地形上空边界层流中低层锋面结构的理论研究Ⅱ:暖锋、均匀地转流

利用一个有地形、边界层摩擦作用、简化的二层浅水锋面模型,在理论上研究了地形上空边界层流动中地面暖锋的结构及环流分布特征问题。暖锋的坡度主要取决于其暖域地转流、锋面移速,它随锋面移速增大而减小,这与冷锋特征相反。地形对暖锋坡度的影响作用较小。与无地形作用时相比,静止性暖锋冷域中,位于锋面界面附近的闭合正环流系,当暖锋位于地形上游,其伸展范围增大;当暖锋位于迎风坡时,其伸展范围缩小,中心位置上抬;锋面移至背风坡时,其伸展范围重新增大。对于冷域中远离地面暖锋的另一支正环流系来说,当暖锋位于地形上游或迎风坡时,它可被地形完全阻塞于背风侧,地形高度越高,地形阻塞作用越大。在暖锋锋区附近主要存在三支垂直上升运动带：（a）由于边界层摩擦辐合作用,导致在地面暖锋后缘暖区中形成一支水平尺度较小、强度较大的垂直运动带,它随着暖锋移速增大而减弱。该垂直运动带,当暖锋位于地形迎风侧,强度增加;暖锋位于地形背风侧,其强度减弱。（b）在锋区暖域沿锋面存在均匀的上升运动,（c）在冷域远离地面暖锋处,存在一支水平范围较宽,其中心位于边界层顶部附近的垂直运动带,当暖锋位于迎风坡时,这支垂直运动带可被地形阻塞于地形背风侧。     

Analysis on the Interaction between Turbulence and Secondary Circulation of the Surface Layer at Jinta Oasis in Summer

The kinetic energy variations of mean flow and turbulence at three levels in the surface layer were calculated by using eddy covariance data from observations at Jinta oasis in 2005 summer.It is found that when the mean horizontal flow was stronger,the turbulent kinetic energy was increased at all levels,as well as the downward mean wind at the middle level.Since the mean vertical flow on the top and bottom were both negligible at that time,there was a secondary circulation with convergence in the upper half and divergence in the lower half of the column.After consideration of energy conversion,it was found that the interaction between turbulence and the secondary circulation caused the intensification of each other.The interaction reflected positive feedback between turbulence and the vertical shear of the mean flow.Turbulent sensible and latent heat flux anomaly were also analyzed.The results show that in both daytime and at night,when the surface layer turbulence was intensified as a result of strengthened mean flow,the sensible heat flux was decreased while the latent heat flux was increased.Both anomalous fluxes contributed to the cold island effect and the moisture island effect of the oasis.     

Tidal circulation and buoyancy effects in the St. Lawrence Estuary

Abstract

The action of tides on density‐driven circulation, internal gravity waves, and mixing was investigated in the St. Lawrence Estuary between Rimouski and Québec City. Time‐varying fields of water level, currents and density were computed under typical summer conditions using a three‐dimensional hydrostatic coastal ocean model that incorporates a second order turbulence closure submodel. These results are compared with current meter records and other observations. The model and the observations reveal buoyancy effects produced by tidal forcing. The semi‐diurnal tide raises the isopycnals over the sills at the head of the Laurentian Trough and English Bank, producing internal tides radiating seaward. Relatively dense intermediate waters rise from below 75‐m depth to the near surface over the sills, setting up gravity currents on the inner slopes. Internal hydraulic controls develop over the outer sills; during flood, surface flow separation occurs at the entrances of the Saguenay Fjord and the upper estuary west of Ilet Rouge Bank. Early during ebb flow (restratification), the surface layer deepens to encompass the tops of the sills. As the ebb current intensifies, the model predicts the formation of seaward internal jumps over the outer sills, which were confirmed from acoustic reflection observations. As the internal Froude number increases further, flow separation migrates up to sill height. As a result of these transitions, internal bores emanate from the head region one to two hours before low water. We find that the mixing of oceanic and surface waters near the sills is driven by the vertical shear produced during ebb in the channel south of Ilet Rouge, the shear produced in the bottom gravity flood currents, and, to a lesser extent, the processes over the sills.     

