Propagation of the sea-surface temperature anomalies in the Tropical Atlantic

Summary The evolving modes of the sea-surface temperature (SST) in the Tropical Atlantic on the short interannual (IA) timescale were obtained by performing the extended empirical orthogonal function (EEOF) analyses on this variable separately for the 106-year (1871–1976) and 20-year (1881–1900; 1901–1920; 1921–1940; 1941–1960) periods. The equatorial and inter-hemispheric patterns manifest in the first EEOF mode of each analysis as part of the short IA evolution of the SST anomalies in the Tropical Atlantic. Another outstanding feature of the first EEOF mode of each analysis concerns the propagations of the SST anomalies in the meridional direction within the 20°N–20°S band and in the zonal direction in the sector 40°W–20°W. For all analyses, the SST anomalies propagate northward from the equator to 15°N and southward from 20°N to 15°N, with the same sign anomalies merging approximately at 15°N. On the other hand, the SST anomalies propagate westward in the sector 40°W–20°W with a propagation rate close to that of the phase speed of the fastest baroclinic Rossby wave in the ocean. So, the observed propagations of the SST anomalies in the 20°N–20°S band might result from the combined effect of the surface oceanic currents in this band and the baroclinic Rossby waves in the ocean.     

Trace gas exchange at the air/water interface: Measurements of mass accommodation coefficients

A liquid jet of 90 m diameter and variable length has been utilized to determine absorption rates and, hence, mass accommodation coefficients , of atmospheric trace gases. The compounds investigated are HCl (0.01), HNO₃ (0.01), N₂O₅ (0.005), peroxyacetyl nitrate (>0.001), and HONO (0.005). It is concluded that the absorption of these trace gases by liquid atmospheric water is not significantly retarded by interfacial mass transport. The strengths and limitations of the liquid jet technique for measuring mass accommodation coefficients are explored.     

Turbulence Reynolds number and the turbulent kinetic energy balance in the atmospheric surface layer

The relation between the turbulence Reynolds numberR and a Reynolds numberz* based on the friction velocity and height from the ground is established using direct measurements of the r.m.s. longitudinal velocity and turbulent energy dissipation in the atmospheric surface layer. Measurements of the relative magnitude of components of the turbulent kinetic energy budget in the stability range 0 >z/L 0.4 indicate that local balance between production and dissipation is maintained. Approximate expressions, in terms of readily measured micrometeorological quantities, are proposed for the Taylor microscale and the Kolmogorov length scale .     

Measurement of atmospheric total ozone by the filter photometric method

The total ozone content in the atmosphere was determined from the multichannel photometer observations of direct solar radiation made in the urban environment at Pune (18° 32 N, 73° 51E, 559 m ASL) and Sinhagad hill station (18° 22N, 73° 45E, 1305 m ASL) during March 1980-February 1982. The total ozone content of the atmosphere was computed making use of the differential absorption of solar radiation due to ozone at 0.4 and 0.6 m wavelengths in the Chappuis band. The values of the ozone data obtained from the photometer observations at Pune and Sinhagad were compared with the corresponding ozone data obtained from the Dobson spectrophotometer located at Pune. Values of ozone obtained by the photometric method were found to be smaller by 8–18% than the Dobson values when Vigroux's absorption coefficients were used. Similarly, when the absorption coefficients of Inn and Tanaka (1953) were used, the ozone values obtained by the photometric method were smaller by 4–14% than the Dobson values. The ozone values at the hill station obtained from the photometric method were in better agreement (5%) with the Dobson values.     

