Dust Storms in North China in 2002： A Case Study of the Low Frequency Oscillation

The low frequency oscillation in both hemispheres and its possible role in the dust weather storm events over North China in 2002 are analyzed as a case study. Results show that the Aleutian Low is linked with the Circumpolar Vortex in the Southern Hemisphere on a 30-60-day oscillation, with a weak Circumpolar Vortex tending to deepen the Aleutian Low which may be helpful for the generation of dust storm events. The possible mechanism behind this is the inter-hemispheric interaction of the mean meridional circulation, with the major variability over East Asia. The zonal mean westerly wind at high latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere in the upper level troposphere may lead that of the Northern Hemisphere, which then impacts the local circulation in the Northern Hemisphere. Thus, the low frequency oscillation teleconnection is one possible linkage in the coupling between the Southern Hemisphere circulation and dust events over North China. However, the interannual variation of the low frequency oscillation is unclear.     

DISTRIBUTION OF LOW FREQUENCY WAVES IN NORTH PACIFIC AND INTRASEASONAL ABNORMALITY OF THE WESTERN PACIFIC SUBTROPICAL HIGH

By using ECMWF (2.5°×2.5°) grid data, analyzing correlation for the summer (June-August) of 1980 (the West Pacific Subtropical High (WPSH) anomalously more to the south), 1988 (the WPSH anomalously more to the north), 1981 (normal) in the west Pacific area, distribution characteristics of the low frequency waves are discussed. The relationship between distribution of the low frequency waves and intraseasonal abnormality of the west subtropical high is also analyzed. There is some discussions:(1)If the WPSH acts anomalously in summer, there is a distinct zonal wave series in the subtropical zone of the north Pacific.(2) One of the important characteristics of the WPSH abnormality is that there are low frequency geopotential high centres from east Pacific and northeast Asia, being combined in the west Pacific area.For different circulation, the combination areas are different, which define the WSPH anomalously more to the north or south.     

THE STRUCTURE OF TROPICAL CYCLONE BY TOVS AND ITS APPLICATION IN NUMERICAL WEATHER PREDICTION

The TOVS data are used to study the structure of a number of tropical cyclones for the year 2000. Differences are found to some extent between what is found and classic conceptual models in that (1) the horizontal structure is asymmetric and variable so that the low-value centers at low levels of the geopotential height field (or the high-value centers at high levels) do not necessarily coincide with the high-value centers of the temperature field; (2) the vertical structure is also variable in the allocation of the anomalies of the geopotential height field between low values at low levels and high values at high levels. It is especially noted that the centers of the anomalies are tilting at both high and low levels or the high level is only at the edge of a high-pressure zone. There is not any significant high-value anomalous center in a corresponding location with the tropical cyclone. The structure of tropical cyclone in the TOVS is also used as reference to modify the structure of typhoon BOGUS in the numerical prediction model system of tropical cyclones. It is found that the modified BOGUS performs better in coordinating with the environment and predicting the track of the tropical cyclone. The demonstration is two-fold — the structure of the typhoon BOGUS is such that it means much in the track prediction and the use of the TOVS-based tropical cyclone structure really helps in improving it. It provides the foundation for modification and evolution of typhoon BOGUS.     

INFLUENCE OF INTERACTION BETWEEN LOW AND MIDDLE LATITUDES ON ENSO VARIABILITY IN THE CANE-ZEBIAK MODEL

In this paper,an error source in the atmospheric component of the CZ(Cane-Zebiak)model isdiscussed,which is missing a free mode in“the exact solutions”.However,the improved schemeis proposed,which is the computational scheme with adjusted wind or observed u and v as lateralboundaries.The simulations show that the simulated surface wind by the improved scheme strong-ly bears resemblance to the observation except for the area near the west and the east boundaries ofthe integrated area.These results support the conclusion that the wind stress simulated by the im-proved scheme with lateral boundaries is much better than that simulated by the CZ model,andshow that interaction between low and middle latitudes has an important influence on the ENSOvariability in the CZ model.Therefore,considering its impact on the CZ model can improve capa-bility of the CZ model for simulating ENSO variability.     

