Evolutionary characteristics of a dust storm over Oman on 2 February 2008

The evolutionary characteristics of a dust storm over Oman on 2 February 2008 were studied by analyzing the weather associated with it. The National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Centre for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis wind flow pattern at 1,000?hPa showed a clockwise and outward wind flow pattern over the study region, a manifestation of a high-pressure cold air mass. In addition, ground truth observations for surface temperature and surface winds showed cold northerly winds until the early morning of 2 February 2008. A strong wind shear resulted from differences in wind speed between warm air and trapped cold air. This vertical wind shear enhanced instability. Furthermore, the weakening of the inversion in the lower troposphere and the formation of a mixed layer due to transfer of horizontal momentum from upper air towards the surface led to strong surface winds. These strong winds lifted a large amount of dust particles off the ground, resulting in the dust event of 2 February 2008.     

局地雹暴环境气流的演变特征

通过甘肃永登、岷县防雹试验基地1979~1987年获取的1 d 4次无线电探空资料,对照地面实况,对强冰雹、弱冰雹、雷雨、阵雨、阴天、晴天6类天气的高空风进行分析研究,发现强雹暴在降雹前期低空风向切变、中空风速切变、高空急流等与其它类型天气比较具有显著的差异,这对于预报雹暴天气和雹暴形成机制的研究具有指示意义。     

Impact of assimilation of conventional and satellite meteorological observations on the numerical simulation of a Bay of Bengal Tropical Cyclone of November 2008 near Tamilnadu using WRF model

The objective of this study is to examine the impact of assimilation of conventional and satellite data on the prediction of a severe cyclonic storm that formed in the Bay of Bengal during November 2008 with the four-dimensional data assimilation (FDDA) technique. The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF ARW) model was used to study the structure, evolution, and intensification of the storm. Five sets of numerical simulations were performed using the WRF. In the first one, called Control run, the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) Final Analysis (FNL) was used for the initial and boundary conditions. In the remaining experiments available observations were used to obtain an improved analysis and FDDA grid nudging was performed for a pre-forecast period of 24 h. The second simulation (FDDAALL) was performed with all the data of the Quick Scatterometer (QSCAT), Special Sensor Microwave Imager (SSM/I) winds, conventional surface, and upper air meteorological observations. QSCAT wind alone was used in the third simulation (FDDAQSCAT), the SSM/I wind alone in the fourth (FDDASSMI) and the conventional observations alone in the fifth (FDDAAWS). The FDDAALL with assimilation of all observations, produced sea level pressure pattern closely agreeing with the analysis. Examination of various parameters indicated that the Control run over predicted the intensity of the storm with large error in its track and landfall position. The assimilation experiment with QSCAT winds performed marginally better than the one with SSM/I winds due to better representation of surface wind vectors. The FDDAALL outperformed all the simulations for the intensity, movement, and rainfall associated with the storm. Results suggest that the combination of land-based surface, upper air observations along with satellite winds for assimilation produced better prediction than the assimilation with individual data sets.     

南海年际尺度海气相互作用的初探

本文分析了南海海洋大气系统短期气候变化中存在年际振荡的若干观测事实，提出了局地尺度南海海洋与低层大气相互作用的一种可能机制。针对南海表层水温距平和低层风场异常的相关，设计了一个类似与ＭｃＣｒｅａｒｙ和Ａｎｄｅｒ－ｓｏｎ（１９８４）模型的简化海气耦合模式。大气部分为随下垫面海温变化而变化的异常风应力阶梯函数与季节性风场的联合；海洋部分为非线性β－平面的约化重力模式。考虑南海海洋大气相互作用中存在的海温与低层大气风场变化之间反馈过程，耦合模式在气候积分中表现出一类约３ａ的周期性年际振荡。说明这个区域ＳＳＴ、低层大气风场年际振荡是南海海盆尺度的海气相互作用的反映，改进了关于南海ＳＳＴ年际振荡是海洋对大气应力甚低频强迫响应的认识     

Oscillation of Surface PM<Subscript>2.5</Subscript> Concentration Resulting from an Alternation of Easterly and Southerly Winds in Beijing: Mechanisms and Implications

