundary conditions (LBCs) showed that the model results are sensitive to changes in the time resolution and domain size of the specified LBCs. A larger domain size varies the distance of the area of interest from the LBCs and reduces the influence of large forecast errors near the LBCs. Comparing the model results using the original parameterization of sensible heat flux with the Noah land surface scheme and those of the sensitivity experiments showed that the desert CBL is sensitive to the sensible heat flux produced by the land surface scheme during daytime in summer. A reduction in the sensible heat flux can correct overestimates of the potential temperature profile. However, increasing the sensible heat flux significantly reduces the total time needed to increase the CBL to a relatively low altitude (< 3 km) in the middle and initial stages of the development of the CBL rather than producing a higher CBL in the later stages.     

A diagnostic analysis on the effect of the residual layer in convective boundary layer development near Mongolia using 20th century reanalysis data

Although the residual layer has already been noted in the classical diurnal cycle of the atmospheric boundary layer,its effect on the development of the convective boundary layer has not been well studied. In this study, based on 3-hourly20 th century reanalysis data, the residual layer is considered as a common layer capping the convective boundary layer. It is identified daily by investigating the development of the convective boundary layer. The region of interest is bounded by(30°–60° N, 80°–120° E), where a residual layer deeper than 2000 m has been reported using radiosondes. The lapse rate and wind shear within the residual layer are compared with the surface sensible heat flux by investigating their climatological means, interannual variations and daily variations. The lapse rate of the residual layer and the convective boundary layer depth correspond well in their seasonal variations and climatological mean patterns. On the interannual scale, the correlation coefficient between their regional averaged(40°–50°N, 90°–110° E) variations is higher than that between the surface sensible heat flux and convective boundary layer depth. On the daily scale, the correlation between the lapse rate and the convective boundary layer depth in most months is still statistically significant during 1970–2012. Therefore, we suggest that the existence of a deep neutral residual layer is crucial to the formation of a deep convective boundary layer near the Mongolian regions.     

西北干旱区夏季大气边界层结构及其陆面过程特征

在中国西北干旱区影响大气边界层形成和发展的气候环境和大气环流背景都具有一定特殊性.文中用外场观测试验资料,分析了位于西北干旱区的敦煌荒漠夏季大气边界层气象要素结构特征,发现该地区无论白天的对流边界层还是夜间的稳定边界层均比一般地区更深厚.在夏季晴天,夜间稳定边界层厚度超过900 m,最厚可以达到1750 m,其上的残余层一般能达到4000 m左右的高度;白天混合层最高达3700 m,混合层顶的逆温层顶盖的厚度大约450 m,甚至更厚,对流边界层厚度能够超过4000 m,对流边界层进入残余层后发展十分迅速.研究表明,白天深厚的对流边界层是夜间保持清晰而深厚的残余混合层的先决条件,夜间深厚的残余混合层又为白天对流边界层的发展提供了一个非常有利的热力环境条件.该地区经常性出现连续性晴天使得大气残余层的累积效应得以较长时间持续发展,创造了比较有利于大气对流边界层发展的大气热力环境条件.同时,该地区陆面过程和近地层大气运动特征也为这种独特的大气热力边界层结构提供了较好的支持.就该地区发展超厚大气对流边界层的物理机理而言,地表显著增温是强有力的外部热力强迫条件,近地层强感热通量提供了较充足的能量条件,较大的对流运动和湍流运动的速度是必要的运动学条件,大气残余层的累积效应提供了有利的热力环境条件.     

华东区域夏季行星边界层大气稳定度的气候特征及其与气溶胶的联系

利用1979-2008年夏季（6—8月）逐日NCEP／NACR再分析资料、MODIS卫星的气溶胶资料等,研究了华东区域夏季行星边界层大气稳定度的气候特征与年际变化,分析了大气稳定度和相应的加热场与气溶胶光学厚度（aerosol optical depth,AOD）的联系。结果表明：华东区域夏季行星边界层大气稳定度在空间上分布不均匀,时间上具有明显的年际变化。边界层中的非绝热加热率、大气稳定度及气溶胶光学厚度三者之间可能存在密切联系。利用经验正交函数分析了华东区域总体理查森数Rib的距平场,得到了边界层稳定度分布的3个主要模态,这3个模态所代表的边界层大气稳定度异常与夏季风环流异常密切相关,特别是P-J型遥相关波列和西太平洋副热带高压在中国东部大气边界层稳定度变化中可能起着非常重要的作用。     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地晴天与沙尘暴天气大气边界层对比分析

