Severe heat waves in Southern Australia: synoptic climatology and large scale connections

This paper brings a new perspective on the large scale dynamics of severe heat wave (HW) events that commonly affect southern Australia. Through an automatic tracking scheme, the cyclones and anticyclones associated with HWs affecting Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth are tracked at both the surface and upper levels, producing for the first time a synoptic climatology that reveals the broader connections associated with these extreme phenomena. The results show that a couplet (or pressure dipole) formed by transient cyclones and anticyclones can reinforce the HW similarly to what is observed in cold surges (CS), with an obvious opposite polarity. Our results show that there is a large degree of mobility in the synoptic signature associated with the passage of the upper level ridges before they reach Australia and the blocking is established, with HW-associated surface anticyclones often initiating over the west Indian Ocean and decaying in the eastern Pacific. In contrast to this result the 500?hPa anticyclone tracks show a very small degree of mobility, responding to the dominance of the upper level blocking ridge. An important feature of HWs is that most of the cyclones are formed inland in association with heat troughs, while in CS the cyclones are typically maritime (often explosive), associated with a strong cold front. Hence the influence of the cyclone is indirect, contributing to reinforce the blocking ridge through hot and dry advection on the ridge’s western flank. Additional insights are drawn for the record Adelaide case of March 2008 with fifteen consecutive days above 35°C breaking the previous record by 7?days. Sea surface temperatures suggest a significant air-sea interaction mechanism, with a broad increase in the meridional temperature gradient over the Indian Ocean amplifying the upstream Rossby waves that can trigger HW events. A robust cooling of the waters close to the Australian coast also contributes to the maintenance of the blocking highs locally, which is a fundamental ingredient to sustain the HWs.     

基于RClimDex模型的江西省极端降水时空变化研究

基于赣江流域1964-2013年13个水文站的日降水资料,采用AM抽样和POT抽样相结合的方法,对极端降水序列,选定日最大降水量（RX1）、极端降水量（R95）、极端降水天数（RD95）和极端降水强度（RI95）四个指标,利用Mann-Kendall趋势分析方法、Pettitt变点检验法分别对赣江流域极端降水进行时间变化趋势和突变的分析,并利用普通克里金插值,对各指标进行空间分布的分析。研究结果表明,时间变化上,赣江流域RX1、R95和RD95均表现出一定的增加趋势,但RI95变化不大,各指标在过去50 a没有发生显著突变;空间分布上,RX1、R95和RI95沿着赣江流向从西南向东北增加,而RD95的空间分布没有明显的变化规律,存在多个极大极小值中心。

     

A methodology to classify extreme rainfall events in the western mediterranean area

Summary From a large data set (1927–1992) of rainfall rate in Barcelona, the relationship between maximum rainfall rates for time intervals between 5 minutes and 24 hours has been investigated. Intensity-Duration-Frequency (IDF) curves and their master equation for every return period in Barcelona have been obtained. A cluster analysis has yielded four main classes of extreme rainfall events in this area, corresponding to durations shorter than 35 minutes, 1 hour, 2–6 hours and those longer than 6 hours respectively. An index to classify extreme rainfall events has been proposed. This index gives some information about the severity of storms taking into account the contribution of different scales implied in rainfall processes.     

复杂网络方法在东亚地区夏季极端降水研究中的应用

利用1971-2007年东亚地区夏季（6-8月）逐日格点降水资料,借助事件同步法建立格点之间的非线性相关,构建了极端降水复杂网络,从复杂网络的角度研究了东亚地区极端降水的区域性特征,并利用复杂网络中的关联强度和关联方向信息,从极端降水时、空记忆性的角度构建了预测模型。复杂网络结构特征量表明:北部陆地地区的夏季极端降水空间同步性好,而沿海地区的夏季极端降水空间同步性差。不同地区的格点与周围格点的关联空间范围不一样,沿海地区格点之间远距离连接少,关联空间范围小,北部陆地地区格点之间远距离连接多,关联空间范围较大。极端降水预测模拟结果显示沿海地区的预测准确率一般高于北部陆地地区,其原因是该地区极端降水强度大、降水密集度高且空间格点的平均连接距离小、直接关联性强。研究表明,从时、空记忆的角度构建的预测模型对东亚地区的极端降水具有一定的预测能力,在极端降水研究中存在一定的潜在应用价值。      