We used simultaneous measurements of surface PM_2.5 concentration and vertical profiles of aerosol concentration, temperature, and humidity, together with regional air quality model simulations, to study an episode of aerosol pollution in Beijing from 15 to 19 November 2016. The potential effects of easterly and southerly winds on the surface concentrations and vertical profiles of the PM_2.5 pollution were investigated. Favorable easterly winds produced strong upward motion and were able to transport the PM_2.5 pollution at the surface to the upper levels of the atmosphere. The amount of surface PM_2.5 pollution transported by the easterly winds was determined by the strength and height of the upward motion produced by the easterly winds and the initial height of the upward wind. A greater amount of PM_2.5 pollution was transported to upper levels of the atmosphere by upward winds with a lower initial height. The pollutants were diluted by easterly winds from clean ocean air masses. The inversion layer was destroyed by the easterly winds and the surface pollutants and warm air masses were then lifted to the upper levels of the atmosphere, where they re-established a multi-layer inversion. This region of inversion was strengthened by the southerly winds, increasing the severity of pollution. A vortex was produced by southerly winds that led to the convergence of air along the Taihang Mountains. Pollutants were transported from southern–central Hebei Province to Beijing in the boundary layer. Warm advection associated with the southerly winds intensified the inversion produced by the easterly winds and a more stable boundary layer was formed. The layer with high PM_2.5 concentration became dee-per with persistent southerly winds of a certain depth. The polluted air masses then rose over the northern Taihang Mountains to the northern mountainous regions of Hebei Province.     

上海地区春季最高气温预报失败案例分析

本文分析了2015年3月17—18日上海地区连续两天发生最高气温预报失误的天气背景,并使用当日实况观测和业务预报使用的数值模式资料,剖析预报失败的原因,分析表明:对天空状况的误判是导致17日预报失败的主要原因,且东南风预报偏强更进一步增大了预报误差;冷空气影响时间的判断失误是导致18日预报失败的主要原因。从模式预报的实时检验、预报的跳跃性和不确定性角度分析了预报中存在的问题:预报员应重视本地和上游实况,从传统对单一确定性模式预报的依赖向多模式多起报时次及能提供概率预报和不确定性信息的业务集合预报的分析思路转型。此外,还需加强对集合预报的系统性检验、评估及数值预报释用产品的开发,增加包含不确定性信息的公众天气预报发布形式。     

Influence of Surface-Based Stable Layer Development on Asian Dust Behaviour Over Tokyo

The relationship between local meteorological fields and the behaviour of airborne Asian dust that arrived in the Tokyo metropolitan area on 1 April 2007 with the passage of a synoptic-scale cold front has been investigated through Doppler lidar observations, experiments using a regional atmospheric numerical model, and analyses of surface and upper-air meteorological observations. Results of the Doppler lidar observations showed that the Asian dust passed above the metropolitan area with strong south-westerly winds with speeds of 15–26 m s⁻¹. Meteorological fields reproduced by the numerical experiments showed the development of a surface-based stable layer in the metropolitan area caused by nocturnal radiational cooling near the ground surface and south-westerly warm air advection at upper levels. The blocking effect of the mountainous region located to the west of the metropolitan area induced an area of stagnant air inside the metropolitan area and promoted the stable layer development. Although strong downdrafts prevailed in the upper air, the airborne Asian dust did not spread to the ground when the stable layer was formed. These results strongly indicate that the developed stable layer prevented strong downdrafts from spreading to the ground, acting as an obstacle to the transport of the Asian dust particles from the upper air towards the ground. This is considered to be one of the main causes of the low appearance frequency of Asian dust phenomena near the ground in the Tokyo metropolitan area and eastern Japan.     

