Diagnostic Analysis of the Quasi-Balanced Flow of a Mesoscale Vortex During the 12 June 2008 Guangxi Rainstorm

By using the high-resolution observation data and MM5 model simulation data, the analysis on the 12 June 2008 Guangxi flash-flood rainstorm shows that the associated major mesoscale weather system of this event is a quasi-stationary mesoscale vortex, which resulted from the interaction between the midlatitude synoptic-scale waves in the westerly belt and the low-latitude warm-moist flow under the terrain effect. The genesis, development, and movement of the mesoscale vortex have significant impacts on the intensity and persistence of the severe precipitation from the Guangxi flash-flood rainstorm. This vortex is characterized by the coexistence of strong vorticity and divergence with the same order of magnitude. Well organized, deep, and moist convection was observed for a long period of time, and was produced by the interaction between the mesoscale vortex and the gravity waves. The latter was generated by the terrain effect and the ageostrophic effect of high winds in the low-level jet. According to the quasi-balanced dynamical theory, quasi-balanced flow must have existed in the mesoscale motions with both divergent and rotational winds. Thus, based on the diagnosis of the quasi-balanced flow, the PV-ωinversion method is employed to analyze the organized moist convection. The results show that 50%-70% of the vertical circulation in the rainstorm areas was quasi-balanced, so the quasi-balanced flow could well reflect features of the strong vertical motions associated with the coexistence of vorticity and divergence during this event.     

2008年台风“风神”强迫次级环流的诊断分析

利用WRF（weather research and forecasting）模式模拟资料对2008年06号台风“风神”进行诊断分析,采用准地转PV-ω方程对台风外围中尺度对流系统较强的6月20日10时（世界时）的资料进行分析.通过PV-ω方程诊断了潜热、摩擦及干动力过程对台风次级环流的作用,结果显示潜热强迫产生的次级环流最强,摩擦强迫主要集中在边界层,而干动力过程则在台风中心附近产生影响.加入摩擦、潜热得到的准平衡流场能够描述70％左右的台风环流.环境垂直切变在台风中心附近强迫产生横向次级环流的垂直切变与环境垂直切变相反,次级环流会使得台风一侧的上升气流减弱而另一侧上升气流增强,从而使得台风不对称增强.同时,发现垂直切变可能在其最大垂直切变方向右侧激发台风外围中尺度系统.通过构造理想的准平衡的台风及叠加在其上的中尺度系统环流,选择不同的切变和环境平均气流,发现增大切变会使得强迫次级环流增强,而增大环境平均气流不一定能够使得强迫次级环流增大,反而可能使得强迫次级环流减弱.通过诊断发现由切变强迫次级环流造成的中尺度对流系统上方扰动可能是中尺度对流系统持续存在的原因.     

一次梅雨锋特大暴雨过程的数值模拟研究：不同尺度天气系统的影响作用

2003年7月4~5日在江淮地区沿梅雨锋有一系列中尺度对流系统相继生成和强烈发展,导致了江淮地区特大暴雨的形成。该研究利用中尺度数值模式MM5对这次梅雨锋暴雨过程进行了数值模拟,在模拟结果的基础上重点分析了不同尺度天气系统相互作用对这次特大暴雨过程的影响作用。在这次特大暴雨过程中,位于梅雨锋北侧的东北—西南走向深厚、稳定的短波槽系统与槽前从西南移来的低涡系统相配合,加强了位于梅雨锋北侧的反气旋性扰动发展,从而导致梅雨锋北侧反气旋性涡旋的形成。该类反气旋性涡旋形成对江淮切变线的加强与维持起重要作用。中尺度对流系统的潜热释放首先导致梅雨锋低层切变线上的中尺度对流性涡旋(MCV)的形成,而中尺度对流性涡旋的形成进一步加强了切变线上的低层辐合,中尺度对流性涡旋消亡后,在切变线上形成低涡。梅雨锋附近主要存在4种不同垂直环流,它在降水的不同阶段具有不同的结构、配置与动力学作用。其中跨锋面、高层非地转两支垂直环流对锋区的对流扰动发展和暴雨形成最为重要,而降水发展可以调整锋区垂直环流的结构、配置,随降水的减弱,梅雨锋区的不同垂直环流系统又重新恢复到先前结构。梅雨锋上不同尺度、高度的天气系统之间的相互作用主要通过这些垂直环流系统调整实现。     

