The Forced Secondary Circulation of the Mei-yu Front

Using National Centers for Environmental Prediction reanalysis data for the period 28 June to 12 July during 2001 to2013, the secondary circulation(SC) associated with the mei-yu front was quantitatively diagnosed by numerically solving a primitive version of the Sawyer-Eliassen equation. Results demonstrate that a direct SC exists near the mei-yu front zone during mid-summer and the synoptic-scale geostrophic deformations are the main factors determining SC structures. About94% of the sinking strength and 61% of the ascending strength in the SC are induced by the geostrophic deformations.Other terms, such as diabatic heating, ageostrophic dynamical forcing, and frictional forcing, mainly influence the fine flow pattern of the SC. The forced SC produces a frontogenesis area tilting to the north with altitude. Further diagnosis clarifies the positive feedback involving the geostrophic shear forcing and vorticity frontogenesis in the upper-level mei-yu front zone. Furthermore, statistical results indicate that all 34 deep convection cases that occurred in the warm region of the meiyu front over the period 2004-2013 experienced high-level frontogenesis associated with along-jet cold advection. The cyclonic shear forcing "moved" the monsoon SC's subsidence branch to the warm side of the mei-yu front and caused the subsidence branch to extend downwards to the lower troposphere, conducive to the initiation of deep convection in the warm region of the mei-yu front.     

Meso-beta scale numerical simulations of terrain drag-induced along-stream circulations Part I: Midtropospheric frontogenesis

Summary The problem of along-stream ageostrophic frontogenesis is studied by employing a numerical model at meso-alpha and meso-beta scales in simulations of the downstream circulations over the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains. Three-dimensional real data simulations at these two scales of motion are used to diagnose the transition from semigeostrophic cross-stream frontogenesis accompanying a propagating baroclinic upper-level jet streak to midtropospheric along-stream ageostrophic frontogenesis. This along-stream ageostrophic frontogenesis results from the perturbation of the jet streak by the Rocky Mountain range. The case study represents an example of internal wave dynamics which are forced by the drag of the Rocky Mountains on a strong jet streak in the presence of a low-level inversion.The simulation results indicate that, unlike semi-geostrophic frontogenesis, a front (which is alligned perpendicular to the axis of the jet stream) may form when significant adiabatic heating occurs within a stratified shear flow over horizontal length scales shorter than the Rossby radius of deformation. The mechanism responsible for the frontogenesis is the growth of the divergent along-stream wind velocity component which becomes coupled to the front's along-stream pressure gradient force. This nonlinear interaction produces hydrostatic mesoscale frontogenesis as follows: 1) vertical wind shear in the along-stream plane strengthens resulting in the increasingly nonuniform vertical variation of horizontal temperature advection as the ageostrophic wind component grows in magnitude downstream of the meso-scale terrain-induced adiabatic heating, 2) increasing along-stream differential vertical motions (i.e., along-stream thermally indirect circulation with warm air sinking to the west and cold air rising to the east) tilt the vertical gradient of isentropes into the horizontal as the vertical temperature gradient increases due to the previous process in proximity to horizontal gradients in the along-stream component of the ageostrophic wind, 3) as tilting motions act to increase the along-stream horizontal temperature gradient, the along-stream confluence acts to nonuniformly increase the along-stream frontal temperature gradient which increases the along-stream pressure gradient force resulting in further accelerations, ageostrophy, and frontal steepening as part of a scale contraction process.The evolution of the aforementioned processes results in the three-dimensional hydrostatic frontogenesis accompanying the overturning of isentropic surfaces. These adjustments act to turn air parcels to the right of the southwesterly geostrophic wind vector at successively lower atmospheric levels as the scale contraction continues. This simulated along-stream front is verified from diagnostic analysis of the profiler-derived temperature and wind fields.With 17 Figures     

A numerical study of geostrophic adjustment and frontogenesis

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急流加速产生的高空锋生和低空锋生

本文用数值模拟方法证实了曾庆存提出的一种锋生机制,即高空急流加速或高空动量输入通过地转适应过程造成高空锋生.我们采用二维非弹性数值模式模拟了五种急流加速分布产生的锋生过程:三个低空锋生,分别由中尺度地面、中尺度低空和次天气尺度低空急流加速产生;二个高空锋生,分别由高空次天气尺度和天气尺度急流加速产生.模拟的结果表明:(1)通过地转适应产生的位温梯度的大小依赖于急流的空间结构以及Rossby变形半径和急流扰动尺度的比值,比值越大,适应锋生越强.(2)在相同的尺度条件下急流加速产生的高空锋生比低空锋生更强.(3)地转适应过程将加速的高空急流动量向下层传输,使锋区变陡并向对流层中、下层延伸,这种对流层高低层的非地转耦合可能是低空急流形成的另一种机制.(4)在模拟的五个过程中急流振荡的主频率约是惯性频率的1.7倍.     

