Space charge generation in the atmosphere and the density of mechanical transfer current to the ground

The correlation of mechanical transfer current from the atmosphere to the ground with the process of space charge formation as a result of conductivity current divergence near ground is under discussion in this research. Experimental data of conductivity current and mechanical transfer current acquired at three observation points for different meteorological conditions are analyzed. In particular, the peculiarities of mechanical charge transfer to ground under different stratifications of the surface layer are under discussion.     

Contribution of the ground corona ions to the convective charging mechanism

The convective charging mechanism of thunderclouds is based on the vertical transport of space charge generated by corona from ground irregularities under the influence of the surface electric field. The present work estimates the amount of charge which is expected to reach cloud base by conduction and convection processes during the lifetime of a thunderstorm. This estimate is made using the numerical model PICASSO, previously designed to characterize the evolution of this corona space charge between ground level and cloud base. Experimentally determined values of surface electric field are introduced into the model in order to initiate the computation. These values are based on six events documented during four different field experiments carried out in Florida and in France. As an upper limit, the convective transport is uniformly applied as a linearly increasing vertical air speed profile and competes with the conductive transport. The fraction of the positive charge generated at the surface by corona which finally reaches the upper limit of the layer varies between 26 and 86%, essentially depending on the electric field evolution at altitude. Assuming that the vertical transport conditions remain the same over an area of 10 km×10 km, the overall charge amount can be roughly estimated. It ranges between about 63 and over 300 C. Because the present assumptions probably lead to an overestimate of these amounts, such a range suggests that the convective charging mechanism is unlikely to be able to account for the major electrification process of the thundercloud. However, it could be considered as a relevant mechanism contributing to the lower positive charge center of the thundercloud, often observed close to cloud base.     

边界层方案对华北低层O3垂直分布模拟的影响

利用WRF-Chem模式,采用3种边界层参数化方案 (YSU, MYJ和ACM2),针对1个晴空、静稳日 (2013年8月26日20:00—27日20:00(北京时)) 进行模拟,着重分析不同边界层参数化方案对夜间残留层形成及日出前后O₃浓度垂直分布形式的模拟效果,并与固城站地面及垂直同步观测资料进行对比。结果表明:3种边界层参数化方案均能够模拟出温度及风速的区域分布形式以及风温垂直结构的变化特征;相比之下,MYJ方案模拟的夜间边界层高度较YSU方案和ACM2方案明显偏高,该对比结果可能是导致近地面污染物浓度模拟差异的重要原因;在夜间稳定层结至日出后稳定状态打破的边界层结构演变过程中,采用YSU方案和ACM2方案模拟的温度和风速垂直扩线形式与观测结果更为接近;同样采用非局地闭合的YSU方案和同时考虑局地和非局地闭合的ACM2方案,对于边界层高度内O₃浓度垂直分布形式的模拟效果具有明显优势。     

Lifetime of the thunderstorm electric energy in the global atmospheric circuit and thunderstorm energy characteristics

The lifetime of electric energy in the atmosphere is introduced and investigated as is the total electric energy of the atmosphere related to the total mean rate of electric energy dissipation. This lifetime, as determined from general estimations and convenient analytical expressions, turns out to be very small – from about 10 to about 100 s, depending on the assumptions on the control parameters of principal sources in the global electric circuit. In particular the energy lifetime is less than the relaxation time of the “global condenser” and field relaxation time near the ground surface. It is explained by the high dissipative rate of the electric energy in the atmosphere, taking into account that the regions mainly contributing to the total energy and its dissipative rate are connected to the altitudes of active parts of electrified (thunderstorm) clouds in the atmosphere with exponentially increasing conductivity.     