根据2017、2019年7月塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地GPS探空和地面观测数据,利用位温廓线法等方法,对比分析了沙漠腹地夏季晴天和沙尘暴天气大气边界层结构变化特征。结果表明：晴天和沙尘暴天气大气边界层结构特征显著不同。晴天大气边界层各气象要素垂直分布较为均一,白天对流边界层深厚,高度接近5 km,夜间稳定边界层一般在500 m左右。沙尘暴天气边界层内位温和比湿垂直变化较小,风速较大,可达24.0 m/s,其白天对流边界层在1.5 km左右,夜间稳定边界层在1 km左右。晴天辐射强烈,地表升温迅速,湍流旺盛,是形成晴天深厚对流边界层的主要因素。大尺度天气系统冷平流的动力条件,以及云和沙尘减弱了到达地表的辐射强度是形成沙尘暴天气独特的大气边界层结构的主要因素。     

风廓线雷达对塔克拉玛干沙漠晴天边界层的探测分析

利用塔克拉玛干沙漠大气环境观测试验站2010年8和10月边界层风廓线雷达资料,分析了沙漠晴天边界层湍流、大气温度、水平风速风向以及垂直速度的发展演变特征和日变化规律。研究表明：（1）大气折射率结构常数（C_n~2）能较好地反映晴空湍流对电磁波的后向散射能力,可以详细刻画湍流发展旺盛区域的高度、强度及其演变特征;沙漠夏季白天湍流发展剧烈,旺盛区域顶部可达4000 m高度左右。（2）RASS系统对沙漠边界层大气温度的探测具有较好的可信度,其近地边界层温度符合一般的日变化规律,昼夜温差显著,白天高温维持时间长,升温过程相对滞后于近地表气温。（3）风廓线雷达对大气风场的探测结果与地面风速风向一致,沙漠晴天主要受东风和东北风控制,风速较小,平均在2.0～6.0 m·s~（-1）范围变化。（4）沙漠腹地大气垂直速度变化符合静力平衡理论,铅直方向运动很弱,一般在-1.0～1.0 m·s~（-1）范围波动。     

Atmospheric boundary layer characteristics in severe smog episodes

Summary The article brings together theoretical knowledge about the structure of the atmospheric boundary layer (ABL) which should be typical for smog situations and ABL features observed during two severe smog episodes. It can be shown that the convective boundary layer (CBL) as a special ABL type is very favourable for the occurrence of smog and that at first glance simple modelling of the CBL seems to recommend itself for forecasting purposes.However, the real smog situations show much more complexity, and even high reaching (up to 1500 m) stable boundary layers (SBL) occur. Simple modelling fails because important input parameters (such as vertical wind and advection terms) cannot be derived neither from measurements nor from meso-scale models in sufficient accuracy. Even the most advanced forecast models cannot describe the ABL structure correctly or in sufficient detail to estimate the development of a smog situation.With 19 Figures     

塔克拉玛干沙漠腹地大气边界层参数化方案的模拟评估

沙尘起沙、沉降、传输均受到沙漠地区大气边界层条件的制约。沙漠地区观测资料匮乏,限制大气边界层模拟效果的检验和评估。利用WRFV3.7.1中尺度数值模式中5种边界层参数化方案(ACM2、BL、MYJ、MYNN2.5、YSU),模拟2014年4月塔克拉玛干沙漠大气边界层特征,并与塔中80 m塔及风廓线雷达晴朗天气下的观测资料对比分析。结果表明:5种方案均能模拟出近地面气温及地表温度,边界层高度,感热、潜热、地表热通量的变化趋势,但未能模拟出边界层风速的日变化趋势,温风湿廓线能较好的反映晴日沙漠地区边界层结构的变化特征,但未模拟出风速随高度变化趋势。沙漠地区下垫面干燥,热容量低,晴天极易形成对流不稳定边界层,非局地湍流参数化方案,ACM2方案是沙漠地区大气边界层模拟较为合理的选择。     

