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.     

关于线性奇异向量和条件非线性最优扰动差别的一个注记

奇异向量(singular vectors,SVs)和条件非线性最优扰动(conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation,CNOP)已广泛应用于研究大气—海洋系统的不稳定性以及与其相关的可预报性、集合预报和目标观测问题研究。本文首先回顾了SVs和CNOP的发展历史,并简单描述了它们的基本原理;然后针对二维正压准地转模式,使用不同的范数组合,分析了第一线性奇异向量(first singular vector,FSV)和CNOP之间的异同。结果表明,当优化时间较短时,度量SVs和CNOP大小的范数不同也将导致FSV和CNOP相差很大,而当度量SVs和CNOP大小的范数相同时,FSV和CNOP之间的差别则主要是由非线性物理过程作用的结果。因此,针对不同的物理问题,应该选取合适的度量范数研究FSV和CNOP以及其所引起的大气或海洋动力学的异同,从而揭示非线性物理过程的影响机理。     

条件非线性最优扰动在长江中下游地区冬季暴雨中的应用研究

为了提高长江中下游地区高影响天气的数值预报,利用条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)方法,对一次长江中下游地区冬季降水个例(高影响天气事件)进行目标观测研究,并通过观测系统模拟试验(OSSE)检验了该方法确定敏感区的有效性和可行性。试验结果表明,CNOP方法可有效识别对应于高影响天气事件的敏感区。通过对敏感区进行初始场修正后,可明显改善验证区内24 h累积降水预报误差和总能量预报误差。进一步分析发现,通过改善敏感区内的初始场信息(如水汽通量场和低层冷空气活动等),使得数值模式不仅能更真实刻画该天气系统的初始结构,还能更好模拟出该天气系统随时间的演变特征,因而减少了验证区内对该天气系统的预报误差。这一结果表明可以把CNOP方法应用于长江中下游地区高影响天气事件的目标观测研究或实践中。      

MJO随机强迫对CNOP型初始误差演变的影响

用Zebiak-Cane模式和季节内振荡(Madden-Julian Oscillation,MJO)的参数化表述以及条件非线性最优扰动(Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation,CNOP)方法,分析了以ENSO事件为基态的CNOP型初始误差的空间结构增长规律。结果表明,参数化的MJO对CNOP型初始误差的发展影响较小,其影响主要是使中东太平洋的海表面温度异常增大。CNOP型初始误差比由MJO不确定性产生的模式误差的影响大,前者可能是造成ENSO事件预报不确定性的主要误差来源。由于CNOP型初始误差的局地性,本结论可用来指导ENSO的目标观测和适应性资料同化。     

条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP):简介与数值求解

介绍了条件非线性最优扰动(Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation,CNOP)的定义及其在大气和海洋等可预报性研究中的应用。根据研究对象不同,CNOP分为与初始扰动有关的CNOP(CNOP-I)方法、与模式参数扰动有关的CNOP(CNOP-P)方法和同时考虑初始扰动和模式参数扰动的CNOP方法。目前,CNOP-I方法已经应用于ENSO、黑潮和阻塞可预报性以及热盐环流和草原生态系统稳定性的研究。此外,CNOP-I方法也被应用于探讨台风目标观测的研究,利用CNOP-I方法能够识别出台风预报的初值敏感区,通过观测系统模拟试验表明在初值敏感区增加观测能够有效改进台风的预报技巧。CNOP-P方法也在ENSO和黑潮可预报性以及热盐环流和草原生态系统稳定性研究中得到了应用。为了将CNOP方法应用于更多的领域,本文利用一个简单的Burgers方程,介绍了如何通过建立Burgers方程的切线性模式和伴随模式,从而利用非线性最优化算法计算获得CNOP。这一数值试验为将CNOP方法应用于更多的领域提供了借鉴。     

