Distinguishing changes in the Hadley circulation edge

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - The studies on poleward expansion of the Hadley circulation have mainly concentrated on linear trends with global warming. There is no consensus on how the...     

Behaviour of the winter North Atlantic eddy-driven jet stream in the CMIP3 integrations

A systematic analysis of the winter North Atlantic eddy-driven jet stream latitude and wind speed from 52 model integrations, taken from the coupled model intercomparison project phase 3, is carried out and compared to results obtained from the ERA-40 reanalyses. We consider here a control simulation, twentieth century simulation, and two time periods (2046–2065 and 2081–2100) from a twenty-first century, high-emission A2 forced simulation. The jet wind speed seasonality is found to be similar between the twentieth century simulations and the ERA-40 reanalyses and also between the control and forced simulations although nearly half of the models overestimate the amplitude of the seasonal cycle. A systematic equatorward bias of the models jet latitude seasonality, by up to 7°, is observed, and models additionally overestimate the seasonal cycle of jet latitude about the mean, with the majority of the models showing equatorward and poleward biases during the cold and warm seasons respectively. A main finding of this work is that no GCM under any forcing scenario considered here is able to simulate the trimodal behaviour of the observed jet latitude distribution. The models suffer from serious problems in the structure of jet variability, rather than just quantitiative errors in the statistical moments.     

Dynamics of eddy-driven North Atlantic Oscillations in a localized shifting jet: zonal structure and downstream blocking

In a weakly nonlinear model how an initial dipole mode develops to the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) in a localized shifting jet under the prescribed eddy forcing is examined. It is found that the zonal structure of the eddy-driven NAO anomaly is not only dominated by the longitudinal distribution of the preexisting Atlantic storm track, but also by the initial condition of the NAO anomaly itself associated with the interaction between a localized shifting jet and a topographic standing wave over the Atlantic basin. When both the initial NAO anomaly and the eddy vorticity forcing in the prior Atlantic storm track are more zonally localized, the subsequent eddy-driven NAO anomaly can be more zonally isolated and asymmetric. But, it seems that the shape of the initial NAO anomaly associated with the latitudinal shift of a prior Atlantic jet plays a more important role in producing the zonal asymmetry of subsequent NAO patterns. The zonal asymmetry of the NAO anomaly can be enhanced as the height of topography increases. In addition, it is further found that blocking events occur easily over the Europe continent through the decaying of positive-phase NAO events. However, prior to the positive-phase NAO life cycle the variability in each of three factors: the Atlantic jet, the eddy vorticity forcing in the Atlantic storm track and the initial NAO anomaly can result in a variation in the blocking activity over the Europe sector in strength, duration, position and pattern.     

On the dynamics of the Hadley circulation and subtropical drying

Changes in subtropical precipitation and the Hadley circulation (HC) are inextricably linked. The original Halley–Hadley model cannot explain certain aspects of the Earth’s meridional circulation in the tropics and is of limited use in understanding regional changes in precipitation. Here, we expand on previous work on the regional and seasonal aspects of the HC, in particular how land–sea temperature contrasts contribute to the strength and width of the HC. We show that the Earth’s HC is well described by three regionally distinct cells along the eastern edges of the major ocean basins with opposite circulations elsewhere. Moreover, comparable summertime hemisphere cells emerge in each region. While it has been recognized that continents modify the meridional pressure gradient, we demonstrate that a substantial part of the Earth’s HC is driven by zonal pressure gradients (ZPGs) that only exist due to continental heating and air–sea interaction. Projected changes in land–sea temperature contrasts in a warming climate due to the relatively low thermal capacity of land will also affect ZPGs and thus HC strength and width, with implications for extremes in hydroclimate and freshwater resources across the increasingly vulnerable subtropics.     

North Atlantic winter eddy-driven jet and atmospheric blocking variability in the Community Earth System Model version 1 Large Ensemble simulations

Climate Dynamics - The atmospheric jet and blocking distributions, especially in the North Atlantic sector, have been challenging features for a climate model to realistically reproduce. This study...     

