WRF/ARPEGE-CLIMAT simulated climate trends over West Africa

The Weather Regional Forecast (WRF) model is used in this study to downscale low-resolution data over West Africa. First, the performance of the regional model is estimated through contemporary period experiments (1981?C1990) forced by ARPEGE-CLIMAT GCM output (ARPEGE) and ERA-40 re-analyses. Key features of the West African monsoon circulation are reasonably well represented. WRF atmospheric dynamics and summer rainfall compare better to observations than ARPEGE forcing data. WRF simulated moisture transport over West Africa is also consistent in both structure and variability with re-analyses, emphasizing the substantial role played by the West African Monsoon (WAM) and African Easterly Jet (AEJ) flows. The statistical significance of potential climate changes for the A2 scenario between 2032 and 2041 is enhanced in the downscaling from ARPEGE by the regional experiments, with substantial rainfall increases over the Guinea Gulf and eastern Sahel. Future scenario WRF simulations are characterized by higher temperatures over the eastern Tropical Atlantic suggesting more evaporation available locally. This leads to increased moisture advection towards eastern regions of the Guinea Gulf where rainfall is enhanced through a strengthened WAM flow, supporting surface moisture convergence over West Africa. Warmer conditions over both the Mediterranean region and northeastern Sahel could also participate in enhancing moisture transport within the AEJ. The strengthening of the thermal gradient between the Sahara and Guinean regions, particularly pronounced north of 10°N, would support an intensification of the AEJ northwards, given the dependance of the jet to the position/intensity of the meridional gradient. In turn, mid-tropospheric moisture divergence tends to be favored within the AEJ region supporting southwards deflection of moist air and contributing to deep moist convection over the Sahel where late summer rainfall regimes are sustained in the context of the A2 scenario regional projections. In conclusion, WRF proved to be a valuable and efficient tool to help downscaling GCM projections over West Africa, and thus assessing issues such as water resources vulnerability locally.     

西藏林芝地区一次暴雨过程的中尺度模拟与分析

利用常规观测资料、FY-2E卫星观测的TBB资料,对2015年8月19日发生在林芝地区的一次暴雨过程进行天气分析,并利用中尺度数值模式WRF的模拟结果分析此次暴雨过程中尺度系统的结构特征。结果表明,此次暴雨过程发生在高原低涡切变的环流形势下,伴随辐合线发展的线状对流系统是此次暴雨发生的主要原因。WRF模式可较好地模拟出暴雨过程的环流形势和降水的落区、量级。西南风引导的暖湿气流为暴雨的发生、发展提供充沛的水汽条件;对中尺度结构的分析表明,低层辐合、高层辐散的结构以及在降水区存在的正涡度伴随强烈的上升运动为此次暴雨过程提供了有利的动力条件,假相当位温的分布能够为暴雨提供有利的热力条件,垂直螺旋度低层正中心的配置反映出大气的不稳定分布,有利于中尺度对流系统的发展与维持。     

Synoptic and thermodynamic characteristics of 30 March–2 April 2009 heavy rainfall event in Iran

A heavy rainfall event during the period from 30th of March to 2nd of April 2009 has been studied using upper air and surface data as well as NOAA HYSPLIT model. This observational study attempts to determine factors responsible for the occurrence of heavy rainfall over Iran induced by Mediterranean cyclone, a western severe sub-tropical storm that made rainfall on most regions of the country. On the surface chart, cyclones, anticyclones and weather fronts were identified. The positions of the cold and warm fronts, which extended from a two-core low pressure center, were quite in good agreements with directions of winds i.e., westerly, southerly and easterly flows as well as the regions of precipitation. The heavy rain event occurred due to a Mediterranean cyclone’s activity over the study area, while other conditions were also responsible for this event such as an unstable atmosphere condition with abundant low-level moisture, which the warm and moist air parcels were brought by the southwesterly low-level jet into the country from Persian Gulf, Oman Sea, Indian Ocean and Caspian Sea at lower levels as well as Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea and Persian Gulf at upper levels over the examined period. A strong low-level convergence zone was observed along the wind-shift line between the southwesterly flow because of the low-level jet and the northeasterly flow due to the Russian high pressure. The amount of precipitable water varied between 20 and 24 kg m^?2, surface moisture convergence exceeded 2.5 g kg^?1 s^?1 and the highest CAPE value in the sounding profiles was observed in Birjand site with 921 J kg^?1 during the study period. The HYSPLIT model outputs confirmed the observed synoptic features for the examined system over the country.     

