夏季欧亚中高纬持续流型的季节内气候特征

利用合成、EOF分析、数值模拟等方法, 研究了夏季欧亚中高纬两类典型持续流型: E型 (主要特点是乌拉尔山、贝加尔湖、鄂霍次克海地区分别为长波脊、槽、脊) 和C型 (槽脊位置与E型相反) 的季节内气候特征, 得到以下主要结论: (1) 流型指数实际分布频数与正态分布理论概率的差值呈现双峰特征, E、C型异常环流实际发生频数较理论值偏多; (2) 气候平均的夏季欧亚环流型呈现明显的季内阶段性演变特征, 经历着与西太平洋副高北跳、我国夏季雨带北移类似的阶段性变化, 数值模拟再现了这种特征; (3) E、C型过程期间不仅欧亚中高纬区环流有明显差异, 在北半球的其他地区也有明显差异。E、C型持续流型的出现和变化,与东亚太平洋 (EAP) 型的正负位相、南亚高压的两种模态以及西太平洋副高都有明显的相关性, 是了解欧亚不同纬度带系统相互作用及其成因的一个新的着眼点。     

Duplex equilibria of Ural circulation anomalies

Atmospheric circulation anomalies over the Ural Mountains are crucial indicators of the anomalous downstream weather and climate over East Asia. Here, we provide a new perspective on the mechanism of Ural circulation anomalies. We use a simple theoretical model to determine that the relationship between the solar forcing and three Ural circulation patterns, namely, neutral type, trough anomaly and ridge anomaly, is a nonlinear relationship following the supercritical pitchfork bifurcation theory. The theory predicts that when the total solar irradiance (TSI) is below a critical value, trough and ridge anomalies represent duplex equilibria and are equally likely to occur at the same TSI. Based on 180 winter months record, we have estimated the bidimensional probability density of TSI and the monthly mean geopotential height at 500 hPa or zonal wind at 850 hPa over the Ural Mountains. Results show that Sc = 1360.9 W m−2 is a critical value of TSI, the neutral type pattern is the single circulation regime when TSI > Sc, whereas trough and ridge anomaly patterns are duplex circulation regimes when TSI < Sc. Besides, when TSI < Sc, during the same TSI range, trough and ridge anomaly events occur at nearly the same frequencies. These results generally agree with the theoretical model. We demonstrate that trough and ridge anomalies, as duplex equilibria, result from the large-scale zonal flow interacting with the Ural Mountains. Low TSI tends to strengthen the large-scale zonal flow over the Ural Mountains, hence inducing either a trough anomaly or ridge anomaly.     

An analysis of the spatial pattern of summer persistent moderate-to-heavy rainfall regime in Guizhou Province of Southwest China and the control factors

In this study, we investigated spatial and temporal variation patterns of persistent moderate-to-heavy rainfall events in Guizhou Province of southwest China during 1951–2004. We first performed conventional frequency analysis using the annual maximum daily series at 36 weather stations fit to log-normal distribution curves. Then, we examined the frequencies of moderate-to-heavy rainfall events (>?=?20 mm/day) and persistent rainfall events (10–day running sum >?=?100 mm) during the summer season (June through August). Using principal component analysis, we identified various spatial patterns of the rainfall regime and macroscale atmospheric conditions that influence these patterns. It was found that a minor mode of variation in the 500 hPa geopotential height anomaly field over East Asia (the third principal component) had a very good relationship to the dominant regional precipitation regime (Spearman’s correlation coefficient?=?–0.623). This mode of circulation represents the N–S variation of the upper-air pressure gradients over East Asia. During its positive phase, the pressure gradient south of 40°N is reduced and accompanied by a ridge over the East China coast, while the pressure gradient north of this latitude is enhanced. Correspondingly, the study region experiences fewer persistent moderate-to-heavy rainfall events. In its negative phase, the pattern in the 500 hPa geopotential height anomaly field is reversed and the study region experiences more persistent moderate-to-heavy rainfall events. This circulation mode is related to both East Asian and Indian summer monsoons. It is also associated with the northward intrusion of the West Pacific subtropical high, the size of the circumpolar vortex over the Pacific, and the impact of the Tibetan Plateau.     