Hadley环流强度与中国东部气温的相关分析

利用NCEP / NCAR再分析月平均风场资料和国家气候中心提供的中国160个气象站的月平均气温资料,选用质量流函数计算方法描述平均经圈环流,用环流中心值大小表征其强度,分析1951-2010年Hadley环流强度趋势变化及其与中国东部气温的关系。结果表明：质量流函数能较好地表征平均经圈环流特征,且环流中心值大小能形象地反映环流强度。近60 a来,冬季北半球Hadley环流强度呈线性增强的趋势;夏季南半球Hadley环流强度在20世纪80年代初发生了由减弱趋势转变为显著增强趋势的年代际转折。中国东部大部分地区气温的年代际变化能很好地被Hadley环流强度变化解释,二者呈正相关关系,但显著相关区域随季节变化有所不同。     

Interdecadal change in the connection between Hadley circulation and winter temperature in East Asia

Based on NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the interdecadal variability of Hadley circulation （HC） and its association with East Asian temperature in winter are investigated. Results indicate that the Northern Hemisphere winter HC underwent apparent change in the 1970s, with transition occurring around 1976/77. Along with interdecadal variability of HC, its linkage to surface air temperature （SAT） in East Asia also varied decadally, from weak relations to strong relations. Such a change may be related to the interaction between HC and the atmospheric circulation system over the Philippines, which is associated with the East Asian winter monsoon （EAWM）. Before the 1970s, the connection between HC and the anticyclonic circulation around the Philippines was insignificant, but after the late 1970s their linkage entered a strong regime. The intensification of this connection may therefore be responsible for the strong relations between HC and East Asian winter temperatures after the late 1970s.     

Northern poleward edge of regional Hadley cell over western Pacific during boreal winter: year-to-year variability,influence factors and associated winter climate anomalies

Compared to the zonal-mean Hadley cell (HC), our knowledge of the characteristics, influence factors and associated climate anomalies of the regional HC remains quite limited. Here, we examine interannual variability of the northern poleward HC edge over western Pacific (WPHCE) during boreal winter. Results suggest that interannual variability of the WPHCE is impacted by the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Modoki, North Pacific Oscillation (NPO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The WPHCE tends to shift poleward during negative phase of the ENSO Modoki, and positive phases of the NPO and NAO, which highlights not merely the tropical forcing but also the extratropical signals that modulate the WPHCE. ENSO modoki, NPO and NAO modulate the WPHCE via inducing atmospheric anomalies over the western North Pacific. We further investigate the climatic impacts of the WPHCE on East Asia. The poleward shift of the northern descending branch of the WPHC results in anomalous upward (downward) motions and upper-level divergence (convergence) anomalies over south-central China (northern East-Asia), leading to increased (decreased) rainfall there. Moreover, pronounced cold surface air temperature anomalies appear over south-central China when the sinking branch of the WPHC moves poleward. Based on the temperature diagnostic analysis, negative surface temperature tendency anomalies over central China are mostly attributable to the cold zonal temperature advection and ascent-induced adiabatic cooling, while the negative anomalies over South China are largely due to the cold meridional temperature advection. These findings could improve our knowledge of the WPHCE variability and enrich the knowledge of forcing factors for East Asian winter climate.

     

On the relationship between the Bowen ratio and the near-surface air temperature

The sensitivity of land surface energy partitioning to near-surface air temperature (T _a) is a critical issue to understand the interaction between land surface and climatic system. Thus, studies with in situ observed data compiled from various climates and ecosystems are required. The relations derived from such empirical analyses are useful for developing accurate estimation methods of energy partitioning. In this study, the effect of T _a on land surface energy partitioning is evaluated by using flux measurement data compiled from a global network of eddy covariance tower sites (FLUXNET). According to the analysis of 25 FLUXNET sites (60 site-years) data, the Bowen ratio is found to have a linear relation with the bulk surface resistance normalized by aerodynamic and climatological resistance parameters in general, of which the slope and intercept are dependent on T _a. Energy partitioning in warmer atmosphere is less sensitive to changes in land surface conditions. In addition, a negative relation is found between Bowen ratio and T _a, and this relation is stronger above less vegetated surface and under low vapor pressure deficit and low received radiative energy condition. The empirical results obtained in this study are expected to be useful in gaining better understanding of alternating surface energy partitioning under increasing T _a.     