On the bogusing of tropical cyclones in numerical models: The influence of vertical structure

Summary In this study, idealised conditions are used to study the influence of vertical structure of the bogus vortex on its motion in numerical models by comparing the resultant forecast tracks. Two vortices were used: one has a cyclonic circulation throughout the troposphere and the other has an upper tropospheric anticyclone. Both vortices have the same structure in the middle and lower troposphere. The two vortices were inserted into four different environmental flows on a beta-plane: (a) a resting atmosphere; (b) a uniform flow; (c) a horozontal shear flow and (d) a vertical shear flow. The results show that the forecast tracks are very sensitive to the vertical structure of the bogus vortex, especially when the environmental flow is very weak, or is westerly and has a cyclonic horizontal shear. However, this sensitivity is reduced in moderate vertical shear. This motion sensitivity is found to arise from the vertical coupling mechanism by which the upper-and lower-level circulations interact with each other when a horizontal displacement occurs between them.The vertical structure of the bogus vortex can also affect the intensity of the model cyclone, depending on the configuration of the environmental flow. In general, the bogus vortex without an upper-level anticyclone will intensify quicker and will develop more intense than the one with an upper-level anticyclone. The vertical coupling mechanism can result in different asymmetric rainfall pattern in cyclone core region depending on the vertical structure of the bogus vortex. The asymmetric divergent flow associated with these convective asymmetries may in turn further influence the vortex motion. It is suggested that care needs to be taken in determining the vertical structure of the bogus vortex in numerical models.With 14 Figures     

A budget analysis of a long-lived tropical mesoscale vortex over Hainan in October 2010

The vorticity, eddy kinetic energy, and helicity budgets were calculated to study the variations of a long-lived tropical mesoscale vortex that occurred over Hainan during the period 05?C09 October 2010. The main results are as follows: the vortex was mainly located at middle to lower levels of the troposphere, and among different levels, the dominant factors responsible for the variations of the vortex were different. Intense convergence at the lower troposphere dominated the formation and longevity of the vortex. The vertical transport of positive vorticity which was closely related to the convective activities was conducive to the formation and maintenance of the vortex. The barotropic energy conversion was favorable for the formation of the vortex, while the baroclinic energy conversion accelerated its attenuation. Background circulations were favorable for the longevity of the vortex, and interactions with other synoptic systems were important to its variations. The variation of helicity was closely related to the vortex, and the maintenance of positive helicity was another favorable factor for the longevity of the vortex.     

A NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF WIND FIELDS AT UPPER LEVELS IN THE MEIYU PERIOD ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW LEVEL JET AND MESOSCALE SYSTEMS

Using a mesoscale model,a numerical study on a heavy rainfall case occurring in theChangjiang-Huaihe River Basin is made in this paper.The influence of the intensity ofnortheasterly wind in front of the Qinghai-Xizang high at upper level on the low level wind fieldand development of mesoscale systems as well as heavy rainfall is investigated.The model wellreproduced the heavy rainfall process and the weather systems associated.And it indicates that thestrong northeasterly flow around the high at upper troposphere will bring about not only thestrengthening of low level southeasterly wind,but also the appearance of shear-line and mesoscalevortex at low level.The coupling of northerly wind at upper level and southerly wind at lowerlevel constructs a vertical indirect circulation which is most favourable for the development ofconvective motions.Its ascending branch in the shear-line area is very strong and shows apronounced mesoscale characteristic.     

A NUMERICAL STUDY ON THE INFLUENCE OF WIND FIELDS AT UPPER LEVELS IN THE MEIYU PERIOD ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF LOW LEVEL JET AND MESOSCALE SYSTEMS*

Using a mesoscale model,a numerical study on a heavy rainfall case occurring in the Changjiang-Huaihe River Basin is made in this paper.The influence of the intensity of northeasterly wind in front of the Qinghai-Xizang high at upper level on the low level wind field and development of mesoscale systems as well as heavy rainfall is investigated.The model well reproduced the heavy rainfall process and the weather systems associated.And it indicates that the strong northeasterly flow around the high at upper troposphere will bring about not only the strengthening of low level southeasterly wind,but also the appearance of shear-line and mesoscale vortex at low level.The coupling of northerly wind at upper level and southerly wind at lower level constructs a vertical indirect circulation which is most favourable for the development of convective motions.Its ascending branch in the shear-line area is very strong and shows a pronounced mesoscale characteristic.     