THE ABNORMAL PERIODS OF CLIMATE IN CHINA OVER THE PAST 5000 YEARS AND THEIR CAUSES

This paper points out that (1) there were 5 abnormal periods of climate in China over the last 1000 years, in which the frequency, the severity and the influenced area of such calamities as low temperature, drought and flood increased greatly; (2) there were 3 or 4 worse periods of climate over the past 5000 years which were more severe than the above-mentioned climate; (3) the momental effect of the geocentric synods of nine planets is one of the important causes for the formation of the abnormal and worse periods of climate; and (4) from the 1960s to about 2000 A.D. China and the entire Northern Hemisphere would probably undergo another abnormal period of climate.     

Impact of the Western Pacific Tropical Easterly Jet on Tropical Cyclone Genesis Frequency over the Western North Pacific

Although it is well known that the tropical easterly jet(TEJ)has a significant impact on summer weather and climate over India and Africa,whether the TEJ exerts an important impact on tropical cyclone(TC)activity over the western North Pacific(WNP)remains unknown.In this study,we examined the impact of the TEJ on the interannual variability of TC genesis frequency over the WNP in the TC season(June-September)during 1980-2020.The results show a significant positive correlation between TC genesis frequency over the WNP and the jet intensity in the entrance region of the TEJ over the tropical western Pacific(in brief WP_TEJ),with a correlation coefficient as high as 0.66.The intensified WP_TEJ results in strong ageostrophic northerly winds in the entrance region and thus upper-level divergence to the north of the jet axis over the main TC genesis region in the WNP.This would lead to an increase in upward motion in the troposphere with enhanced low-level convergence,which are the most important factors to the increases in low-level vorticity,mid-level humidity and low-level eddy kinetic energy,and the decreases in sea level pressure and vertical wind shear in the region.All these changes are favorable for TC genesis over the WNP and vice versa.Further analyses indicate that the interannual variability of the WP_TEJ intensity is likely to be linked to the local diabatic heating over the Indian Ocean-western Pacific and the central Pacific El Ni?o-Southern Oscillation.     

THE IMPACT OF NOAA SATELLITE SOUNDING DATA ON THE SYSTEMATIC FORECAST ERROR OF B-MODEL

This paper is to examine the impact of satellite data on the systematic error of operational B-model in China.Em-phasis is put on the study of the impact of satellite sounding data on forecasts of the sea level pressure field and 500 hPaheight.The major findings are as follows.(1)The B-model usually underforecasts the strength of features in the sea level pressure(SLP)field,i.e.pressuresare too low near high pressure systems and too high near low pressure systems.(2)The nature of the systematic errors found in the 500 hPa height forecasts is not as clear cut as that of the SLPforecasts,but most often the same type of pattern is seen,i.e.,the heights in troughs are not low enough and those inridges are not high enough.(3)The use of satellite data in the B-model analysis/forecast system is found to have an impact upon the model'sforecast of SLP and 500 hPa height.Systematic errors in the vicinity of surface lows/500 hPa troughs over the oceansare usually found to be significantly reduced.A less conclusive mix of positive and negative impacts was found for allother types of features.     