春季Hadley环流与长江流域夏季降水关系的数值模拟

观测分析表明,春季Hadley环流异常可以导致东亚大气环流异常变化进而影响长江流域夏季降水的发生.利用中国科学院大气物理研究所9层大气环流模式(IAP9L-AGCM),对春季Hadley环流异常偏强情形下东亚夏季大气环流和长江流域夏季降水的响应进行了数值模拟.模拟结果表明当春季Hadley环流异常偏强时,东亚夏季风减弱,夏季西太平洋副热带高压和南亚高压加强,菲律宾以东洋面对流减弱,长江流域降水增多.初步的数值模拟结果与已有的诊断结果相吻合.     

两种再分析资料间Hadley环流双层结构的差异

采用NCEP／NCAR、ECMWF两种再分析资料，分析了1979-1989年纬向平均经向风（[υ↑-]）及质量流函数（ψ↑-）的差异。结果表明，ECMWF资料存在明显的Hadley双层结构，NCEP／NCAR资料则未见明显的Hadley双层结构。此项研究结果虽不能证明Hadley双层结构是否客观存在，但表明低纬大气环流研究中资料选用直接影响研究结果。     

Relationship between the expansion of drylands and the intensification of Hadley circulation during the late twentieth century

The changes in coverage by arid climate and intensity of the Hadley circulation during the second half of the twentieth century were examined using observations and the multi-model ensemble (MME) mean of Twentieth-Century Coupled Climate Model (20C3M) simulations. It was found that the area of dry climate, which comprises steppe and desert climates following the K?ppen climate classification, expanded to an appreciable extent in observation and, to a lesser degree, in MME simulation. The areal extent of steppe climate (the outer boundary of arid climate) tends to encroach on the surrounding climate groups, which, in turn, feeds desert climate (the inner part of arid climate) and causes it to grow. This result indicates the importance of accurate prediction for climate regimes that border steppe climate. Concomitant with the expansion of drylands, the observed intensity of the Hadley cell is persistently enhanced, particularly during boreal winter, suggesting the validity of a self-induction of deserts through a positive bio-geophysical feedback (also known as Charney’s cycle). In comparison, the simulated Hadley circulation in the MME mean remains invariant in time. The current climate models, therefore, disagree with the observation in the long-term linkage between desertification and Hadley cell. Finally, the implication of such discrepancy is discussed as a possible guidance to improve models.     

The Gulf Stream pathway and the impacts of the eddy-driven abyssal circulation and the Deep Western Boundary Current