Antecedent mid-tropospheric frontogenesis caused by the interaction between a tropical cyclone and midlatitude trough: a case study of Typhoon Rusa (2002)

This study examines antecedent mid-tropospheric frontogenesis (AMF) resulting from the interaction between Typhoon Rusa (2002) and a midlatitude trough over the Korean Peninsula. In this event, the AMF contributed to the first peak in the time series of rainfall in Gangneung (37.75°N, 128.90°E), occurring about 12 h before the time of the extratropical transition (ET) process of the tropical cyclone (TC). Using observations and high-resolution model outputs, we showed that the AMF contributed to the antecedent rainfall in Gangneung during the first rainfall period when Gangneung was located outside of Rusa's sphere of direct influence. A Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model experiment was conducted to diagnose the frontogenetical features and associated precipitation processes in detail. The experiment revealed that the AMF was mainly forced by the horizontal deformation forcing (HDF). The direction of the HDF was oriented from southwest to northeast in the middle part of the peninsula. The HDF increased positively due to the confluence of the southeasterlies from the TC and the northwesterlies emanating from the midlatitude trough. The experiment also suggested that the mid-tropospheric moisture originated from the subtropical ocean and deposited into the frontal region by the southerlies on the eastern periphery of the TC, which enhanced the convergence of moisture flux in the frontal region during the first rainfall period. The thermally direct circulation associated with the AMF lead to the mid-tropospheric saturation, which enhanced the precipitation of the first rainfall event together with the orographically forced convection at the low level above Gangneung.     

江苏一次大暴雨过程的数值模拟

采用中尺度数值模式WRF（v2．2）对2007年7月7～9日发生在江苏的一次区域性大暴雨过程进行数值模拟,对模式输出资料,利用位涡与湿位涡理论分析了这次大暴雨维持发展的机制。分析结果表明,正位涡异常区对应着强上升区,低层湿位涡负值中心对应降水中心,高层正值区的移动也能预示雨区的移动,湿等熵面的陡立面的出现致使对流不稳定发展。     

NUMERICAL SIMULATION OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE MAINTENANCE AND INCREASE IN HEAVY RAINFALL OF THE LANDING TROPICAL STORM BILIS AND MOISTURE TRANSPORT FROM LOWER LATITUDES

The NCEP/NCAR reanalysis, Japan Meteorological Agency(JMA) tropical cyclone tracks and intensive surface observations are used to diagnose the features of moisture transport of tropical storm Bilis(No. 0604), which is simulated by the WRF(weather research and forecasting) mesoscale numerical model. It is shown that the Bilis was linked with the moisture channel in the lower latitudes after its landing. Meanwhile, the cross-equatorial flows over 80°-100°E and Somali were active and brought abundant water vapor into the tropical storm, facilitating the maintenance of the landing storm with intensified heavy rainfall along its path. The simulation suggested that the decreased water vapor from lower latitudes prevents the maintenance of Bilis and the development of rainfall. While the cross-equatorial flows over 80°-100°E and Somali were in favor of keeping the cyclonic circulation over land. If the moisture supply fro m the Somali jet stream was reduced, the strength and area of heavy rainfall in tropical cyclone would be remarkably weakened. Consequently, the decreased water vapor from lower latitudes can remarkably suppress the deep convection in tropical storm, then Bilis was damped without the persistent energy support and the rainfall was diminished accordingly.     

Simulation of location-specific severe thunderstorm events using high resolution land data assimilation

In this study, the impact of different land initial conditions on the simulation of thunderstorms and monsoon depressions is investigated using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model. A control run (CNTL) and a simulation with an improved land state (soil moisture and temperature) using the High Resolution Land Data Assimilation System (HRLDAS, experiment name: EHRLDAS) are compared for three different rainfall cases in order to examine the robustness of the assimilation system. The study comprises two thunderstorm cases (one in the pre-monsoon and one during the monsoon) and one monsoon depression case that occurred during the Interaction of Convective Organisation, Atmosphere, Surface and Sea (INCOMPASS) field campaign of the 2016 Indian monsoon. EHRLDAS is shown to yield improvements in the representation of location-specific rainfall, particularly over land. Further, it is found that surface fluxes as well as convective indices are better captured for the pre-monsoon thunderstorm case in EHRLDAS. By analysing components of the vorticity tendency equation, it is found that the vertical advection term is the major contributor towards the positive vorticity tendency in EHRLDAS compared to CNTL, hence improving localised convection and consequently facilitating rainfall. Significant improvements in the simulation of the pre-monsoon thunderstorm are noted, as seen using Automatic Weather Station (AWS) validation, whereas improvements in the monsoon depression are minimal. Further, it is found that vertical advection (moisture flux convergence) is the major driver modulating the convective circulation in localised thunderstorm (monsoon depression) cases and these dynamics are better represented by EHRLDAS compared to CNTL. These findings underline the importance of accurate and high resolution land-state conditions in model initial conditions for forecasting severe weather systems, particularly the simulation of localised thunderstorms over India.     