THE DECADAL CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND THE ANOMALOUS ENSO DEVELOPMENTS IN 1990S

By using the wavelet transform method,the ENSO(2—7 a)signal and the decadal variability(8—20 a)are filtered out from the long-term SST data sets in order to investigate characteristicsof the decadal variability and its impact on the ENSO.It is found that there are two different kindsof decadal SSTA modes-horseshoe and horse saddle patterns in the tropical Pacific.Thehorseshoe pattern represents that the decadal SSTA variability in the central Pacific is in phasewith that in the eastern Pacific.The horse saddle pattern is named that they are out of phase.Theformer constituted the decadal variability before 1990s and the latter mainly prevailed during1990s.As the response of atmosphere to the ocean,two decadal wind patterns appear inassociation with the SST decadal modes.One is characterized by anomalous development of thezonal wind,the other by anomalous development of the meridional wind.These two kinds ofmodes can also be regarded as different phases of the decadal oscillation.Further studies haveshown that the influences of the two kinds of modes on the ENSO are different.The horse saddlemode has a stronger impact on the ENSO than the horseshoe mode.A possible mechanism for the influence of the decadal variability on the ENSO signal ispresented.The central part of the thermocline along the equatorial Pacific moves up or downsimultaneously with its eastern part while the decadal variability bears the horseshoe pattern.Butthe two segments of the thermocline in the central and eastern Pacific act oppositely while thedecadal variability shows the horse saddle pattern.In this case it has an-influence on the individualENSO'events by the superposition of the decadal variability.     

NON-LINEAR CRITICAL LAYER IN EL NINO AND LA NINA YEARS AND FORMATION, MAINTENTENANCE AND OSCILLATION OF THE SUBTROPICAL HIGH

Monthly mean zonal wind data from the European Center for Medium-range Weather Forecasting(ECMWF)for December 1982, April 1983, October 1984 and ApriI 1985 are used in numerical integration as thebasic flow in a non-linear critical-layer model. The subtropical high is extensive and limited in number if simulated with the basic now in December 1982 and April 1983. It consists of 2 to 3 cells that move westward at alloscillatory periods of 1～2 months. The subtropical high, simulated with the basic flow in October 1984 and April1 985. is weak and small in coverage, or distributed in strips that contain up to 4 cells. The high. merged or spillover a short time. is moving westward. The years 1982 ～1983 are a process of EI Niño while the years 1984-1985one of La Niña. lt is known from the chart of energy flux that it oscillates by a much larger amplitude and longerperiod in the EI Niño year than in the La Niña year. All the results above have indicated that the basic flow in the EI Niño year is enhancing the subtropical high lagging by about 4 months and that in the La Niña year is decay'ing it. It is consiStent with the well-known observational fact that the SSTA in the equatorial eastern Pacitlc ispositively correlated with the extent and intensity of the subtropical high in west Pacific lagging by 1～2 seasons.The result is also important for further study of the formation, maintenance and oscillation of the subtropicalhigh.     

INSTABILITY OF THE TELECONNECTION OF SUMMER RAINFALLS BETWEEN NORTH CHINA AND INDIA

Summer rainfall variations in North China closely relate to that in India. It seems that an alternation of signs of " , -, " exists in the geographical pattern of the correlation in summer rainfall from North China to India through the Tibetan Plateau. However, it appears that the teleconnection of summer rainfall variations between North China and India is unstable. Over 1945 - 1974, the correlation coefficient (hereafter as CC) is as large as 0.7. In contrast, the CC is about-0.3 over 1827-1856. Further studies, based on observations starting from 1813, showed that the correlation is strong when summer rainfalls in both North China and India are large, and vice versa. In order to find what induce the change of the teleconnection, variations of summer rainfall in both North China and India, mean sea surface temperature (SST) in the eastern equatorial Pacific and the frequency of ENSO events were examined in relation to the change of the teleconnection. The result showed that the teleconnection appears weak when the mean SST is high and the frequency of La Nia events is low; the teleconnection is strong when the mean SST is low and the frequency of La Nia events is high. At last, it is notable that La Nia happens in only 3 years during the recent 30 years from 1976 to 2005 and the teleconnection becomes weak too.     

BOREAL SUMMER CLIMATOLOGY AND STANDARD DEVIATION IN GLOBAL LOW-FREQUENCY STREAMFUNCTION FIELDS AT 200 hPa

Based on NCEP/NCAR DOE daily reanalysis dataset during 1980-2015, this study investigates the boreal summer climatology and standard deviation of streamfunction in different low frequency periods (including 10-30 days, 30-60 days and more than 60 days) at 200 hPa. Distinctions in the characteristics in different periods are emphasized. It is found that the distribution of streamfunction on the timescale longer than 60 days is mainly zonal symmetric, accompanied by strong variability in the Northern Hemisphere subtropical jet streams. For the 10-30-day timescale, it reflects the zonal fluctuating structure in the middle and high latitudes and large variability in the Southern Hemisphere. Tropical quadrupole structure is observed on the 30-60-day timescale in climatology. Besides, a relative weak standard deviation is also found in this period. This work provides basic knowledge on climatology and variability in low-frequency streamfunction, which has not been fully illustrated in previous studies.     

