Helicity Dynamics of Atmospheric Flow

Helicity is an important physical variable which is similar to the energy and enstrophy in three-dimensional fluid. It can be used to describe the motion in the direction of fluid rotation and also can be regarded as a new physi-cal variable in turbulence theory. In recent years, it has been used in atmospheric dynamics. In this paper, helicity of atmospheric flow, especially helicity in the boundary layer and in the vicinity of front was discussed. These results show that helicity is usually positive in the boundary layer due to the effect of friction. The helicity of boundary layer flow is larger in anticyclone than that in cyclone, resulting from the different wind structures of boundary layers in an-ticyclone and cyclone under the geostrophic momentum approximation. It is possible that the helicity is negative at certain height in the baroclinic boundary layer. The influences of nonlinearity and baroclinity on the helicity are im-portant. The so called “Cloud Street” in the boundary layer is related to the dynamics of helicity. Helicity in the at-mosphere can be expressed as the temperature advection under some conditions, so helicity would be allowed to des-cribe the frontogenesis and development of frontal structure. The amplitude of helicity increases with time in the frontogenesis. A large gradient of helicity is generated in the region located to the northeast of the surface low and in which the front is formed. In warm frontal region, as well as behind the trough of temperature, the helicity is positive, while the helicity is negative in cold frontal sector and in the ahead ridge of temperature. The largest helicity occurs in the boundary.     

The Surface Friction and the Flow over Mountain

The flow over mountain is quite complicated. There are a lot of papers on this problem and a lot of progresses have been made. However, in the most of these papers, just the dynamics contributions of mountain have been analysed; the effect of the friction is often neglected. Since the frictional effect is always associated with flow, especially when it flows over the mountain. The study shows that the friction is small in the magnitude but it is not a negligible effect because it changes the features of the flow. In the case of super-or sub-critical flow, there are two extremes: one maximum, one minimum of the fluid surface on the lee-side of the mountain, while in the inviscid fluid, there is just one extreme. The frictional effect should neither be too strong nor too weak to make the situation happened according to the investigation of this paper.     

The Effects of Zonal Flow on Nonlinear Rossby Waves

In this paper, we using phase plane method have derived the stability criteria of linear and nonlinear Rossby waves under the conditions of semi-geostrophic approximation and have gotten the solutions and geostrophic vorticity of corresponding solitary Rossby waves. It is pointed out that the wave stability is connected with the distribution of zonal flow and when the zonal flow is different the solitary wave trough or ridge is formed.     

Symmetric Development of Meso Perturbation in Zonally Curved Basic Flow

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Observational Zonal Mean Flow Anomalies: Vacillation or Poleward Propagation?

North-south displacements and meridional vacillations of the eddy-driven jet are widely accepted as the dominant cause of variability of the observational zonal-mean zonal wind anomalies(denoted [u]’).In this study,a new idea regarding the primary variability of the observational [u]’ in the middle latitude troposphere is presented.It is hypothesized that there are two different classes of primary variability of the observational [u]’:the poleward propagation of the [u]’(abbreviated as PP) and meridional vacillations.To validate this hypothesis,one-point correlation maps of [u]’ at 200-hPa during the boreal cold season(November-April) of every year from 1957-2002 are used as a criterion.Twelve PP years,in which the PP events are dominant in the variability of [u]’,and 15 no_PP years,in which the PP events are recessive and the meridional vacillations are dominant in the variability of [u]’,are examined.The results show that the variabilities of [u]’ are different in the chosen PP and no_PP years.In the PP years,the PP events dominate the variability of [u]’;however,the meridional vacillations are prevalent in the no_PP years.     

Linear Momentum Approximation and Frontogenesis Caused by Baroclinic Ekman Momentum Flow

A method of linear momentum approximation is proposed that deals with weak nonlinear problems in an approximate manner. A motion of nonlinear nature is obtained in the system by assuming the motion to be in the form of linear momentum flow in the corresponding space introduced, followed by the transformation from the specified into a physical space. Significant results have been thereby derived in examining the effects of baroclinic Ekman momentum flow upon Eady-type baroclinic waves and frontogenesis. Also, this technique can be applied to investigate the dynamic characteristics of the weak nonlinear boundary layer including topography, stratification and non-Ekmantype friction for gaining further insight into the influence on the boundary layer inner parameters of terrain, baroclinicity and inhomogeneous process so that the classic theory is revised.     

A Problem Related to Nonlinear Stability Criteria for Multi-layer Quasi-geostrophic Flow

The second author studied the nonlinear stability of N-layer quasi-geostrophic flow subject to perturbations of parameters and initial data, and established the stability criteria for the flow in question, which involve finding out the lowest eigenvalue of an elliptic boundary value problem.In this paper when the domain is a periodic zonal channel, a formula of the lowest eigenvalue is established, which is useful for further studies and practical applications.     