一种求解条件非线性最优扰动的快速算法及其在台风目标观测中的初步检验

条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)是Mu等2003年提出的一个新的理论方法,它是线性奇异向量在非线性情形的推广,克服了线性奇异向量不能代表非线性系统最快发展扰动的缺陷,成为非线性系统可预报性和敏感性等研究新的有效工具.然而,由于以往CNOP的求解需要采用伴随技术,计算量相当巨大,限制了该方法的推广应用.为了克服这一困难,本文基于经验正交分解(EOF),提出了一种求解CNOP的快速算法,利用GRAPES区域业务预报模式实现了CNOP快速计算,并在台风"麦莎"的目标观测研究中得到初步检验,通过观测系统模拟实验(OSSE)检验了该方法确定敏感性区域(瞄准区)的有效性和可行性.试验结果表明,用快速算法求解的CNOP,其净能量随时间快速地发展,而且发展呈非线性.在台风"麦莎"个例的目标观测试验中,用快速算法得到的预报时间为24 h的CNOP可以有效地识别瞄准区,并通过瞄准区内初值的改善,可明显减少目标区域(检验区)内24 h累计降水预报误差.尤其,累计降水预报的这种改进效果能够延伸到更长时间(如72 h),尽管检验时间是设在第24小时.进一步分析发现,24 h累计降水预报误差的减少是通过利用瞄准区内改善的初值改进初始时刻台风暖心结构、高空相对涡度以及水汽条件等而得以实现的.     

条件非线性最优扰动方法在台风“风神”和“凤凰”相互作用过程中的应用研究

利用条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)方法,对2002年发生在西太平洋上的台风“风神”和“凤凰”之间的相互作用进行研究。CNOP方法可揭示出“风神”对“凤凰”单向引导作用的过程,表现为若将“凤凰”所在区域作为验证区域,用CNOP方法识别的敏感区主要位于“风神”所在区域,呈现出环绕“风神”的半环状结构;若将“风神”所在区域作为验证区域,则CNOP方法所识别的敏感区主要位于“风神”与副高交界的地方,远离“凤凰”所在的区域,可见,“风神”主要受副高的影响。敏感性试验表明,CNOP所识别的敏感区内误差的发展要大于台风中心周围区域内初始误差的发展,且在全场误差的发展中占有较大的比重,说明CNOP所识别的敏感区对验证区域的预报有较大的影响。      

用非线性最优化方法研究El Ni(n)o可预报性的进展与前瞻

综述用非线性优化方法研究厄尔尼诺(El Ni(n)o)-南方涛动(ENSO)事件可预报性的进展.针对ENSO可预报性研究中的热点问题--"前期征兆"、"春季可预报性障碍",以及如何量化研究ENSO可预报性和ENSO的不对称性问题,作者在近年来的工作中先后用理论模式和中等复杂程度ENSO模式研究了ENSO可预报性的动力学,揭示了ENSO的若干重要非线性特征.主要结果如下:(1)条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)(局部CNOP)比线性奇异向量更易发展成ENSO事件,扮演了ENSO的最优前期征兆.这些ENSO事件关于气候平均态是不对称的.理论分析表明,非线性温度平流过程是造成这种不对称性的重要原因.1980～2002年的海洋再分析资料验证了上述理论结果.(2)ENSO事件CNOP型初始误差的发展有明显的季节依赖性,该误差导致了ENSO事件最显著的春季可预报性障碍(SPB)现象.ENSO事件SPB的发生不仅依赖于气候平均态,而且依赖于ENSO事件本身及其初始误差模态,是三者综合作用的结果.(3)建立了关于ENSO可预报性的最大可预报时间下界、最大预报误差上界和最大允许初始误差下界的三类可预报性问题,分别从三个方面揭示了ENSO事件的春季可预报性障碍现象,比较有效地量化了其可预报性.(4)通过CNOP方法,揭示了非线性温度平流在年代际尺度ENSO不对称性研究中的重要作用,解释了ENSO不对称性的年代际变化,基于所用ENSO模式给出了ENSO不对称性年代际变化的机制.最后,展望了非线性优化方法在ENSO可预报性中应用的前景,并期望该方法能拓展到ENSO第二类可预报性问题的研究中.     