中国东部夏季极端降水统计特征及其与El Nio的联系

选取中国东部1961—2012年夏季5—9月无缺测429站逐日降水资料,利用广义帕雷托分布(GPD)拟合,研究中国东部52 a以及El Nio发展年和衰减年极端降水的统计特征,并分析其成因。结果表明:1)中国东部降水阈值呈由东南向西北递减的态势,且基本为线性增加趋势。2)华南地区尺度参数最大,出现极端降水的概率大。黄河以南地区尺度参数变化趋势正值较多,出现极端降水的概率增加。3)El Nio发展年夏季,西太平洋上有气旋环流异常,中国东南部受气旋西侧的异常偏北气流影响,多地阈值偏小,只有福建东南部及黑龙江中西部易发生破纪录的极端降水。4)El Nio衰减年夏季,西太平洋上为异常反气旋环流,中国东南部受反气旋西侧的异常偏南气流影响,多地阈值偏大,广东中东部及皖鄂赣交界处发生洪涝灾害的可能性增大。     

近年华中地区不同级别强降水事件变化趋势

利用1981—2017年近37 a华中区域241个气象观测站年最大小时降水资料,分析了该区域年极端小时降水的时空分布特征。结果表明：阈值分别为30~ < 40 mm·h^-1、40~ < 50 mm·h^-1和≥50 mm·h^-1的年极端小时降水频次,河南和湖北中东部均较高,湖南则随其阈值增大而降低;年极端小时降水频次日变化特征较为明显,午后至傍晚发生最多,前半夜至凌晨次之,后半夜至早晨、上午至午后明显减少;年极端小时降水平均强度大值区多集中在河南和湖北的中东部地区,湖北最强年极端小时降水大值区主要位于沿江汉平原边缘地带;年极端小时降水频次日峰值主要出现在午后至傍晚和后半夜至早晨,其区域性差异较为明显;不同阈值的年极端小时降水频次均表现出明显的年际和年代际变化特征,1980年代呈波动减小趋势,1990年代呈波动增加趋势,21世纪初期呈现低频波动变化,之后波动加大;不同阈值的极端小时降水频次日变化均表现为明显的单峰型特征,峰值出现在17时前后。

     

Simulated changes in daily rainfall intensity due to the enhanced greenhouse effect: implications for extreme rainfall events

In this study we present rainfall results from equilibrium 1 ×– and 2 × CO₂ experiments with the CSIRO 4-level general circulation model. The 1 × CO₂ results are discussed in relation to observed climate. Discussion of the 2 × CO₂ results focuses upon changes in convective and non-convective rainfall as simulated in the model, and the consequences these changes have for simulated daily rainfall intensity and the frequency of heavy rainfall events. In doing this analysis, we recognize the significant shortcomings of GCM simulations of precipitation processes. However, because of the potential significance of any changes in heavy rainfall events as a result of the enhanced greenhouse effect, we believe a first examination of relevant GCM rainfall results is warranted. Generally, the model results show a marked increase in rainfall originating from penetrative convection and, in the mid-latitudes, a decline in largescale (non-convective) rainfall. It is argued that these changes in rainfall type are a consequence of the increased moisture holding capacity of the warmer atmosphere simulated for 2 × CO₂ conditions. Related to changes in rainfall type, rainfall intensity (rain per rain day) increases in the model for most regions of the globe. Increases extend even to regions where total rainfall decreases. Indeed, the greater intensity of daily rainfall is a much clearer response of the model to increased greenhouse gases than the changes in total rainfall. We also find a decrease in the number of rainy days in the middle latitudes of both the Northern and Southern Hemispheres. To further elucidate these results daily rainfall frequency distributions are examined globally and for four selected regions of interest. In all regions the frequency of high rainfall events increases, and the return period of such events decreases markedly. If realistic, the findings have potentially serious practical implications in terms of an increased frequency and severity of floods in most regions. However, we discuss various important sources of uncertainty in the results presented, and indicate the need for rainfall intensity results to be examined in enhanced greenhouse experiments with other GCMs.     

Recent changes in dry spell and extreme rainfall events in Ethiopia

Summary This paper assesses recent changes in extremes of seasonal rainfall in Ethiopia based on daily rainfall data for 11 key stations over the period 1965–2002. The seasons considered are Kiremt (‘main rains’, June–September) and Belg (‘small rains’, February/March–May). The Mann-Kendall and linear regression trend tests show decreasing trends in the Kiremt and the Belg extreme intensity and maximum consecutive 5-day rains over eastern, southwestern and southern parts of Ethiopia whereas no trends are found in the remaining part of Ethiopia. In general, no trends are found in the yearly maximum length of Kiremt and Belg dry spells (days with rainfall below 1 mm) over Ethiopia.     

