A study on the role of land-atmosphere coupling on the south Asian monsoon climate variability using a regional climate model

The spatial and temporal trends of 11 (7) temperature (precipitation) extreme indices are examined for the Loess Plateau Region (LPR) and its southeast and northwest sub-regions based on daily observations at 214 meteorological stations. Results show widespread significant warming trends for all the temperature extremes except for the diurnal temperature range (DTR) and the lowest daily maximum temperature in each year (TXn) during 1961–2010. When regionally averaged, a significant warming trend is detected for all the indices except for DTR and TXn in the past 50 years. Compared with the entire LPR, a significant warming trend is detected for all the indices except for DTR and TXn over the southeast sub-region of LPR; while it is observed for all the indices over the northwest. The trends for these indices are generally stronger in the northwest than in the southeast in the past 50 years. In contrast, for precipitation indices, only a small percentage of areas show significant drying or wetting trends and, when regionally averaged, none of them displays significant trends during the past 50 years. On the sub-regional scale, however, a larger percentage of areas show significant drying trends for precipitation indices generally over the southeast relative to the entire LPR, and noticeably, the sub-regional average heavy precipitation (R10mm) and wet day precipitation (PRCPTOT) display significant decreasing trends during the past 50 years; whereas only a slightly larger percentage of areas show significant wetting trends for these indices over the northwest compared with the entire LPR, and when sub-regionally averaged, none of the indices have significant trends during the past 50 years.     

Changes in temporal concentration property of summer precipitation in China during 1961–2010 based on a new index

Based on the property of entropy, a new index Q was defined to measure the temporal concentration property of summertime daily rainfall in China, based on daily precipitation data collected at 553 observation stations in China during 1961–2010. Furthermore, changes in the temporal concentration property of summer precipitation in China were investigated. The results indicate that the regions with larger Q values were located in most parts of Northwest China and the north of the Yellow River, where daily precipitation tended to become temporally concentrated during the study period. On the contrary, smaller Q values were found in eastern Tibetan Plateau, southeastern Northwest China, and most parts of Southwest and South China. The most obvious increasing trend of Q index was found in South China and most parts of Southwest China, where precipitation showed a temporal concentration trend. However, a decreasing trend of Q index was found in Northwest China, the Tibetan Plateau, and the north of the Huaihe River. Variations of the Q index and the summer rainfall total during 1961–2010 in China both exhibited an increasing trend, implying larger temporal variability in rainfall attributes. It is illustrated that the summer precipitation in general became more temporally concentrated with more intense rainfall events and wetter days.     

Influence of Changes in Solar Radiation on Changes of Surface Temperature in China

The long-term trends of total surface solar radiation(SSR),surface diffuse radiation,and surface air temperature were analyzed in this study based on updated 48-yr data from 55 observational stations in China,and then the correlation between SSR and the diurnal temperature range(DTR) was studied.The effect of total solar radiation on surface air temperature in China was investigated on the basis of the above analyses.A strong correlation between SSR and DTR was found for the period 1961-2008 in China.The highest correlation and steepest regression line slope occurred in winter,indicating that the solar radiation effect on DTR was the largest in this season.Clouds and water vapor have strong influences on both SSR and DTR,and hence on their relationship.The largest correlations between SSR and DTR occurred in wintertime in northern China,regardless of all-day(including clear days and cloudy days) or clear-day cases.Our results also showed that radiation arriving at the surface in China decreased significantly during 1961-1989(dimming period),but began to increase during 1990-2008(brightening period),in agreement with previous global studies.The reduction of total SSR offset partially the greenhouse warming during 1961-1989.However,with the increase of SSR after 1990,this offsetting effect vanished;on the contrary,it even made a contribution to the accelerated warming.Nonetheless,the greenhouse warming still played a controlling role because of the increasing of minimum and mean surface temperatures in the whole study period of 1961-2008.We estimated that the greenhouse gases alone may have caused surface temperatures to rise by 0.31-0.46℃(10 yr) 1 during 1961-2008,which is higher than previously estimated.Analysis of the corresponding changes in total solar radiation,diffuse radiation,and total cloud cover indicated that the dimming and brightening phenomena in China were likely attributable to increases in absorptive and scattering aerosols in the atmosphere,respectively.     