一次罕见黄渤海大风天气成因分析

利用气象常规资料、风廓线资料和NCEP/NCAR 1°×1°再分析资料,对2015年10月1日黄渤海罕见大风天气成因进行分析。结果表明:较强冷空气与快速发展的入海气旋相互作用形成强气压梯度是导致此次海上强风的主要原因。对流层中低层强冷平流区与地面变压风大值区有较好的对应关系。上下相接的整层冷平流有利于地面形成强气压梯度和变压梯度。气压梯度在大风形成的初期起主导作用,变压梯度有利于强风的维持。本次过程出现明显动量下传现象,大风形成初期,500~1000m出现低空动量下传并影响地面风场,高空槽过境后,2000m以上的高空动量能够影响地面风场。风廓线观测到低层强风并伴有强的下沉运动,可以作为海上大风临近预警的指标之一。     

Analysis of Wind Roses Using Hierarchical Cluster and Multidimensional Scaling Analysis at La Plata,Argentina

Knowledge of frequency wind patterns is very important for air pollution modelling, especially in a city like La Plata (approximately 850,000 inhabitants) with high vehicular and industrial activities and no air monitoring network. An hourly wind analysis was carried out on data from two local weather stations (points A and J). An initial result was that, in spite of differences in data quality, the local weather stations observations were consistent with local and regional National Meteorological Service (NMS) monthly based observations. Two non conventional multivariate statistical methods were employed to further analyse hourly data at points A and J. Hierarchical cluster resulted in a good summarising tool to visualise prevailing hourly winds. Resultant vectors emerging from the clustering process showed good similarity between sites and seasons; this allowed a further visualization of the average diurnal wind development. Multidimensional scaling (MDS) permitted a pairwise comparison of a large number of hourly wind roses. These wind roses were more similar to each other in colder seasons and at site A (the one that is closer to the river) than in warmer seasons and at site J. Most of the observed variations regarding seasons and sites revealed by cluster and MDS analysis are explained in terms of the sea-land breeze circulations. The methodology applied proved to be of utility for simplifying the analysis of high dimensional data with numerous observations.     

基于自动气象站和风廓线雷达资料的大理机场风切变分析与应用

根据2016—2017年大理机场航空器报告的风切变事件,利用同时段的自动气象观测资料、风廓线雷达资料对大理机场风切变进行了统计和分析。结果表明:①风切变均发生在每年的11月至次年4月,1月、2月最多;主要发生于07:00—13:00,一半出现在晴天;发生在350m以下占83%。②100m以下的风切变,地面均有阵性风,最大最小风速差6m/s;发生在15～91m的6次风切变,5次报告风切变的一端风向变化超过180°,南北两端地面风出现对头风,风速差异明显。AWOS(Automated Weather Observation System)捕捉到风向风速的明显变化可为近地层风切变预警提供参考。③发生在高度较高的风切变,雷达资料在遭遇风切变高度的上下层存在≥8m/s风速差,能确定上下层风不连续的准确高度、开始时间和结束时间。④机场区域常出现地面风速大而上空风速小或地面风速小而上空风速大的情况,结合地面风和风廓线雷达资料可为今后低高度风切变的初步预警提供参考。     

Formation and Characteristics of Coastal Internal Boundary Layers During Onshore Flows

The development and characteristics of coastal internal boundary layers were investigated in 28 tests. These were made at all seasons and in both gradient and sea-breeze flows but only during mid-day periods. Measurements of turbulence and temperature were taken from a light aircraft which flew traverses across Long Island at successive altitudes parallel to the wind direction. These were used to locate the boundary between modified and unmodified air as a function of height and distance from the coast. The same measurements plus tower measurements of wind, turbulence and temperature, pilot balloon soundings and measurements of land and water surface temperatures by a remote sensing IR thermometer were used to quantify the characteristics of the modified and unmodified air. The boundary layer slope was steep close to the land-water interface and became shallower with downwind distance. Growth of the boundary layer was initially slower with stable lapse rates upwind than with neutral or unstable conditions over the water. An equilibrium height was found in many tests except under conditions of free convection when the internal boundary layer merged into the mixed layer inland and with sea-breeze conditions. The equilibrium height depended on downwind conditions and was greater with low wind speeds and strong land surface heating than with stronger winds and small land-water temperature differences. Current theoretical models are not adequate to predict the height of the boundary layer at the altitudes and distances studied but reasonably good predictions were given by an empirical model developed earlier. Wind speed in the modified air averaged about 70% of that at the coast but turbulence levels were several times higher both near the surface and aloft. These findings have important implications for diffusion from coastal sites.     