Nonlinear Stability of Plane Rotating Shear Flow under Three-Dimensional Nondivergence Disturbances

Nonlinear stability criterion for plane rotating shear flow under three-dimensional nondivergence disturbances was obtained by using both variational principle and convexity estimate introduced by Arnold (1965) and Holm et al. (1985). The results obtained in this paper show that the effect of Coriolis force plays an important role in the nonlinear stability criterion, and the nonlinear stability property of the basic flow depends on both the distribution of basic states and the way the external disturbance acts on the states. The upper bound of the gradient of the mass density displacement from the equilibrium k2 = is determined by the basic states and one example was given to show the exact upper value of k. The remarks on Blumen's paper were also given at Section 4 of this paper.     

Topography and the Non-linear Rossby Wave in the Zonal Shear Basic Flow

Under semi-geostropical approximation, by means of phase angle function the non-linear ordinary differential equation is derived involving topography and zonal shear basic flow. Conditions for the existence of limited amplitude periodical and isolated wave solutions are directly obtained based on the qualitative theory of the ordinary differential equation. Analysis is thus made of the influence of topography and zonal shear flow on the existence of wave solution. Finally, explicit wave solutions are determined by function approaching with the result that topography and zonal shear flow affect not only the existence but also the form of waves, indicating the non-linear features of waves and the effect of topography and shear basic flow on undulation.     

The Modified Envelope Orography and the Air Flow over and around Mountains

By use of the two-layer adiabatic globe spectral model and the zonally averaged climatic data of winter season as initial values, 10-day integrations are carried out based on three kinds of model topography (i.e., (1) the averaged topography; (2) the envelope topography; (3) the modified envelope topography). The results show that the orography of the Northern Hemisphere plays an important role in the simulation of large-scale weather patterns in winter season. The simulation based on the envelope topography developed by Wallace et al. has some improvements in the Rocky Mountains area. But this scheme causes very serious horizontal expansion around the Tibetan Plateau (hereafter referred to as the TV). A modified envelope topography scheme has been worked out that increases the slope of the TP by decreasing the horizontal expansion while keeping the maximum altitude. The results show some improvements of the scheme around the TP. By analysis of the mechanical effects of the large-scale orography on the     

A Laboratory Model for the Flow in Urban Street Canyons Induced by Bottom Heating

Water tank experiments are carried out to investigate the convection flow induced by bottom heating and the effects of the ambient wind on the flow in non-symmetrical urban street canyons based on the PIV (Particle Image Visualization) technique. Fluid experiments show that with calm ambient wind,the flows in the street canyon are completely driven by thermal force, and the convection can reach the upper atmosphere of the street canyon. Horizontal and vertical motions also appear above the roofs of the buildings. These are the conditions which favor the exchange of momentum and air mass between the street canyon and its environment. More than two vortices are induced by the convection, and the complex circulation pattern will vary with time in a wider street canyon. However， in a narrow street canyon， just one vortex appears. With a light ambient wind, the bottom heating and the associated convection result in just one main vortex. As the ambient wind speed increases, the vortex becomes more organized and its center shifts closer to the leeward building.     

Mean Characteristics of the Katabatic Flow of a 1024 m High Knife Edge Mountain

Summary In this study an attempt is made to examine and analyse the mean characteristics of the katabatic flows at the western slope foot of a 1024 m high knife edge mountain using a meteorological tower and three surface meteorological stations. In addition, the frequency distribution of the occurrence of the katabatic flow over one year period is studied along the characteristics of the flow arriving in the neighbouring urban area at a distance of 1.5 km. It was found that the katabatic flow occurs mainly in autumn and spring with the highest frequency in April. The flow is generally characterised by small depth as it is affected substantially by the background flow. The expected direction of the katabatic wind dominates mainly at the level of 7 m, where the influence of the background flow is minimised. At the level of 18 m the wind direction shifts, due to the interaction of the katabatic wind with the background flow. The katabatic flow can penetrate at a distance of 1.5 km being substantially weakened. Received September 18, 1996 Revised August 4, 1997     

Modelling Street-Scale Flow and Dispersion in Realistic Winds—Towards Coupling with Mesoscale Meteorological Models

Further to our previous work—simulations of flow and dispersion in an oblique wind over the DAPPLE site (Xie and Castro, Atmos Environ 43:2174–2185, 2009)—large-eddy simulations of flows and dispersion over the same site in a wind perpendicular to Marylebone Road and the windward surfaces of most of the buildings were performed. The DAPPLE site is located at the intersection of Marylebone Road and Gloucester Place in central London. In order to investigate the effects of wind direction on flows and dispersion, the velocity and scalar fields in the perpendicular wind were compared with those in the oblique wind. Furthermore, realistic wind conditions measured on the BT Tower at 190 m above street level were processed and used to drive the numerical simulations of flows and dispersion at the DAPPLE site. This leads to significant predictive improvements of the dispersion compared with field measurements, which provides validation and confidence for coupling mesoscale meteorological models, e.g. the UK Met Office’s Unified Model and the NCAR’s Weather Research & Forecasting Model, with the street-scale large-eddy simulation of urban environments.     

