随机误差对混沌系统可预报性的影响

根据非线性局部Lyapunov指数的方法, 以Logistic映射和Lorenz系统的试验数据序列为例, 研究了在初始误差存在的情况下, 随机误差对混沌系统可预报性的影响。结果表明: 初始误差和随机误差对可预报期限影响所起的作用大小主要取决于两者的相对大小。当初始误差远大于随机误差时, 系统的可预报期限主要由初始误差决定, 可以不考虑随机误差对预报模式可预报性的影响; 反之, 当随机误差远大于初始误差时, 系统的可预报期限主要由随机误差决定; 当初始误差和随机误差量级相当时, 两者都对系统的可预报期限起重要作用。在后两种情况下, 在考虑初始误差对可预报性影响的同时还必须考虑随机误差的作用。此外, 我们在已知系统精确的控制方程和误差演化方程的条件下, 研究了随机误差对可预报性的影响, 理论所得结果与试验数据所得结果相似。这表明在随机误差较小的情况下, 对系统可预报期限的估计相对准确, 但在随机误差较大的情况下, 可预报期限的估计误差也较大。本文利用三种不同的滤波方法对序列进行了试验, 结果表明, Lanczos高通滤波得到的高频序列与原始加入的噪声序列无论是在强度上还是在演变趋势上都表现得相当一致, 其能有效地去除高频噪音继而提高对系统的可预报期限的估计, 这对实际气象观测资料如何有效地去除噪音具有一定的启发意义。     

Application of Backward Nonlinear Local Lyapunov Exponent Method to Assessing the Relative Impacts of Initial Condition and Model Errors on Local Backward Predictability

Initial condition and model errors both contribute to the loss of atmospheric predictability. However, it remains debatable which type of error has the larger impact on the prediction lead time of specific states. In this study, we perform a theoretical study to investigate the relative effects of initial condition and model errors on local prediction lead time of given states in the Lorenz model. Using the backward nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent method, the prediction lead time,also called local backward predictability limit(LBPL), of given states induced by the two types of errors can be quantitatively estimated. Results show that the structure of the Lorenz attractor leads to a layered distribution of LBPLs of states. On an individual circular orbit, the LBPLs are roughly the same, whereas they are different on different orbits. The spatial distributions of LBPLs show that the relative effects of initial condition and model errors on local backward predictability depend on the locations of given states on the dynamical trajectory and the error magnitudes. When the error magnitude is fixed, the differences between the LBPLs vary with the locations of given states. The larger differences are mainly located on the inner trajectories of regimes. When the error magnitudes are different, the dissimilarities in LBPLs are diverse for the same given state.     

误差非线性的增长理论及可预报性研究

对非线性系统的误差发展方程不作线性化近似，直接用原始的误差发展方程来研究初始误差的发展，提出了误差非线性的增长理论。首先，在相空间中定义一个非线性误差传播算子，初始误差在这个算子的作用下，可以非线性发展成任意时刻的误差；然后，在此基础上，引入了非线性局部Lyapunov指数的概念。由平均非线性局部Lyapunov指数可以得到误差平均相对增长随时间的演变情况；对于一个混沌系统，误差平均相对增长被证明将趋于一个饱和值，利用这个饱和值，混沌系统的可预报期限可以被定量地确定。误差非线性的增长理论可以应用于有限尺度大小初始扰动的可预报性研究，较误差的线性增长理论有明显的优越性。     

Relationships between the Limit of Predictability and Initial Error in the Uncoupled and Coupled Lorenz Models

In this study, the relationship between the limit of predictability and initial error was investigated using two simple chaotic systems:the Lorenz model, which possesses a single characteristic time scale, and the coupled Lorenz model, which possesses two different characteristic time scales. The limit of predictability is defined here as the time at which the error reaches 95% of its saturation level; nonlinear behaviors of the error growth are therefore involved in the definition of the limit of predictability. Our results show that the logarithmic function performs well in describing the relationship between the limit of predictability and initial error in both models, although the coefficients in the logarithmic function were not constant across the examined range of initial errors. Compared with the Lorenz model, in the coupled Lorenz model-in which the slow dynamics and the fast dynamics interact with each other-there is a more complex relationship between the limit of predictability and initial error. The limit of predictability of the Lorenz model is unbounded as the initial error becomes infinitesimally small; therefore, the limit of predictability of the Lorenz model may be extended by reducing the amplitude of the initial error. In contrast, if there exists a fixed initial error in the fast dynamics of the coupled Lorenz model, the slow dynamics has an intrinsic finite limit of predictability that cannot be extended by reducing the amplitude of the initial error in the slow dynamics, and vice versa. The findings reported here reveal the possible existence of an intrinsic finite limit of predictability in a coupled system that possesses many scales of time or motion.     