Relationship Between Soil Temperature in May over Northwest China and the East Asian Summer Monsoon Precipitation

This study investigates the relationship between the soil temperature in May and the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） precipitation in June and July using station observed soil temperature data over Northwest China from 1971 to 2000.It is found that the memory of the soil temperature at 80-cm depth can persist for at least 2 months,and the soil temperature in May is closely linked to the EASM precipitation in June and July.When the soil temperature is warmer in May over Northwest China,less rainfall occurs over the Yangtze and Huaihe River valley but more rainfall occurs over South China in June and July.It is proposed that positive anomalous soil temperature in May over Northwest China corresponds to higher geopotential heights over the most parts of the mainland of East Asia,which tend to weaken the ensuing EASM.Moreover,in June and July,a cyclonic circulation anomaly occurs over Southeast China and Northwest Pacific and an anticyclonic anomaly appears in the Yangtze and Huaihe River valley at 850 hPa.All the above tend to suppress the precipitation in the Yangtze and Huaihe River valley.The results also indicate that the soil temperature in May over Northwest China is closely related to the East Asia/Pacific （EAP） teleconnection pattern,and it may be employed as a useful predictor for the East Asian summer monsoon rainfall.     

近50年中国气温日较差的变化趋势分析

利用近50年的气温观测资料,对中国地区的气温日较差的空间分布和时间序列变化特征进行了分析。同时分析了与日最高气温、最低气温以及平均气温时空分布之间的关系。结果发现,近50年来气温日较差呈下降趋势,其平均减小幅度为高纬度地区大于低纬度地区;不同地区及同一地区的DTR季节变化特征也不相同,我国北方多为冬季DTR下降最大,其次是春季和秋季,夏季最小。在黄淮和长江流域,以夏季和春季DTR下降最为显著。华南地区仍以冬季下降最大。气温日较差整体呈现下降趋势,中高纬度下降比低纬度明显。在相同纬度带上,由于地理状况的不同,变化趋势有所不同。同时,气温日较差的变化有明显的区域和季节性差异,特别在西部的青藏高原和新疆地区的DTR变化与东部地区的差异明显。     

Extreme climate events in China: IPCC-AR4 model evaluation and projection

Observations from 550 surface stations in China during 1961–2000 are used to evaluate the skill of seven global coupled climate models in simulating extreme temperature and precipitation indices. It is found that the models have certain abilities to simulate both the spatial distributions of extreme climate indices and their trends in the observed period. The models’ abilities are higher overall for extreme temperature indices than for extreme precipitation indices. The well-simulated temperature indices are frost days (Fd), heat wave duration index (HWDI) and annual extreme temperature range (ETR). The well-simulated precipitation indices are the fraction of annual precipitation total due to events exceeding the 95th percentile (R95T) and simple daily intensity index (SDII). In a general manner, the multi-model ensemble has the best skill. For the projections of the extreme temperature indices, trends over the twenty-first century and changes at the end of the twenty-first century go into the same direction. Both frost days and annual extreme temperature range show decreasing trends, while growing season length, heat wave duration and warm nights show increasing trends. The increases are especially manifested in the Tibetan Plateau and in Southwest China. For extreme precipitation indices, the end of the twenty-first century is expected to have more frequent and more intense extreme precipitation. This is particularly visible in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, in the Southeast coastal region, in the west part of Northwest China, and in the Tibetan Plateau. In the meanwhile, accompanying the decrease in the maximum number of consecutive dry days in Northeast and Northwest, drought situation will reduce in these regions.     