Formation and characteristics of coastal internal boundary layers during onshore flows

The development and characteristics of coastal internal boundary layers were investigated in 28 tests. These were made at all seasons and in both gradient and sea-breeze flows but only during mid-day periods. Measurements of turbulence and temperature were taken from a light aircraft which flew traverses across Long Island at successive altitudes parallel to the wind direction. These were used to locate the boundary between modified and unmodified air as a function of height and distance from the coast. The same measurements plus tower measurements of wind, turbulence and temperature, pilot balloon soundings and measurements of land and water surface temperatures by a remote sensing IR thermometer were used to quantify the characteristics of the modified and unmodified air. The boundary layer slope was steep close to the land-water interface and became shallower with downwind distance. Growth of the boundary layer was initially slower with stable lapse rates upwind than with neutral or unstable conditions over the water. An equilibrium height was found in many tests except under conditions of free convection when the internal boundary layer merged into the mixed layer inland and with sea-breeze conditions. The equilibrium height depended on downwind conditions and was greater with low wind speeds and strong land surface heating than with stronger winds and small land-water temperature differences. Current theoretical models are not adequate to predict the height of the boundary layer at the altitudes and distances studied but reasonably good predictions were given by an empirical model developed earlier. Wind speed in the modified air averaged about 70% of that at the coast but turbulence levels were several times higher both near the surface and aloft. These findings have important implications for diffusion from coastal sites.     

河南3次重污染天气过程的气象条件诊断及传输影响分析

利用空气质量监测数据、气象常规观测资料、L波段雷达探空资料、EC-Intrim再分析资料和NCEP全球资料同化系统提供的再分析资料,以及HYSPLIT模式模拟结果,分析了2016年12月至2017年1月间发生在河南的3次重污染天气过程的影响范围、气象条件和传输影响等。结果表明,3次过程河南地区均呈现出500 hPa等高线平直、9251000 hPa风垂直切变小和海平面气压场均压等特征。在近地面,3次过程在污染开始和加强时段均有小风和低湿特征,过程临近结束时有大风或增湿出现。前两次污染过程为干霾过程,均因加强的偏西风而结束,但是在结束阶段,相较于第1次过程的西南风,第2次过程的西北风能更快速有效地清除污染物;第3次过程为湿霾(雾、霾混合)过程,因偏东风而结束,但由于偏东风风力较小,对污染物彻底清除能力有限,过程结束后很快出现反复。郑州近地面存在明显逆温和“上干下湿”的层结特征,这种“干暖盖”严重阻碍着空气的对流运动,使近地层的污染物垂直扩散能力变弱,从而导致污染加重。HYSPLIT后向轨迹传输影响显示,第1次过程主要以省外西北路输送为主,后两次过程主要以本省和本地累积为主。     

浙江北部近海边界层风廓线特征分析

利用2010年12月至2014年5月宁波近海凉帽山370m高塔气象梯度风观测和浙江北部沿海自动气象站测风资料,对浙江北部近海风速垂直廓线进行分析,结果发现:受地形影响,偏南、偏北风时塔基风速一般比上一层风速大。不同天气系统影响下近地边界层风廓线不同,南风型320m以下风速基本遵从对数律。热带气旋影响型和北风型时风廓线可分为3段,常通量层内基本满足对数律,该层向上一段高度热带气旋影响型风速变化不大,北风型反而减小,再往上风速又继续增大。北风型风廓线的这种3段结构表现比热带气旋影响型更为清楚,约80~109m风速出现相对极大值,200~250m间存在风速极小值。满足对数律的近地边界层内小风比大风具有更好的拟合优度。浙江北部沿海自动气象站测风资料不同风型统计分析与高塔风廓线表现基本一致。     