西风槽与强热带风暴配置下动力正、斜压性对暴雨影响研究

用加密气象站降水资料、NCEP再分析资料以及WRF模式的精细化模拟产品资料,对2011年6月24日20时-25日20时,由强热带风暴“米雷”与西风槽结合造成的江淮区域暴雨过程进行分析和诊断.结果表明:西风槽温压场斜压性显著,强热带风暴温压场正压性显著,构成了有利于中小尺度系统和暴雨发生发展的环流背景.由强热带风暴携带而来的水汽,路程近、速度快,在暴雨区形成深厚的水汽层.暴雨区具有两个上下叠置的垂直上升运动中心,保持对水汽的深厚强抬升,维持暴雨环流系统的强度.暴雨区环境大气流场动力正、斜压分解显示,此次暴雨过程大气流场的斜压成分占显著的主导地位;暴雨开始阶段,正压动能向斜压动能的转换迅速增强,各分项和总项都达到最大值;其后的暴雨阶段,转换强度逐渐减弱,暴雨结束时各项都接近0值,甚至出现弱的斜压动能向正压动能的转换.     

2008年6月广西持续性暴雨的诊断与数值模拟

用NCEP/NCAR全球逐日再分析格点资料和广西区域日降水资料,对2008年6月12—13日发生在广西的持续性暴雨过程进行了诊断分析,并利用中尺度数值模式WRF进行了数值模拟研究。结果表明:暴雨过程的水汽来源主要为孟加拉湾南部和南海北部;在强降水期间,暴雨区上空低层为较强的大气层结不稳定区,中高层为大气层结相对稳定区,不稳定能量与降水强度有着很好的对应关系;西南急流作为对流系统上升的触发机制,为广西持续性暴雨过程的发生和发展提供了水汽条件和动力条件。WRF模式成功模拟出本次暴雨过程的大尺度环流形势的演变及中尺度降雨分布,本次暴雨与850hPa上一个β中尺度低涡的生成和强烈发展直接关联。     

江西2012年5月12日大暴雨过程水汽输送分析

利用NCEP 1°×1°再分析资料、常规气象观测资料和WRF中尺度数值模式,对2012年5月12日江西出现的大暴雨天气水汽输送的过程进行分析。结果表明,从大尺度分析,此次暴雨过程的水汽输送特征并不典型,比湿、水汽通量、水汽通量散度、整层水汽输送等均不能满足江西出现暴雨时应该达到的水汽条件;但模拟的中小尺度水汽指数能够满足江西发生暴雨的水汽条件。此次暴雨过程的水汽主要来自南海地区。暴雨出现的区域与整层水汽大值区的水平梯度最大处相吻合。当整层水汽输送值较小时,水汽输送主要集中在中低层,但当整层水汽输送值较大时,水汽输送的高度高度超过500 hPa高度层,仅分析500 hPa高度层以下的水汽输送对暴雨预报会造成一定的误差。     

2003年6月24～25日江南特大暴雨数值模拟和诊断分析

采用NCAR、NCEP和FSL／NOAA等共同研制的新一代细网格WRF中尺度数值模式，对2003年6月24～25日江南地区出现的一次特大暴雨过程进行了数值模拟，并利用模式输出的高分辨率动力协调资料进行了初步诊断分析。结果表明：WRF模式比较成功地再现了高低空环流形势的演变及暴雨带的分布特征；低层切变线上分布不均匀的辐合区，中低层正涡度区、高层负涡度区的配置有利于造成较强烈的中尺度上升运动；同时有很强的湿度锋区，大气处于不稳定状态。分析发现，沿850hPa切变线的局地风暴相对螺旋度与暴雨有很好的对应关系。     