The impacts of climate change on agricultural production systems in China

Climate change can bring positive and negative effects on Chinese agriculture, but negative impacts tend to dominate. The annual mean surface temperature has risen about 0.5–0.8 °C. The precipitation trends have not been identified during the past 100 years in China, although the frequency and intensity of extreme weather/climate events have increased, especially of drought. Water scarcity, more frequent and serious outbreaks of insects and diseases, and soil degradation caused by climate change have impacted agro-environmental conditions. However, temperature rise prolonged the crop growth seasons and cold damages have reduced in Northeast China. The projection of climate change indicates that the surface temperature will continue to increase with about 3.9 to 6.0 °C and precipitation is expected to increase by 9 to 11 % at the end of 21st century in China. Climate warming will provide more heat and as a consequence, the boundary of the triple-cropping system (TCS) will extend northwards by as much as 200 to 300 km, from the Yangtze River Valley to the Yellow River Basin, and the current double-cropping system (DCS) will move to the central part of China, into the current single cropping system (SCS) area which will decrease in SCS surface area of 23.1 % by 2050. Climate warming will also affect the optimum location for the cultivation of China’s main crop varieties. If no measures are taken to adapt to climate changes, compared with the potential yield in 1961–1990, yields of irrigated wheat, corn and rice are projected to decrease by 2.2–6.7 %, 0.4 %–11.9 % and 4.3–12.4 % respectively in the 2050s. Climate warming will enhance potential evaporation and reduce the availability of soil moisture, thus causing a greater need for agricultural irrigation, intensifying the conflict between water supply and demand, especially in arid and semi-arid areas of China. With adequate irrigation, the extent of the reduction in yield of China’s corn and wheat can be improved by 5 % to 15 %, and rice by 5 % or so than the potential yield in 1961–1990. Adaptive measures can reduce the agricultural loss under climate change. If effective measures are taken in a timely way, then climate change in the next 30–50 years will not have a significant influence on China’s food security.     

中国年和季各等级日降水量的变化趋势分析

通过对中国554个测站1961—2003年的日降水量数据进行线性回归,对我国全年和各个季节的总降水量和各级降水的线性趋势进行分析,并对两种不同的极端降水定义方法所得的变化趋势进行了比较。结果显示,全年总降水量在西北、长江中下游和华南地区具有明显的增加趋势,而在华北和四川盆地地区具有明显的减少趋势。分析各类降水的季节变化趋势可以发现,西北地区各个季节的日降水都是增加的,长江中下游地区的各类降水的增加趋势主要集中在夏季和冬季,而华北地区的各类降水在各个季节基本都呈减少趋势。极端降水趋势方面,西北、长江中下游、西南部分地区和华南沿海地区具有明显的增加趋势,而华北、四川盆地和东北部分地区则有明显的减少趋势。     

2023年夏季我国气候异常特征及成因分析

2023年夏季,我国气候特征整体表现为“温高雨少”,区域性、阶段性高温、旱涝等气象灾害明显。降水的空间分布差异显著,主要多雨区位于我国北方,松花江、海河流域出现严重汛情。生成和登陆台风频数均较常年同期偏少,但北上台风却对京津冀等地造成极其严重的雨涝灾害。2023年夏季我国气温为1961年以来历史次高,北方地区暖异常明显,华北、西北等地区阶段性高温热浪尤为突出。华北、东北地区降水偏多是由不同环流系统造成的。其中,华北南部降水异常偏多主要由7月底至8月初一次极为罕见的天气尺度持续性极端降水过程所致,台风杜苏芮和卡努外围环流与异常偏西、偏北的西太平洋副热带高压相配合,再加上太行山东麓的地形效应是其主要原因。盛夏东北东部异常偏南风引导的水汽输送在整个对流层都异常偏强,造成东北北部和东部降水明显偏多,这一异常环流与初夏巴伦支海海冰密集度减小及盛夏西北太平洋海温异常偏暖均有一定关联。     

Temperature and precipitation trends in Canada during the 20th century

Abstract

Trends in Canadian temperature and precipitation during the 20th century are analyzed using recently updated and adjusted station data. Six elements, maximum, minimum and mean temperatures along with diurnal temperature range (DTR), precipitation totals and ratio of snowfall to total precipitation are investigated. Anomalies from the 1961–1990 reference period were first obtained at individual stations, and were then used to generate gridded datasets for subsequent trend analyses. Trends were computed for 1900–1998 for southern Canada (south of 60°N), and separately for 1950–1998 for the entire country, due to insufficient data in the high arctic prior to the 1950s.