2017年3月江苏省一次伴有对流激发的冷空气大风分析

本文利用常规和多普勒雷达观测资料以及逐6小时的FNL再分析资料，对2017年3月1日一次江苏全省大风过程进行了诊断分析，并和2017年2月20日的大风过程进行了简要对比，主要结论如下：（1）3月1日冷空气大风的直接原因是大气强斜压性以及高低层辐合辐散的差异，其局部地区的大风还有对流性的雷暴大风叠加的效果。（2）不同于传统的地面气压梯度造成的大风（例如2月20日的大风过程），3月1日过程中地面气压梯度的贡献并不大，其主要是由系统深厚的斜压性所造成（高空冷平流使得位能转化为动能）。（3）春季的不稳定能量较冬季为强，在冷空气过程中易被激发出对流。阜宁11级大风（3月1日过程中）就是在大范围的冷空气背景下，不稳定能量先后被锋面和阵风锋激发后所造成的对流性雷暴大风与冷空气大风叠加的结果。     

Modeling land surface phenology in a mixed temperate forest using MODIS measurements of leaf area index and land surface temperature

The development of satellite-derived vegetation indices and metrics has enabled researchers to monitor land surface phenology (LSP). While the use of satellite data to monitor LSP is prevalent, there has been minimal effort to model LSP in temperate climates using satellite observations of the land surface. Satellite-derived LSP models are beneficial for studying past and future changes in phenology and related ecosystem processes (e.g., water, energy, and carbon fluxes). The purpose of this study was to model LSP during the spring in a mixed temperate forest using satellite-derived measurements of leaf area index (LAI) and land surface temperature (LST). As part of the model validation process, the use of LST as a proxy for air temperature to model LSP was also investigated. The results indicate that LST derived from the MODIS Terra sensor at 10:30?a.m. (local solar time) can be used to develop a LSP model that predicts the full profile of LAI from winter dormancy to maturity and the date when LAI reaches half of the annual maximum (LAI_50%) with relatively low error. In addition, the modeled LAI values closely tracked in situ observations of the phenological development of the dominant deciduous tree species located in the study area where the model was developed. A comparison of LST and daily maximum air temperature at two levels above the ground surface revealed distinct differences and nonlinearities in the relationship between these two variables. However, accumulated growing degree-days calculated from each of these variables were similar because the largest differences between LST and daily maximum air temperature occurred prior to the beginning of heat accumulation. Consequently, the model predictions of LAI_50% derived from the use of LST and daily maximum air temperature were similar. When the developed model was applied in two other mixed forests, the errors were larger due to substantial interannual variability in the relationship between LAI and heat accumulation and systematic differences in this relationship between sites. Although the model cannot be successfully applied in these other mixed forests, the ability of the model to capture a consistent relationship between satellite estimates of LAI and LST in the study area where it was developed demonstrates that satellite observations of the land surface can be used in certain locations to create LSP phenology models. When validated, the models can be used to examine past and future changes in phenology and related ecosystem processes.     

11月初北黄海一次海龙卷风暴的中尺度特征分析

利用多普勒天气雷达资料及反演风场和常规观测资料,对2014年11月2日发生在北黄海（山东半岛北部海上）一次罕见海龙卷风暴的中尺度特征进行了分析。结果表明：冷空气、暖湿海面热力边界、山东半岛北部近海岸西北风与偏西风的辐合线是海龙卷风暴发生的天气背景。海龙卷风暴发生时雷达回波PPI最大分贝反射率因子为60 dBZ,高度为2.0 km,最高风暴顶为4.5 km,最大垂直累积液态水含量VIL为21 kg·m-2。利用雷达反演风场进行中尺度特征分析,结果表明：在海龙卷风暴发生发展过程中,低层风辐合对应4.0 km高度上是风辐散,海上有较强的偏南暖湿气流输送到雷暴区。中尺度动力特征：最大正涡度和散度辐合在1.0 km以下,低层正涡度和散度辐合、高层散度辐散是雷暴发生初期动力特征;低层没有正涡度和散度辐合、高层为正涡度和散度辐合是雷暴开始发展的动力特征;低层和高层为大的正涡度和散度辐合是雷暴成熟阶段的动力特征。高空冷空气叠加上低空强的偏南气流,造成局地涡度加大和低层辐合加强,使低层暖湿气流倾斜上升。海龙卷与辐合区的冷空气和暖湿气流有关。     