非线性局部Lyapunov指数方法在目标观测中的应用初探

本文初步探讨了非线性局部Lyapunov指数方法(NLLE)在目标观测中的应用。首先, 在NLLE理论基础上研究了非线性动力系统内局部平均误差相对增长(LAGRE)特征, 证明了在误差发展进入随机状态前, LAGRE与初始误差大小无关而是与初始状态有关;在演化进入随机状态后, LAGRE的饱和值由初始误差大小决定这一特征。同时利用三个变量的常微分方程模型Lorenz63验证了这一结论。其次, 从非线性局部误差增长理论出发, 在局部动力演化相似方法(LDA)的基础上提出向前局部动力演化相似方法(FLDA)的概念, 并通过两个混沌个例来说明LDA和FLDA方法能够有效的利用历史资料还原任意初始状态的LAGRE。这些方法的提出为NLLE理论应用于观测资料研究目标观测问题提供了依据。     

33模Lorenz系统的混沌特征及其可预报性分析

简述了33模Lorenz系统的导出及求解过程,并从功率谱、关联维数和Lyapunov指数等三方面验证其33个谱模分量及流场和扰动温度场得到的时空序列具有混沌特性,并对其进行可预报性分析。结果表明,对于混沌系统而言,对其时空序列取平均并不能延长可预报时效。     

混沌系统单变量可预报性研究

对于n维的混沌系统, 不同变量的可预报性是不同的。为了研究混沌系统中单个变量的可预报性, 本文在以前提出的混沌系统整体的非线性局部Lyapunov指数基础上(李建平等, 2006), 引入了单变量的非线性局部Lyapunov指数及其相关统计量, 进一步完善了非线性误差增长理论。通过应用到几个混沌个例, 结果表明单变量的非线性局部Lyapunov指数及其相关统计量可以用来定量地研究多维混沌系统中不同变量的可预报性, 系统不同变量的可预报性之间不是相互独立的, 而是单个变量的可预报期限与系统整体的可预报期限之比都近似保持一个常数, 但各个变量的常数值有所不同。     

Estimating the Predictability Limit of Tropical Cyclone Tracks over the Western North Pacific Using Observational Data

In this study, the nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent (NLLE) approach was used to quantitatively determine the predictability limit of tropical cyclone (TC) tracks based on observed TC track data obtained from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center. The results show that the predictability limit of all TC tracks over the whole western North Pacific (WNP) basin is about 102 h, and the average lifetime of all TC tracks is about 174 h. The predictability limits of the TC tracks for short-, medium-, and long-lived TCs are approximately 72 h, 120 h, and 132 h, respectively. The predictability limit of the TC tracks depends on the TC genesis location, lifetime, and intensity, and further analysis indicated that these three metrics are closely related. The more intense and longer-lived TCs tend to be generated on the eastern side of the WNP (EWNP), whereas the weaker and shorter-lived TCs tend to form in the west of the WNP (WWNP) and the South China Sea (SCS). The relatively stronger and longer-lived TCs, which are generated mainly in the EWNP, have a longer travel time before they curve northeastwards and hence tend to be more predictable than the relatively weaker and shorter-lived TCs that form in the WWNP region and SCS. Furthermore, the results show that the predictability limit of the TC tracks obtained from the best-track data may be underestimated due to the relatively short observational records currently available. Further work is needed, employing a numerical model to assess the predictability of TC tracks.     