The Effect of Atmospheric Stability on the Surface-Layer Characteristics in a Low-Wind Area of Tropical West Africa

This study details the observed effects ofatmospheric stability on characteristics of thesurface layer in a low wind speed (U = 1.5 m s-1)regime of tropical West Africa. Theaerodynamic roughness length, z0, anddisplacement height, d, obtained from profilewind-speed data at our bush land site (height 2 m)have values of 0.24 ± 0.10 m and 1.54 ± 0.04 mrespectively. In the unstable range (-2.5 < Ri < -0.1; Riis gradient Richardson number), thestandard deviation in wind speed fluctuations, u, increased from 0.57 ± 0.19 m s-1 toa maximum of 0.7 ± 0.2 m s-1 in near-neutralconditions, and in the stable range, the parameterdecreased rapidly to 0.41 ± 0.15 m s-1 at Ri 0.2.In the same stability range, the horizontal winddispersion, , decreased withincreasing stability from 19 ± 8 deg. to 13 ± 5 deg.The surface-layer integral quantity, u/u*, when plottedas a function of stability, is in agreement with theempirical results. The ratio ofsensible heat flux (estimated) to the net radiationranged between 0.1 and 0.2 at nighttime,increasing to about 0.5 during the daytime, and showeda strong dependency on season.     

Diurnal variation of horizontal wind direction fluctuations in complex terrain at Geysers,Cal.

Horizontal diffusion in the surface layer is dependent on the standard deviation of wind direction fluctuations . Diurnal variation of this parameter in complex terrain was studied for the July 1979 Geysers, Cal., experiment using data from a network of 11 short meteorological towers in the 25 km² Anderson Creek watershed Valley side slopes are roughly 20 ° and maximum terrain difference is about 1 km.Values of for wind directions sampled for one hour at a height of 10 m are about 35 ° during the daytime. They slowly decrease to about 20 ° by 8 to 10 p.m. as stability increases but wind speeds are still relatively high. After 10 p.m. the drainage flow sets in at most stations, with speeds of 1 to 2 m s^-1, and average increases to about 30° during the period 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. In general, highest values of at night are associated with lowest values of wind speed and greatest static stability. This enhancement of by the terrain suggests that horizontal diffusion at night always conforms to that expected during nearly neutral stabilities. That is, Pasquill class D diffusion applies to the horizontal component all night in complex terrain.     

Feature-based predictability of 500 hpa height in the Australia-New Zealand region

Summary Feature-based predictability stratifies forecast model errors on the basis of individual weather systems. We examine only one level and chose very simple categories: high, cut-off low, trough and block. European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts data are used. We emphasize systems found near Australia and New Zealand during winter 1987. Calculations for the preceding summer and fall and for other midlatitude regions of the southern hemisphere yield similar results.The approach herein is fully automated and simple to implement. Features are identified in the verification field. Then an error calculation is made on moving grids that are each centered upon and contain one system.The total error is the root mean square difference (RMS) between forecast and verification. The structural error is the RMS difference when the forecast and verification small grids are independently centered upon the corresponding feature in each field. The difference between the structural and total errors, called the locational error, is typically a quarter of the total. Even when normalized by presistence, highs are forecast better than troughs; cut-off lows and troughs have similar errors. The distance between the forecast and observed positions is typically 3° longitude west and 0.5° latitude north of where features should be at 72 hours. The model has a systematic bias of too small amplitude of vorticity. No relation is found between skill and jet stream splitting.With 4 Figures     

A random-walk model for dispersion of heavy particles in turbulent air flow

A random-walk model is presented for calculating the dispersion of heavy particles in a turbulent air flow when only air turbulence statistics and the drag characteristics of the particle are known. Algebraic expressions for the modification of air velocity variance ² and Lagrangian autocorrelation tune-scale T _L,due to particle inertia effects, are derived. These expressions introduce only a very small computational overhead on the random-walk models for inertia-less particles of Wilson et al. (1983). Measurements of T _Land by Snyder and Lumley (1971) for four different particles are used to determine constants in the heavy-particle model. It is shown that the agreement between the model, for a single set of constants, and the dispersion measurements is good for the 47 m hollow glass, 87 m glass, and 47 m copper particles. The predictions for the 87 m corn pollen particles show less satisfactory agreement by underestimating dispersion measurements by 15% after 0.4s. Finally, some aspects of the model's application to spray dispersion in and above a crop canopy are considered.     

The application of a two-dimensional numerical model of the planetary boundary layer to the Nanticoke region on the north shore of Lake Erie

A two-dimensional atmospheric boundary-layer model is applied to the Nanticoke region on the northern shore of Lake Erie (80 ° 03W and 42 ° 50N) to simulate numerically the observed wind and temperature profiles. In general, the profiles predicted by the model agree reasonably well with the observed profiles.     