From 1900–1998, the annual mean temperature has increased between 0.5 and 1.5°C in the south. The warming is greater in minimum temperature than in maximum temperature in the first half of the century, resulting in a decrease of DTR. The greatest warming occurred in the west, with statistically significant increases mostly seen during spring and summer periods. Annual precipitation has also increased from 5% to 35% in southern Canada over the same period. In general, the ratio of snowfall to total precipitation has been increasing due mostly to the increase in winter precipitation which generally falls as snow and an increase of ratio in autumn. Negative trends were identified in some southern regions during spring. From 1950–1998, the pattern of temperature change is distinct: warming in the south and west and cooling in the northeast, with similar magnitudes in both maximum and minimum temperatures. This pattern is mostly evident in winter and spring. Across Canada, precipitation has increased by 5% to 35%, with significant negative trends found in southern regions during winter. Overall, the ratio of snowfall to total precipitation has increased, with significant negative trends occurring mostly in southern Canada during spring.

Indices of abnormal climate conditions are also examined. These indices were defined as areas of Canada for 1950–1998, or southern Canada for 1900–1998, with temperature or precipitation anomalies above the 66th or below the 34th percentiles in their relevant time series. These confirmed the above findings and showed that climate has been becoming gradually wetter and warmer in southern Canada throughout the entire century, and in all of Canada during the latter half of the century.     

西北干旱区感热异常对中国夏季降水影响的模拟

利用最新版的RegCM3模式通过增加西北干旱区地面向大气的感热输送,模拟了西北干旱区春、夏季感热异常对中国夏季降水的影响。结果表明:西北地区地面向大气的感热输送增加后,西北干旱区低层空气温度升高,空气密度减小使得空气有上升运动距平,减弱了空气的下沉运动,从而在新疆地区降水增加。西北地区下沉气流减弱使得高空气压更强,形成反气旋气流距平,导致高原地区上升气流减弱,在青藏高原降水减少。高原地区上升气流减弱导致在长江中下游和东北北部分别有负的气压距平中心,使得这里有气旋式距平环流,降水增加;而在华南、西南、华北南部和东北南部降水减少。     

1961-2010年东北地区汛期极端降水的非均匀性特征

利用东北地区91站1961-2010年逐日降水资料,讨论东北地区汛期极端降水量的非均匀性分布特征。结果表明,东北地区极端降水量呈现由南向北逐渐减少的分布特征;极端降水主要集中出现在7月,东北地区中部极端降水出现相对比较分散,东北东部、北部、西部和南部出现比较集中;东北地区汛期纬度偏低地区极端降水量偏多,极端降水发生较晚,且较为集中,纬度偏高地区则反之。汛期极端降水量与集中度存在显著的负相关关系,即汛期极端降水量越多,极端降水越集中,特别是嫩江、松花江流域。     