华南局地锋生及对流系统发展的模拟分析研究

2009年3月28日一条东西向的锋面出现在华南25°N附近。伴随着锋面的活动,对流降水回波午后开始在广西的梧州附近发展,并在随后几小时向东移动,组织发展成为中尺度对流系统(MCS),为广东中西部及珠三角地区带来了雷暴、暴雨、冰雹等灾害天气。应用地面自动站、雷达回波、卫星云图以及NCEP-FNL再分析资料和WRF模式的模拟结果,对锋面暴雨形成的天气特征进行了诊断分析,考察了中尺度对流系统的发展演变过程及其与局地锋生的相互关系。结果表明,锋面对流系统形成发展于一个东西向水平尺度约200km的地面中尺度辐合线附近,对流起始发展于具有较大对流有效位能(CAPE)和较小对流抑制位能(CIN)的区域。伴随着对流的发展,锋面强度增强。锋生函数的计算发现,非绝热项和倾斜项分别在由对流引起的次级环流的上升运动支和下沉运动支起锋生作用,是引发中尺度锋生的主要影响因子。而相对来说,水平辐合项和形变项的作用却比较小。这与大尺度的锋生过程不同,中尺度锋生更主要的是由热力直接触发的非地转环流所驱动。涡度场的演变分析还发现,沿着850hPa锋区大的正涡度区与500hPa的强上升运动区对应良好,对流系统发展与中尺度锋生之间存在着类似于第二条件不稳定机制的相互作用,对流增强了锋生过程,锋面则对中尺度对流系统的发展起组织作用。中尺度锋生对对流组织发展的作用作为此类灾害天气形成的原因值得关注。     

Characterizing the severe turbulence environments associated with commercial aviation accidents. Part 2: Hydrostatic mesoscale numerical simulations of supergradient wind flow and streamwise ageostrophic frontogenesis

Summary Simulation experiments reveal key processes that organize a hydrostatic environment conducive to severe turbulence. The paradigm requires the juxtaposition of the entrance region of a curved jet streak, which is highly subgeostrophic, with the entrance region of a straight jet streak, which is highly supergeostrophic. The wind and mass fields become misphased as the entrance regions converge, resulting in significant spatial variation of inertial forcing, centripetal forcing, as well as along and cross-stream pressure gradient forcing over a meso- scale region. Maxima of these forces are misphased where the two dissimilar jet streaks converge and geostrophic balance is disrupted. Velocity divergence within the subgeostrophic region of largest upstream-directed pressure gradient force and velocity convergence near the region of largest downstream-directed centripetal/inertial-advective forcing act to produce a mesoscale front due to spatially varying confluent flow flanked by zones of increasing velocity divergence. This results in frontogenesis as well as the along-stream divergence of cyclonic and convergence of cyclonic ageostrophic vertical vorticity. The nonuniform centripetally forced mesoscale front becomes the locus of large gradients of ageostrophic vertical vorticity along an overturning isentrope. This region becomes favorable for streamwise vorticity gradient formation enhancing the environment for the organization of horizontal vortex tubes in the presence of buoyant forcing. This is because the mesoscale convergence of vertical vorticity on an overturning isentropic surface creates vertical rotation for the development of horizontal vorticity in regions where isentropic surfaces overturn. Vorticity, shear, and buoyancy are focused in one location by this front thus favoring an environment favorable for microvortex formation leading to turbulence.     

The dynamics of moist frontogenesis in a semi‐geostrophic model

Abstract

The effects of condensational heating on the semi‐geostrophic dynamics of frontogenesis are studied using a two‐dimensional deformation model. The model includes water vapour and allows the formation of stratiform clouds. Analysis and numerical results show that heating due to stratiform clouds has the effect of reducing stability to slantwise convection, as found in previous studies (Thorpe and Emanuel, 1985). In addition, heating‐induced potential vorticity and temperature anomalies play a very important role in the frontal circulation. The ageostrophic flow induced by these anomalies tends to reinforce the effect of heating and increases the strength of frontal cloud. The model is also able to produce the low‐level jet maximum ahead of a cold front at an elevated level, in agreement with observations, owing to the explicit condensation scheme used in the model.     