用非线性最优化方法研究El Nio可预报性的进展与前瞻

综述用非线性优化方法研究厄尔尼诺(El Ni~no)南方涛动(ENSO)事件可预报性的进展。针对ENSO可预报性研究中的热点问题———“前期征兆”、“春季可预报性障碍”,以及如何量化研究ENSO可预报性和ENSO的不对称性问题,作者在近年来的工作中先后用理论模式和中等复杂程度ENSO模式研究了ENSO可预报性的动力学,揭示了ENSO的若干重要非线性特征。主要结果如下:(1)条件非线性最优扰动(CNOP)(局部CNOP)比线性奇异向量更易发展成ENSO事件,扮演了ENSO的最优前期征兆。这些ENSO事件关于气候平均态是不对称的。理论分析表明,非线性温度平流过程是造成这种不对称性的重要原因。1980~2002年的海洋再分析资料验证了上述理论结果。(2)ENSO事件CNOP型初始误差的发展有明显的季节依赖性,该误差导致了ENSO事件最显著的春季可预报性障碍(SPB)现象。ENSO事件SPB的发生不仅依赖于气候平均态,而且依赖于ENSO事件本身及其初始误差模态,是三者综合作用的结果。(3)建立了关于ENSO可预报性的最大可预报时间下界、最大预报误差上界和最大允许初始误差下界的三类可预报性问题,分别从三个方面揭示了ENSO事件的春季可预报性障碍现象,比较有效地量化了其可预报性。(4)通过CNOP方法,揭示了非线性温度平流在年代际尺度ENSO不对称性研究中的重要作用,解释了ENSO不对称性的年代际变化,基于所用ENSO模式给出了ENSO不对称性年代际变化的机制。最后,展望了非线性优化方法在ENSO可预报性中应用的前景,并期望该方法能拓展到ENSO第二类可预报性问题的研究中。     

应用奇异向量方法的适应性观测实例研究

近年来,通过适应性观测技术来减小预报误差已成为国际上数值预报中的一项关键技术,然而实施适应性观测对减小预报误差的影响评估是一个需要深入讨论的问题。文中利用奇异向量方法以2007年3月4日东北地区暴风雪天气过程为研究对象,考察了预报误差对不同观测区域观测资料的敏感性,在确定能量范数的基础上,分析了奇异向量的水平分和特征和垂直分布特征,利用奇异向量的空间结构确定了敏感区域。通过伪逆初始扰动场作为分析误差,研究验证区域的预报误差对不同区域增加观测的敏感性,试验结果表明,在敏感区域内进行补充观测来改善分析误差,能够最有效地提高验证区域内的预报水平;而减小非敏感区域内的分析误差对减小预报误差的贡献相对较小。这些结果表明,利用奇异向量法定义敏感区进行适应性观测,能够和有限的观测资源和计算资源的条件下,最大程度地减小验证区域的预报误差,从而达到提高验证区域预报准确率的目的。     

The Sensitive Regions Identified by CNOPs of Three Typhoon Events

In this paper, several sets of observing system simulation experiments (OSSEs) were designed for three typhoon cases to determine whether or not the additional observation data in the sensitive regions identified by conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations (CNOPs) could improve the short-range forecast of typhoons. The results show that the CNOPs capture the sensitive regions for typhoon forecasts, which implies that conducting additional observation in these specific regions and eliminating initial errors could reduce forecast errors. It is inferred from the results that dropping sondes in the CNOP sensitive regions could lead to improvements in typhoon forecasts.     

Initial Error-induced Optimal Perturbations in ENSO Predictions,as Derived from an Intermediate Coupled Model

The initial errors constitute one of the main limiting factors in the ability to predict the El Nio–Southern Oscillation(ENSO) in ocean–atmosphere coupled models. The conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation(CNOP) approach was employed to study the largest initial error growth in the El Nio predictions of an intermediate coupled model(ICM). The optimal initial errors(as represented by CNOPs) in sea surface temperature anomalies(SSTAs) and sea level anomalies(SLAs) were obtained with seasonal variation. The CNOP-induced perturbations, which tend to evolve into the La Nia mode, were found to have the same dynamics as ENSO itself. This indicates that, if CNOP-type errors are present in the initial conditions used to make a prediction of El Nio, the El Nio event tends to be under-predicted. In particular, compared with other seasonal CNOPs, the CNOPs in winter can induce the largest error growth, which gives rise to an ENSO amplitude that is hardly ever predicted accurately. Additionally, it was found that the CNOP-induced perturbations exhibit a strong spring predictability barrier(SPB) phenomenon for ENSO prediction. These results offer a way to enhance ICM prediction skill and, particularly,weaken the SPB phenomenon by filtering the CNOP-type errors in the initial state. The characteristic distributions of the CNOPs derived from the ICM also provide useful information for targeted observations through data assimilation. Given the fact that the derived CNOPs are season-dependent, it is suggested that seasonally varying targeted observations should be implemented to accurately predict ENSO events.     