1961～2015年中国地区冰雹持续时间的时空分布特征及影响因子研究

本文利用1961～2015年（55年）中国地区577个地面观测站的冰雹资料,应用统计学方法,分析了冰雹持续时间的空间分布、年际变化以及日变化特征,包括站点降雹累积持续时间、平均单次降雹持续时间、区域平均单次降雹持续时间、小时降雹累积持续时间和总降雹累积持续时间。结果表明:（1）1961～2015年中国地区站点降雹累积持续时间与海拔高度呈现较高的正相关关系,相关系数高达0.99。站点降雹累积持续时间的最大值出现在青藏高原地区,累积持续时间高达250分钟,其次为内蒙古中部以及东北部的山区地带,累积持续时间约为150分钟。（2）1961～2015年平均单次降雹持续时间呈现上升趋势,55年冰雹累积持续时间大约增长1分钟,且通过了95%信度水平的显著性检验。（3）西北地区、北部平原地区和东南地区在1961～1980年期间,区域平均单次降雹持续时间都有显著的下降趋势,而在1970～2015年期间西北地区和青藏高原地区呈现显著的上升趋势。1961～1980年期间区域平均单次降雹持续时间在西北地区的长期趋势变化主要受到日最低气温以及温度日较差长期年际变化的影响,在北部平原地区仅与温度日较差相关,而在东南地区与三个对流参数都有较好的相关性;1970～2015年和1961～2015年期间西北地区和青藏高原地区的区域平均单次降雹持续时间的上升趋势分别与这两个区域的区域平均日最高气温、日最低气温呈正相关。（4）单次降雹持续时间的日变化明显,午后至夜间出现的冰雹持续时间长于凌晨和上午的冰雹持续时间,持续时间峰值出现在当地时间17时和18时。本文还利用探空资料分析了对流有效势能和Totals-totals指数与冰雹持续时间的关系,结果表明中国地区20时（北京时）的对流有效势能和Totals-totals指数可能是冰雹持续时间日变化的影响因子之一。     

Regional trends in recent precipitation indices in China

Summary Regional characteristics of recent precipitation indices in China were analyzed from a daily rainfall dataset based on 494 stations during 1961 to 2000. Some indices such as precipitation percentiles, precipitation intensity, and precipitation persistence were used and their inter-decadal differences were shown in this study. Over the last 40 years, precipitation indices in China showed increasing and decreasing trends separated into three main regions. A decreasing trend of annual precipitation and summer precipitation was observed from the southern part of northeast China to the mid-low Yellow River valley and the upper Yangtze River valley. This region also showed a decreasing trend in precipitation intensity and a decreasing trend in the frequency of persistent wet days. On the other hand, increasing trends in precipitation intensity were found in the Xinjiang region (northwest China), the northern part of northeast China, and southeast China, mainly to the south of the mid-low Yangtze River. The indices of persistent wet days and strong rainfall have contributed to the increasing frequency of floods in southeast China and the Xinjiang region in the last two decades. Persistent dry days and weakening rainfall have resulted in the increasing frequency of drought along the Yellow River valley including North China. Regional precipitation characteristics and trends in precipitation indices indicate the climate state variations in the last four decades. A warm-wet climate state was found in northwest China and in the northern part of northeast China. A warm-dry climate state extends from the southern part of northeast China to the Yellow River valley, while a cool-wet summer was found in southeast China, particularly in the mid-low Yangtze River valley over the last two decades.     

Trends in graded precipitation in China from 1961 to 2000

Daily precipitation rates observed at 576 stations in China from 1961 to 2000 were classified into six grades of intensity, including trace （no amount）, slight （≤ 1 mm d^-1）, small, large, heavy, and very heavy. The last four grades together constitute the so called effective precipitation （〉 1 mm d^-1）. The spatial distribution and temporal trend of the graded precipitation days are examined. A decreasing trend in trace precipitation days is observed for the whole of China, except at several sites in the south of the middle section of the Yangtze River, while a decreasing trend in slight precipitation days only appears in eastern China. The decreasing trend and interannual variability of trace precipitation days is consistent with the warming trend and corresponding temperature variability in China for the same period, indicating a possible role played by increased surface air temperature in cloud formation processes. For the effective precipitation days, a decreasing trend is observed along the Yellow River valley and for the middle reaches of the Yangtze River and Southwest China, while an increasing trend is found for Xinjiang, the eastern Tibetan Plateau, Northeast China and Southeast China. The decreasing trend of effective precipitation days for the middle- lower Yellow River valley and the increasing trend for the lower Yangtze River valley are most likely linked to anomalous monsoon circulation in East China. The most important contributor to the trend in effective precipitation depends upon the region concerned.     