梅雨锋动力锋生方程组及其应用

利用湿静力温度Tσ作为参数，导出梅雨锋锋生的方程组，并用该方程组计算了1991年江淮梅雨锋强降水的个例。结果表明:该方程组可分析梅雨锋的动力锋生；在梅雨锋中存在近似垂直分布的对称的横向次级环流，环流中干冷侧的横向穿锋环流可建立湿状态的稳定性；非地转变形项对梅雨锋锋生（消）起主导作用，同时次级环流的上升运动与锋生有正反馈关系。另外，梅雨锋中Tσ水平锋生对未来6小时降水具有一定的指示意义。     

Evolution and Frontogenesis of an Imbalanced Flow —the Influence of Vapor Distribution and Orographic Forcing

If the initial fields are not in geostrophic balance, the adjustment and evolution will occur in the stratified fluid, and the frontogenesis will occur under suitable conditions. The evolution is studied here with a nonhydrostatic fully compressible meso-scale model (Advanced Regional Prediction System, ARPS). Four cases are designed and compared: (i) control experiment; (ii) with different initial temperature gradient; (iii) with vapor distribution; (iv) with orographic forcing. The results show that: (1) there is an inertial oscillation in the evolution of the imbalanced flow with the frequency of the local Coriolis f, and with its amplitude de-creasing with time. The stationary balanced state can only be approached as it cannot be reached in the limit duration of time, The energy conversion ratio varies in the range of [0, 1 / 3]; (2) the stronger initial tempera-ture gradient can make the final energy conversion ratio higher, and vice versa; (3) suitable vapor distribu-tion is favorable for the frontogenesis. It will bring forward the time of the frontogenesis, strengthen the in-tensity of the cold front, and influence the final energy conversion ratio; (4) the orographic forcing has an ev-idently strengthening effect on the frontogenesis. The strengthening effect on the frontogenesis and the influ-ence on the final energy conversion ratio depend on the relative location of the mountain to the cold front.     

Evolution and Frontogenesis of an Imbalanced Flow —the Influence of Vapor Distribution and Orographic Forcing

1.InttoductionIftheinitialfieldsarenotingeostrophicbalance,theadjustmentandevolutionwilloccurinthestratifiedfluid,andthefrontogenesiswilloccurundersuitableconditions.ThisaspectwasfirstinvestigatedbyRossby(1938),followedbymanyscientists(Blumen,1972;Gill,1976,1982;VanHeijst,1985;BossandThompson,1985;On,1984,1986;McWilliams,1988;Middleton,1987;Glendening,1993;BlumenandWu,1995;WuandBlumen,1995;Grimshaw1998;Blumen,1998;etc.).Intheseresearches,theenergyconversionratioy=AEk/BE,isaninterestin…     

大尺度凝结加热与中尺度位温扰动对冷锋锋生的作用

文中导得简化的包括大尺度凝结潜热的半地转锋生模式，利用该模式讨论了大尺度凝结加热和中尺度位温扰动对冷锋锋生的影响，给出了锋生过程中各物理量的演变图。计算结果表明，大尺度凝结加热对冷锋锋生具有加强作用，增大锋生率，增大上升运动速度，缩小上升运动区的范围，使之更具有中尺度系统特征，使非地转越锋环流增强并发生倾斜，凝结加热和中尺度位温扰动的结合是锋前暖区多重雨带形成的可能机制之一。     

Mesoscale Analysis of a Carolina Coastal Front

During the Intensive Observation Period (IOP) 7 (22 February 1986) of the Genesis of Atlantic Lows Experiment a persistent coastal front was observed along the Carolina coast in the eastern United States. An intensive baroclinic zone, associated with the cold air damming to the east of the Appalachian Mountains, and the warm marine atmospheric boundary layer over the Gulf Stream, resulted in a northeasterly low-level geostrophic wind maximum near the coast.Two convergence zones were observed, one near the shore and the other near the western edge of the Gulf Stream. The convergence zone near the coastline was relatively weaker than that near the Gulf Stream. The differential surface thermal forcing caused enhanced convergence associated with the frontogenesis, and a meso-low was observed over the offshore front. The terms in the frontogenesis equation are estimated, and the diabatic term is found to be larger than the frontogenetic confluence term along the shore.     

INVESTIGATION ON GEOSTROPHIC ADJUSTMENT,FRONTOGENESIS AND OSCILLATIONS

Geostrophic adjustment and frontogenesis are examined by means of the 2-D ARPS model.The simulation shows that.without the large-scale forcing,both the frontogenesis and frontolysisare observed during the geostrophic adjustment process and the intensity of the front oscillates inthe case of no discontinuity.The convergence (divergence) induced by the secondary circulation isthe most important factor for frontogenesis (frontolysis) at the top and bottom boundaries.Theamplitude and period of oscillation are dependent on the initial atmospheric stratification and theCoriolis frequency,and they are related to the inertio-gravity wave.     