Biological and physical impacts of ageostrophic frontal circulations driven by confluent flow and vertical mixing

Subduction, upwelling, and phytoplankton blooms are commonly observed features at oceanic fronts. This study isolates the role of vertical mixing for enhanced production and water mass subduction near fronts, considering the time-developing problem with a Semi-Geostrophic circulation model coupled to a planktonic ecosystem model. Our model results show that vertical mixing in the surface boundary layer strongly modifies the time evolution of the front and of its associated biology. Ageostrophic flows caused by the combined effects of confluence and vertical mixing enhance primary production on the less dense side and increase water mass subduction on the dense side of the front. Confluence alone results in the intensification of the front by the same advective response, while the phytoplankton bloom on the less dense side does not arise without vertical mixing. Vertical mixing alone slumps the front near the surface and provides weak subduction on the dense side and uplift of the isopycnals at the center of the front. We find that it is possible to sustain an isolated phytoplankton patch above the domed isopycnals at the center of the front with the nutrients supplied by the secondary circulations arising due to vertical mixing. These results suggest that the phytoplankton bloom and patches found on the less dense side of fronts in many field observations are likely caused by fine-scale along-isopycnal upwelling of nutrients forced by adiabatic confluence in the meander trough of fronts and further pumping and entrainment of nutrients by the secondary circulation due to vertical mixing. Isolated patches observed at the center of the front in many frontal surveys could be caused by secondary flows due to vertical mixing.     

一次梅雨锋暴雨的中尺度对流系统及低层风场影响分析

本文利用常规气象观测资料,地面自动站加密观测资料和FY-2D、FY-2E卫星云图以及NCEP 1°×1°的FNL分析资料、EC 0.25°×0.25°的细网格模式数据等,对2015年6月15—18日梅雨锋暴雨过程的中尺度对流系统(MCS)活动特征、对流层低层风场对MCS发展的影响以及梅雨锋暴雨的垂直环流特征等进行了研究,结果表明:天气尺度梅雨锋上叠加的MCS的产生及向下游移动,以及其在安徽中部到江苏南部正涡度带作用下的发展增强,造成了江苏南部的局地强降水。强降水与中尺度低空急流核的位置吻合较好。在垂直方向上,高空急流入口区右侧与低空急流核左前方叠加,高低空急流耦合作用明显。在降水过程中,对流层低层具有较强的垂直风切变,有利于垂直涡度的增强和MCS的发展。对流层低层的垂直风切变也有利于不同源地的水汽在梅雨锋区汇集。梅雨锋北侧的干冷空气在对流层低(中)层以东北(西北)路径向锋区移动。南侧的暖湿气流沿西南路径移动、抬升,接近锋区后质点在上升过程中逐渐转向东移,在高空急流的抽吸作用下,快速向东流出,近地面层空气存在跨锋面环流。梅雨锋系统垂直方向上的次级环流是高层风场强烈辐散以及空气运动过程中质量补充和循环的结果。     

A simple model for large-scale thermohaline convection

Large-scale thermohaline circulation cells in the world oceans exist due to horizontal density gradients. Owing to differential heating between equator and pole a north-south density gradient is present at the ocean surface. An additional mechanism for producing north-south density gradients is the heat and salinity transport by boundary currents in the upper parts of the world oceans. In the North Atlantic, high density sinking water is produced by a convergence of salt water from the south and cold water from the north.We have investigated large-scale thermohaline convection cells by time integrating a two-dimensional Boussinesq model. The flow is driven by an imposed density gradient at the upper boundary (mixed layer) and an externally prescribed, meridionally varying density flux in the interior of the model domain. We perform numerical simulations and through time integrations we determine equilibrium states of the model. By changing the forcing parameters slowly during the course of a time integration, we have identified regions in parameter space where a hysteretic behaviour may be found. For a given set of the forcing parameters the model has two stable equilibrium states which differ in the direction of the circulation.We have thus found that due to the nonlinear nature of the balance between advection, internal mixing and forcing more than one stable equilibrium circulation pattern can be found under a given set of external forcing parameters. This result may offer a potential explanation for the existing asymmetries between the thermohaline circulation patterns in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans as well as possible implications for the climatic state of the oceans under changing external conditions.     