COMPARISON STUDY ON THE INTRASEASONAL VARIATIONS IN CIRCULATIONS AND PRECIPITATION MODULATED BY THE TROPICAL CYCLOGENESIS OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA–WESTERN PACIFIC DURING GUANGDONG FLOODING PERIOD

Based on tropical cyclone datasets from Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP, USA) reanalysis data and the rainfall records from 743 stations in China, the impacts of cyclogenesis number over the South China Sea and the western Pacific are studied on the 30-60-day oscillations in the precipitation of Guangdong during the flooding period. The year with more-than-normal (less-than-normal) tropical cyclogenesis is defined as a ‘high year’ (‘low year’). In light of the irregular periodic oscillations, the method used to construct the composite life cycle is based on nine consecutive phases in each of the cycles. Phases 1, 3, 5, and 7 correspond to, respectively, the time when precipitation anomalies reach the minimum, a positive transition (negative-turning-to-positive) phase, the maximum, and a negative transition phase. The results showed that the precipitation of the 30-60-day oscillations is associated with the interaction between a well-organized eastward propagation system from the Arabian Sea/Bay of Bengal and a westward-propagating system (with cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies in the northwest-southeast direction) from the South China Sea to western Pacific during the high years, whereas the precipitation is affected during a low year by the circulation over the South China Sea and western Pacific (with cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies in the northeast-southwest direction). During the high year, the warm and wet air mass from the ocean to the west and south are transported to Guangdong by westerly anomalies and an enclosed latitudinal cell, which ascends in the Northern Hemisphere low latitudes and descends in the Southern Hemisphere low latitudes. During the low year, the warm and wet air mass from the ocean to the south is transported to Guangdong by southwesterly wind anomalies and local ascending movements. Because the kinetic energy, westerly, easterly shift, vertical velocity and vapor transportation averaged over (109–119° E, 10–20° N) is stronger in high years than those in low years, the precipitation of the 30-60-day oscillations in Guangdong is higher in high years than that in low years.     

Unprecedented Retreat in a 50-Year Observational Record for Petermann Glacier, North Greenland

Petermann Glacier is a marine-terminating outlet glacier that had a 70 km-long floating ice tongue prior to a～270 km2calving event that was observed from satellite sensors in August 2010,shortening the ice tongue by～27 km.Further,in July 2012,another 10 km was lost through calving.In order to understand these events in perspective,here the authors perform a long-term data analysis of Petermann Glacier calving-front variability and ice velocity for each year in the 1990s–2000s,supplemented by available observations from the previous three decades.Five major(on the order of 100 km2)calving events are identified,with～153 km2calved from1959 to 1961,～168 km2in 1991,～71 km2in 2001,～270 km2in 2010,and～130 km2in 2012—as well as～31km2calved in 2008.The increased frequency of major calving events in recent years has left the front terminus position retreated nearly 25 km beyond the range of observed in previous decades.In contrast,stable ice-dynamics are suggested from ice-velocity measurements made each year between 1993–2012,which are on average1063 m yr–1,with limited interannual variability and no significant trend;moreover,there is no apparent relationship between ice-velocity variability and calving events.The degree to which the massive calving events in 2010and 2012 represent natural episodic variability or a response to atmospheric and/or oceanic changes remains speculative;however,melt-induced weakening of the floating ice tongue in recent years is strongly suggested.     