冷空气强风在大型城市中的精细结构和形成机制

地面强风可直接造成人员伤亡和经济损失,严重影响出行安全、工农业生产等社会秩序。强风的发生与天气系统和复杂下垫面的共同作用密切相关,在城市区域尤为明显。受数值模拟技术和计算资源的限制,对实际天气条件下大范围城区的强风现象进行建筑物分辨率的大规模数值模拟研究仍是一个挑战。本研究利用中尺度气象模式嵌套流体计算动力模式的超高分辨率局地气象预报系统,对强冷空气过程造成广州市区的一次强风事件进行数值模拟,深入探讨强风的精细结构和形成机制。结果表明,伴随着强冷空气入侵,广州市区的平均风速和风场高频扰动均明显增强,且在城市冠层顶尤为明显,呈现区域不均匀的三维结构,数值模拟与地面观测相一致。较大范围的强风速和阵风主要出现在建筑物较为低矮的老城区上空,并持续影响下游河道等开阔区域。在高层建筑密集的新城区,虽然整体风速明显减弱,但能在平行风向的街道狭管和下游区域形成局地强风。特别是,超高层建筑群引起显著的垂直环流,导致强风扰动向下传播,造成最大风速达8 m s?1的地面局地强风,阵风指数接近2。上游建筑群引起的风场扰动呈现大尺度湍流结构,能沿着平均气流传播影响数公里之远的下游地区。当风场扰动经过广州塔等单体超高层建筑时,可在其两侧绕流区再次加强,形成局地强风。局地强风和阵风还出现在垂直于风向排列的沿江高层建筑群的侧边,与建筑屏风的阻挡效应和缺口溢出有关。研究结果促进认识城市强风的时空特征和物理机制,有助于提升城市气象的精细化预报水平。     

Using synoptic classification and trajectory analysis to assess air quality during the winter heating period in Ürümqi,China

Synoptic patterns identified by an automated procedure employing principal- component analysis and a two-stage cluster analysis, and backward trajectory analysis clustered by the HYSPLIT4.9 model were used to examine air quality patterns over¨ Uru¨mqi, China, one of the most heavily polluted cities in the world. Six synoptic patterns representing different atmospheric circulation patterns and air-mass characteristics were classified during the winter heating periods from 2001 to 2008, and seven trajectory clusters representing different paths of air masses arriving at ürümqi were calculated during the winter heating periods from 2005 to 2008. Then air quality was evaluated using these two approaches, and significant variations were found across both synoptic patterns and trajectory clusters. The heaviest air-pollution episodes occurred when ürümqi was either in an extremely cold, strong anticyclone or at the front of a migrating cyclone. Both conditions were characterized by with light winds, cold, wet surface air, and relatively dry upper air. ürümqi was predominately influenced by air masses from the southwest and from local areas. Air pollution index (API) levels were highest for air masses originating from the southwest with a longer path or for the local area, because of transport from semi-desert/desert regions by strong winds and because of local heavy pollution emissions, respectively. The interactions between these two analytical approaches showed that poor diffusion conditions, together with local circulation, enhanced air pollution, besides, regional air-mass transport caused by strong winds contributed to serious air quality under relatively good diffusion conditions.     

Terrain-induced air stagnation over the southern Kanto Plain in early winter

In the southern Kanto Plain of Japan including Tokyo, the highest air pollution concentrations occur under stagnant conditions in early winter. A series of 3-dimensional observations of these episodes have been performed since 1989, three of which are analysed in this note. In every case, a surface of discontinuity covers the stagnant region, the height of which is several hundred meters, even during the daytime. A terrain-induced local front (LF) provides this structure, but in one case a synoptic-scale stationary front acts in its place.A much warmer and cleaner southwesterly flow prevails on the southern side of the LF. However, upper measurements at a mountainous site indicate that the southwesterly winds entrain pollutants from the lower stagnant layer due to very large vertical wind shear.