条件非线性最优扰动方法在黑潮目标观测研究中的应用

对近年来利用条件非线性最优扰动（Conditional Nonlinear Optimal Perturbation,CNOP）方法开展的黑潮目标观测研究进行了总结,主要包括日本南部黑潮路径变异的目标观测研究、黑潮延伸体模态转变的目标观测研究和源区黑潮流量变化的目标观测研究。通过计算这些事件的CNOP型扰动,发现这些事件的CNOP型扰动具有局地特征,可以作为实施目标观测的敏感区。理想回报试验结果表明,如果在由CNOP方法识别的敏感区内实施目标观测,则会大幅度提高上述事件的预报技巧。     

A comparison study of the methods of conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations and singular vectors in ensemble prediction

The authors apply the technique of conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations (CNOPs) as a means of providing initial perturbations for ensemble forecasting by using a barotropic quasi-geostrophic (QG) model in a perfect-model scenario. Ensemble forecasts for the medium range (14 days) are made from the initial states perturbed by CNOPs and singular vectors (SVs). 13 different cases have been chosen when analysis error is a kind of fast growing error. Our experiments show that the introduction of CNOP provides better forecast skill than the SV method. Moreover, the spread-skill relationship reveals that the ensemble samples in which the first SV is replaced by CNOP appear superior to those obtained by SVs from day 6 to day 14. Rank diagrams are adopted to compare the new method with the SV approach. The results illustrate that the introduction of CNOP has higher reliability for medium-range ensemble forecasts.     

What Kind of Initial Errors Cause the Severest Prediction Uncertainty of El Nino in Zebiak-Cane Model

With the Zebiak-Cane （ZC） model, the initial error that has the largest effect on ENSO prediction is explored by conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation （CNOP）. The results demonstrate that CNOP-type errors cause the largest prediction error of ENSO in the ZC model. By analyzing the behavior of CNOPtype errors, we find that for the normal states and the relatively weak E1 Nifio events in the ZC model, the predictions tend to yield false alarms due to the uncertainties caused by CNOP. For the relatively strong E1 Nino events, the ZC model largely underestimates their intensities. Also, our results suggest that the error growth of E1 Nifio in the ZC model depends on the phases of both the annual cycle and ENSO. The condition during northern spring and summer is most favorable for the error growth. The ENSO prediction bestriding these two seasons may be the most difficult. A linear singular vector （LSV） approach is also used to estimate the error growth of ENSO, but it underestimates the prediction uncertainties of ENSO in the ZC model. This result indicates that the different initial errors cause different amplitudes of prediction errors though they have same magnitudes. CNOP yields the severest prediction uncertainty. That is to say, the prediction skill of ENSO is closely related to the types of initial error. This finding illustrates a theoretical basis of data assimilation. It is expected that a data assimilation method can filter the initial errors related to CNOP and improve the ENSO forecast skill.     

Optimal Initial Error Growth in the Prediction of the Kuroshio Large Meander Based on a High-resolution Regional Ocean Model

Based on the high-resolution Regional Ocean Modeling System(ROMS) and the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation(CNOP) method, this study explored the effects of optimal initial errors on the prediction of the Kuroshio large meander(LM) path, and the growth mechanism of optimal initial errors was revealed. For each LM event, two types of initial error(denoted as CNOP1 and CNOP2) were obtained. Their large amplitudes were found located mainly in the upper 2500 m in the upstream region of the LM, i.e., southeast of Kyushu. Furthermore, we analyzed the patterns and nonlinear evolution of the two types of CNOP. We found CNOP1 tends to strengthen the LM path through southwestward extension. Conversely,CNOP2 has almost the opposite pattern to CNOP1, and it tends to weaken the LM path through northeastward contraction.The growth mechanism of optimal initial errors was clarified through eddy-energetics analysis. The results indicated that energy from the background field is transferred to the error field because of barotropic and baroclinic instabilities. Thus, it is inferred that both barotropic and baroclinic processes play important roles in the growth of CNOP-type optimal initial errors.     

Effect of Stochastic MJO Forcing on ENSO Predictability

Within the frame of the Zebiak-Cane model,the impact of the uncertainties of the Madden-Julian Oscillation(MJO) on ENSO predictability was studied using a parameterized stochastic representation of intraseasonal forcing.The results show that the uncertainties of MJO have little effect on the maximum prediction error for ENSO events caused by conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation(CNOP);compared to CNOP-type initial error,the model error caused by the uncertainties of MJO led to a smaller prediction uncertainty of ENSO,and its influence over the ENSO predictability was not significant.This result suggests that the initial error might be the main error source that produces uncertainty in ENSO prediction,which could provide a theoretical foundation for the data assimilation of the ENSO forecast.     