STUDY OF NORTHERN WINTER ATMOSPHERIC ACTIVE CENTERS (AAC) CLIMATE BASE-STATE WITH ITS CLIMATE VARIABILITY AND EFFECTS

The study of low-frequency oscillations is an important part of climate variability research. In view of insufficient efforts spent on multidecadal and ENSO-scale changes of the climate, the present paper undertakes study of > 30 year slowly-varying means, called climate base state (CBS), of northern winter AAC's in the past 100 years and more, with the CBS variability and its temporal evolution investigated, indicating that Aleutian low and Icelandic low (North Pacific high and North American high) experience maximum (minimum) variation in the CBS. The CBS exhibits two modes for its variation. The positive (negative) phase of mode Ⅰ presents a weak (strong) NAO (North Atlantic Oscillation), a weaker (stronger) NPO (North Pacific Oscillation), a robust (feeble) Siberian high and a quite weak (vigorous) Aleutian low whilst the positive (negative) phase of mode Ⅱ reveals a feeble (strong) Aleutian low and a weak (robust) Siberian high. Also, the research shows that the recent CBS of northern circulations is in a remarkably negative phase of mode Ⅰ and a noticeably positive phase of mode Ⅱ, viz., in the background of slowly-varying circulations of an exceptionally weak Siberian high, an extremely vigorous Aleutian low and an intense NAO. The background field is likely to persist for a matter of 30 years such that northern winter temperature is expected to be in such a warm situation for a long period to follow.     

PROPAGATION OF 30—60 DAY LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON THE SUBTROPICAL WESTERLIES JET STREAM DURING NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER

Based on daily ECMWF gridpoint data of two winters during 1981—1983 including an ENSOyear,propagation of low frequency oscillations(LFO)during Northern Hemisphere winters andtheir influences upon 30—60 day oscillations of the subtropical jet stream are studied with the sta-tistical methods as complex empirical orthogonal function(CEOF)and so on.Results show that inthe winter of a normal year(1981—1982),30—60 day oscillations in the subtropical zone aremainly in the northern and southern flanks of exit region of jet stream.In the ENSO year(1982—1983),they are mainly in the vicinity of entrance and exit regions of jet stream.Intraseasonalchanges of subtropical jet stream manifested themselves as latitudinal fluctuation or longitudinalprogression or regression of about 40 day period.There are marked differences between propagat-ing passages of low frequency modes responsible for changes of subtropical jet stream in the normalyear(1981—1982)and in the ENSO year(1982—1983).Changes of oscillation amplitude showobvious phases.In general,the one in late winter is stronger than that in early winter,strongestone occurs in February.     

The Variability of Spring Sand-Dust Storm Frequency in Northeast Asia from 1980 to 2011

The characteristic distributions of regional sand-dust storm(SDS) weather processes over Northeast Asia from 1980 to 2011 were investigated using the shared WMO surface station meteorological data,atmospheric sounding data,China high density weather data,NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data,as well as the archived original weather maps of China.The concentration-weighted trajectory(CWT) method was used to calculate the SDS frequency from the discrete station data and to track the large-scale regional SDS weather processes in Northeast Asia.A spline trend analysis method was employed to investigate the variability of the SDS weather systems.The results show that during 1980-2011,the SDS weather processes exhibit both a historical persistence and abrupt transitions with an approximate 10-yr high-low occurrence oscillation.Through composite analysis of atmospheric circulation during high and low SDS years,it is found that the SDS occurrences are closely related to the anomalies of arctic vortex and midlatitude westerly,and the circulation patterns around the Lake Baikal.During the high frequency years,the meridianal flows in the upper and mid troposphere above the high SDS corridor in East Asia(from the Lake Balkhash along Northwest and North China,Korean Peninsula,and Japan Islands) are apparently stronger than the meridianal flows during the low SDS frequency years,favoring the development and transport of SDSs in the midlatitude regions.     