A hydrodynamic model of the subtropical Atlantic basin and the Intra-Americas Sea (9–47°N) is used to investigate the dynamics of Gulf Stream separation from the western boundary at Cape Hatteras and its mean pathway to the Grand Banks. The model has five isopycnal Lagrangian layers in the vertical and allows realistic boundary geometry, bathymetry, wind forcing, and a meridional overturning circulation (MOC), the latter specified via ports in the northern and southern boundaries. The northward upper ocean branch of the MOC (14 Sv) was always included but the southward Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) was excluded in some simulations, allowing investigation of the impacts of the DWBC and the eddy-driven mean abyssal circulation on Gulf Stream separation from the western boundary. The result is resolution dependent with the DWBC playing a crucial role in Gulf Stream separation at 1/16° resolution but with the eddy-driven abyssal circulation alone sufficient to obtain accurate separation at 1/32° resolution and a realistic pathway from Cape Hatteras to the Grand Banks with minimal DWBC impact except southeast of the Grand Banks. The separation from the western boundary is particularly sensitive to the strength of the eddy-driven abyssal circulation. Farther to the east, between 68°W and the Grand Banks, all of the 1/16° and 1/32° simulations with realistic topography (with or without a DWBC) gave similar generally realistic mean pathways with clear impacts of the topographically constrained eddy-driven abyssal circulation versus very unrealistic Gulf Stream pathways between Cape Hatteras and the Grand Banks from otherwise identical simulations run with a flat bottom, in reduced-gravity mode, or with 1/8° resolution and realistic topography. The model is realistic enough to allow detailed model-data comparisons and a detailed investigation of Gulf Stream dynamics. The corresponding linear solution with a Sverdrup interior and Munk viscous western boundary layers, including one from the northward branch of the MOC, yielded two unrealistic Gulf Stream pathways, a broad eastward pathway centered at the latitude of Cape Hatteras and a second wind plus MOC-driven pathway hugging the western boundary to the north. Thus, a high resolution model capable of simulating an inertial jet is required to obtain a single nonlinear Gulf Stream pathway as it separates from the coast. None of the simulations were sufficiently inertial to overcome the linear solution need for a boundary current north of Cape Hatteras without assistance from pathway advection by the abyssal circulation, even though the core speeds of the simulated currents were consistent with observations near separation. In the 1/16° simulation with no DWBC and a 1/32° simulation with high bottom friction and no DWBC the model Gulf Stream overshot the observed separation latitude. With abyssal current assistance the simulated (and the observed) mean Gulf Stream pathway between separation from the western boundary and 70°W agreed closely with a constant absolute vorticity (CAV) trajectory influenced by the angle of the coastline prior to separation. The key abyssal current crosses under the Gulf Stream at 68.5–69°W and advects the Gulf Stream pathway southward to the terminus of an escarpment in the continental slope. There the abyssal current crosses to deeper depths to conserve potential vorticity while passing under the downward-sloping thermocline of the stream and then immediately retroflects eastward onto the abyssal plain, preventing further southward pathway advection. Thus specific topographic features and feedback from the impact of the Gulf Stream on the abyssal current pathway determined the latitude of the stream at 68.5–69°W, a latitude verified by observations. The associated abyssal current was also verified by observations.     

Changes in the Walker and Hadley circulations associated with the Southern Annular Mode

Extratropical impacts on tropical climates are one of the most exciting areas of meteorological investigation in recent times. The present study elucidates the seasonal impact of the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) on predominant tropical circulations such as Hadley and Walker. The velocity potential at 200 hPa is used to understand the spatio-temporal variability in tropical circulations in the boreal summer and winter seasons. The results show an intensification of seasonal velocity potential in the composite of the low phase of the SAM. The seasonal climatological values of velocity potential observed for the period from 1979 to 2012 are of lesser magnitudes than earlier findings. The convergence/divergence locations of tropical circulation have shifted from their mean positions in the alternative phase of the SAM. The low-level convergence in the southern hemispheric Hadley circulation (HC) is enhanced in the composite of the positive phase of the SAM; however, the SAM’s effect on the HC is no stronger in the summer. Another interesting feature noted in the present study is the weakening of the Walker circulation associated with the positive phase of the SAM, which can influence the basic state of the tropical Pacific Ocean. The SAM’s interannual variability exhibits a significant positive trend in winter. The study reveals that the positive phase of the SAM could be a possible explanation for the recent changes in the tropical circulation patterns; however, the variability in tropical circulation anomalies associated with the SAM should be noted on seasonal and monthly scales to understand the dynamical mechanism behind the relationship. The impact of the SAM on tropical circulation may continue in future decades, as this southern extratropical vacillation is predicted to remain in a positive phase due to the increase in greenhouse gases and the variability in ozone.     