川西高原持续性暴雨特征和水汽输送

利用常规资料、NCEP FNL分析资料和HYSPLIT模式,对2008—2017年川西高原持续性暴雨过程的时空分布、环流分型、水汽源地和输送路径进行分析。结果表明:①2008—2017年川西高原单站持续性暴雨的总频次为337次,在21次区域持续性暴雨中,位于高原与盆地过渡区的泸定、康定、汶川出现持续性暴雨次数最多;②7月发生频率最高,持续时间多为3～4天;③将影响川西高原暴雨的环流分型为两槽一脊型、一脊一槽型、西风槽型和偏西气流型,其中孟加拉湾气旋影响有16例,6—7月个例都有孟加拉湾气旋的存在;④川西高原上空气团主要通过4条路径进入,源自北大西洋、地中海和伊朗中北部的西北路径占比29%,源自里海到咸海之间地区的东北路径占比17%,源自热带印度洋洋面的西南和东南路径各占比43%和11%,偏北路径的空气质点起始高度比偏南路径的高,相应的温度和水汽含量也偏低;⑤将水汽输送分为"S"型、偏西气流型和偏南气流型3个类型。     

High and low latitude types of the downstream influences of the North Atlantic Oscillation

Using reanalysis data, we find that the downstream-propagating quasi-stationary Rossby wave train associated with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) generally propagates along a high (low)-latitude pathway during warm (cold) El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) boreal winters. Consistent with the different propagation directions of the NAO-related downstream wave train, during the warm (cold) ENSO winters, the NAO is associated with significant 300 hPa geopotential height anomalies over eastern Siberia (the Arabian Sea, the east coast of Asia at around 40°N, and the North Pacific), and the near-surface air temperature perturbations associated with the NAO over the high latitudes of Asia are relatively strong (weak). Based on these differences, we argue that the NAO has two distinct types of downstream influence: a high-latitude type and a low-latitude type. Furthermore, we argue that the two types of NAO’s downstream influence are modulated by the intensity of the subtropical potential vorticity (PV) meridional gradient over Africa. When this gradient is weak (strong), as in the warm (cold) ENSO winters, the NAO’s downstream influence tends to be of the high (low)-latitude type. These results are further supported by analysis of intraseasonal NAO events. We separate NAO events into two categories in terms of the intensity of the subtropical PV gradient over Africa. Composites of the NAO events accompanied by a weak (strong) subtropical PV gradient show that the NAO-related downstream wave train tends to propagate along a high (low)-latitude pathway.     

‘Splendid rains have fallen’: links between El Niño and rainfall variability in the Kalahari, 1840–1900

This study uses a range of published and unpublished historical documentary sources to explore the nature of rainfall variability in the Kalahari Desert and adjacent hardveld regions of central southern Africa during the seventeen Pacific El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) episodes that occurred between 1840 and 1900. Documentary data are used in two ways. First, maps of relative annual rainfall levels are presented for each of the 12 single-year and five protracted ENSO episodes during the period, in order to identify the associated inter-annual rainfall variations. These suggest that the relationship between ENSO episodes and rainfall variability identified for the twentieth century, whereby warm events are frequently preceded by wetter conditions during the austral summer prior to the event year and succeeded by drought in the following summer, has broadly held for much of the last 160 years. This is despite the long-term fluctuations in precipitation and temperature which are known to have occurred over this period. Droughts are identified following at least thirteen of the 17 single-year and protracted ENSO episodes. Pre-ENSO wetter periods are less common, with only nine of the ENSO episodes preceded by above-normal rainfall. Second, the documentary data are analyzed in detail in order to reveal any evidence for high resolution intra-annual variations in the seasonal distribution of rainfall during ENSO events. Seasonal sequences of rainfall/drought appear to have closely followed contemporary patterns, with heavy rainfall commonly occurring late in the pre-ENSO year or early in the ENSO year(s), and drought at the start of the post-ENSO year. This relationship can be seen to hold most strongly for single-year ENSO warm events and for the first year of protracted events, but rainfall conditions were more variable during the later years of protracted events.     

