Spatial Response to Major Volcanic Events in or about AD 536, 934 and 1258: Frost Rings and Other Dendrochronological Evidence from Mongolia and Northern Siberia: Comment on R. B. Stothers, ‘Volcanic Dry Fogs, Climate Cooling, and Plague Pandemics in Europe and the Middle East’ (Climatic Change, 42, 1999)

Hypothesized large-scale climatic extremes require verification from distantregions in order toconfirm the magnitude and timing of such events. Three of the most massivehypothesized volcanic events of the past two millennia, occurring in or aboutAD 536, 934 and1258, had profound climatic and demographic repercussions over much of Europe,the MiddleEast, and other areas, according to historical accounts recently described inStothers (1998, 1999,2000) as well as other research. Here we report on frost ring and otherdendrochronologicalevidence derived from a 1738-year tree-ring chronology from Mongolia andmillennial-scaletree-ring data from northern Siberia which demonstrate that these three eventsmay have alsoimpacted conditions in these distant regions.     

Climate change and impacts in the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East

The Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East (EMME) are likely to be greatly affected by climate change, associated with increases in the frequency and intensity of droughts and hot weather conditions. Since the region is diverse and extreme climate conditions already common, the impacts will be disproportional. We have analyzed long-term meteorological datasets along with regional climate model projections for the 21st century, based on the intermediate IPCC SRES scenario A1B. This suggests a continual, gradual and relatively strong warming of about 3.5–7°C between the 1961–1990 reference period and the period 2070–2099. Daytime maximum temperatures appear to increase most rapidly in the northern part of the region, i.e. the Balkan Peninsula and Turkey. Hot summer conditions that rarely occurred in the reference period may become the norm by the middle and the end of the 21st century. Projected precipitation changes are quite variable. Annual precipitation is expected to decrease in the southern Europe – Turkey region and the Levant, whereas in the Arabian Gulf area it may increase. In the former region rainfall is actually expected to increase in winter, while decreasing in spring and summer, with a substantial increase of the number of days without rainfall. Anticipated regional impacts of climate change include heat stress, associated with poor air quality in the urban environment, and increasing scarcity of fresh water in the Levant.     

Large-Scale Climate Variability and Connections with the Middle East in Past Centuries

We analyze reconstructions of large-scale surface temperature patterns in past centuries for insights into long-term climate change in the Middle and Near East. The temperature reconstructions, which have been described in detail previously, are based on calibration of widespread networks of high-resolution proxy and long instrumental/historical records against the 20th century global instrumental surface temperature record. We document the influence of several distinct patterns of large-scale surface temperature variation on Middle/Near East temperature (`MNET') in the region during past centuries. The dominant pattern of influence on interannual and decadal timescales is the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), exhibiting significant amplitude modulation on multidecadal and century timescales. Other patterns dominate multidecadal timescale MNET variations. The influence of such patterns, and recent decadal trends in the NAO, may mask the influence of anthropogenic climate change in the MNET region in recent decades.     

Climate change, water resources, and the politics of adaptation in the Middle East and North Africa

Through an examination of global climate change models combined with hydrological data on deteriorating water quality in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), we elucidate the ways in which the MENA countries are vulnerable to climate-induced impacts on water resources. Adaptive governance strategies, however, remain a low priority for political leaderships in the MENA region. To date, most MENA governments have concentrated the bulk of their resources on large-scale supply side projects such as desalination, dam construction, inter-basin water transfers, tapping fossil groundwater aquifers, and importing virtual water. Because managing water demand, improving the efficiency of water use, and promoting conservation will be key ingredients in responding to climate-induced impacts on the water sector, we analyze the political, economic, and institutional drivers that have shaped governance responses. While the scholarly literature emphasizes the importance of social capital to adaptive governance, we find that many political leaders and water experts in the MENA rarely engage societal actors in considering water risks. We conclude that the key capacities for adaptive governance to water scarcity in MENA are underdeveloped.     

Large-scale transport of a CO-enhanced air mass from Europe to the Middle East

On 14 November 1981, the shuttle-borne Measurement of Air Pollution from Satellites (MAPS) experiment observed a carbon monoxide (CO) enhanced air mass in the middle troposphere over the Middle East. The primary source of this polluted air was estimated by constructing adiabatic isentropic trajectories backwards from the MAPS measurement location over a 36 h period. The isentropic diagnostics indicate that CO-enhanced air was transported southeastward over the Mediterranean from an organized synoptic-scale weather regime, albeit of moderate intensity, influencing central Europe on 12 November. Examination of the evolving synoptic scale vertical velocity and precipitation patterns during this period, in conjunction with METEOSAT visible, infrared, and water vapor imagery, suggests that the presence of this disturbed weather system over Europe may have created upward transport of CO-enhanced air between the boundary-layer and midtropospheric levels, and subsequent entrainment in the large-scale northwesterly jet stream flow over Europe and the Mediterranean.     