Trends in the annual extreme rainfall events of 1 to 3 days duration over India

Summary In this paper, the annual extreme rainfall series in the time scale of 1 to 3 days duration at 316 stations, well distributed over the Indian region, covering 80-years of rainfall data from 1901 to 1980 were analysed for trend and persistence using standard statistical tests. It has been found that the annual extreme rainfall records of most stations are free from trend and persistence. However, the extreme rainfall series at stations over the west coast north of 12°N and at some stations to the east of the Western Ghats over the central parts of the Peninsula showed a significant increasing trend at 95% level of confidence. Stations over the southern Peninsula and over the lower Ganga valley have been found to exhibit a decreasing trend at the same level of significance. The data series of the stations which showed trends were subjected to a 10-year moving average and the resulting smoothed series have been discussed. It may be said that this increasing or decreasing trend in the annual extreme rainfall events at a few places will have tremendous implications in the hydrologic studies and dam design projects.With 9 Figures     

Sensitivity of regional climate simulations of the summer 1998 extreme rainfall to convective parameterization schemes

In this paper, a comparison study of three cumulus parameterization schemes (CPSs), Kain-Fritsch2 (KF2), Grell (GR) and Anthes-Kuo (AK), is carried out using the Pennsylvania State University-National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model (i.e., MM5). The performances of three CPSs are examined in simulations of the long-term heavy Meiyu-frontal rainfall events over the middle to lower reaches of the Yangtze River Basin (YRB-ML) during the summer of 1998. The initial and lateral boundary atmosphere conditions are taken from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy Reanalysis-2 (R-2) data. The experiment with KF2 scheme (EX_KF2) reproduces reasonably well the major rainfall events, especially the heavy rainfall over YRB-ML during the later stage, and the middle and lower troposphere circulation patterns. In contrast, the experiments with both GR and AK schemes (EX_GR and EX_AK) only simulate the heavy rainfall during the first Meiyu rainy phase with weak intensity, and almost miss the rainfall along YRB-ML during the second phase. The analyses show that the location of 500?hPa western Pacific subtropical high during the first rainy phase, the northward advance during the transition period and the retreat during the second rainy phase, observed from the R-2 data, are successfully captured by EX_KF2, compared to the poor performance of EX_GR and EX_AK. A reasonable proportion of the subgrid-scale rainfall and smaller biases of temperature and moisture from lower to middle troposphere in EX_KF2 decide its good rainfall simulations, in contrast with the absolutely high proportions and the cold and dry biases caused by the decreased vertically convective transportation and the weak southwesterly wind in EX_GR and EX_AK. Overall, the three CPSs show substantial intersimulation differences in rainfall as well as in three-dimensional atmospheric structures, and KF2 shows superior performances. The results suggest that the realistic subgrid-scale CPS is still highly required for the high-resolution regional climate models to simulate the heavy rainfall events.     

青藏高原中东部夏季极端降水年代际变化特征

基于中国国家级地面气象站基本气象要素日值数据集得到的均一化降水序列,计算了夏季极端降水指数,分析青藏高原中东部1961—2014年夏季极端降水年代际变化趋势。结果表明:青藏高原中东部地区夏季降水量占全年总降水的50%以上,且夏季降水的变化趋势存在区域性差异,北部站点主要为增加趋势,南部增加和减少趋势的站点相当。夏季极端降水除西藏东部主要为减少趋势外,其他地区主要为增加趋势,且极强降水量的年代际变化趋势显著。大部分夏季极端降水指数的变化趋势在1970s发生转折,在此之前表现为减少的趋势,之后为增加趋势。通过Mann-Kendall趋势检验,在2000年之后强降水量和极强降水量出现突变。     

超强厄尔尼诺事件对中国东部春夏季极端降水频率的影响

利用中国国家气象信息中心提供的中国地面逐日降水0.5°×0.5°格点数据集,研究了超强厄尔尼诺事件衰减年春、夏季中国东部极端降水发生概率的变化,并通过诊断超强厄尔尼诺自身及其衍生模态各自的水汽输送和垂直运动特征,探讨了超强厄尔尼诺事件对中国东部极端降水的影响机制。结果表明,超强厄尔尼诺事件衰减年春季,整个中国东部尤其是江淮以北地区,极端降水事件发生概率显著增大。同年夏季,长江流域极端降水发生概率比常规年份高出近1倍,而在华南和华北地区则相对减小。诊断分析显示,春季超强厄尔尼诺自身及其与热带太平洋地区年循环相互作用衍生出的组合模态（C-mode）均对降水的环流背景影响显著,热带太平洋西北部低空存在强盛的反气旋性异常环流,导致大量水汽在中国东部汇聚并上升,有利于该地区极端降水事件的发生。夏季,厄尔尼诺事件已经消亡,但与C-mode影响相关联的西北太平洋异常反气旋环流仍然存在,长江流域维持极端降水事件发生的有利条件。此外,研究也显示,超强厄尔尼诺事件衰减年春、夏季中国东部对流层中上层持续有异常经向风活动,频繁的南北冷暖气流交汇可能导致强对流事件发生次数增多,这也为该区域极端降水的频发提供了支持。      

Variability in rainfall over tropical Australia during summer and relationships with the Bilybara High

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Variability in summer rainfall over tropical Australia, defined here as that part of the continent north of 25° S, and its linkages with regional...     