定量分析几种Q矢量

结合1991年7月5日20:00～6日20:00一次典型的江淮梅雨锋暴雨过程，从台站实际业务工作需要考虑，细致、具体地比较分析了850 hPa、700 hPa及500 hPa 3个层次的准地转 Q 矢量散度场、半地转 Q 矢量散度场、非地转 Q 矢量散度场及湿 Q 矢量散度场与相应时刻地面降水场对应关系的差异，同时还针对每一种 Q 矢量，将其在850 hPa、700 hPa及500 hPa 3个层次的散度场对同时刻降水场的反映能力进行了比较。在定量比较的基础上，得到了对4种 Q 矢量诊断特性的具体认识:（1）在整个梅雨锋暴雨过程中，3个层次的半地转 Q 矢量散度场及准地转 Q 矢量散度场对雨区的反映能力较小，而非地转 Q 矢量的散度场和湿 Q 矢量的散度场对雨区的反映能力明显较前二者大，尤其是湿 Q 矢量散度场在每个层次的诊断能力基本都大于相应层次的其它 Q 矢量的散度场。（2）对于每一种 Q 矢量而言，基本都是在700 hPa的散度场与雨区的对应关系好于各自在850 hPa和500 hPa的散度场，尤其是700 hPa湿 Q 矢量散度辐合场对同时刻梅雨锋暴雨的强度及落区都有很好的指示作用。最后，基于理论的角度对各 Q 矢量的诊断特性进行了较为深入地探讨和比较分析，明确地指出了4种 Q 矢量存在理论前提上的差异。     

浙江省梅雨锋强降水的锋生及环流特征分析

为了研究浙中西（浙江省中部和西部）梅雨锋强降水的锋生及环流特征,以2016年6月15日一次典型梅雨为代表,采用ERA-INTERIM（0.25°×0.25°）再分析资料、FY-2E卫星云顶亮温和雷达资料,运用风场分解、合成分析等方法对锋生与强降水的对应关系及环流结构进行分析。结果表明:此次典型梅雨处于有利的天气尺度背景下,强降水区与中低层锋生区有较好对应。锋区维持时,强降水区伴随中层倾斜锋生和形变锋生;锋区南压时,强降水区伴随中层倾斜锋生和低层水平锋生。低层梅雨锋北侧为超地转偏西气流,南侧为非地转东南气流,它们分别影响了北侧非平衡偏北气流和南侧平衡西南气流的发展,从而影响锋生系统。在锋区存在低层地转偏差辐合、高层辐散的上升运动,形成次级环流上升支,锋后反之。此外,锋前低空纬向风为次地转,而锋后低空纬向风为超地转,高空纬向风为次地转,这进一步促进了次级环流的发展。合成场中,在200 hPa西风槽槽后及槽前分别存在西北气流和西南气流显著增强区;在700 hPa浙北（浙江北部）地区存在东北气流显著增强区。合成锋生各分解项的水平及垂直分布与典型个例较类似。低层锋生主要由散度项贡献,形变项次之,倾斜项则起负作用;中层锋生主要由倾斜项贡献,形变项次之;高层锋消主要由倾斜项贡献。     

一次大暴雨过程的湿Q矢量比较分析

结合2005年7月18～19口出现在青藏高原东侧的一次大暴雨天气过程,对改进前（Q^＊）后（Q^q）两种非地转湿Q矢量的散度和锋生函数进行了比较诊断分析。结果表明：①改进后的掣矢量散度辐合场在位置、强度及走向上对暴雨区的反映都较改进前的Q^＊矢量更为准确。低层大气强迫为产生暴雨区上升运动的主要强迫作用,在不稳定的层结下使大气加速上升而产生强对流。②包含了所有非绝热效应的湿Q矢量锋生函数对暴雨中心和雨区走向的反映更准确,锋生作用更强。当出现一定程度降水后,由于大量不稳定能量的释放,锋消作用明显。     

INVESTIGATION ON GEOSTROPHIC ADJUSTMENT,FRONTOGENESIS AND OSCILLATIONS*

Geostrophic adjustment and frontogenesis are examined by means of the 2-D ARPS model.The simulation shows that.without the large-scale forcing,both the frontogenesis and frontolysisare observed during the geostrophic adjustment process and the intensity of the front oscillates inthe case of no discontinuity.The convergence (divergence) induced by the secondary circulation isthe most important factor for frontogenesis (frontolysis) at the top and bottom boundaries.Theamplitude and period of oscillation are dependent on the initial atmospheric stratification and theCoriolis frequency,and they are related to the inertio-gravity wave.     