Observations of Surface Energy Fluxes and Boundary-Layer Structure Over Heron Reef, Great Barrier Reef, Australia

Over warm, shallow coral reefs the surface radiation and energy fluxes differ from those of the open ocean and result in modification to the marine atmospheric boundary layer via the development of convective internal boundary layers. The complex interrelationships between the surface energy balance and boundary-layer characteristics influence local weather (wind, temperature, humidity) and hydrodynamics (water temperature and currents), as well as larger scale processes, including cloud field properties and precipitation. The nature of these inter-relationships has not been accurately described for coral reef environments. This study presents the first measurements of the surface energy balance, radiation budget and boundary layer thermodynamics made over a coral reef using an eddy-covariance system and radiosonde aerological profiling of the lower atmosphere. Results show that changes in surface properties and the associated energetics across the ocean-reef boundary resulted in modification to the marine atmospheric boundary layer during the Austral winter and summer. Internal convective boundary layers developed within the marine atmospheric boundary layer over the reef and were found to be deeper in the summer, yet more unstable during the winter when cold and drier flow from the mainland enhances heat and moisture fluxes to the atmosphere. A mixed layer was identified in the marine atmospheric boundary layer varying from 375 to 1,200 m above the surface, and was deeper during the summer, particularly under stable anticyclonic conditions. Significant cloud cover and at times rain resulted in the development of a stable stratified atmosphere over the reef. Our findings show that, for Heron Reef, a lagoonal platform reef, there was a horizontal discontinuity in surface energy fluxes across the ocean-reef boundary, which modified the marine atmospheric boundary layer.     

Fine-resolution simulation of cloud-to-ground lightning and thundercloud charge transfer

2-D 12.5 m-resolution simulations of cloud-to-ground (CG) lightning discharge processes have been performed using an improved stochastic lightning model for different types of cloud charge distributions, such as dipole, tripole, bi-dipole and multi-layer charge structures produced from the numerical simulation of thundercloud electrification. The modelling produced the fine branched channel structure of CG lightning and the results illustrate the relations between CG lightning channel propagation and cloud charge distribution. The simulated features of CG lightning are associated with the observed results. The simulation studies are essential in our understanding of complex charge transfer processes caused by CG lightning discharges in thunderclouds. The induced charges of opposite polarity are deposited or embedded in the local volumes where the bidirectional leaders passed during a CG lightning discharge. Although the embedding affects charge structure only in a pair of significant positive and negative charge regions closest to the ground, the electric field strength acutely weakens and electrostatic energy in thunderclouds is significantly consumed when the discharge terminates. In addition to simulating the upward and downward breakdown of the initial leader to ground and the ensuing return stroke (RS), the simulation assumes that current continues to flow in the channel to ground and determines the upward breakdown until the end of the discharge. For the subsequent discharge sub-process, the upward leader channel tends to transfer the charges with the same polarity as the RS, while the downward leader channel favors transfer of opposite charge to ground. In the sub-processes of a few CG flash simulations, the magnitude of the opposite charges from the downward leader exceeds that of charges with the same polarity from the upward leader so that the net charges transferred to the ground have a reversed polarity to the RS. The simulation presents similar features of CG lightning as those observed in realistic bipolar CG lightning.     

森林下垫面陆面物理过程及局地气候效应的数值模拟试验

文中基于大气边界层和植被冠层微气象学基本原理 ,建立了一个森林植被效应的陆面物理过程和二维大气边界层数值模式。并应用该模式进行了植被和土壤含水量等生物和生理过程在陆面过程和局地气候效应方面的数值模拟试验。所得数值模拟试验结果与实际情况相吻合。结果表明 ,应用该模式可获得植被温度、植被冠层内空气温度、地表温度日变化特征 ;森林下垫面大气边界层风速、位温、比湿、湍流交换系数的时空分布和日变化特征。该模式还可应用于不同下垫面 ,模拟陆面物理过程与大气边界层相互作用机制及其局地气候效应的研究 ,这将为气候模式与生物圈的耦合研究奠定一个良好的基础。     

Influence of Surface-Based Stable Layer Development on Asian Dust Behaviour Over Tokyo