梅雨期高层流场对低层急流及中尺度系统影响的数值试验

用中尺度模式对一次江淮流域暴雨过程进行了数值试验，并研究了对流层高层青藏高压东侧偏北大风的强弱与低层流场及中尺度系统发生及至降水过程的影响。试验不仅较成功地模拟了本次暴雨过程及相应的系统，而且揭示出较强的高空偏北大风将引起对低空急流的加强。而更为重要的是低层切变线的出现以及其上中尺度涡旋的发生。上下风场所构成的垂直反环流圈大大有利于对流的发展，特别是在切变线地区的上升支，带有明显的中尺度特征。     

一次大暴雨过程中高原低涡与西南低涡相互作用机制探讨

对2007年7月16-19日高原低涡东移形成的川渝地区大范围大暴雨过程,利用自动气象站雨量资料、常规观测资料、FY-2C TBB云图资料和T213分析场资料,采用天气动力学和中尺度诊断方法,分析了大暴雨的形成机制.结果表明:此次大范围大暴雨过程是高原低涡诱发西南低涡发展从而形成耦合系统造成的,其垂直上升运动气柱和涡柱的耦合发展与维持是低涡发生发展并产生持续性强降水的动力机制,对流层下部深厚不稳定层结的形成和维持是低涡发展并形成持续对流性降水的热力层结条件.     

Simulating urban flow and dispersion in Beijing by coupling a CFD model with the WRF model

The airflow and dispersion of a pollutant in a complex urban area of Beijing, China, were numerically examined by coupling a Computational Fluid Dynamics （CFD） model with a mesoscale weather model. The models used were Open Source Field Operation and Manipulation （OpenFOAM） software package and Weather Research and Forecasting （WRF） model. OpenFOAM was firstly validated against wind-tunnel experiment data. Then, the WRF model was integrated for 42 h starting from 0800 LST 08 September 2009, and the coupled model was used to compute the flow fields at 1000 LST and 1400 LST 09 September 2009. During the WRF-simulated period, a high pressure system was dominant over the Beijing area. The WRF-simulated local circulations were characterized by mountain valley winds, which matched well with observations. Results from the coupled model simulation demonstrated that the airflows around actual buildings were quite different from the ambient wind on the boundary provided by the WRF model, and the pollutant dispersion pattern was complicated under the influence of buildings. A higher concentration level of the pollutant near the surface was found in both the step-down and step-up notches, but the reason for this higher level in each configurations was different： in the former, it was caused by weaker vertical flow, while in the latter it was caused by a downward-shifted vortex. Overall, the results of this study suggest that the coupled WRF-OpenFOAM model is an important tool that can be used for studying and predicting urban flow and dispersions in densely built-up areas.     

Numerical simulation of cold easterly circulations over the Canadian Western Plains using a mesoscale boundary-layer model

Arctic outbreaks over the Canadian Western Plains during the late spring period frequently take the form of a cold east-northeasterly flow over a warmer, sloping surface. A mesoscale numerical model is developed in an attempt to simulate such circulations. Following Lavoie (1972) the atmospheric structure of the cold air mass is represented by three layers: a constant flux layer in contact with the earth's surface, a well-mixed planetary boundary layer capped by an inversion, and a deep stratum of overlying stable air. Averaging the set of governing primitive equations through the depth of the mixed layer yields predictive equations for the horizontal wind components, potential temperature, specific humidity, and the height of the inversion. Time-dependent calculations are limited to this layer by parameterizing the interactions between the mixed layer and both the underlying and overlying layers. Precipitation from limited convective clouds, and latent heat within the layer are included in terms of mesoscale variables.A 47.6-km by 47.6-km grid mesh of 1369 points covering the Canadian Prairie Provinces is used to represent the variables. The governing equations are solved numerically with terrain influences, surface roughness, temperature variations, and moisture fluxes allowed to perturb the mixed layer from its initial conditions until resultant mesoscale boundary-layer weather patterns evolve.The mean spring topographic precipitation pattern is successfully reproduced by the simulated late spring upslope flow with limited convective precipitation. Mesoscale planetary boundary-layer weather patterns appear to exert a dominant control over the location and intensity of perturbations in the spring precipitation pattern. The elimination of surface heating significantly reduces the area and intensity of precipitation. A case study based on observed initial conditions showed that the model could reproduce a persistent limited convective precipitation pattern maintained by upslope flow and that a low-level trough exerts a marked influence on the location and the intensity of the precipitation.     