Predictability of Ensemble Forecasting Estimated Using the Kullback–Leibler Divergence in the Lorenz Model

A new method to quantify the predictability limit of ensemble forecasting is presented using the Kullback–Leibler(KL)divergence(also called the relative entropy), which provides a measure of the difference between the probability distributions of ensemble forecasts and local reference(true) states. The KL divergence is applicable to a non-normal distribution of ensemble forecasts, which is a substantial improvement over the previous method using the ensemble spread. An example from the three-variable Lorenz model illustrates the effectiveness of the KL divergence, which can effectively quantify the predictability limit of ensemble forecasting. On this basis, the KL divergence is used to investigate the dependence of the predictability limit of ensemble forecasting on the initial states and the magnitude of initial errors. The local predictability limit of ensemble forecasting varies considerably with the initial states, as well as with the magnitude of initial errors. Further research is needed to examine the real-world applications of the KL divergence in measuring the predictability of ensemble weather forecasts.     

月尺度气温可预报性对资料长度的依赖及可信度

利用全国518个站1960—2011年逐日气温观测资料和160个站1983—2012年月尺度气温客观预测数据,基于非线性局部Lyapunov指数和非线性误差增长理论,研究中国区域月尺度气温可预报性期限对资料序列长度的依赖性。结果表明:气温可预报性期限对资料序列的长度有一定程度的依赖性,在西北、东北及华中地区尤为明显。平均而言,45年的资料序列长度才能够得到稳定合理的可预报性期限。为了验证气温可预报期限计算结果的可信度,将月尺度气温的可预报性期限与客观气候预测方法的预报评分技巧进行对比,发现两者结果非常一致。其中,由观测资料得到的1月气温的可预报性期限明显低于7月,1月客观气候预测方法的预报评分技巧也明显低于7月,且1月 (7月) 预报评分的空间分布型与1月 (7月) 气温可预报性期限的空间分布型较为一致。因此,利用非线性局部Lyapunov指数和台站逐日观测资料分析气温的可预报性期限结果是可信的。     

Determining the Spectrum of the Nonlinear Local Lyapunov Exponents in a Multidimensional Chaotic System

For an n-dimensional chaotic system, we extend the definition of the nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent(NLLE) from one-to n-dimensional spectra, and present a method for computing the NLLE spectrum. The method is tested on three chaotic systems with different complexity. The results indicate that the NLLE spectrum realistically characterizes the growth rates of initial error vectors along different directions from the linear to nonlinear phases of error growth. This represents an improvement over the traditional Lyapunov exponent spectrum, which only characterizes the error growth rates during the linear phase of error growth. In addition, because the NLLE spectrum can effectively separate the slowly and rapidly growing perturbations, it is shown to be more suitable for estimating the predictability of chaotic systems, as compared to the traditional Lyapunov exponent spectrum.     

Bred vectors of the Lorenz63 system

The breeding method has been widely used in studies of data assimilation, predictability and instabilities. The bred vectors(BVs), which are the nonlinear difference between the control and perturbed runs, represent the time-evolving rapidly growing errors in dynamic systems. The Lorenz(1963) model(hereafter Lorenz63 model) has chaotic dynamics similar to weather and climate. This study investigates the features of BVs of the Lorenz63 model and its impact on regime prediction of the Lorenz63 model. The results show that the Lorenz63 model has two different BVs for each breeding cycle, and the two BVs approach being identical when growth rate is high. The duration of the current and next regime is associated with the relative directions between the BV with high growth rate and the model trajectory.     

短期气候可预报期限的时空分布

在非线性误差增长理论的基础上,研究了位势高度场与温度场月和季节时间尺度可预报期限的时空分布特征,结果表明:(1)在500 hPa位势高度场上,年平均月和季节尺度可预报期限的空间分布都存在明显的南北经向性差异,其中在热带地区月和季节尺度可预报期限都为最大,月尺度可预报期限都在6个月以上, 其中最高值超过了9个月,而季节尺度可预报期限基本上都在8个月以上,其中最高值超过了11个月;从热带地区到南北半球中纬度地区,随着纬度的升高,月和季节尺度可预报期限也迅速减少。(2)在500 hPa位势高度场上,月和季节尺度可预报期限的空间分布都有明显的季节变化。冬季月和季节尺度可预报期限除了在热带地区较大外,在北太平洋和邻近的北美西北部地区、北大西洋地区以及南极地区,冬季月和季节尺度可预报期限也相对周围地区较高。夏季除了北非和西亚地区月和季节尺度可预报期明显大于冬季以外,大部分地区月和季节尺度可预报期限比冬季明显减少。(3)500 hPa温度场月和季节尺度可预报期限的空间分布以及随季节的变化特征基本上与高度场相同,只是在热带大部分地区,高度场相对温度场来说月和季节尺度可预报性更高,更适合用来作长期预报。     