Measurements of solar radiation and estimation of optical depth in the high Andes of Peru

Summary During an expedition to the high Andes of Southern Peru in June–July 1977, measurements of direct solar radiation in four spectral bands (0.270–0.530–0.630–0.695–2.900 ) were conducted at six sites in elevations ranging from sea level to 5645 m. These measurements were evaluated in Langley plots to determine total optical depths () and irradiances at the top of the atmosphere. In addition, water vapor optical depths (_wv) were calculated from the mean radiosounding over Lima during the expedition, and Rayleigh (_ray) and ozone (_oz) optical depths were obtained from published tabulations. Subtracting _ray, _oz, and _wv from yielded estimates of aerosol optical depth _aer. The components _ray and _oz decrease from the shorter towards the longer wavelength bands and from the lower towards the higher elevation sites; _aer also decreases towards the higher elevations. Particularly pronounced is the decrease of _aer and from the lowlands of the Pacific coast to the highlands of the interior, reflecting the effect of a persistent lower-tropospheric inversion and the contrast from the marine boundary layer to the clear atmosphere of the high Andes.With 4 Figures     

Latitudinal variation of tropospheric temperature lapse rate

Summary The latitudinal variation of tropospheric temperature lapse rate is examined on the basis of recently published data for the northern hemisphere. In January, the lapse rate systematically decreases from 6.4°C/km. for the equator to 3.6°C/km. for 70°N; in July, the lapse rate is nearly constant in respect of latitude between the equator and 50°N, but decreases from the latter poleward. The average January–July lapse rate decreases systematically from 6.3°C/km. for the equator to 4.7°C/km. for 70°N. This variation is closely described by the equation =6.25–2 sin⁴, where is the lapse rate, in °C/km, for latitude . For the north pole, the equation gives a lapse rate of 4.25°C/km.

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Zusammenfassung Die Änderung des vertikalen Gradienten der Troposphärentemperatur mit der geographischen Breite wird auf Grund neuen Zahlenmaterials für die Nordhemisphäre untersucht. Im Januar nimmt der Temperaturgradient allmählich von 6.4°C/km am Äquator bis zu 3.6°C/km in 70°N Breite ab; im Juli ist der Temperaturgradient in den Breiten zwischen dem Äquator und 50°N Breite fast gleich und nimmt von hier aus polwärts ab. Der mittlere Temperaturgradient für Januar–Juli nimmt allmählich von 6.3°C/km am Äquator bis auf 4.7°C/km in 70°N Breite ab. Die Breitenabhängigkeit läßt sich gut durch die Gleichung =6.25–2 sin⁴ darstellen, in der der Temperaturgradient in °C/km in der Breite ist. Für den Nordpol ergibt die Gleichung einen Temperaturgradienten von 4.25°C/km.

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Résumé La variation latitudinale du gradient thermique vertical de la température troposphérique est examinée en se basant sur des données publiées récemment d'une valeur de 6.4°C/km pour l'équateur à 3.6°C/km pour 70°N; en juillet le gradient est presque constant pour les latitudes situées entre l'équateur et 50°N, mais il diminue d'ici vers le pôle. Le gradient moyen janvier/juillet diminue systématiquement de 6.3°C/km pour l'équateur à 4.7°C/km pour 70°N. Cette variation peut être représentée par l'équation =6.25–2 sin⁴ où est le gradient en °C/km pour la latitude . Pour le pôle nord, l'équation donne un gradient de 4.25°C/km.