致洪暴雨过程中尺度涡旋的结构和准平衡特征分析

利用2008年6月广西致洪暴雨过程高分辨率数值模式资料,分析引起暴雨的中尺度涡旋在移动和持续性发展过程中其内部结构的演变以及系统的动力学特征。研究结果表明,中尺度涡旋是导致此次广西暴雨的主要系统,其发展移动过程中伴随有强烈上升运动的深厚湿对流,并在中高层持续形成明显的暖心结构。此次涡旋系统移动过程可分为涡旋南移和涡旋东移两个阶段,由于受到环境场的影响,涡旋中心区域动量、热量和水汽的再分配为其持续性发展提供有利条件。同时诊断分析表明,涡旋内部存在具有继发特征的长时间维持的组织化深厚湿对流系统,以强非地转分量为特征的超地转流,并表现出涡散运动共存且同量级的特征,具有典型的准平衡特征。     

2003年夏季梅雨期一次强气旋发展的位涡诊断分析

通过位涡诊断和回推轨迹分析, 对2003年夏季梅雨期间一次强江淮气旋的发展过程进行了研究。结果表明: 气旋发展初期, 非绝热加热在气旋的低层发展中起了主要作用, 随后由于高层水平平流的增强, 通过垂直平流使高低层大值位涡耦合在一起, 从而使气旋迅速发展。从中、 高、 低层对位涡柱形成所起的作用来看, 低层主要是非绝热加热, 中层是垂直平流, 而高层主要是水平平流; 从构成气旋的气流来说, 在气旋迅速发展阶段, 低层主要以西南暖湿气流为主, 高层 (500 hPa以上) 主要以沿急流轴下降的高层干冷气流和对流层底层流向气旋东北部并迅速上升的暖湿气流为主。高低层冷暖空气的相互作用主要发生在600 hPa及以上层次, 因凝结加热引起的垂直运动通过垂直平流可能在冷暖气流相互作用和上下大位涡的垂直耦合中发挥了重要作用。     

一次由“列车效应”造成的致洪暴雨分析研究

2010年6月25日在粤东南部地区发生了超历史纪录的强降水过程。利用MICAPS 3.1软件系统、多普勒雷达及中尺度地面自动加密观测站等资料进行分析表明：深厚的高空冷涡位置偏南,移动缓慢是造成此次极端降水的直接影响系统。有组织排列的多单体风暴活动、地面准静止锋及其前方锋前暖区内出现的中尺度辐合长时间维持,是形成＂列车效应（Train Effect）＂的主要原因,降水回波沿东北—西南向排列的地面总能量中心移动,特殊的地形作用促使＂列车效应＂形成。反射率因子图上显示强降水回波具有低质心结构且垂直发展旺盛,具有＂牛眼＂结构特征的速度图上表明了强盛的低空西南急流存在。由于＂大风核＂存在,造成中小尺度次级垂直环流,并且这些次级环流有规则的排列,这可能是＂列车效应＂形成和维持的主要原因。在上述研究基础上提出了此次＂列车效应＂暴雨模式。     

与海南岛秋季暴雨有关的一类热带中尺度涡旋的动力学分析

对惯性重力内波方程组分别通过线性和非线性求解探讨造成2010年10月海南岛一次特大暴雨中一类热带中尺度涡旋生成发展的动力、热力机制,研究发现:（1）在副热带高压和大陆冷高压南侧反气旋性纬向水平风切变大值区、静力不稳定大气层结、积云对流潜热释放、低空急流、适当强度的冷空气有利于热带中尺度涡旋的形成和发展;（2）非线性惯性重力内波的孤立波解与这类热带中尺度涡旋有很好的联系,在静力不稳定的大气层结下,热带中尺度涡旋的形态主要由对流凝结潜热加热所决定,即潜热加热下的孤立波解要求热带中尺度涡旋在垂直方向是一个浅薄的涡旋系统;另外强盛的对流凝结潜热对热带中尺度涡旋垂直运动振幅的增强起主要作用,更有利于涡旋的发展和维持。基于天气事实分析的理论研究为深化影响海南的热带中尺度涡旋乃至南海中尺度对流系统的机理认识进行了探索。      