一次江淮流域切变綫过程的研究

本文研究一次江淮流域切变线的生成及其各个发展阶段的結构。 关于切变线的生成原因,作者强調高原的动力及热力影响。在結构方面,作者指出,切变綫附近鉛直环流的形式、切变线附近气象要素的分布以及低空鋒区的加强,相互之間有着密切联系.鉛直环流的加强,造成了低空鋒区的加强。当这个环流圈相对于鋒面的位置有变化时,鋒面的性貭,也就有不同。在切变线的上升运动区上空,高层对流层中,可能存在一下沉运动带,因而与切变线有关的流場,至少涉及到整个对流层。 最后,作者討論了:鉛直环流对鋒面的作用、极鋒型鋒区向赤道鋒的轉变以及我国副热带夏季某些系統的性貭及其特点等問題。     

不稳定层结下的热岛环流

采用对数压力坐标系的大气热力、动力方程组，分析了由于城市的加热和摩擦作用，在大气层结不稳定情况下的热岛环流，给出了表征热岛基本特征的垂直运动，水平运动和温度场的空间结构，从理论上证实了热岛环流在不稳定城市边界层中存在的可能性，并得出了如下主要结论:(1) 垂直运动在市区是上升运动，在郊区是下沉运动，在低层z=150m处有一闭合中心；(2) 流场在市区上空呈一层波动，波谷在上风区，波峰在下风区，波长为城市半宽的4倍；(3) 地面的高温区出现在城市的下风区，且无逆温层出现。     

地形上空边界层流中低层锋面结构的理论研究 I：冷锋、均匀地转流

文中利用一个包含地形、边界层摩擦作用的二层锋面简化模型 ,讨论了地形、边界层对冷锋锋面结构、环流的动力学影响作用问题。冷锋的倾斜主要与冷锋暖区的地转流分布、锋面移动速度、锋面与地形的相对位置有关。当冷锋位于迎风坡时 ,其坡度减小 ,位于背风坡时 ,其坡度增大。在静止冷锋存在两类不同的环流系 ,即位于大气低层、地面锋附近的反时针环流系和远离地面锋的顺时针环流系。静止冷锋位于背风坡 ,其冷域中的这支闭合环流增强 ,范围增大 ,而位于冷锋界面上的环流转向点沿锋面上移 ,暖域中沿锋面的暖空气运动范围变大。当静止冷锋位于迎风坡时 ,结果相反。冷锋移动较慢时 ,其冷域远离地面锋的这支顺时针环流主体可被地形完全阻塞在迎风坡。当静止冷锋移离地形时 ,由于地形作用可在锋面暖域、地形下游形成一个背风槽。地形对锋区的垂直运动影响主要通过地形与边界层共同作用 ,改变锋区流场辐合辐散的分布及地形强迫抬升两条途径实现。由于边界层摩擦的辐合作用 ,在地面冷锋的前缘可形成一支范围较窄、强度较大的上升运动带 ,当冷锋位于迎风坡时 ,其强度增强 ,当冷锋位于背风坡时 ,其强度减弱。当冷锋位于背风坡时 ,在暖区沿锋面上升的暖空气运动范围增大 ,可以出现沿锋面相间隔的多个上升区     