Wave-Breaking Features of Blocking over Central Siberia and Its Impacts on the Precipitation Trend over Southeastern Lake Baikal

Precipitation over southeastern Lake Baikal features a significant decreasing trend in July and August over 1979–2018 and is closely related to blocking occurrence over central Siberia(45°–70°N,75°–115°E).This study investigates the formation and maintenance of anticyclonic and cyclonic wave-breaking(AWB and CWB)blocking events and their climate impacts on precipitation in the southeastern Lake Baikal area.Both AWB and CWB blocking events are characterized by a cold trough deepening from the sub-Arctic region and a ridge amplifying toward its north over central Siberia,as well as an evident Rossby wave train over midlatitude Eurasia.For AWB blocking events,the ridge and trough pair tilts clockwise and the wave train exhibits a zonal distribution.In contrast,ridge and trough pair associated with CWB blocking events leans anticlockwise with larger-scale,meridional,and more anisotropic signatures.Moreover,the incoming Rossby wave energy associated with CWB blocking events is more evident than for AWB blocking events.Therefore,CWB blocking events are more persistent.AWB blocking events produce more extensive and persistent precipitation over the southeastern Lake Baikal area than CWB blocking events,in which moderate above-normal rainfall is seen in the decaying periods of blockings.A significant decreasing trend is found in terms of AWB blocking occurrence over central Siberia,which may contribute to the downward trend of precipitation over southeastern Lake Baikal.     

Intensity of the Trough over the Bay of Bengal and Its Impact on the Southern China Precipitation in Winter

In this study, the intensity of the trough over the Bay of Bengal (BBT) and its association with the southern China precipitation, the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) and the Rossby wave propagation along the African-Asian subtropical Jet stream (AASJ) are investigated on the intraseasonal time scale. The results show that the intensity of the BBT affects the southern China precipitation more directly and to a greater degree than the MJO. The peak amplitude of the BBT tended to occur in phase-3 of the MJO. The strong BBT was substantially modulated by the Rossby wave propagation along the AASJ, which was triggered by the anomalous upstream circulation similar to the pattern of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). Therefore, from the perspective of medium- and extended-range weather forecasts, the NAO- like pattern may be regarded as a precursory signal for the strong BBT and thus the southern China precipitation.     

再论夏季西太平洋副热带高压的西伸北跳

利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料, 选择了1998年、2003年和2005年夏季我国东部雨带位置变化过程进行诊断分析。研究表明:夏季我国东部暴雨带位置的变动, 受西太平洋副热带高压西伸北跳 (南撤东退) 的调节。当副热带高压西伸北跳 (南撤东退) 时, 暴雨带向北 (向南) 移动。在副热带高压西伸北跳持续时期, 长江流域中下游地区出现高温酷暑天气。副热带高压西伸北跳是由于欧亚大陆上空存在静止Rossby波列, 波的能量沿着高空副热带急流向东传播到我国沿海海岸 (115°~130°E) 时, 在该地区激发出一个长波脊。这个长波脊的建立, 使得副热带高压和对流层上部的青藏高压都朝长波脊方向伸展, 表现为“相向”而行。而当在沿海海岸上空激发出一个长波槽时, 副热带高压南撤东退而青藏高压退回到高原上空。当夏季沿海海岸上空的长波脊持续维持时, 长江中下游会出现持久的高温酷暑天气。根据夏季天气预报的经验, 欧洲中期数值预报中心发布的预报对副热带高压的西伸北跳有较好的可预报性。     

Variations of winter precipitation over southeastern China in association with the North Atlantic Oscillation

The synoptic-scale winter precipitation variations over southeastern China (22°–32°N, 105°–125°E) and their association with the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) during 1951–2007 are investigated in this paper. The variability of wintertime precipitation is characterized by meridional displacement of its maximum center. Two precipitation regimes, with maximum centers located over the Yangtze and Pearl River basins, are identified via cluster analysis. Time-lagged analyses suggest that the two precipitation regimes are connected with the decaying phases of positive NAO (NAO+) events of different amplitudes. A strong (medium) NAO+ event is defined as one when the maximum amplitude of the NAO index exceeds 1.0 (in the range of 0.7–1.0) for at least 4 consecutive days and drops to less than 0.3 within 7 days following the peak index. After the peak of a strong NAO+, southerly winds expand northward to the Yangtze River (about 30°N), a northeast–southwest-tilted trough migrates to east of Lake Baikal, and cold air intrudes into central eastern China; thus, precipitation is strengthened over the Yangtze River basin where warm and cold air masses converge. In comparison, during the decaying phase of medium NAO+ events, the southerly winds are relatively weak, and precipitation tends to be enhanced at lower latitudes (around 25°N). Further analysis indicates that downstream Rossby-wave propagation may account for the latitudinal expansion of the southerly wind anomalies over the eastern coastal area of China during the decaying phase of NAO+ events of different strengths.     