2013年6月26—29日江西暴雨过程的中尺度数值模拟分析

利用NCEP再分析资料和WRF模式,对2013年6月26—29日江西大范围暴雨过程进行了数值模拟分析。结果表明,西太平洋副热带高压脊线稳定维持在21°N附近,副高北侧强盛西南气流将水汽向江南北部地区输送是暴雨产生和稳定维持的主要原因。超低空偏南急流的建立、发展和维持是这次连续暴雨过程产生的一个重要因素,同时低空低涡南侧出现一串近似东西向排列的30～60km更小尺度的强对流系统,它们与大暴雨区相吻合;整层水汽通量密集区的南北界位置和暴雨区南北界位置基本吻合,整层水汽的大值中心的范围和大暴雨中心的范围具有明显的正相关关系;水汽通量散度最大辐合中心为暴雨的产生输送了大量的水汽,水汽辐合中心与暴雨的落区有很好的一致性;强降水落区与假相当位温最大值区相对应。     

近海水汽初值和对流影响一次华南前汛期沿海强降水对流系统发展过程的机理研究

本研究在对华南季风降水试验（SCMREX）观测资料分析的基础上,采用数值模拟试验探讨南海北部区域湿度场初值误差和海上对流对2014年5月8日华南沿海地区的一次强降雨过程的中尺度对流系统（MCS）的发展和移动的影响。加密探空和风廓线观测分析表明在珠江口地区有西南风和偏东风急流形成的辐合区,为对流在该地区增强发展提供了条件。增加和减少近海湿度以及关闭积云和微物理过程潜热释放,所造成的温度场以及风场的变化对广东沿海地区的对流的强度和移动路径都有明显的影响。特别是增加海上关键区的湿度,由于海上对流的发展改变了整个区域的环流,抑制了陆地上对流的发展。关闭海上关键区对流过程潜热的释放,导致低空急流到达更加偏北的位置,对流系统在模拟的后期向东北移动。通过这些试验表明,海上的湿度等要素场和对流活动对沿海地区的降雨预报有着十分重要的影响,需要进一步加强海上观测及其资料同化方法。     

Formation and evolution of mesoscale convective systems that brought the heavy rainfall over Seoul on September 21, 2010

An investigation has been carried out using observational data and a numerical model to explain the formation and development of heavy precipitation systems on September 21, 2010. These systems were responsible for heavy rainfall over the middle Korean peninsula, with a maximum 24-h rainfall amount greater than 290 mm in the Seoul metropolitan area. Both observational analysis and a numerical simulation indicate that an important starting condition for this heavy rainfall event is the presence of a pressure trough over the Shandong peninsula and the Yellow Sea. Convective cells formed in the early morning over this trough area, grew into larger systems as they moved eastward, and induced the formation of a meso low over the Yellow Sea around 0000 UTC on September 21, 2010. A stationary front with significant vertical circulation developed in response to the deformation of flow associated with the meso low. In the meantime, multicell-type convective systems continuously developed and moved along the front. These storms developed further and produced heavy rainfall over the middle Korean peninsula, which includes the Seoul metropolitan area. According to observations, the band structure appeared to change after 0700 UTC as a narrow convection band developed over the sea, upstream of the existing band of multicell storms. Numerical simulation showed a similar transition. However, it failed to reproduce the stationary behavior of the observed band.     

A Diagnostic and Numerical Study on a Rainstorm in South China Induced by a Northward-Propagating Tropical System

A strong cyclonic wind perturbation generated in the northern South China Sea （SCS） moved northward quickly and developed into a mesoscale vortex in southwest Guangdong Province, and then merged with a southward-moving shear line from mid latitudes in the period of 21-22 May 2006, during which three strong mesoscale convective systems （MCSs） formed and brought about torrential rain or even cloudburst in South China. With the 1° ×1° NCEP （National Centers for Environment Prediction） reanalysis data and the Weather and Research Forecast （WRF） mesoscale model, a numerical simulation, a potential vorticity inversion analysis, and some sensitivity experiments are carried out to reveal the formation mechanism of this rainfall event. In the meantime, conventional observations, satellite images, and the WRF model outputs are also utilized to perform a preliminary dynamic and thermodynamic diagnostic analysis of the rainstorm systems. It is found that the torrential rain occurred in favorable synoptic conditions such as warm and moist environment, low lifting condensation level, and high convective instability. The moisture transport by strong southerly winds associated with the rapid northward advance of the cyclonic wind perturbation over the northern SCS provided the warm and moist condition for the formation of the excessive rain. Under the dynamic steering of a southwesterly flow ahead of a north trough and that on the southwest side of the West Pacific subtropical high, the mesoscale vortex （or the cyclonic wind perturbation）, after its genesis, moved northward and brought about enormous rain in most parts of Guangdong Province through providing certain lifting forcing for the triggering of mesoscale convection. During the development of the mesoscale vortex, heavy rainfall was to a certain extent enhanced by the mesoscale topography of the Yunwu Mountain in Guangdong. The effect of the Yunwu Mountain is found to vary under different prevailing wind directions and intensities. The location o     