盆地环流型及冷湖的形成和消散的数值研究

本文建立了一个三维原始方程数值模式，模拟三维盆地中的环流，重点讨论在热力强迫环流型的转变过程中能量场的动量场的配置情况及环流演变过程。模拟结果表明，夜间地面强烈的辐射冷却过程引起盆地各坡面冷迳流的发展，盆地中成为冷空气湖，逆温层结建立。日出后对流边界层从大气低层向上发展，逆温从底部随之消蚀，仅在上层存在了夜间逆温残余，即所谓稳定核，上坡风在对流边界层发展，而稳定核内仍维持夜间下坡风环流。     

The position of the lowest levels in the boundary layer of atmospheric circulation models

Abstract

The error associated with the position of the lowest wind level in atmospheric boundary‐layer modelling is studied in connection with vertical resolutions typical of parametrization schemes for atmospheric circulation models. The test case is the neutrally stratified steady‐state boundary layer. Finite‐difference and finite‐element schemes of two types are used: in one case the lowest wind level is centred with respect to the surface and the lowest internal level where the shear stress is calculated, in the other case the lowest wind level is set very close to the surface (5 m). It is found that schemes of the latter type underestimate the friction force at the lowest level and consequently overestimate the wind and the surface stress. This error is largest at low resolution since it is due to the uncentring of the lowest wind level with respect to the stress levels. The error in schemes of the former type is different, and is associated with the determination of the surface stress from a wind at a height that may exceed the extent of the surface layer. For all neutral cases, this error can be made small by adding a corrective term to the traditional logarithmic formulation. This paper shows that considerably more error is generated by uncentred differencing than by deepening the surface layer.     

Simulated Influence of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation on Summer Eurasian Nonuniform Warming since the Mid-1990s

Based on ensemble experiments with three atmospheric general circulation models(AGCMs), this study investigates the role of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation(AMO) in shaping the summer nonuniform warming over the Eurasian continent since the mid-1990 s. The results validate that the positive-phase AMO can indeed cause nonuniform warming,with predominant amplified warming over Europe–West Asia and Northeast Asia, but with much weaker warming over Central Asia. The underlying mechanism is then diagnosed from the perspective that the boundary forcing modulates the intrinsic atmospheric variability. The results highlight the role of the Silk Road Pattern(SRP), an intrinsic teleconnection pattern across the subtropical Eurasian continent propagating along the Asian jet. The SRP can not only be identified from the AGCM control experiments with the climatological sea surface temperature(SST), but can also be simulated by the AMO-related SST anomaly(SSTA) forcing. Furthermore, diagnostic linear baroclinic model experiments are conducted, and the results suggest that the SRP can be triggered by the AMO-related tropical diabatic heating. The AMO-triggered SRP-like responses feature anticyclonic circulations over Europe–West Asia and Northeast Asia, but cyclonic circulation over Central Asia. These responses cause increased warm advection towards Europe–West Asia and Northeast Asia, reduced precipitation and cloud cover, and then increased downward shortwave radiation. This increased warm advection and increased downward shortwave radiation together cause amplified warming in Europe–West Asia and Northeast Asia. The situation is opposite for Central Asia.     

Heat,momentum and moisture budgets of the katabatic layer over the melting zone of the west Greenland ice sheet in summer

The budgets of momentum, heat and moisture of the atmospheric boundary layer overlying the melting zone of the west Greenland ice sheet during an 8-day period in summer are calculated. To do so, the governing budget equations are derived and presented in terms of vertically averaged quantities. Moreover, stationarity is assumed in the present study. Measurements collected during the GIMEX-91 experiment are used to calculate the contribution of the different terms in the equations to the budget.During summer, a well developed katabatic wind system is present over the melting zone of the Greenland ice sheet. The budgets show that advection in the katabatic layer is small for momentum, heat and humidity, when the horizontal length scale of the integration area is sufficiently large (>50 km). This indicates that in principle one-dimensional atmospheric models can be used to study the boundary layer over the melting zone of the Greenland ice sheet. The background stratification plays a crucial role in the heat and moisture budget. Vertical divergence of longwave radiation provides one-third and the turbulent flux of sensible heat the rest of the cooling of the boundary layer. Moisture is added to the boundary layer by evaporation which is a significant term in the moisture budget. Negative buoyancy (katabatic forcing) dominates the momentum budget in the downslope direction. Coriolis forcing is important, stressing the large spatial scale of the katabatic winds on the Greenland ice sheet.     