What Kind of Initial Errors Cause the Severest Prediction Uncertainty of EI Nino in Zebiak-Cane Model

With the Zebiak-Cane (ZC) model, the initial error that has the largest effect on ENSO prediction is explored by conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP). The results demonstrate that CNOP-type errors cause the largest prediction error of ENSO in the ZC model. By analyzing the behavior of CNOP- type errors, we find that for the normal states and the relatively weak EI Nino events in the ZC model, the predictions tend to yield false alarms due to the uncertainties caused by CNOP. For the relatively strong EI Nino events, the ZC model largely underestimates their intensities. Also, our results suggest that the error growth of EI Nino in the ZC model depends on the phases of both the annual cycle and ENSO. The condition during northern spring and summer is most favorable for the error growth. The ENSO prediction bestriding these two seasons may be the most difficult. A linear singular vector (LSV) approach is also used to estimate the error growth of ENSO, but it underestimates the prediction uncertainties of ENSO in the ZC model. This result indicates that the different initial errors cause different amplitudes of prediction errors though they have same magnitudes. CNOP yields the severest prediction uncertainty. That is to say, the prediction skill of ENSO is closely related to the types of initial error. This finding illustrates a theoretical basis of data assimilation. It is expected that a data assimilation method can filter the initial errors related to CNOP and improve the ENSO forecast skill.     

Nonlinearity and Finite-Time Instability in a T21L3 Quasigeostrophic Model

In this paper,a nonlinear optimization method is used to explore the finite-time instability of the atmospheric circulation with a three-level quasigeostrophic model under the framework of the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation (CNOP).As a natural generalization of linear singular vector (SV),CNOP is defined as an initial perturbation that makes the cost function the maximum at a prescribed forecast time under certain physical constraint conditions.Special attentions are paid to the different structures and energy evolutions of the optimal perturbations.The results show that the most instable region of the global atmospheric circulation lies in the midlatitude Eurasian continent.More specially,SV and CNOP in the total energy norm with an optimization time of 2 days both present localness:they are mainly located in the midlatitude Asian continent and its east coast.With extension of the optimization time,SVs are more upstream and less localized in the zonal direction,and CNOPs differ essentially from SVs with broader zonal and meridional coverages; as a result,CNOPs acquire larger kinetic and available potential energy amplifications than SVs in the nonlinear model at the corresponding optimization time.For the climatological wintertime flow,it is seen that the baroclinic terms remain small over the entire time evolution,and the energy production comes essentially from the eddy kinetic energy,which is induced by the horizontal shear of the basic flow.In addition,the effects of SVs and CNOPs on the Eurasian atmospheric circulation are explored.The results show that the weather systems over the Eurasian continent in the perturbed fields by CNOPs are stronger than those by SVs at the optimization time.This reveals that the CNOP method is better in evaluating the instability of the atmospheric circulation while the SV method underestimates the possibility of extreme weather events.     

Can Adaptive Observations Improve Tropical Cyclone Intensity Forecasts?简

In order to investigate whether adaptive observations can improve tropical cyclone （TC） intensity forecasts,observing system simulation experiments （OSSEs） were conducted for 20 TC cases originating in the western North Pacific during the 2010 season according to the conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation （CNOP） sensitivity,using the fifth version of the PSU/NCAR mesoscale model （MM5） and its 3DVAR assimilation system.A new intensity index was defined as the sum of the number of grid points within an allocated square centered at the corresponding forecast TC central position,that satisfy constraints associated with the Sea Level Pressure （SLP）,near-surface horizontal wind speed,and accumulated convective precipitation.The higher the index value is,the more intense the TC is.The impacts of the CNOP sensitivity on the intensity forecast were then estimated.The OSSE results showed that for 15 of the 20 cases there were improvements,with reductions of forecast errors in the range of 0.12％-8.59％,which were much less than in track forecasts.The indication,therefore,is that the CNOP sensitivity has a generally positive effect on TC intensity forecasts,but only to a certain degree.We conclude that factors such as the use of a coupled model,or better initialization of the TC vortex,are more important for an accurate TC intensity forecast.