江西持续性强降雨的气候特征及其大尺度环流背景

利用常规气象站每6 h一次的降水资料和National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Final operational analysis (FNL)资料,运用局地经向环流诊断方程对2010年6月17—20日江西的罕见持续性暴雨的两阶段降雨过程作了定量诊断分析,结果表明：潜热加热是造成两阶段暴雨最为重要的原因,且在第二阶段激发的上升运动明显强于第一阶段;经向温度平流、经向西风动量平流和边界条件对两阶段暴雨过程都有一定的正贡献;平均温度垂直输送和纬向西风动量平流在第一阶段为负贡献,在第二阶段转为正贡献。结合对应天气形势分析发现：500 hPa青藏高原东南侧浅槽的生成、东移、加深,与减弱东南移的切断低涡合并形成东北西南走向的深厚低压槽（暴雨区位于槽前）是第二阶段潜热加热激发的上升运动较第一阶段强的主要原因;高空西风急流出口区（入口）反气旋切变侧的辐合下沉（辐散抽吸）是平均西风动量纬向平流在第一（二）阶段中为（负）正贡献的主要原因;平均温度由低层向高层（高层向低层）输送是造成平均温度垂直输送在第一（二）阶段中为负（正）贡献的主要原因;中低层暖平流激发的上升运动是平均温度平流在两阶段降雨过程中起正贡献的主要原因。

     

气候系统模式对Hadley环流的模拟和未来变化预估

针对全球变暖背景下未来Hadley环流将如何变化这一问题,评估了气候系统模式对1970~1999年Hadley环流时空特征的模拟效能,并在此基础上选取能合理模拟Hadley环流空间结构、强度指数和边界指数变化的3个模式,通过多模式集合方法预估了未来Hadley环流在A1B排放情景下的可能演变。预估结果表明,在全球变暖背景下,相比于1970~1999年,到本世纪末期(2070~2099年),北半球Hadley环流在4个季节都将减弱,春季变化幅度相对较弱;南半球Hadley环流在冬季和夏季也会减弱,而在春季和秋季的变化不明显。另外,北半球Hadley环流的北边界除在夏季向南收缩外,在其它3个季节均向北伸展;南半球Hadley环流的南边界在4个季节均向极地方向移动。两个半球的Hadley环流在垂直方向还将向对流层上层伸展。       

On the horizontal density ratio in the upper ocean

The horizontal density ratio in the upper ocean is examined using SeaSoar data collected over the last 15 years in the Pacific, Atlantic, and Indian Oceans. The horizontal density ratio R is defined to be the ratio of the relative effect of temperature and salinity on density. A front with a horizontal density ratio of 1 is said to be compensated since temperature and salinity gradients compensate in their effect on density. The statistics of density ratio are examined through calculation of conditional probability density functions. Case studies from each of the oceans elucidate processes affecting the density ratio. Global distributions of density ratio are calculated as functions of mixed-layer depth, distance below the mixed layer, and magnitude of thermohaline variability. Compensation is found in all oceans, on 3–4 km horizontal scales, when the mixed layer is deep and significant thermohaline variability exists. The tendency for compensation is stronger as mixed-layer depth increases. Conversely, compensation is not typical in shallow mixed layers, or when thermohaline variability is weak. The thermocline density ratio is found to be 2, in agreement with previous observational studies, and consistent with the process of salt fingering. The transition from R=1 in the mixed layer to R=2 in the thermocline is sharp when the mixed layer is deep. The ubiquity of compensation in the mixed layer is consistent with recent theory that suggests horizontal eddy diffusivity is a growing function of density gradient.     

The Gulf Stream pathway and the impacts of the eddy-driven abyssal circulation and the Deep Western Boundary Current