The relationship between local meteorological fields and the behaviour of airborne Asian dust that arrived in the Tokyo metropolitan area on 1 April 2007 with the passage of a synoptic-scale cold front has been investigated through Doppler lidar observations, experiments using a regional atmospheric numerical model, and analyses of surface and upper-air meteorological observations. Results of the Doppler lidar observations showed that the Asian dust passed above the metropolitan area with strong south-westerly winds with speeds of 15–26 m s⁻¹. Meteorological fields reproduced by the numerical experiments showed the development of a surface-based stable layer in the metropolitan area caused by nocturnal radiational cooling near the ground surface and south-westerly warm air advection at upper levels. The blocking effect of the mountainous region located to the west of the metropolitan area induced an area of stagnant air inside the metropolitan area and promoted the stable layer development. Although strong downdrafts prevailed in the upper air, the airborne Asian dust did not spread to the ground when the stable layer was formed. These results strongly indicate that the developed stable layer prevented strong downdrafts from spreading to the ground, acting as an obstacle to the transport of the Asian dust particles from the upper air towards the ground. This is considered to be one of the main causes of the low appearance frequency of Asian dust phenomena near the ground in the Tokyo metropolitan area and eastern Japan.     

Sensitivity study and validation of a land surface parameterization using the HAPEX-MOBILHY data set

A simple parameterization of land surface processes, amenable to the structure of a two-layer soil model, including a representation of the vegetation, has been designed for use in meteorological models. Prior to implementation in a mesoscale model, it is necessary to check the components and to verify the good working order of the parameterization as a whole. The aims of this paper then are: (i) evaluation and a sensitivity study of the various components of the model, specifying the needed accuracy for the parameters; (ii) micrometeorological validation of the model against the HAPEX-MOBILHY data set.First, we present the basic scheme. The focus is on the parameterization of surface resistance, and especially on its relationship with soil moisture.A sensitivity study is then performed through a set of one-dimensional simulations which allow a full interaction between the ground and the atmosphere. Above bare ground, it is shown that both soil texture and initial moisture greatly influence the outcome of the simulation. Latent heat flux ranges from that associated with potential evaporation through a switch-like behavior to that of dry soil. Next, the effects of transpiring vegetation canopies on the physical processes involved and the surface energy balance are examined. The sensitivity of the latent heat flux to changes in the soil and canopy parameters is emphazised; the major influence of the initial mean soil moisture and of the vegetation cover is pointed out. Finally, the evolution of the boundary layer in response to various surface conditions is studied.A validation of the land surface scheme is conducted through daily cycles during cloudless days. Simulated turbulent fluxes are successfully compared to micrometeorological measurements over a maize field at different growth stages. Over a pine forest, the correct simulation of the turbulent fluxes is obtained with an adequate parameterization of the surface resistance accounting for the atmospheric moisture deficit.     

雷暴下近地面电特性及其对人工引雷的影响

利用已建立的一维时变模式，对雷暴下近地面的电特性进行了计算。计算结果表明：由于地面的不规则性所产生的电晕电流密度可达２．０ｎＡ／ｍ＾２，由此而形成的空间电荷密度在１００ｍ密度以下可达１．１ｎＣ／ｍ＾３，传导电流可达３．５ｎＡ／ｍ＾２，并可延伸到１０００ｍ高度，形成０．１ｎＣ／ｍ＾３和１．０ｎＡ／ｍ＾２的电荷密度和电流密度。     

雷暴下的电流密度测量和准稳态特性讨论

利用电场和麦克斯韦电流密度的同时测量，对雷暴下闪电间的麦克斯韦电流密度的准稳态特性进行了验证，并利用实验观测和模式计算相结合的方法，对传导电流、位移电流和电晕电流的相对重要性作了估计。     