High temperature extremes in the Czech Republic 1961–2010 and their synoptic variants

Our research focuses on the analysis of extreme high maximum air temperature events (EXHTEs) in the Czech Republic in the period 1961–2010, their climatological characteristics, and on the identification of synoptic-scale circulation conditions conductive to them. EXHTEs are detected using the Weather Extremity Index (WEI) combining return periods of daily maximum air temperature, duration of events, and the extent of the affected area. We selected 37 EXHTEs as non-overlapping periods with the highest WEI. Some long EXHTEs were divided into several shorter synoptically homogeneous episodes. Using the two-level divisive clustering of 700 hPa air temperature and wind field anomalies, we obtained four main variants of synoptic-scale circulation conditions. The most frequent variant associated with extreme episodes is characterized by a westerly flow connected with a high pressure ridge extending northeastward from North Africa over Central Europe or with an anticyclone centered over the Central Mediterranean. The most extreme episodes occurred during the variant characterized by an easterly flow between a high pressure area to the northeast and a low pressure area to the southeast.     

DIAGNOSIS OF SUMMERTIME FLOODS/DROUGHTS AND THEIR ATMOSPHERIC CIRCULATION ANOMALIES OVER NORTH CHINA*

Proposed are a set of new regional flood/drought indices and a scheme of grading their severity whereby 1951-2000 summer wet/dry events are investigated for North China (NC) in terms of 160 station monthly precipitation data from NCC (China National Center of Climate).Results suggest that 7 heavy droughts during 1951-2000 are 1965,1968,1972,1980,1983,1997 and 1999,while 6 heavy floods are 1954,1956,1959,1964,1973 and 1996. Based on 1951-2000 summer flood/drought severity graded by the new scheme,atmospheric circulation characteristics associated with the disasters over the NC are addressed in terms of monthly NCEP (National Centers for Environmental Prediction) reanalysis of geopotential heights,winds,surface temperature and PW (precipitable water).Evidences suggest that prominent anomalies benefiting to the heavy droughts occur over the Northern Hemisphere.The variations over middle-high latitudes especially the negative ones on Ural Mountain to western Siberia deepen the normal trough there and are indicative of stronger than normal cold air activity. At middle latitudes,remarkable positive anomalies present on the south to Baikal lead to the fact that the normal ridge shifts eastward over NC concomitant with anomaly sinking motion in the whole troposphere,which is helpful for the maintenance of the continent high.And the opposed ones over Korea and Japan force the trough moving eastward running against northwestward shifting of the western Pacific subtropical high.In addition,the anomaly west-east pressure gradient at middle latitudes profits northerly flow there.The southerly monsoon flow at low levels is weaker than normal with weak East Asian summer monsoon,and the related water vapor transportation is also weak with deficit PW over NC.Besides,sea surface temperature (SST) rises in the equatorial eastern and central Pacific and associated convective region moves to the east accordingly companied with weak Walker circulation in the droughts.And the opposed situations will occur during the floods.     

热带大西洋海温异常季节内演变对中国江南地区夏季持续性高温事件影响的初步研究

中国江南地区是高温热浪灾害的高影响区.以往的一些研究发现了不同海域海温异常在年际或年代际尺度上的变化对中国南方夏季平均温度异常的影响效应.但是,关于这些关键海域海温季节内尺度变化对江南地区高温事件发生和维持影响的研究尚不多见.为此,本文利用中国站点观测、美国气象环境预报中心和美国国家大气研究中心(NCEP/NCAR)再...     