浙江沿海中尺度辐合线对飑线发展影响的数值试验

利用Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) 中尺度数值模式, 结合常规观测资料、地面加密自动气象站资料、云迹风等资料较好地模拟了2006年6月10日严重影响浙江的一次强飑线演变过程, 得到了与实况比较接近的飑线中尺度特征, 结果表明: 强对流活动与边界层内的中尺度辐合有密切联系, 除了雷暴出流在其前沿形成的阵风锋外, 还模拟得到了宁波东部地区的中尺度气流辐合线 (简称宁东辐合线); 宁东辐合线呈现出明显的西干东湿、东侧上湿下干和弱的稳定层结特征, 其存在阻挡了边界层顶强不稳定的东传; 在宁东辐合线东侧的山谷地带, 近地面形成一个尺度仅为10～20 km的中尺度垂直闭合环流, 该环流导致地面弱的东风气流又反过来加强了宁东辐合线。当之前已存在的雷暴出流形成的阵风锋辐合线与宁东局地辐合线相遇时, 形成一条新的阵风锋, 边界层之上的湿度显著增强, 强不稳定得到逐步释放, 加剧了对流的爆发, 天气现象进一步加重。     

地形上空边界层流中低层锋面结构的理论研究Ⅰ:冷锋、均匀地转流

文中利用一个包含地形、边界层摩擦作用的二层锋面简化模型,讨论了地形、边界层对冷锋锋面结构、环流的动力学影响作用问题.冷锋的倾斜主要与冷锋暖区的地转流分布、锋面移动速度、锋面与地形的相对位置有关.当冷锋位于迎风坡时,其坡度减小,位于背风坡时,其坡度增大.在静止冷锋存在两类不同的环流系,即位于大气低层、地面锋附近的反时针环流系和远离地面锋的顺时针环流系.静止冷锋位于背风坡,其冷域中的这支闭合环流增强,范围增大,而位于冷锋界面上的环流转向点沿锋面上移,暖域中沿锋面的暖空气运动范围变大.当静止冷锋位于迎风坡时,结果相反.冷锋移动较慢时,其冷域远离地面锋的这支顺时针环流主体可被地形完全阻塞在迎风坡.当静止冷锋移离地形时,由于地形作用可在锋面暖域、地形下游形成一个背风槽.地形对锋区的垂直运动影响主要通过地形与边界层共同作用,改变锋区流场辐合辐散的分布及地形强迫抬升两条途径实现.由于边界层摩擦的辐合作用,在地面冷锋的前缘可形成一支范围较窄、强度较大的上升运动带,当冷锋位于迎风坡时,其强度增强,当冷锋位于背风坡时,其强度减弱.当冷锋位于背风坡时,在暖区沿锋面上升的暖空气运动范围增大,可以出现沿锋面相间隔的多个上升区.     

Sensitivity of the thermohaline circulation and climate to ocean exchanges in a simple coupled model

 A new simple, coupled climate model is presented and used to investigate the sensitivity of the thermohaline circulation and climate to ocean vertical and horizontal exchange. As formulated, the model highlights the role of thin, ocean surface layers in the communication between the atmosphere and the subsurface ocean. Model vertical exchange is considered to be an analogue to small-scale, diapycnal mixing and convection (when present) in the ocean. Model horizontal exchange is considered to be an analogue to the effects of the wind-driven circulation. For small vertical exchange in the ocean, the model exhibits only one steady-state solution: a relatively cold, mid-high-latitude climate associated with a weak, salinity-driven circulation (“off ” mode). For large vertical and horizontal exchange in the ocean, the model also exhibits only one steady-state solution: a relatively warm, mid-high-latitude climate associated with a strong, thermally-driven circulation (“on” mode). For sufficiently weak horizontal exchange but large enough vertical exchange, both modes are possible stable, steady-state solutions. When model parameters are calibrated to fit tracer distributions of the modern ocean-atmosphere system, only the “on” mode is possible in this standard case. This suggests that the wind-driven circulation in consort with diapycnal mixing suppresses the “off ” mode in the modern ocean-atmosphere system. Since both diapycnal mixing and the wind-driven circulation would be expected to increase in a cold climate with greater meridional temperature gradients and enhanced winds, vertical and horizontal exchange in the ocean are probably associated with strong negative feedbacks which tend to stabilize climate. These results point to the need to resolve ocean wind-driven circulation and to greatly improve the treatment of ocean diapycnal mixing in more complete models of the climate system. Received: 16 November 1999 / Accepted: 19 June 2000     