2001—2012年鲁南雾气候特征及形成机制

利用地面、探空实况资料及数值预报资料,对2001—2012年鲁南地区雾天气现象进行了分析,主要分析了气候特征、湿度、探空、近地面物理量指标。分析发现：鲁南雾主要集中在10—12月,2010年以后,鲁南雾日呈显著增多趋势。鲁南雾期间90%相对湿度湿层顶平均在925 hPa以下,平均逆温层顶为950 hPa左右; 850~925 hPa有明显的单独的由弱到强的暖平流中心,暖平流建立时间比雾发生提前0~24 h。925 hPa高湿区的建立比雾发生提前6~24 h;前期500 hPa左右下沉运动极值建立时间提前雾6~24 h;850~925 hPa明显的辐合中心建立时间提前雾0~24 h。     

Recent variations in 700 hPa geopotential heights in summer over Europe and the Middle East,and their influence on other Meteorological factors

Summary Recent variations in atmospheric circulation in the eastern Mediterranean are analyzed and discussed. Interdecadal differences in mean monthly 700 hPa geopotential heights for June, July, and August in the period 1951–1980 show a trend of decreasing pressure of the subtropical high pressure belt over the Sahara Desert. The decrease is observed in the magnitude of the high pressure, in its areal extent, and in its northward position. Broader variations in other meteorological variables, such as rainfall regimes, temperature fields, wind variability, and evapotranspiration rates, are discussed in relation to variations in pressure fields and in indices of circulation such as the North Atlantic Oscillation. The trend from the 1950s through the 1970s was towards more temperate summer climate in the region.With 5 Figures     

Recent spatial and temporal variations in mean sea level pressure over Europe and the Middle East,and their influence on the rainfall regime in the Galilee,Israel

Summary A comparison of maps of mean sea level pressure (MSLP) for two normal peridos enabled the detection of variations in MSLP over Europe and the Middle East. Even though a general pattern is evident on the maps for each month in both periods, differences in the magnitude of the values were detected. Plotting these differences permitted the identification of regions with the greatest variations and determination of the anomaly flow between the two periods. A polynomial curve fitted to the seasonal record of the MSLP at 35 selected points for each period allowed identification of temporal variations in MSLP. The main temporal change between the period 1931–60 and the period 1951–80 was a delay in the development of a high pressure over Siberia in the latter period. Changes in horizontal pressure differences (CHPD) between Byelorussia in the Soviet Union and the Sahara Desert related previously described rainfall variations to those pressure variations.The present paper is based on data analyzed by the author as part of his dissertation completed at the University of Utah in 1988 under the supervision of Professor Paul A. Kay.With 11 Figures     

Climate change and violent conflict in Europe over the last millennium

We investigate the relationship between a thousand-year history of violent conflict in Europe and various reconstructions of temperature and precipitation. We find that conflict was more intense during colder period, just like Zhang et al. (Clim Change 76:459–477, 2006) found for China. This relationship weakens in the industrialized era, and is not robust to the details of the climate reconstruction or to the sample period. As the correlation is negative and weakening, it appears that global warming would not lead to an increase in violent conflict in temperature climates.     

博州中东部树轮宽度年表特征及对其气候响应

利用采自博尔塔拉蒙古自治州中东部山区9个采点的树轮样本,研制树轮宽度年表,分析9个树轮宽度标准化年表的统计特征及年表对气候的响应。结果表明:(1)位于森林中下部林缘的吉普克北、包尔克特沟西侧、小海子、胡苏木萨拉年表和森林上树线的吉普克年表包含的气候信息较多。(2)博州中东部山区气候对树木年轮生长的影响存在持续性,显著的持续年数大多表现在当年及其后的3 a。(3)9个年表间的互相关系数均超过了0.01的显著水平,森林中下部林缘年表间的相关性大于森林上树线。(4)森林上树线树轮宽度年表与上年12月至当年9月平均最低气温相关系数最大(R=0.583,显著性水平达0.000 1),其中与6月温度的相关最好,温度是影响森林上树线树轮宽度生长的主要气候限制因子。森林中下部林缘区域树轮宽度年表与上年6月至当年5月的降水量呈显著正相关(R=0.644,显著性水平达0.000 1),其中与6月降水量的相关最好,降水是影响森林中下部林缘树木年轮宽度生长的主要气候限制因子。     