四川省复杂地貌区域雷电活动中大气电场特征研究

利用四川省2009~2019年大气电场仪监测资料,分析了省内平原和高原地区雷电活动中地面电场的变化特征。结果表明:平原地区雷电过程持续时间为30~350min,平均持续时间约为158min;根据地面电场变化趋势,分为两类:地面电场值主要为负的偶极性的电荷结构,地面电场值由正到负的三极性电荷结构。高原地区雷暴云电荷累积速度快,击穿空气发生早,雷电过程发展到旺盛阶段的用时短,雷电过程持续时间为30~360min,平均持续时间约为93min,其分类与平原地区一致。      

雷暴云下空间电荷层形成的数值研究

利用一个引入了地面尖端电晕放电物理过程的二维轴对称积云起电模式，讨论了雷暴云下空间电荷层的空间分布和随时间的演化规律。在模式计算上采用了"时步分离法"，即在小时步上计算电导及各种反极性离子的复合作用，在大时步上计算平流、对流和湍流扩散项，对于不同的时间步长垂直方向采用不同的格距。通过模拟分析，得到了一些较为合理的结果。最后简单地讨论了本工作在以后需改进的地方。     

气象参证站的选取对AERMOD模型结果的影响分析

选取南昌经济技术开发区规划大气环境影响预测工作为案例,分析了当选取不同气象参证站,输入同期两套不同的气象数据参数对AERMOD模型计算结果的影响,探究气象条件的差异对大气扩散的影响程度。分析结果表明,气象参证站的选取对大气环境影响预测的结果有较大的影响,使用两个距离相近的地面气象站进行预测,污染物浓度计算结果相差可达数倍以上。对比风速、风向、气温、湿度、压力、云量这些单个的气象因子,稳定边界层(SBL)湍流高度和莫宁-奥布霍夫长度这些边界层参数更能综合地反映当时的气象扩散条件,对污染扩散模型的响应更为直接。翔实的有代表性的气象数据是环境影响评价至关重要的基础。在日常的大气环境影响评价中,应全面调查了解项目周边的地面气象站的数量、类型、距离、地形特征,经过专业的气象分析,选取最能代表评价项目所在地气象条件的气象站作为气象参证站,用于该项目的环评和浓度预测。各地气象部门还应加强城市与郊区大气边界层垂直结构变化规律的观测与研究,从而为提高各地空气质量预报的精度,改善大气污染治理措施和优化城市布局提供更为科学的依据。     

雨后两次强浓雾的爆发性增强过程

2015年12月在南京市郊进行雾的外场综合试验,观测得到20—21日雨后两次强浓雾的爆发性增强过程。利用常规气象资料、边界层廓线、雾滴谱等,分析此次典型雾过程的天气背景和边界层结构特征,探讨雾爆发性增强的原因。结果表明:雨后地表及近地层高湿环境为雾的形成提供了充足的水汽,南京冬季冷高压控制下稳定的天气层结,以及夜间的辐射冷却作用,极有利于辐射雾的产生。而雾的爆发性增强,主要和降温与增湿有关。晴天夜间地表向上长波辐射增强引起的强降温,日出后地面的强蒸发作用使得近地表水汽增多,都可直接引起雾的爆发性变浓。强的贴地逆温层的形成是雾爆发性增强的关键,易于近地面水汽的积累。而超低空急流的产生,有利于加速逆温层的贴地增强。     

昭通机场一次西南大风天气过程的诊断分析

利用机场自动气象观测站数据、常规观测资料和NCEP再分析资料,对昭通机场2019年3月19日一次极端西南大风天气过程进行分析。结果表明:此次大风天气过程中,地面为易产生高压后部偏南大风的典型“东高西低”气压形势,且昭通机场位于高空槽前西南气流控制下,机场上空的西南急流为大风提供了方向引导和加速近地面大气运动的强大动力,具备了产生西南大风的基本环流背景。物理量场的分析表明,高层深厚的辐合运动,使垂直方向出现了强迫下沉气流,整层的冷平流进一步加强了下沉运动,高层动量下传,加速近地面气流运动,形成大风。      