Climate predictability on interannual to decadal time scales: the initial value problem

Any initial value forecast of climate will be subject to errors originating from poorly known initial conditions, model imperfections, and by "chaos" in the sense that, even if the initial conditions were perfectly known, infinitesimal errors can amplify and spoil the forecast at some lead time. Here the latter source of error is examined using a "perfect model" approach whereby small perturbations are made to a coupled atmosphere-ocean general circulation model and the spread of nearby model trajectories, on time and space scales appropriate to seasonal-decadal climate variability, is measured to assess the lead time at which the error saturates. The study therefore represents an estimate of the upper limit of the predictability of climate (appropriate to the initial value problem) given a perfect model and near perfect knowledge of the initial conditions. It is found that, on average, surface air temperature anomalies are potentially predictable on seasonal to interannual time scales in the tropical regions and are potentially predictable on decadal time scales over the ocean in the North Atlantic. For mid-latitude surface air temperature anomalies over land, model trajectories rapidly diverge and there is little sign of any potential predictability on time scales greater than a season or so. For mean sea level pressure anomalies, there is potential predictability on seasonal time scales in the tropics, and for some global scale annual-decadal anomalies, although not those associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation. For precipitation, the only potential for predictability is for seasonal time anomalies associated with the El-Niño Southern Oscillation. For the majority of the highly populated regions of the world, climate predictability on interannual to decadal time scales based in the initial value approach is likely to be severely limited by chaotic error growth. It is found however that there can be cases in which the potential predictability can be higher than average indicating that there is perhaps some utility in making initial value forecasts of climate in those regions which show low predictability on average.     

Comparisons of Two Ensemble Mean Methods in Measuring the Average Error Growth and the Predictability

In this paper,taking the Lorenz system as an example,we compare the influences of the arithmetic mean and the geometric mean on measuring the global and local average error growth.The results show that the geometric mean error (GME) has a smoother growth than the arithmetic mean error (AME) for the global average error growth,and the GME is directly related to the maximal Lyapunov exponent,but the AME is not,as already noted by Krishnamurthy in 1993.Besides these,the GME is shown to be more appropriate than the AME in measuring the mean error growth in terms of the probability distribution of errors.The physical meanings of the saturation levels of the AME and the GME are also shown to be different.However,there is no obvious difference between the local average error growth with the arithmetic mean and the geometric mean,indicating that the choices of the AME or the GME have no influence on the measure of local average predictability.     

Estimating the Predictability of the Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation Using the Nonlinear Local Lyapunov Exponent Approach

The quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) is a major intraseasonal variability (ISV) in the tropics. Based on bandpass-filtered outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and wind field data, the predictability limits of the QBWO in boreal summer and boreal winter are investigated using the nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent (NLLE) approach The analysis shows that the evolution of the mean error growth of the QBWO in boreal summer and the evolution of the mean error growth in boreal winter are comparable Both curves exhibit rapid growth in the initial stage followed by a slowly fluctuating, ascending trend before saturation is reached. As a result, the potential predictability limits for the boreal summer QBWO are very close to those for the boreal winter QBWO, with a lead time of approximately three weeks. Given the current limitations in the simulation and prediction of ISV, including the QBWO, the results of this study provide a useful reference for assessing the predictability of the QBWO using model simulations.     

Predictability of the 500 hPa Height Field

The dimensions of attractors and predictability are estimated from phase space trajectories of observed 500 hPa height over the Northern Hemisphere. As a first estimate the dimensions of attractors are about 11.5 and the doubling time of the initial error is 6 to 7 days for original data. But the former is shorter and the latter is longer for low frequency data set.To verify if the predictability estimated by this method and by general circulation model is identical, the doubling time of the initial error of a model data set by both methods is estimated. It is shown that the predictability obtained from phase space trajectories is overestimated to sufficient small initial error. But it is underestimated to the time being equal to the climatological RMS error.     