大气边界层阵风相干结构的产生条件

壁湍流相干结构的发现是近代湍流研究的重大进展之一,从20世纪50年代开始,在大气边界层湍流中也发现了相干结构——对流云街,并进行了系统的研究。近些年来,人们发现在近地层湍流中也存在相干结构。利用北京325 m气象塔对城市下垫面中大风和小风天气的风速分析,发现较有规律的周期3~6 min的阵风,且有明显的相干结构,而对不同下垫面的阵风研究,均发现存在这种相干结构,这种阵风相干结构对通量输送有不可忽视的作用。本文利用2012年4月甘肃省民勤县巴丹吉林沙漠观测塔的超声风速和平均场风速、温度观测资料,对阵风相干结构的产生条件进行了分析。采用傅立叶变换,将三维超声风速按频率分成基流(周期10分钟以上)、阵风扰动(周期1到10分钟)、湍流脉动(周期小于1分钟)三部分,结合平均场的资料分析发现:阵风相干结构出现在静力中性、不稳定甚至略微稳定的条件下,或者说机械作用主导的大气边界层,阵风区就会出现相干结构,热力作用对其有抑制和干扰的作用。从而,阵风的相干结构和壁面相干结构都出现在中性条件下,是机械湍流的现象,都主导着动量能量的输运。阵风区的相干结构并不等同于对流云街,他们出现在不同的大气稳定度条件下且尺度不同。     

西北干旱区对流边界层发展的热力机制模拟研究

观测发现,西北干旱区对流边界层高度在夏、冬两季极大值分别达到4 km和800 m.利用热力学方法对西北干旱地区深厚对流边界层的原因进行了定量分析.用建立的热力数值模型模拟表明,平均而言,夏季和冬季对流边界层高度的51.5％和61.4％分别由感热产生,对于夏、冬季对流边界层高度可分别达到4 km和800 m的极大值,感热贡献更大,为63.4％和73.1％,感热对对流边界层的贡献率冬季明显大于夏季;夏、冬季浮力夹卷对对流边界层的贡献是18.1％和9.4％;包括感热和浮力夹卷的热力因素可以解释夏、冬季对流边界层高度的69.6％和70.8％,而对于对流边界层极大值,则其解释可高达81％和84.6％.热力因素是西北干旱区对流边界层产生的主要原因,其中,感热又是最根本原因.     

Impacts of Irrigation and Vegetation Growth on Summer Rainfall in the Taklimakan Desert

In recent decades, a greening tendency due to increased vegetation has been noted around the Taklimakan Desert(TD), but the impact of such a change on the local hydrological cycle remains uncertain. Here, we investigate the response of the local hydrological cycle and atmospheric circulation to a green TD in summer using a pair of global climate model(Community Earth System Model version 1.2.1) simulations. With enough irrigation to support vegetation growth in the TD, the modeling suggests first, that significant increases in local precipitation are attributed to enhanced local recycling of water, and second, that there is a corresponding decrease of local surface temperatures. On the other hand, irrigation and vegetation growth in this low-lying desert have negligible impacts on the large-scale circulation and thus the moisture convergence for enhanced precipitation. It is also found that the green TD can only be sustained by a large amount of irrigation water supply since only about one-third of the deployed water can be "recycled " locally. Considering this,devising a way to encapsulate the irrigated water within the desert to ensure more efficient water recycling is key for maintaining a sustainable, greening TD.     