地形与城市环流共同作用下的β中尺度暴雨

从中尺度天气动力学理论入手, 利用尺度分析的方法, 得到了地形与城市热岛共同作用下的β中尺度暴雨的一系列理论特征。利用北京地区稠密的地面观测网资料以及分布于距暴雨中心区不同距离的两部风廓线仪观测资料, 通过分析2006年夏季发生的3次β中尺度暴雨酝酿、 发生、 发展、 维持过程中的气温、 降水、 风场的配置关系, 对β中尺度暴雨的部分理论特征进行了验证。主要结论: (1) 由城市热岛形成的水平温度梯度有可能在靠近城区的山前迎风坡强迫产生相对独立的中尺度风的垂直切变, 由此产生的低空风的垂直切变是维系中尺度对流降水发生、 发展的重要条件。另一方面, 一旦迎风坡出现强降水, 将形成吹向迎风坡的风速与降水强度之间的正反馈现象, 这种正反馈过程对β中尺度暴雨的形成过程起到了重要作用; (2) 地形越靠近城区, 山前越容易形成强的水平温度梯度, 进而越容易出现低空风的垂直切变。形成强低空风的垂直切变的响应时间取决于水平温度梯度的强度; (3) 地形坡度越大的地方, 产生的上升运动越强, 中尺度系统的水平尺度越小, 对于地形坡度较为平坦的地方, 更有利于产生水平尺度较大的中尺度系统; (4) 一般情况下, 地形与城市热力过程造成的中尺度暴雨过程多发生于傍晚前后或凌晨前后。     

高空西风急流和低空南风急流中的冷锋环流

文中利用原始方程模式研究了不同背景风场中的冷锋环流，计算结果显示，对越锋非地转环流和锋区垂直运动起主要作用的是垂直于锋面的背景风场，沿锋的背景风场也有影响，但比前者小得多，后者产生的越锋非地转环流和上升速度也比前者弱得多；具有强垂直切变的西风急流更有利于在锋区产生强的越锋环流和大的上升速度；此外，越锋非地转环流还与Richardson数的小值区相联系。     

梅雨锋结构的数值模拟

利用1999年6月下旬持续性梅雨锋降水过程的全程四维同化模拟结果,深入分析梅雨锋结构的时空不均匀变化特征及其与低涡降水强度的密切关系。结果表明,梅雨锋呈现明显的中层锋和边界层锋两段锋的特征,中层梅雨锋区对降水的影响比边界层锋更为关键,中层锋的加强、锋坡增大趋于垂直、锋区垂直环流的加强和与高空急流锋区的上下贯通,有利于梅雨锋降水的加强,强降水并不出现于中层锋区最强的时段,而是发生于大范围锋区强度达峰值之后约16—24 h。中低层总变形加强与梅雨锋的加强有密切关系。组成低空急流的中低层u,v分量呈现不同的分布和演变特征,强南风中心位于900—800 hPa,呈明显的低空急流状特征,贴近暴雨区还可能出现较小尺度的急流;而强西风中心出现于中层锋前700—500 hPa,表现为高空强西风区沿锋区上界的向下延伸;低空南风急流通常与总变形同时加强。强锋段的锋前饱和高湿高能气柱、锋前中低层急流状南风区和中层西风均匀大值区等要素场呈现高度组织化的特征。梅雨锋的低层特性,如辐合、锋区强度、总变形和南风分量及降水强度等要素呈现显著的中尺度扰动特征,有明显的日变化且受长江中下游中尺度地形影响,扰动特征有随时间上传的趋势。     