数值天气预报和气候预测可预报性研究的若干动力学方法

简要回顾了数值天气预报和气候预测可预报性研究的若干动力学方法,包括用于研究第一类可预报性问题的线性奇异向量（LSV）和条件非线性最优初始扰动（CNOP-I）方法,以及Lyapunov指数和非线性局部Lyapunov指数方法。前两种方法用于研究预报或预测的预报误差问题,可以用于估计天气预报和气候预测的最大预报误差,而且根据导致最大预报误差的初始误差结构的信息,这两种方法可以用于确定预报或预测的初值敏感区。应该指出的是,LSV是基于线性化模式,对于描述非线性大气和海洋的运动具有局限性。因而,对于非线性模式,应该选择使用CNOP-I估计最大预报误差。Lyapunov指数和非线性局部Lyapunov指数可以用于研究第一类可预报性问题中的预报时限问题,前者是基于线性模式,不能解释非线性对预报时限的影响,而非线性局部Lyapunov指数方法则考虑了非线性的影响,能够较好地估计实际天气和气候的预报时限。第二类可预报性问题的研究方法相对较少,本文仅介绍了由我国科学家提出的关于模式参数扰动的条件非线性最优参数扰动（CNOP-P）方法,该方法可以用于寻找到对预报有最大影响的参数扰动,并可以进一步确定哪些参数最应该利用观测资料进行校准。另一方面,通过对比CNOP-I和CNOP-P对预报误差的影响,可以判断导致预报不确定性的主要误差因子,进而指导人们着力改进模式或者初始场。     

LOCALIZED FEATURES OF CHAOTIC SYSTEM AND ATMOSPHERIC PREDICTABILITY

The localized features on chaotic attractor in phase space and predictability are investigated in thepresent study.It will be suggested that the localized features in phase space have to be considered indetermining the predictability.The notions of the local instability including the finite-time and local-time instabilities which determine the growth rate of error are introduced,and the calculation methodsare discussed in detail.The results from the calculation of the 3-component Lorenz model show thatsuch instability,correspondingly the growth rate of error,varies dramatically as the trajectoriesevolve on the chaotic attractor.The region in which the growth rate of error is small is localizedconsiderably,and is separable from the region in which the growth rate is large.The localpredictability is of important interest.It is also suggested that such localized features may be the maincause for a great deal of case-to-case variability of the predictive skill in the operational forecasts.     

条件非线性最优扰动在可预报性问题研究中的应用

本文总结了近年来条件非线性最优扰动方法的应用研究的主要进展.主要包括四个方面:(1)将条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)方法拓展到既考虑初始扰动又考虑模式参数扰动,形成了拓展的CNOP方法.拓展的CNOP方法不仅能够应用于研究分别由初始误差和模式参数误差导致的可预报性问题,而且能够用于探讨初始误差和模式参数误差同时存在的情形;(2)将拓展的CNOP方法分别应用于ENSO和黑潮可预报性研究,考察了初始误差和模式参数误差对其可预报性的影响,揭示了初始误差在导致ENSO和黑潮大弯曲路径预报不确定性中的重要作用;(3)考察了阻塞事件发生的最优前期征兆(OPR)以及导致其预报不确定性的最优增长初始误差(OGR),揭示了OPR和OGR空间模态及其演变机制的相似性及其局地性特征;(4)研究了台风预报的目标观测问题,用CNOP方法确定了台风预报的目标观测敏感区,通过观测系统模拟试验(OSSEs)和/或观测系统试验(OSEs),表明了CNOP敏感区在改进台风预报中的有效性.具体地,台风OGR的主要误差分布在某一特定区域,空间分布具有明显的局地性特征,在台风OGR的局地性区域增加观测,有效改进了台风的预报技巧,该区域代表了台风预报的初值敏感区.事实上,上述El Ni(n)o事件、黑潮路径变异以及阻塞事件的OGR的空间分布也具有明显的局地性特征,这些事件的OGR刻画的局地性区域可能也代表了初值敏感区.