Mesoscale dynamics and its application in torrential rainfall systems in China

Progress over the past decade in understanding moisture-driven dynamics and torrential rain storms in China is reviewed in this paper. First, advances in incorporating moisture effects more realistically into theory are described, including the development of a new parameter, generalized moist potential vorticity(GMPV) and an improved moist ageostrophic Q vector(Qum). Advances in vorticity dynamics are also described, including the adoption of a "parcel dynamic" approach to investigate the development of the vertical vorticity of an air parcel; a novel theory of slantwise vorticity development, proposed because vorticity develops easily near steep isentropic surfaces; and the development of the convective vorticity vector(CVV)as an effective new tool. The significant progress in both frontal dynamics and wave dynamics is also summarized, including the geostrophic adjustment of initial unbalanced flow and the dual role of boundary layer friction in frontogenesis, as well as the interaction between topography and fronts, which indicate that topographic perturbations alter both frontogenesis and frontal structure. For atmospheric vortices, mixed wave/vortex dynamics has been extended to explain the propagation of spiral rainbands and the development of dynamical instability in tropical cyclones. Finally, we review wave and basic flow interaction in torrential rainfall, for which it was necessary to extend existing theory from large-scale flows to mesoscale fields, enriching our knowledge of mesoscale atmospheric dynamics.     

The effect of spatial resolution on the simulation of upper-tropospheric frontogenesis using a sigma-coordinate primitive equation model

Summary The effects of varying horizontal and vertical grid resolution on the numerical simulation of upper-tropospheric frontal structures are examined using a, two-dimensional, dry, hydrostatic sigma-coordinate primitive equation model. These effects are illustrated with the results of 72 h model integrations in which frontogenesis is forced solely by confluence. Four different horizontal grid spacings, ranging from 100 km to 12.5 km, and four different vertical, grid resolutions, varying from 10 to 70 layers (90 mb to 13 mb), are considered.The intensity and integrity of the frontogenesis as a function of grid resolution are diagnosed in terms of time histories and spatial distributions of frontal parameters, such as the speed of the along-front jet, maxima of absolute vorticity and potential temperature gradient, and ageostrophic motions. The time histories show that, provided the vertical resolution is sufficient, increasing horizontal resolution leads to better-defined frontal structure due to the decrease in cross-frontal scale. They also indicate that for a given horizontal resolution there exists an optimal vertical resolution beyond which frontal parameters change only slightly. This optimal vertical resolution increases with increasing horizontal resolution, and apparently is related to the horizontal resolution through the slope of the frontal zone.The time histories for simulations combining low vertical resolution with high horizontal resolution exhibit substantial high-frequency variability. Cross sections show that this temporal variability appears to be manifested spatially in the form of gravity waves characterized by wavelengths on the order of 200 km and periods of 12 h, over the range of horizontal and vertical resolution that is considered. Although the source mechanism for these waves cannot be established definitively, it likely involves a grid-induced ageostrophic component of the along-front wind which disrupts thermal wind balance. This results thus demonstrates the potential risk of flawed frontal simulations, when incompatible combinations of horizontal and vertical resolution are used.With 7 Figures     

Semigeostrophic Frontal Boundary Layer

The viscous semigeostrophic solutions obtained for the baroclinic Eady wave fronts are analyzed for the generation of the cross-frontal temperature gradient in the boundary layer. In the case of free-slip boundaries, the cross-frontal gradient is maximally generated at the surface by meridional temperature advection. In the case of no-slip boundaries, surface friction reduces the meridional temperature advection in the boundary layer: The maximum generation occurs above the surface layer and the temperature gradient at the surface is maintained by vertical diffusion. The no-slip solution is compared with the Ekman-layer model solution. Errors are quantified for the use of the Ekman-layer model in the mature state of frontogenesis.The surface frontogenesis is found to be affected by diffusivity both directly and indirectly. The direct effect of diffusivity is represented explicitly by the diffusion term in the potential temperature equation. The indirect effect of diffusivity is related implicitly to the temperature advection caused by the viscous part of the ageostrophic motion whose horizontal velocity component is defined by the frictional wind deflection (away from the geostrophy). The direct effect of diffusivity is frontolytical, whilst theindirect effect of diffusivity is frontogenetic in the mesoscale vicinity of the front. The indirect effect of diffusivity contributes dominantly to the mesoscale surface frontogenesis for the free-slip case, but it is offset by the divergence of the dynamic part of the ageostrophic motion at the surface level for the non-slip case.