西北干旱区夏半年深厚的混合层与干旱气候形成

为了更好地理解西北干旱区大气混合层(ML)厚度的变化特征及其对当地干旱气候形成的影响,我们利用张掖和民勤站夏季及相关月的实测探空资料及T-log P图解法,首先计算了该两地逐日ML厚度,然后分析并讨论了它的时空间变化特征、与干湿天气气候的关系,以及夏半年的深厚ML,对加剧当地干旱气候的影响.结果表明:(1)河西中东部ML厚度的年变化及地区差异明显.冬季最浅薄,夏半年深厚(特别是5、6月),4月及10月分别是ML急剧增厚及变薄的过渡期;同时,更靠近西北干旱区中心的河西西部及北部的ML更深厚.(2)夏季干(湿)天气通过加强(减弱)地气间的感热交换和干对流,而明显影响当地的ML厚度.平均而言,以高温日最深厚,千日次之,小雨日再次之,而中强雨日最浅薄.千年夏季的ML厚度平均比湿年的对应值增厚300 m左右.夏季典型千日的ML厚度比雨日厚3000 m,典型干日的ML厚度昼宿变化不大.(3)反过来夏半年深厚的ML也通过增加雨滴蒸发损耗,减少了干旱区的降水,加剧了当地干旱的程度,因此夏半年深厚的ML也是形成干旱气候背景的成因之一.     

ENSO Features,Dynamics, and Teleconnections to East Asian Climate as Simulated in CAMS-CSM

This study evaluates the performance of CAMS-CSM(the climate system model of the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences) in simulating the features, dynamics, and teleconnections to East Asian climate of the El Ni?o–Southern Oscillation(ENSO). In general, fundamental features of ENSO, such as its dominant patterns and phase-locking features, are reproduced well. The two types of El Ni?o are also represented, in terms of their spatial distributions and mutual independency. However, the skewed feature is missed in the model and the simulation of ENSO is extremely strong, which is found—based on Bjerknes index assessment—to be caused by underestimation of the shortwave damping effect. Besides, the modeled ENSO exhibits a regular oscillation with a period shorter than observed. By utilizing the Wyrtki index, it is suggested that this periodicity bias results from an overly quick phase transition induced by feedback from the thermocline and zonal advection. In addition to internal dynamics of ENSO,its external precursors—such as the North Pacific Oscillation with its accompanying seasonal footprinting mechanism, and the Indian Ocean Dipole with its 1-yr lead correlation with ENSO—are reproduced well by the model. Furthermore, with respect to the impacts of ENSO on the East Asian summer monsoon, although the anomalous Philippine anticyclone is reproduced in the post-El Ni?o summer, it exhibits an eastward shift compared with observation;and as a consequence, the observed flooding of the Yangtze River basin is poorly represented, with unrealistic air–sea interaction over the South China Sea being the likely physical origin of this bias. The response of wintertime lowertropospheric circulation to ENSO is simulated well, in spite of an underestimation of temperature anomalies in central China. This study highlights the dynamic processes that are key for the simulation of ENSO, which could shed some light on improving this model in the future.     

降尺度方法在东亚气候预测中的应用

东亚气候变异十分复杂,全球动力预测系统对该地气候异常的预测能力偏低,如何进一步提高东亚地区气候异常的预测水平是一个非常重要的科学和现实需求问题。为此,近些年一系列的动力和统计降尺度方法得以发展。本文主要回顾了这些降尺度方法在东亚气候预测研究和实时预测中的应用。首先,文中简要介绍了我国目前应用于实时预测的全球动力预测系统及其性能,这是开展降尺度的科学和技术基础;在此基础上,从区域模式物理过程参数化方案的评估与遴选、区域模式在东亚气候预测中的应用两个方面,对于动力降尺度方法的发展和应用做了回顾;在统计降尺度的综述中,本文主要关注了东亚夏季汛期和冬季气候异常的预测,特别是针对东亚冬季气候异常,本文中提出了新的高效的统计与动力相结合的预测方法。最后,展望了短期气候预测需要进一步深入研究的科学和技术问题。     

Synoptic analysis of dust storms in the Middle East

Dust storm in the Middle East and south-west Asia is a natural hazard and the Tigris-Euphrates alluvial plain has been recognized as the main dust source in this area. In this study, more than 60 dust storms that occurred during the period 2003–2011 are investigated on the basis of MODIS satellite images, and 12 of the dust storms are selected for synoptic analysis using the NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis Data. The potential dust sources in the Middle East and south-west Asian region (20°E to 80°E, 5°N to 50°N) are analyzed and used in the synoptic analysis. Dust storms in the region can be grouped into two main categories, i.e., the Shamal dust storms and the frontal dust storms. Synoptic systems, associated with the two categories, are distinguished and the frequency of the patterns is identified. For 68% of the Shamal dust storms, a high pressure system is situated between 0°E to 30°E and 27°N to 45°N, and a low pressure system between 50°E to 70°E and 23°N to 43°N. For 86% of the frontal dust storms, a high is located between 51°E to 67°E and 18°N to 33°N and a low between 28°E to 48°E and 32°N to 43°N. Three main patterns for Shamal dust storms are identified, which represent about 60% of the Shamal dust storms. This analysis confirms that the Shamal is related to the anticyclones located over northern Africa to Eastern Europe and the monsoon trough over Iraq, southern Iran, Pakistan and the Indian Subcontinent. The analysis also shows that the main dust sink for the frontal dust storms in Tigris and Euphrates alluvial plain extends from center of Iraq to west and center of Iran and, in most severe cases, to northern Iran and the southern coast of the Caspian Sea.     