     

Nitrate in the atmospheric boundary layer of the tropical South Pacific: Implications regarding sources and transport

Weekly bulk aerosol samples collected at Funafuti, Tuvalu (8°30S, 179°12E), American Samoa (14°15S, 170°35W), and Rarotonga (21°15S, 159°45W), from 1983 through most of 1987 have been analyzed for nitrate and other constituents. The mean nitrate concentration is about 0.11 g m^–3 at each of these stations: 0.107±0.011 g m^–3 at Funafuti; 0.116±0.008 at American Samoa; and 0.117±0.010 at Rarotonga. Previous measurements of mineral aerosol and trace metal concentrations at American Samoa are among the lowest ever recorded for the near-surface troposphere and indicate that this region is minimally affected by transport of soil material and pollutants from the continents. Consequently, the nitrate concentration of 0.11 g m^–3 can be regarded as the natural level for the remote marine boundary layer of the tropical South Pacific Ocean. In contrast, over the tropical North Pacific which is significantly impacted by the transport of material from Asia and North America, the mean nitrate concentrations are about three times higher, 0.29 and 0.36 g m^–3 at Midway and Oahu, respectively. The major sources of the nitrate over the tropical South Pacific are still very uncertain. A very significant correlation between the nitrate concentrations at American Samoa and the concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb suggests that transport from continental sources might be important. This continental source could be lightning, which occurs most frequently over the tropical continents. A near-zero correlation with ⁷Be indicates that the stratosphere and upper troposphere are probably not the major sources. A significant biogenic source would be consistent with the higher mean nitrate concentrations, 0.16 to 0.17 g m^–3, found over the equatorial Pacific at Fanning Island (3°55N, 159°20W) and Nauru (0°32S, 166°57E). The lack of correlation between nitrate and nss sulfate at American Samoa does not necessarily preclude an important role for marine biogenic sources.     

The effects of orography on precipitation

In this paper, a model simulating the effects of topography and altitude on precipitation is presented. Topography has its maximum effect on precipitation when the angle which the wind makes with the slope direction approaches zero and the inclination of the slope is near 45°. The smaller the angle , the greater the influence of slope on precipitation. When <45°, the larger the inclination, the greater the influence of slope on precipitation and the less the difference in precipitation between the windward and the leeward slopes. When <45°, the reverse holds. But for in the range of 0°–45° and in the range 30°–60°, differences in precipitation on both the windward and leeward slopes are not so well marked and can be neglected in general. In condition of uniform slope inclination, precipitation on the windward slope increases with altitude at first and then decreases after attaining a height (H _m ) of maximum precipitation; alsoH _m is greater, the drier the air mass. When the terrain on the windward side is stepped in shape, it is possible that more than one height of maximum precipitation will occur.     

Arctic hazes in summer over Greenland and the North American Arctic: II. Nature and concentrations of accumulation-mode and giant particles

Airborne measurements made during August 1985 over Greenland and its environs show that both accumulation-mode (0.1 m D2.0 m) and giant (D2 m) particles were present in relatively high concentrations in arctic haze layers and that the accumulation-mode particles dominated light scattering. Particles with diameters (D) between 1 and 4 m consisted predominately of mixed materials, small and dense inclusions, and probably organic compounds containing sulfur. Many of the particles from 0.1 to 1 m in diameter were also of mixed composition, with sulfuric acid, ammonium sulfate and organics probably the dominant constituents.     

A numerical case study of a cold air outbreak over East Asia during late spring

Summary A case study of a late spring cold air outbreak associated with heavy rainfall and snow storms over East Asia is carried out with a numerical model. This was the most severe case over northern China in 50 years. In the lower troposphere, the evolution of the edge anticyclone and the northerly low-level orographic jet east of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau are well simulated in the ECMWF limited area model but the associated cold surge is under predicted. In the experiments with envelope and valley filled orography, results are improved. Neither cold surge nor strong frontogenesis is simulated in a no latent heating experiment, indicating that the feedback of latent heat release is quite essential to the burst of cold air in this case.With 9 Figures     