一次暴风雪过程中的中尺度重力波特征及其影响

应用地面自动气象站观测资料、数字化多普勒天气雷达探测资料和WRFV2.2.1中尺度数值模拟资料,分析了中尺度重力波与基本气流的相互作用,以及重力波活动对暴雪和大风天气的重要影响。结果表明,在波导中传播的中尺度重力波能够与基本气流进行动量交换,使得对流层中上层4.5—8 km气层内的水平平均风速趋于均匀,形成斜穿整个对流层的饱和湿空气急流,即"湿急流"。在高空急流出口区激发的垂直向下传播的重力波,使基本气流的水平风速在垂直方向上出现了加速和减速的交替变化,水平风加速的气层,反射率增大;水平风减速的气层,反射率减小。随着波动下传及其随基本气流的移动,反射率回波强度沿高空风的方向(由西南向东北)出现周期性变化,回波带呈西北—东南走向,强回波中心之间为宽约40 km的弱回波区。重力波下传期间,当地面气压迅速下降时,东北风快速增长,风向有明显的改变,反射率强度开始减弱;气压脊线过后,反射率降低到最低点。地面大风中心出现在反射率回波强度周期性变化的地带,沿西南—东北方向间隔着分布。雷达探测表明,对流层低层风速在风向切变层上下边界对称相等,因此推测在重力波与切变层汇合的高度层存在垂直环流,由风切变层上下边界附近的西南气流和东北气流与受重力波影响形成的垂直方向上的上升和下沉气流共同组成。切变层上方的动量通过垂直环流的下沉支到达地面,强风中心对应着下沉气流,出现在降水回波开始减弱之际。     

热力强迫对局地环流的扰动作用

用积分变换法求解了包含地面加热作用的二维不可压缩流体的Boussinesq方程组,得到一组描述地面加热作用激发的局地扰动流场的解析解,主要有垂直风、水平扰动风、扰动气压、扰动温度。进而用动力学分析的观点结合图形分析,定性讨论了热力强迫作用对局地环流的扰动作用,以及加热影响下各物理扰动场的空间分布及时间演变特征。     

台风“海棠”特大暴雨数值模拟研究

在福建中北部登陆的台风,往往会严重影响浙江,尤其值得注意的是台风引起特大暴雨经常会发生在浙江东南沿海的南雁荡山区和北雁荡山区,2005年在福建省连江黄歧登陆的台风"海棠"(0505)对浙江东南沿海造成严重影响,是这类台风比较典型个例。文中利用非静力模式MM5模拟"海棠"台风在浙东南沿海造成的特大暴雨,模拟结果与实况对比分析表明,模式较好地模拟了台风降水强度和分布,特别是成功模拟出南雁荡山区特大暴雨中心(南部暴雨区)和雁荡山区特大暴雨中心(北部暴雨区);运用高时空分辨率模拟资料对特大暴雨成因进行诊断分析表明,南部暴雨区涡度低层到高层向西倾斜结构和北部暴雨区高低空强辐散辐合的耦合结构有利于形成暴雨区强烈上升运动,环境风场垂直切变产生次级环流进一步加强暴雨区上升运动;暴雨区持续不稳定层结和特殊水汽输送通道为特大暴雨提供热力条件和水汽条件。最后对浙南闽北地形对台风特大暴雨影响进行数值敏感性试验表明,温州南、北雁荡山脉地形等高线与台风水汽输送路径正交是造成特大暴雨的重要原因,地形使暴雨增幅明显,地形越高对暴雨增幅越明显,降水分布更加不均匀。比较台风造成南、北特大暴雨条件,发现两者既有环境风场垂直切变产生次级环流进一步加强暴雨区上升运动、持续不稳定层结以及地形对暴雨增幅作用等相同之处,又有动力结构、维持持续不稳定层结条件以及水汽输送等不同之处。     

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     

Mesoscale moisture variability and its impact on energy transfer through the boundary layer

The impact of mesoscale moisture variability on the vertical energy transfer through a pre-frontal boundary layer is studied with NOPEX aircraft data. The moisture variability relates to a cold front that passed the area 2 1/2 hours after the observations. We find a density front ahead of the cold front. The large vertical divergence of the turbulent moisture flux in the surface layer is partly related to this moisture variability. Large scale horizontal advection contributes to the observed vertical turbulent flux divergence. The estimated horizontal mesoscale advection term in the budget of sensible heat and moisture is on average small but locally it can be large. This term acts to re-distribute moisture in the boundary layer and leads to sub-grid variations of relative humidity, which is an important quantity for boundary-layer cloud models. The distinct spatial variations of specific humidity are mainly related to synoptic forcing and not to heterogeneity in the surface energy balance.