Interannual Variations of the Blocking High over the Ural Mountains and Its Association with the AO/NAO in Boreal Winter

This paper analyzes interannual variations of the blocking high over the Ural Mountains in the boreal winter and their association with the Arctic Oscillation/North Atlantic Oscillation (AO/NAO).In Jan...     

An Observed Connection Between Wintertime Temperature Anomalies over Northwest China and Weather Regime Transitions in North Atlantic

In this study, the association between wintertime temperature anomalies over Northwest China and the weather regime transitions in North Atlantic on synoptic scale is analyzed by using observational surface air temperature(SAT) data and atmospheric reanalysis data. Daily SAT anomaly and duration time are used in order to define SAT anomaly cases. Differences with regard to the circulation anomalies over the Ural Mountains and the upstream North Atlantic area are evident. It is found that the colder than normal SAT is caused by the enhanced Ural high and associated southward flow over Northwest China. Time-lagged composites reveal possible connections between the SAT anomalies and the different development phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO). The Ural highs tend to be strengthened during the negative phase of NAO(NAO–) to Atlantic ridge transition, which are closely related to the downstream-propagating Rossby wave activity. The opposite circulation patterns are observed in the warm SAT cases. A cyclonic circulation anomaly is distinctly enhanced over the Urals during the positive phase of NAO(NAO+) to Scandinavian blocking transition, which would cause warmer SAT over Northwest China. Further analyses suggest that the intensified zonal wind over North Atlantic would favor the NAO– to Atlantic ridge transition, while the weakened zonal wind may be responsible for the transition between NAO+ and Scandinavian blocking.     

Role of natural external forcing factors in modulating the Indian summer monsoon rainfall,the winter North Atlantic Oscillation and their relationship on inter-decadal timescale

We use reconstructed data and multi-centennial integrations performed with the Bergen Climate Model Version 2 to investigate the impact of natural external forcing factors on the Indian summer monsoon (ISM) rainfall, the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the potential relationship between the ISM rainfall and the winter NAO on decadal to inter-decadal timescales. The model simulations include a 600-year control integration (CTL600) and a 600-year integration with time-varied natural external forcing factors from 1400 to 1999 (EXT600). Both reconstructed data and the simulation showed increased ISM rainfall 2–3 years after strong volcanic eruptions. Strong volcanic eruptions decrease the Indian Ocean sea surface temperature (SST), which increases the strength of the southwesterly winds over the Arabian Sea. With negative externally-forced radiative anomaly, the lower stratospheric pole-to-equator winter temperature gradient is enhanced, leading to a positive winter NAO anomaly with a time lag of 1 year. There is no significant correlation between the winter NAO and ISM rainfall in CTL600. However, the ISM rainfall is significantly positively correlated with the winter NAO in EXT600, with the NAO leading by 2–4 years, which is consistent with the NAO–ISM rainfall relationship in the reconstructed data. We suggest that natural external forcing factors regulate the inter-decadal variability of both the winter NAO and the ISM rainfall and thus likely lead to an increased statistical but not causal relationship between them on the inter-decadal timescale over the past centuries.     

The impact of the MJO on clusters of wintertime circulation anomalies over the North American region

Recent studies have shown that the Madden–Julian Oscillation (MJO) impacts the leading modes of intraseasonal variability in the northern hemisphere extratropics, providing a possible source of predictive skill over North America at intraseasonal timescales. We find that a k-means cluster analysis of mid-level geopotential height anomalies over the North American region identifies several wintertime cluster patterns whose probabilities are strongly modulated during and after MJO events, particularly during certain phases of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). We use a simple new optimization method for determining the number of clusters, k, and show that it results in a set of clusters which are robust to changes in the domain or time period examined. Several of the resulting cluster patterns resemble linear combinations of the Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the Pacific/North American (PNA) teleconnection pattern, but show even stronger responses to the MJO and ENSO than clusters based on the AO and PNA alone. A cluster resembling the positive (negative) PNA has elevated probabilities approximately 8–14 days following phase 6 (phase 3) of the MJO, while a negative AO-like cluster has elevated probabilities 10–20 days following phase 7 of the MJO. The observed relationships are relatively well reproduced in the 11-year daily reforecast dataset from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Climate Forecast System version 2 (CFSv2). This study statistically links MJO activity in the tropics to common intraseasonal circulation anomalies over the North American sector, establishing a framework that may be useful for improving extended range forecasts over this region.     