A Simulation Study of a Heavy Rainfall Process over the Yangtze River Valley Using the Two-Way Nesting Approach

In this study,the major features of a heavy rainfall event in the Yangtze River region on 3-7 June 2011 and its event-related large-scale circulation and predictability were studied.Both observational analysis and model simulation were used,the latter being based on the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model forced by NCEP Global Forecast System(GFS) datasets.It was found that,during 3-5 June,the western Pacific subtropical high apparently extended to the west and was much stronger,and the Indian summer monsoon trough was slightly weaker than in normal years.The east-west oriented shear line over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River was favorable for the transportation and convergence of water vapor,and the precipitation band was located slightly to the south of the shear line.During 6-7 June,the western Pacific subtropical high retreated eastward,while the trough over the Okhotsk Sea deepened.The low vortex in Northeast China intensified,bringing much more cold air to the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River,and the shear line over this area moved slightly southward.The convection band moved southward and became weaker,so the rainfall during 6-7 June weakened and was located slightly to the south of the previous precipitation band.Many of the observed features,including background circulation and the distribution and amount of precipitation,were reproduced reasonably by the WRF,suggesting a feasibility of this model for forecasting extreme weather events in the Yangtze River region.     

三峡东区春季首次强降水的气候特征

应用１６年ＮＭＣ常规资料和卫星ＯＬＲ资料,分析了三峡东区春季首欠强降水的气候特征,其特点：以西路冷空气影响为主,与高原的对流系统有直接联系,从中南半岛向东北,经我国西南的低层暖湿空气输送带是春季强降水的必要条件。     

WRF耦合4个陆面过程对“6.19”暴雨过程的模拟研

利用WRF模式与4个陆面过程的耦合,对2010年6月19—20日的暴雨过程进行了数值模拟,并分析陆面过程对暴雨强度和范围的敏感性。结果显示：WRF耦合4个陆面过程模拟的雨带和实况分布一致,均为东西向的雨带形状,且均预报出与实况资料相似的强降水中心。在无陆面方案情况下,强降水中心的位置、范围、强度等都发生明显变化。另外地表径流预报量和降水趋势表现一致,由于土壤含水量趋于饱和,多余的降水分配给地表径流,这种剧增的地表径流也是洪水暴涨、水位上升的重要原因。在较湿的土壤状况下,由于净辐射增长,有利于产生厚度更小的边界层高度以及更大的地表向上潜热通量,这也是导致本次降水过程异常增幅的一个重要原因。     

一次广西暴雨过程的数值模拟及低涡系统分析

应用WRF中尺度数值模式对2008年6月12日广西地区的一次大暴雨过程进行了模拟,利用模式输出资料,对引发这次大暴雨的西南低涡的演变情况及其物理场特征进行了分析。结果表明,低涡暴雨的发生具有明显的不均匀性,暴雨主要出现在低涡东侧暖区切变线附近;暴雨过程中充沛的水汽主要来源于孟加拉湾和中国南海,水汽的辐合不仅是涡旋区降水的必要条件,还是低涡发展加强的一个有利因素;强降水与强上升运动及正涡度区有很好的对应关系,低涡低层有强不稳定能量积聚也是造成此次大暴雨的重要原因之一。     

用WRF与MM5模拟1998年三次暴雨过程的对比分析

使用NCAR和NOAA的新一代中尺度模式WRF(WeatherResearchandForecast)和UCAR/PSU的MM5 (v3)模式 ,对 1998年发生在中国的三次强降水过程 ,即 5月的 1次华南暴雨过程 ,7月初的 1次淮河流域暴雨过程和 7月下旬的 1次长江流域暴雨过程进行了数值模拟。模拟结果表明 ,WRF模式能够成功模拟这几次不同性质的降水过程 ;与MM5对比 ,WRF更好地模拟了引起这几次降水过程中的主要天气系统的位置和移动过程 ,从而使WRF模拟的降水落区好于MM5。但在这几次过程中WRF模拟的降水都较MM 5为小 ,也小于实况值 ,分析可见 ,WRF模拟的垂直速度明显小于MM5的模拟结果 ,这可能是导致模拟的降水偏小的原因之一。