山东夏季极端热事件变化特征分析

利用山东88个气象站1961—2019年夏季6—8月逐日最高、最低气温观测数据,分析了山东各地极端热昼、极端热夜、极端高温日三个极端热事件的时空演变规律和突变特征。结果表明：1）山东夜间出现极端热事件及白天和夜间同时出现极端热事件的天数增多、强度增强、占比增加。历年极端热昼出现天数和占比均呈不同程度的减少趋势,平均强度呈减小趋势,其中占比减少最明显;极端热夜、极端高温日出现天数和占比均呈不同程度的增加趋势,平均强度呈增强趋势。2）山东内陆和沿海地区各极端热事件变化差异明显。内陆地区极端热昼各指标减少、减小趋势更显著,大部分地区变化趋势通过了0.05的显著性水平检验,半岛南部和东部部分区域则有增加、增强趋势;中西部地区极端热夜各指标增加、增强趋势更显著,大部分地区变化趋势通过了0.05的显著性水平检验;中东部区域尤其是半岛地区极端高温日各指标增加、增强趋势更显著,大部分地区变化趋势通过了0.05的显著性水平检验。3）各极端热事件不同指标的突变情况迥异。极端热昼历年出现天数没有发生突变,平均强度在1970年前后发生突变,突变发生后,平均强度明显减小;极端热夜出现天数和平均强度均在1994年前后发生突变,突变发生后,出现天数明显增加、平均强度明显增强;极端高温日出现天数和强度分别在1994年、1973年前后发生突变,突变发生后,出现天数明显增加。     

Potential vorticity analysis of quasi-biweekly rainfall events over the Yangtze Basin in summer 2014

2014年夏季长江流域(YRV)发生的多次阶段性强降水事件显著地受10-20天准双周振荡所调控.代表性振荡过程与合成分析表明,准双周湿位相主要取决于对流层高层南侵的高位势涡度(PV)与低纬度向西南平流的高PV导致南亚高压形态改变而产生的YRV高空辐散.高空向南的正PV平流与低层南风输送的负PV平流在YRV上空形成正的PV平流垂直梯度,激发出等熵面位移的上升运动分量;高空的高PV同时向中低层伸展,导致等熵面坡度增大从而增强气块沿等熵面上滑的上升运动分量,由此产生更强的非绝热有关的上升运动分量.干位相情况则相反.     

The impact of atmospheric heat sources over the eastern Tibetan Plateau and the tropical western Pacific on the summer rainfall over the Yangtze-River basin

The variability of the summer rainfall over China is analyzed using the EOF procedure with a new parameter （namely, mode station variance percentage） based on 1951-2000 summer rainfall data from 160 stations in China. Compared with mode variance friction, the mode station variance percentage not only reveals more localized characteristics of the variability of the summer rainfall, but also helps to distinguish the regions with a high degree of dominant EOF modes representing the analyzed observational variable. The atmospheric circulation diagnostic studies with the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis daily data from 1966 to 2000 show that in summer, abundant （scarce） rainfall in the belt-area from the upper-middle reaches of the Yangtze River northeastward to the Huaihe River basin is linked to strong （weak） heat sources over the eastern Tibetan Plateau, while the abundant （scarce） rainfall in the area to the south of the middle-lower reaches of the Yangtze River is closely linked to the weak （strong） heat sources over the tropical western Pacific.     