Observed variations of σθ and σΦ in the nocturnal drainage flow in a deep valley

The variations of and in the drainage flow in the Brush Creek valley of western Colorado are investigated using data from Doppler acoustic sodars and instrumented towers. The data were obtained on two experimental nights during the 1984 ASCOT field study. There is good agreement between the variations derived from low-level observations of the sodars and those derived from the towers located throughout the valley. The observed hourly average and in the nocturnal drainage flow are about 20 ° to 25 ° and 5 °, respectively; these values are much larger than those generally observed over flat terrain during nighttime stable conditions. After sunrise (about 0600 MST), as the valley warms and the flow direction changes to up-valley, these parameters increase sharply to their peak values at about 0800 MST and then decrease to their normal daytime values after about two hours.In the drainage flow, the hourly average varies inversely with wind speed according to the relation u 0.7ms^-1. The vertical standard deviation is much less enhanced by complex terrain than the horizontal standard deviation. The observed values are predicted fairly well by the local similarity theory.Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Summer Research Participant at ATDD in 1987 andOak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) Summer Research Participant at ATDD in 1987 and     

Sea breeze activity at an inland station Kharagpur (India) — A case study

Surfaces fluxes, turbulent kinetic energy and Flux Richardson number are calculated for three typical sea breeze days characterizing three types of sea breeze onset at an inland station Kharagpur (22°21 N, 87°19 E), 80 km inland, one of the sites for MONTBLEX (MONsoon Trough Boundary Layer EXperiment), in India. The sea breeze onset is associated with a decrease in momentum and heat fluxes and an increase in moisture flux. The turbulent kinetic energy shows quite a significant value even in the late afternoon. The surface layer becomes nearly stable even before sunset, due to the passage of the sea breeze.     

Studies of the atmospheric stability characteristics during the solar eclipse of February 16, 1980

Observations made with a monostatic sodar and from a 120 m instrumented tower have been used to study the variations in the atmospheric boundary layer at Tarapur (19° 50 N, 72° 41 E) during the solar eclipse of February 16, 1980. Atmospheric instability was reduced below normal values during the eclipse but the atmosphere at no time became stable.     

On the Response of the Greenland Ice Sheet to Greenhouse Climate Change

Numerical computations are performed with the three-dimensional polythermal ice-sheet model SICOPOLIS in order to investigate the possible impact of a greenhouse-gas-induced climate change on the Greenland ice sheet. The assumed increase of the mean annual air temperature above the ice covers a range from T = 1°C to 12°C, and several parameterizations for the snowfall and the surface melting are considered. The simulated shrinking of the ice sheet is a smooth function of the temperature rise, indications for the existence of critical thresholds of the climate input are not found. Within 1000 model years, the ice-volume decrease is limited to 10% of the present volume for T 3°C, whereas the most extreme scenario, T = 12°C, leads to an almost entire disintegration, which corresponds to a sea-level equivalent of 7 m. The different snowfall and melting parameterizations yield an uncertainty range of up to 20% of the present ice volume after 1000 model years.     

The impact of climate change on the river rhine: A scenario study

This paper concerns the impact of human-induced global climate change on the River Rhine discharge. For this purpose a model for climate assessment, named ESCAPE, is coupled to a water balance model, named RHINEFLOW. From climate scenarios, changes in regional annual water availability and seasonal discharge in the River Rhine Basin are estimated. The climate scenarios are based on greenhouse gases emissions scenarios. An assessment is made for best guess seasonal discharge changes and for changes in frequencies of low and high discharges in the downstream reaches of the river. In addition, a quantitative estimation of the uncertainties associated with this guess is arrived at.The results show that the extent and range of uncertainty is large with respect to the best guess changes. The uncertainty range is 2–3 times larger for the Business-as-Usual than for the Accelerated Policies scenarios. This large range stems from the doubtful precipitation simulations from the present General Circulation Models. This scenario study showed the precipitation scenarios to be the key-elements within the present range of reliable climate change scenarios.For the River Rhine best guess changes for annual water availability are small according to both scenarios. The river changes from a present combined snow-melt-rain fed river to an almost entirely rain fed river. The difference between present-day large average discharge in winter and the small average discharge in autumn should increase for all scenarios. This trend is largest in the Alpine part of the basin. Here, winter discharges should increase even for scenarios forecasting annual precipitation decreases. Summer discharge should decrease. Best guess scenarios should lead to increased frequencies of both low and high flow events in the downstream (Dutch) part of the river. The results indicate changes could be larger than presently assumed in worst case scenarios used by the Dutch water management authorities.