21st century climate change in the Middle East

This study examined the performance and future predictions for the Middle East produced by 18 global climate models participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment Report. Under the Special Report on Emission Scenarios A2 emissions scenario the models predict an overall temperature increase of ~1.4 K by mid-century, increasing to almost 4 K by late-century for the Middle East. In terms of precipitation the southernmost portion of the domain experiences a small increase in precipitation due to the Northward movement of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone. The largest change however is a decrease in precipitation that occurs in an area covering the Eastern Mediterranean, Turkey, Syria, Northern Iraq, Northeastern Iran and the Caucasus caused by a decrease in storm track activity over the Eastern Mediterranean. Other changes likely to impact the region include a decrease of over 170,000 km² in viable rainfed agriculture land by late-century, increases in the length of the dry season that reduces the length of time that the rangelands can be grazed, and changes in the timing of the maximum precipitation in Northern Iran that will impact the growing season, forcing changes in cropping strategy or even crop types.     

中国干湿状况和干湿气候界限变化研究

选取全国616个地面气象台站1975-2004年的地面资料,通过Penman-Monteith公式计算的参考蒸散确定湿润指数（W）,按W为0．03、0．2、0．5和1．0把中国分为极干旱、干旱、半干旱、半湿润和湿润5个干湿区,给出了湿润指数的变化趋势和变异状况的地理分布,讨论了湿润指数的年代际变化特征。结果表明：湿润状况显著增加的地区主要为新疆西北部和中国的西南部,干旱化显著的地区主要在青海的东部、甘肃的南部和四川北部;干湿状况变化从中国的东部向西部逐渐增大,中国的西南地区干湿状况最为稳定;20世纪80年代初全国的平均干湿状况发生变化,由干旱趋向湿润,30a来半湿润、湿润地区干湿状况年际变化大,半干旱区和湿润区增多,半湿润区减少。     

2021: A Year of Unprecedented Climate Extremes in Eastern Asia,North America,and Europe

The year 2021 was recorded as the 6th warmest since 1880. In addition to large-scale warming, 2021 will be remembered for its unprecedented climate extremes. Here, a review of selected high-impact climate extremes in 2021, with a focus on China, along with an extension to extreme events in North America and Europe is presented. Nine extreme events that occurred in 2021 in China are highlighted, including a rapid transition from cold to warm extremes and sandstorms in spring, consecutive drought in South China and severe thunderstorms in eastern China in the first half of the year, extremely heavy rainfall over Henan Province and Hubei Province during summer, as well as heatwaves, persistent heavy rainfall, and a cold surge during fall. Potential links of extremes in China to four global-scale climate extremes and the underlying physical mechanisms are discussed here, providing insights to understand climate extremes from a global perspective. This serves as a reference for climate event attribution, process understanding, and high-resolution modeling of extreme events.     

黄河上游流域蒸散量及其影响因子研究

利用彭曼公式８０年代以来黄河上游流蒸散量,分析了该地区蒸散量、日照时数、气温、空气饱和差等气候因子的变化趋势,并着重研究了诸因子对蒸散量的影响。研究发现,可上游流域蒸散量呈逐年增大趋势,并以每年３．２５ｍｍ的速度增。而作为主要影响因子的日照时数则以每年３．６小时的速度啬气温同样表现出逐年升高的趋势,其气候倾向率为０．４℃／１０年,空气饱和差也以每年０．０２的速度递增;因此,可以认为,黄河上游流域日     

Synchronicity in Climate and Vegetation Transitions Between Europe and North America During the Holocene

Interpreting the postglacial climate history of the European continent using pollen data has proven difficult due in part to human modification of the landscape. Separating climate from human-caused changes in the vegetation requires a strategy for determining times of change across the entire region. We quantified transitions in the vegetation across Europe during the past 12,000 years using a mixture model approach on two datasets: radiocarbon dates from pollen diagrams and zone boundaries from selected reference sites. Major transitions in the vegetation, as recorded in pollen diagrams, appear synchronous across the continent. These transitions were also synchronous with those identified in North America pollen diagrams and major environmental changes recorded in North Atlantic marine records and Greenland ice cores. This synchronicity suggests that the major vegetation transitions in Europe during the Holocene and late glacial were primarily caused by large-scale atmospheric circulation change. These climate changes may have caused some of the cultural, political and migration changes in European societies during the Holocene.