Temperature-precipitation relationship of the Common Era in northern Europe

Due to the lack of knowledge on dynamics of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) prior to the last millennium, synchronized records of air temperature and precipitation variability are needed to understand large-scale drivers of the hydroclimate. Here, we use completely synchronized paleolimnological proxy-based records of air temperature and effective precipitation from two Scandinavian lakes with ～2000-year sediment profiles. We show that the relationship between air temperature and precipitation (T/P ratio) is synchronous in both study sites throughout the records suggesting warm and dry conditions at ～300–1100 CE and cold and wet conditions at ～1200–1900 CE. Owing to the significantly increased air temperatures, the most recent T/P ratio has again turned positive. During the first millennium of the Common Era, the T/P mimics patterns in Southern Oscillation index, whereas the second millennium shows response to the NAO index but is also concurrent with solar irradiance shifts. Since our T/P reconstruction is mostly linked with the NAO, we propose the T/P ratio as an indicator of the NAO. Our results from the coherent records provide first-time knowledge on the long-term temperature-precipitation relationship in Northern Europe that increase understanding of the comprehensive hydroclimate system in the region and the NAO dynamics also further back in time.     

1971-2011年辽宁寒潮时空分布特征

利用1971-2011年辽宁省58个常规观测站日最低气温资料,分析辽宁寒潮时空分布特征。结果表明：1971-2011年辽宁寒潮年平均频次空间分布存在两个大值中心,一个位于辽宁东北部地区,另一个位于辽西建平地区;11月大范围强寒潮出现最多。近41 a辽宁区域性寒潮在20世纪70年代出现最多,呈不显著的下降趋势;寒潮在10月中旬至翌年5月上旬均可出现,12月上旬至翌年2月下旬是寒潮集中出现时段,出现最多的是1月;区域性寒潮出现次数存在20、13、8a和4a的变化周期。影响辽宁区域性寒潮的主要天气形势有小槽发展型、横槽型和低槽东移型。寒潮物理量预报指标主要有：寒潮前至少有一日升温过程;500 hPa冷中心温度≤-40 ℃;地面冷高压主体中心气压为1050 hPa以上,分裂小高压中心气压为1030 hPa以上;500 hPa和850 hPa急流普遍为24 m.s-1和12 m.s-1以上;850 hPa辽宁附近等温线密集程度≥5条/10纬度;风向与等温线夹角基本大于60°。     

Real-time multivariate indices for the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation over the Asian summer monsoon region

The boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO) of the Asian summer monsoon (ASM) is one of the most prominent sources of short-term climate variability in the global monsoon system. Compared with the related Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) it is more complex in nature, with prominent northward propagation and variability extending much further from the equator. In order to facilitate detection, monitoring and prediction of the BSISO we suggest two real-time indices: BSISO1 and BSISO2, based on multivariate empirical orthogonal function (MV-EOF) analysis of daily anomalies of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and zonal wind at 850 hPa (U850) in the region 10°S–40°N, 40°–160°E, for the extended boreal summer (May–October) season over the 30-year period 1981–2010. BSISO1 is defined by the first two principal components (PCs) of the MV-EOF analysis, which together represent the canonical northward propagating variability that often occurs in conjunction with the eastward MJO with quasi-oscillating periods of 30–60 days. BSISO2 is defined by the third and fourth PCs, which together mainly capture the northward/northwestward propagating variability with periods of 10–30 days during primarily the pre-monsoon and monsoon-onset season. The BSISO1 circulation cells are more Rossby wave like with a northwest to southeast slope, whereas the circulation associated with BSISO2 is more elongated and front-like with a southwest to northeast slope. BSISO2 is shown to modulate the timing of the onset of Indian and South China Sea monsoons. Together, the two BSISO indices are capable of describing a large fraction of the total intraseasonal variability in the ASM region, and better represent the northward and northwestward propagation than the real-time multivariate MJO (RMM) index of Wheeler and Hendon.