A hydrodynamic model of the subtropical Atlantic basin and the Intra-Americas Sea (9–47°N) is used to investigate the dynamics of Gulf Stream separation from the western boundary at Cape Hatteras and its mean pathway to the Grand Banks. The model has five isopycnal Lagrangian layers in the vertical and allows realistic boundary geometry, bathymetry, wind forcing, and a meridional overturning circulation (MOC), the latter specified via ports in the northern and southern boundaries. The northward upper ocean branch of the MOC (14 Sv) was always included but the southward Deep Western Boundary Current (DWBC) was excluded in some simulations, allowing investigation of the impacts of the DWBC and the eddy-driven mean abyssal circulation on Gulf Stream separation from the western boundary. The result is resolution dependent with the DWBC playing a crucial role in Gulf Stream separation at 1/16° resolution but with the eddy-driven abyssal circulation alone sufficient to obtain accurate separation at 1/32° resolution and a realistic pathway from Cape Hatteras to the Grand Banks with minimal DWBC impact except southeast of the Grand Banks. The separation from the western boundary is particularly sensitive to the strength of the eddy-driven abyssal circulation. Farther to the east, between 68°W and the Grand Banks, all of the 1/16° and 1/32° simulations with realistic topography (with or without a DWBC) gave similar generally realistic mean pathways with clear impacts of the topographically constrained eddy-driven abyssal circulation versus very unrealistic Gulf Stream pathways between Cape Hatteras and the Grand Banks from otherwise identical simulations run with a flat bottom, in reduced-gravity mode, or with 1/8° resolution and realistic topography. The model is realistic enough to allow detailed model-data comparisons and a detailed investigation of Gulf Stream dynamics. The corresponding linear solution with a Sverdrup interior and Munk viscous western boundary layers, including one from the northward branch of the MOC, yielded two unrealistic Gulf Stream pathways, a broad eastward pathway centered at the latitude of Cape Hatteras and a second wind plus MOC-driven pathway hugging the western boundary to the north. Thus, a high resolution model capable of simulating an inertial jet is required to obtain a single nonlinear Gulf Stream pathway as it separates from the coast. None of the simulations were sufficiently inertial to overcome the linear solution need for a boundary current north of Cape Hatteras without assistance from pathway advection by the abyssal circulation, even though the core speeds of the simulated currents were consistent with observations near separation. In the 1/16° simulation with no DWBC and a 1/32° simulation with high bottom friction and no DWBC the model Gulf Stream overshot the observed separation latitude. With abyssal current assistance the simulated (and the observed) mean Gulf Stream pathway between separation from the western boundary and ∼70°W agreed closely with a constant absolute vorticity (CAV) trajectory influenced by the angle of the coastline prior to separation. The key abyssal current crosses under the Gulf Stream at 68.5–69°W and advects the Gulf Stream pathway southward to the terminus of an escarpment in the continental slope. There the abyssal current crosses to deeper depths to conserve potential vorticity while passing under the downward-sloping thermocline of the stream and then immediately retroflects eastward onto the abyssal plain, preventing further southward pathway advection. Thus specific topographic features and feedback from the impact of the Gulf Stream on the abyssal current pathway determined the latitude of the stream at 68.5–69°W, a latitude verified by observations. The associated abyssal current was also verified by observations.     

Asymmetric Variations in the Tropical Ascending Branches of Hadley Circulations and the Associated Mechanisms and Effects

This study investigates the variations in the tropical ascending branches(TABs) of Hadley circulations(HCs) during past decades, using a variety of reanalysis datasets. The northern tropical ascending branch(NTAB) and the southern tropical ascending branch(STAB), which are defined as the ascending branches of the Northern Hemisphere HC and Southern Hemisphere HC, respectively, are identified and analyzed regarding their trends and variability. The reanalysis datasets consistently show a persistent increase in STAB during past decades, whereas they show less consistency in NTAB regarding its decadalto multidecadal variability, which generally features a decreasing trend. These asymmetric trends in STAB and NTAB are attributed to asymmetric trends in the tropical SSTs. The relationship between STAB/NTAB and tropical SSTs is further examined regarding their interannual and decadal-to multidecadal variability. On the interannual time scale, the STAB and NTAB are essentially modulated by the eastern-Pacific type of ENSO, with a strengthened(weakened) STAB(NTAB) under an El Ni ?no condition. On the decadal-to multidecadal time scale, the variability of STAB and NTAB is closely related to the southern tropical SSTs and the meridional asymmetry of global tropical SSTs, respectively. The tropical eastern Pacific SSTs(southern tropical SSTs) dominate the tropical SST–NTAB/STAB relationship on the interannual(decadal-to multidecadal)scale, whereas the NTAB is a passive factor in this relationship. Moreover, a cross-hemispheric relationship between the NTAB/STAB and the HC upper-level meridional winds is revealed.