温室效应引起的江淮流域气候变化预估

 选用英国Hadley中心的RCM-PRECIS模式进行江淮流域气候变化的数值模拟。在验证了PRECIS在江淮流域模拟能力的基础上,对未来CO₂增加后江淮流域的气候变化响应进行了预估。结果表明：在B2情景下,整个江淮流域都将继续增暖,到本世纪末（2071-2100年）区域年平均温度将增加2.9℃,夏季将可能出现更多的高温事件,而冬季极端低温事件减少;降水量呈增加趋势,强降水（尤其是120 mm以上的降水）日数也将增多。     

温室效应引起的江淮流域气候变化预估

选用英国Hadley中心的RCM-PRECIS模式进行江淮流域气候变化的数值模拟。在验证了PRECIS在江淮流域模拟能力的基础上,对未来CO₂增加后江淮流域的气候变化响应进行了预估。结果表明：在B2情景下,整个江淮流域都将继续增暖,到本世纪末（2071-2100年）区域年平均温度将增加2.9℃,夏季将可能出现更多的高温事件,而冬季极端低温事件减少;降水量呈增加趋势,强降水（尤其是120 mm以上的降水）日数也将增多。     

Variations in hydrological parameters of the Zeravshan River and its tributaries depending on meteorological conditions

According to the data of the Agency for Hydrometeorology of the Republic of Tajikistan, the volume of the Zeravshan glacier significantly reduced in 1927–1991 (by more than 2 km³), and its further degradation by 30–35% is expected by 2050. To monitor the meteorological conditions in the Zeravshan River basin, in particular, the area of the Zeravshan glacier, air temperature variations in 1931–1961 and 1981–2011 are analyzed. It was found that the period of 1931–1961 is characterized by stable air temperature and its significant rise began in 1981. The trend towards the decrease in water discharge of the Zeravshan River is observed in 1931–1961. It is demonstrated that the average long-term runoff decreased from 6.08 km³ in 1931–1961 to 5.36 km³ in 1981–2011. The similar measurements were carried out in the basin of the Yaghnob River being the tributary of the Zeravshan River. It was revealed that the difference in average long-term runoff between the periods of 1931–1961 and 1981–2011 is insignificant and makes up not more than 2%. Besides, it was found that the results of meteorological observations in 1931-1961 do not agree with the real picture of the Zeravshan glacier degradation.     

Different multi-fractal behaviors of diurnal temperature range over the north and the south of China

Multi-fractal behaviors of diurnal temperature range (DTR for short) from 100 stations over China during 1956–2010 are analyzed by means of multi-fractal detrended fluctuation analysis. By making a Monte-Carlo simulation, we obtain two criterions which can be used to decide whether a DTR series is significantly multi-fractal or not. With these criterions, different multi-fractal behaviors are found over the north and the south of China, and Yangtze River is roughly the dividing line. Over the north region, nearly all the considered DTR series do not show multi-fractal behaviors, while the results are completely the opposite over the south. The findings are confirmed by the scaling behaviors of the corresponding DTR magnitude series and indicate that more scale-dependent structure differences may be hidden in DTR series over the north and the south of China. Therefore, an extensive analysis of the multi-fractal behaviors are essential for a better understanding of the complex structures of the climate changes.     

我国四季极端雨日数时空变化及其与海表温度异常的关系

利用1960—2004年我国586个气象站的逐日降水观测资料,对每个季节和每个站点,以雨日降水量升序排列的第90个百分位值定义极端日降水阈值,分析揭示了我国四季极端雨日数的时空变化特征、与海表温度异常的关系以及相联系的大气环流异常型。结果表明,我国长江流域极端雨日数在冬季和夏季呈显著增加趋势,华北地区极端雨日数在冬季显著增加、而在夏季显著减少,华南地区极端雨日数在春季显著增加,东北地区极端雨日数在冬季和春季显著增加,而西北地区极端雨日数在四季均显著增加。各季极端雨日数在线性趋势变化之上表现年际和年代际变化特征,并且其典型异常型明显不同,春、秋季表现为长江以南与以北地区反位相的"偶极型"变化,夏季表现为长江流域与华南、华北地区反位相的"三极型"变化,冬季表现为全国大部分地区同位相的"单极型"变化。我国季节极端雨日数与印度洋-太平洋海表温度异常的关系主要表现为与ENSO的关系,而ENSO影响我国极端降水异常是通过相应的大气环流异常型来实现的。