DIFFERENCES AMONG DIFFERENT DATABASES IN THE NUMBER OF TROPICAL CYCLONES FORMING OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC

As shown in comparisons of the characteristics of inter-annual and inter-decadal variability and periodical changes in the number of tropical cyclones forming over the western North Pacific by three major forecast centers, i.e. China Meteorological Administration (CMA), Regional Specialized Meteorological Center of Tokyo (JMA) and Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) of Guam, there are the following important points. (1) Climatology of tropical cyclone (TC) or typhoon (TC on the intensity of TS or stronger) shows some difference in tropical cyclone frequency among the centers, which is more notable with TC than with typhoon. Both of them are more at the database of CMA than at those of the other two centers. (2) The difference is too significant to ignore in the inter-annual variability of tropical cyclone frequency between CMA and JTWC, which mainly results from the obvious difference in the inter-annual variability of the number of generated tropical depression (TD) between the two databases. The difference is small in the inter-annual variability of TS formations among all the three databases, and consistence is good between JMA and CMA or JTWC. (3) Though differences are not significant in the periodical variation of TC formations between CMA and JTWC, they are markedly apart in the inter-decadal variability, which is mainly shown by an anti-phase during the 1990s. (4) Non-homogeneity may exist around the late stage of the 1960s in the data of tropical cyclone frequency.     

The Impact of Global Warming on the Pacific Decadal Oscillation and the Possible Mechanism简

The response of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation （PDO） to global warming according to the Fast Ocean Atmosphere Model （FOAM） and global warming comparison experiments of 11 IPCC AR4 models is investigated. The results show that North Pacific ocean decadal variability, its dominant mode （i.e., PDO）, and atmospheric decadal variability, have become weaker under global warming, but with PDO shifting to a higher frequency. The SST decadal variability reduction maximum is shown to be in the subpolar North Pacific Ocean and western North Pacific （PDO center）. The atmospheric decadal variability reduction maximum is over the PDO center. It was also found that oceanic baroclinic Rossby waves play a key role in PDO dynamics, especially those in the subpolar ocean. As the frequency of ocean buoyancy increases under a warmer climate, oceanic baroclinic Rossby waves become faster, and the increase in their speed ratio in the high latitudes is much larger than in the low latitudes. The faster baroclinic Rossby waves can cause the PDO to shift to a higher frequency, and North Pacific decadal variability and PDO to become weaker.     

NUMERICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DIFFERENCES IN DIFFUSION BETWEEN p－SURFACE AND σ－SURFACE

Dimensional analysis and reduction are done to two existing schemes of 4th-order linear horizontal diffusion, and detailed control experiments between them are made using a topographyincluded mesoscale model. Horizontal diffusion is calculated on the or surface in one (known as Scheme A afterwards ), and on the p-surface in another (Scheme B). Experiments show that differences are small in smooth-terrain areas and very large in steep mountain areas, with the 24h rainfall prediction deviating by 50 mm between forecasts of the two sChemes. The reason may be that temperature and humidity are falsely diffused in Scheme A, which causes abnormal temperature and humidity, and results in the anomalies of the unstable layer and convective processes. In addition, Scheme A could also bring about circulation anomalies which assumingly have direct link to the convective anomalies in the scheme. Furthermore, perturbation may also affect surrounding areas by wave-like propagation such that precipitation anomalies may occur in the area. The analysis indicate that Scheme B is necessary and feasible for it minimizes diffusion-involved forecast abnormality in steep mountains and areas around.     

ACCURACY OF THE RETRIEVED TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY FIELDS FOR TYPHOON HAIYAN UTILIZING THE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY MICROWAVE SOUNDER

One-dimensional retrieval was performed on Typhoon Haiyan utilizing the advanced technology microwave sounder onboard the satellite Suomi NPP to retrieve the temperature and water vapor profiles of the typhoon. Comparisons of the retrieved profiles and ECMWF reanalysis were made to assess the results. The main conclusions are as follows. (1) The results have high spatial resolution and therefore can precisely represent the temperature and humidity distribution of the typhoon. (2) The retrieved temperature is low in the areas of low temperature and high in the areas of high temperature; similar patterns are observed for humidity. This means that systematic revision may be needed during routine application. (3) The results of the retrieved temperature and humidity profiles are generally accurate, which is quite important for typhoon monitoring.