巴丹吉林沙漠北缘沙尘天气过程中近地面气象要素变化及风沙流结构分析

提要：利用2013年春季在巴丹吉林沙漠北缘拐子湖地区的沙尘暴加强观测资料,对比分析该地区典型流动沙面晴天、扬沙和沙尘暴三种天气背景下各气象要素的变化特征及差异,同时对沙尘暴过程中近地层风沙活动特征进行分析。结果表明,随风速增加沙尘天气强度逐步提升且沙尘天气来临前风速、风向均表现出明显的调整现象,此后爆发过程中风速、风向相对稳定。随沙尘天气强度的增加气温逐渐减小且沙尘天气过程中地面呈利于沙尘起动的暖干状态,同时地面气压不断升高。悬浮的沙尘会导致拐子湖流动沙地各层地温有减小趋势,但减小程度相对较弱,使沙尘天气下各层地温仍保持良好的梯度变化和正弦型日变化趋势。拐子湖流沙地春季起沙风速为6.5m/s,输沙通量垂直分布状况在20cm左右具有明显的分段现象。地表100cm内总输沙量的50%和90%分别集中在地表20cm和56cm高度以内。观测期间整个5月地表0～100cm高度内的输沙通量为420.96kg/m。     

A Review of Atmospheric Electricity Research in China from 2011 to 2018

Atmospheric electricity research has been conducted actively in China, having profited from the development and application of high temporal and spatial resolution lightning detection and location technologies. This paper reviews the scientific advances made in the field of atmospheric electricity in China from 2011 to 2018, covering the following five aspects:(1)lightning detection and location techniques;(2) discharge processes and parameters associated with rocket-triggered lightning;(3) physical processes in natural lightning and attachment to the ground;(4) lightning activities and charge structure in different thunderstorms; and(5) effects of thunderstorms on the upper atmosphere. In addition, some outstanding questions for future research are outlined.     

不同地表情况下Cooray-Rubinstein算法的应用及其精度检验

将雷电水平电场Cooray-Rubinstein(C-R)算法推广应用于地表电导率垂直分层的情况,并利用时域有限差分(FDTD)方法对不同地表情况下C-R算法的精度进行检验。结果表明,C-R算法的适用条件为:距离回击通道为100~1 000 m、地表电导率介于0.001~0.01 S/m,最大误差小于10%。当土壤电导率均匀分布时,C-R算法的精度最好;对电导率水平分层的情况,当上层电导率小于下层电导率时,C-R算法的精度较优;当电导率垂直分层时,若观测点处的土壤电导率小于闪击点处的电导率时,C-R算法的计算精度较高,反之,精度较低;对任何光滑有耗地表而言,利用C-R算法计算的首次回击水平电场的精度优于继后回击。     

Daily and annual cycle of CO2 concentration near the surface depending on boundary layer structure at a rural site in Spain

CO₂ in the rural atmosphere is related to respiration–photosynthesis processes, although the evolution of the low atmosphere is also a determinant factor. CO₂ concentrations were measured at surface and meteorological variables obtained from a radio acoustic sounding system sodar at a flat rural site during a 3-year campaign. Yearly and daily cycles of CO₂ were described. Maxima were observed in spring and autumn during the night. Wind speed and thermal structure of the lower atmosphere were analysed. Low level jets were observed during the night, their core proving lower in summer. Surface inversions observed with low winds reached up to 100 m. The turbulence layer which developed during the day extended up to 300–400 m and was capped by a stable layer. Median vertical wind speed reached 1 m s^?1 in super-adiabatic conditions in summer. Determination of decoupled low level jets proved difficult with the device used and corresponding concentrations were slightly higher than medians calculated with all the observations. The bulk Richardson number was calculated in the lower atmosphere and four intervals were considered: drainage, transitional, shear flows and unstable conditions. Median CO₂ concentrations were split according to these intervals. Higher values corresponded to drainage flow, which was associated to more stable conditions being less frequent and lower values to shear flow and unstable conditions, revealing a satisfactory link between the bulk Richardson number as a turbulence indicator in the low atmosphere and CO₂ surface concentrations.