Effects of land-surface heterogeneity on numerical simulations of mesoscale atmospheric boundary layer processes

Landscape heterogeneity that causes surface flux variability plays a very important role in triggering mesoscale atmospheric circulations and convective weather processes. In most mesoscale numerical models, however, subgrid-scale heterogeneity is somewhat smoothed or not adequately accounted for, leading to artificial changes in heterogeneity patterns (e.g., patterns of land cover, land use, terrain, and soil types and soil moisture). At the domain-wide scale, the combination of losses in subgrid-scale heterogeneity from many adjacent grids may artificially produce larger-scale, more homogeneous landscapes. Therefore, increased grid spacing in models may result in increased losses in landscape heterogeneity. Using the Weather Research and Forecasting model in this paper, we design a number of experiments to examine the effects of such artificial changes in heterogeneity patterns on numerical simulations of surface flux exchanges, near-surface meteorological fields, atmospheric planetary boundary layer (PBL) processes, mesoscale circulations, and mesoscale fluxes. Our results indicate that the increased heterogeneity losses in the model lead to substantial, nonlinear changes in temporal evaluations and spatial patterns of PBL dynamic and thermodynamic processes. The decreased heterogeneity favor developments of more organized mesoscale circulations, leading to enhanced mesoscale fluxes and, in turn, the vertical transport of heat and moisture. This effect is more pronounced in the areas with greater surface heterogeneity. Since more homogeneous land-surface characteristics are created in regional models with greater surface grid scales, these artificial mesoscale fluxes may have significant impacts on simulations of larger-scale atmospheric processes.     

贵州南部一次突发性大暴雨的中尺度分析

利用地面加密观测资料、贵州自动站雨量资料、FY-2C卫星红外辐射亮度温度(tbb)资料等,对2006年6月12日夜间贵州南部突发性大暴雨过程进行了中尺度分析.结果表明:具有类似于MCC(Mesoscale Convective Complex)特征的中尺度对流云团的发生发展及其缓慢东移是造成此次大暴雨的直接原因.对流层中低层大量的水汽输送和对流有效位能的积累为大暴雨的形成提供了有利的环境条件,中高层弱冷空气入侵使偏南暖湿气流被迫抬升、地面中尺度低压和辐合线的形成是暴雨发生的可能触发机制.中尺度天气系统具有低层辐合、高层辐散的高、低空配置,暴雨区南、北两侧的正、反垂直环流构成了中尺度次级环流圈的垂直结构特征.     

一场初冬“雷打雪”天气的中尺度特征分析

利用探空资料、T639数值预报产品和多普勒天气雷达资料,对2009年11月郑州地区的一场"雷打雪"天气过程进行了中尺度特征分析,结果表明:大尺度环流背景为暴雪的产生提供了有利条件,而中尺度露点锋是"雷打雪"天气发生的直接影响系统,中低层强烈的逆温层和"上干中湿下冷"的大气垂直结构为对流天气的产生储备了充足的不稳定能量,干暖盖指数对冬季对流天气的发生有一定的预报指示意义;多普勒天气雷达的径向速度产品是制作"雷打雪"天气短时临近预报的重要依据。     

1989年7月川东大暴雨中尺度对流系统分析

使用气象卫星资料，分析了１９８９年７月发生在四川东部的４个中尺度对流系统的特征，第一个系统是由３个对流云团合并而成，生成后快速向前移动，第二个为向后传播。第三个系统生成后，系统的西南部不断生成新的对流单体，使之维持准静止状态，最后一个系统的初期呈胞状结构，后与冷锋结合，成为冷锋云系的一部分，这４个系统都是西南低涡暖切变形势下的产物，随着形势演变，其大尺度环境略有差异。     

Potential vorticity and the PV perspective

This paper highlights some theoretical aspects of potential vorticity(PV) and discusses some of the insights the PV perspective has given us. The topics covered include the nature of PV, its controlling role in the symmetric stability of the atmosphere, its inversion to give the flow field, Rossby waves and their coupling to give baroclinic instability, PV and midlatitude weather systems and, finally, insights into tropical motions.