印度洋偶极子与中国东部夏季降水的年代际变化关系

采用1951—2012年GPCP、中国160站台站降水资料及NOAA海表温度资料,分析了中国东部夏季降水及热带印度洋偶极子(IOD)的年际变化特征,以及两者的年代际变化关系。结果表明,中国东部夏季降水主要呈现两种模态分布,即"+-+"三极型和"-+"偶极型。并且在1953—1973年和2002—2012年中国东部夏季降水分别存在准2 a和4 a的震荡周期,年际变化明显。相关性分析发现,夏季IOD时间序列与中国东部夏季降水场的第三模态所对应的时间序列场呈负相关关系,且通过了信度为0.05的显著性检验,说明夏季IOD与中国东部夏季降水第三模态相关性较好。     

中国东部夏季不同雨带类型的海洋和环流特征差异

利用1951-2009年NCEP/NCAR再分析资料、UKMO HADISST1全球月海表温度及中国东部地区120站的月降水量资料,首先定义出能够客观表征中国东部夏季3种雨带类型的指数,然后分析了3种雨带分布类型海洋和大气环流特征的主要差异,并进一步分析了前期海洋背景的差异特征对夏季东亚环流关键系统的预测蕴示.结果表明:(1)3种雨带类型对应的前期冬季海洋信号比当年夏季强,其差异主要表现在:多雨带出现在北方地区的Ⅰ型对应的是北太平洋海温呈显著的正距平、暖池及东澳暖流为负距平、南太平洋西风漂流区为正距平;多雨带出现在黄淮地区的Ⅱ型对应的海温分布则与Ⅰ型完全相反;多雨带出现在长江及其以南地区的Ⅲ型对应的海温分布在北太平洋海域与Ⅰ型基本一致;(2)3种雨带类型对应的环流及水汽输送特征的差异主要表现在:Ⅲ型与Ⅰ型具有几乎完全相反的环流及水汽输送特征,当出现Ⅲ型时,东亚中高纬度有强盛的阻塞形势发展和维持,中高纬度的经向环流异常加强,同时西太平洋副热带高压偏强,位置偏西、偏南,该地区呈反气旋性距平环流,西太平洋副热带纬向水汽输送加强,而出现Ⅰ型时则相反;Ⅱ型与Ⅰ型的环流及水汽输送特征更接近,两者的主要差异是:当出现Ⅱ型时,西太平洋副热带地区呈反气旋性距平环流,而出现Ⅰ型时该地区呈气旋性距平环流;(3)前期冬季赤道中东太平洋海温和南太平洋西风漂流区的海温异常变化可以作为夏季西太平洋副热带高压预报的重要前兆信号.     

Intra-seasonal drivers of extreme heat over Australia in observations and POAMA-2

We assess the occurrence and probability of extreme heat over Australia in association with the Southern Annular Mode (SAM), persistent anticyclones over the Tasman Sea, and the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO), which have previously been shown to be key drivers of intra-seasonal variations of Australian climate. In this study, extreme heat events are defined as occurring when weekly-mean maximum temperature anomalies exceed the 90th percentile. The observed probability of exceedance is reduced during the positive phase of the SAM and enhanced during the negative phase of the SAM over most of Australia. Persistent anticyclones over the Tasman Sea are described in terms of (1) split-flow blocking at 160°E and (2) high pressure systems located in the vicinity of the subtropical ridge (STRHs), about 10° north of the split-flow blocking region, for which we devise a simple index. Split-flow blocks and STRHs have contrasting impacts on the occurrence of extreme heat over Australia, with STRHs showing enhanced probability of upper decile heat events over southern Australia in all seasons. The observed probability of an upper decile heat event varies according to MJO phase and time of year, with the greatest impact of the MJO on extreme heat occurring over southern Australia (including the Mallee agricultural region) in spring during phases 2–3. We show that this modulation of the probability of extreme heat by the SAM, persistent anticyclones over the Tasman Sea, and the MJO is well simulated in the Bureau of Meteorology dynamical intra-seasonal/seasonal forecast model POAMA-2 at lead times of 2–3 weeks. We further show that predictability of heat extremes increases in association with the negative SAM phase, STRH and MJO, thus providing a basis for skilful intra-seasonal prediction of heat extremes.     

塔里木盆地夏季降水年代际的变化及联系的大尺度环流[*]

基于1961-2020年夏季塔里木盆地33站逐日降水数据和NCEP/NCAR大气环流再分析数据,分析了塔里木盆地夏季降水的年代际变化特征及影响环流。结果表明,塔里木盆地夏季降水在1986/1987年发生了由少到多的年代际突变,降水显著增加的区域主要位于盆地的西部和北部,主要由降水日数的增加贡献。不同年代际背景下,影响塔里木盆地夏季降水的环流配置存在一定差异。1961-1986年,影响盆地夏季降水的中亚副热带急流位置显著南移,中亚上空的异常气旋位于40°N附近,水汽源于阿拉伯海;1987-2020年,影响盆地夏季降水的中亚上空异常气旋位置位于40°N以南,水汽源于孟加拉湾和西北太平洋。东大西洋—西俄罗斯大气遥相关型在塔里木盆地夏季降水的年代际变化中扮演了重要角色。