Mean Flow–Storm Track Relationship and Rossby Wave Breaking in Two Types of El-Nino

The features of large-scale circulation, storm tracks and the dynamical relationship between them were examined by investigating Rossby wave breaking(RWB) processes associated with Eastern Pacific(EP) and Central Pacific(CP) El-Nin o. During EP El-Nin o, the geopotential height anomaly at 500 hPa(Z500) exhibits a Pacific–North America(PNA) pattern. During CP El-Nin o, the Z500 anomaly shows a north positive–south negative pattern over the North Pacific. The anomalous distributions of baroclinicity and storm track are consistent with those of upper-level zonal wind for both EP and CP El-Nin o, suggesting impacts of mean flow on storm track variability. Anticyclonic wave breaking(AWB) occurs less frequently in EP El-Nin o years, while cyclonic wave breaking(CWB) occurs more frequently in CP El-Nin o years over the North Pacific sector. Outside the North Pacific, more CWB events occur over North America during EP El-Nin o. When AWB events occur less frequently over the North Pacific during EP El-Nin o, Z500 decreases locally and the zonal wind is strengthened(weakened) to the south(north). This is because AWB events reflect a monopole high anomaly at the centroid of breaking events. When CWB events occur more frequently over the North Pacific under CP El-Nin o conditions, and over North America under EP El-Nin o condition, Z500 increases(decreases) to the northeast(southwest), since CWB events are related to a northeast–southwest dipole Z500 anomaly. The anomalous RWB events act to invigorate and reinforce the circulation anomalies over the North Pacific–North America region linked with the two types of El-Nin o.     

Non-Acceleration Theorem in a Primitive Equation System: I. Acceleration of Zonal Mean Flow

Non-acceleration theorem in a primitive equation system is developed to investigate the influences of waves on the mean flow variation against external forcing. Numerical results show that mechanical forcing overwhelms thermal forcing in maintaining the mean flow in which the internal mechanical forcing associated with horizontal eddy flux of momentum plays the most important roles. Both internal forcing and external forcing are shown to be active and at the first place for the mean flow variations, whereas the forcing-induced mean meridional circulation is passive and secondary. It is also shown that the effects on mean flow of external mechanical forcing are concentrated in the lower troposphere, whereas those due to wave-mean flow interaction are more important in the upper troposphere. These act together and result in the vertically easterly shear in low latitudes and westerly shear in mid-latitudes. This vertical shear of mean flow is to some extent weakened by thermal forcing.     

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.     

On the Blocking Flow Patterns in the Euro–Atlantic Sector:A Simple Model Study

The flow patterns of Euro-Atlantic blocking events in winter are investigated by dividing the sector into three sub- regions： 60°-30°W （Greenland region）; 20°W-30°E [eastern Atlantic-Europe （EAE） region]; and 50°-90°E （Ural region）. It is shown that blocking events in winter are extremely frequent in the three sub-regions. Composite 500-mb geopotential height fields for intense and long-lived blocking events demonstrate that the blocking fields over Greenland and Ural regions exhibit southwest-northeast （SW-NE） and southeast-northwest （SE-NW） oriented dipole-type patterns, respectively, while the composite field over the EAE region exhibits an Ω-type pattern. The type of composite blocking pattern seems to be related to the position of the blocking region relative to the positive center of the climatological stationary wave （CSW） anomaly existing near 10°W.
The physical cause of why there are different composite blocking types in the three sub-regions is identified using a nonlinear multiscale interaction model. It is found that when the blocking event is in almost the same position as the positive CSW anomaly, the planetary-scale field can exhibit an Ω-type pattern due to the enhanced positive CSW anomaly. Neverthe- less, a SW-NE （SE-NW） oriented dipole-type block can occur due to the reduced positive CSW anomaly as it is farther in the west （east） of the positive CSW anomaly. The total fields of blocking in the three regions may exhibit a meandering flow comprised of several isolated anticyclonic and cyclonic vortices, which resembles the Berggren-Bolin-Rossby meandering jet type.     

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…     

Numerical Simulations of Laminar Air–Water Flow of a Non-linear Progressive Wave at Low Wind Speed

A numerical simulation for two-dimensional laminar air–water flow of a non-linear progressive water wave with large steepness is performed when the background wind speed varies from zero to the wave phase speed. It is revealed that in the water the difference between the analytical solution of potential flow and numerical solution of viscous flow is very small, indicating that both solutions of the potential flow and viscous flow describe the water wave very accurately. In the air the solutions of potential and viscous flows are very different due to the effects of viscosity. The velocity distribution in the airflow is strongly influenced by the background wind speed and it is found that three wind speeds, $U=0$ , $U=u_m$ (the maximum orbital velocity of a water wave), and $U=c$ (the wave phase speed), are important in distinguishing different features of the flow patterns.