中尺度非均一边界层气候的数值研究: (Ⅱ) 夏季的数值试验

用修改的Nickerson等提出的中尺度模式，对我国北方夏季非均一下垫面上的边界层气候特征进行了研究。结果表明，在晴朗、静风和无扰动系统的条件下，下垫面的非均一性对边界层气候起着决定性的影响。边界层气候特征和低空急流强度与局地环流关系密切。干燥裸地上边界层内出现的逆湿现象，是由下垫面非均一的湿度场和中尺度平流共同引起的。     

Radiative destabilization of the nocturnal stable atmospheric boundary layer over the desert

Radiative destabilization of the nocturnal stable atmospheric boundary layer (NSABL) over homogeneous desert terrain is predicted by an analytical model based on a modified diffusion equation. The model applies late at night under calm, dry conditions when long-wave radiative transfer dominates the NSABL evolution. A three-layer structure for the NSABL is proposed: a shear sub-layer closest to the surface, a radiative sub-layer which contains the inversion top, and a coupling sub-layer which matches the NSABL with the residual layer aloft. A sub-sub-layer called the nocturnal internal boundary layer (NIBL) is nested within the radiative sub-layer and comprises the temperature maximum. The model can explain: (1) maximum cooling in the NIBL, (2) deepening of the NIBL, (3) radiative destabilization of the NSABL, and (4) possible surface warming before sunrise. An example from the Mohave Desert, USA is presented, and the observed temperature profile compares favorably with the model solution.     

印度洋海气相互作用对热带夏季大气环流气候态的影响

利用分辨率较高的SINTEX-F(Scale INTeraction EXperiment-FRCGC) 海气耦合模式, 进行多组长时间积分模拟和理想试验, 分析研究热带印度洋海气耦合对夏季大气环流气候态的影响。主要结果有: (1) 热带印度洋海气相互作用使热带东印度洋产生明显的东风变化, 使热带中西太平洋赤道北部产生气旋性切变变化。 (2) 印度洋海气相互作用对大气环流气候态的影响绝大部分由于大气对海气相互作用的响应存在年际变化正负距平不对称性造成, 这种年际变化不对称性包括正偶极子与负偶极子的不对称、 海盆宽度正异常与海盆宽度负异常的不对称。 (3) 年际和季节内两种时间尺度海气相互作用对印度洋关键区大气环流平均态都有影响, 约各占60%、 40%; 季节内尺度海气相互作用对太平洋近赤道区大气环流平均态有重要影响; 年际尺度海气相互作用对太平洋赤道外地区大气环流平均态有重要影响。热带印度洋年际尺度、 季节内尺度海气相互作用对大气环流气候态的影响, 都存在年际变化以及年际变化正负距平不对称性。这两种尺度海气相互作用主要通过年际变化正负距平不对称性而对大气环流平均态产生影响。     

Effects of mesoscale sea-surface temperature fronts on the marine atmospheric boundary layer

A numerical modelling study is presented focusing on the effects of mesoscale sea-surface temperature (SST) variability on surface fluxes and the marine atmospheric boundary-layer structure. A basic scenario is examined having two regions of SST anomaly with alternating warm/cold or cold/warm water regions. Conditions upstream from the anomaly region have SST values equal to the ambient atmosphere temperature, creating an upstream neutrally stratified boundary layer. Downstream from the anomaly region the SST is also set to the ambient atmosphere value. When the warm anomaly is upstream from the cold anomaly, the downstream boundary layer exhibits a more complex structure because of convective forcing and mixed layer deepening upstream from the cold anomaly. An internal boundary layer forms over the cold anomaly in this case, generating two distinct layers over the downstream region. When the cold anomaly is upstream from the warm anomaly, mixing over the warm anomaly quickly destroys the shallow cold layer, yielding a more uniform downstream boundary-layer vertical structure compared with the warm-to- cold case. Analysis of the momentum budget indicates that turbulent momentum flux divergence dominates the velocity field tendency, with pressure forcing accounting for only about 20% of the changes in momentum. Parameterization of surface fluxes and boundary-layer structure at these scales would be very difficult because of their dependence on subgrid-scale SST spatial order. Simulations of similar flow over smaller scale fronts (<5 km) suggest that small-scale SST variability might be parameterized in mesoscale models by relating the effective heat flux to the strength of the SST variance.