Further experiments on cyclone track prediction with a quasi-Lagrangian limited area model

Summary Results of an earlier study of cyclone track prediction using a quasi-Lagrangian model (QLM) to generate track forecasts of up to 36 hours were reported by Prasad and Rama Rao (2003). Further experiments to produce track forecasts of up to 72 hours with an updated version of the same model have been carried out in the present study. In this case, the ability of the model to predict recent historical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal and Arabian Sea has been assessed. Analysis of some of the structural features of analyzed and predicted fields has been carried out. Such fields include wind distribution and vertical motion around the cyclone centre. In addition, the merging of an idealized vortex with the large scale initial fields provided by a global model, has been carried out for a particular case study of a May 1997 storm, which hit the Bangladesh coast. This current study has demonstrated that the model generates a realistic structure of a tropical cyclone with an idealized vortex. Performance evaluation has been carried out by computing the direct position errors (DPE). The results of which show that the mean error for a 24 h forecast is about 122 km, which increases to about 256 km for a 48 h forecast and 286 km for a 72 h forecast. These figures are comparable to similar errors in respect of tropical cyclone forecasts produced by an advanced NWP centre, viz., the UKMO global model during the corresponding period, 1997–2000 (obtained from UKMO web site). The average forecast errors of the UKMO model are 160 km for 24 h, 265 km for 48 h, 415 km for 72 h forecast ranges.     

A limited area model for monsoon prediction

A six level regional primitive equation model has been formulated and tested for monsoon prediction. The model uses dynamic normal mode initialization scheme for obtaining initial balance. The physical processes included are: the large scale condensation, the Kuo type of cumulus convection, the surface friction, the sensible heat supply and evap-oration over the sea. The actual smooth orography is included. The model has been integrated for 48 hrs using input of 7 July and 8 August 1979 when the domain of integration was dominated by an intense monsoon depression. In order to investigate the model simulation of formative stage of the depression, the model was also integrated using input of 4 July 1979.Furthermore, the envelope orography has been constructed and included in the model for investigating its effects on the monsoon prediction. Results of the model forecast are presented and discussed.     

TEST OF A TROPICAL LIMITED AREA NUMERICAL PREDICTION MODEL INCLUDING EFFECT OF REAL TOPOGRAPHY

In this paper, a tropical limited numerical prediction p.e. model in sigma coordinate is developed. The predicted variables are deviations from a rest reference atmosphere. This transformation is of benefit in reducing truncation error and guarantees computational stability after the very steep real topography is introduced into the model. The numerical tests with this model show that the large-scale obstacle of the Tibetan Plateau is not negligible in forecasting tropical systems like the South China Sea typhoon.     

陡峭地形有限区域数值预报模式设计

本文设计了一个考虑陡峭地形的E-网格有限区域数值预报模式。对如何减小由地形坡度带来的计算误差,我们从地形表示方式和差分格式构造两个方面给出了有效的处理方法。并用青藏高原的两个背风气旋实例对模式作了预报检验,同时比较了有、无地形的模拟结果。     

Numerical Experiments of Meiyu(Baiu) Rainfall by Quasi-Lagrangian Limited Area Model with Terrain

In this paper, a 10-level Quasi-Lagrangian Limited Area Model is used to simulate the process of Meiyu(Baiu) front of 1979. Some physical processes, such as large-scale condensation and cumulus convection, are included in the model. The simulation results are encouraging. 24-h numerical simulation shows that the invading of cold air from North China and rapidly northward moving of warm air from South China can be successfully reproduced. The terrain with a maximum of 4175 m is incorporated in the model. Three different kinds of terrain schemes are tested and the dynamic effect of the Plateau on the process of heavy rainfall is found to be very important.     

1998年东亚夏季风过程的数值模拟

The 1998 East Asian Summer Monsoon is simulated by use of an improved nine-level p-σ model, the boundary forcing is the South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX) reanalysis data from May 1 to August 31, 1998. It is found that basic features of the atmospheric circulation (such as the South Asia high and the West Pacific subtropical high) can be simulated fairly. However the South Asia high is a little stronger than the observed, while the West Pacific subtropical high a little weaker. Seen from variations of the time correlation coefficient, this model is good for the short-time climate simulation (less than two months), while for the long-time simulation, its climate drift is a little obvious. It can be also seen from the spatial distribution of correlation coefficient that the worse simulation areas of the model are located in the Tibetan Plateau and the adjacent northwest Indo-China Peninsula. For the simulation of precipitation, the movement of rain belt from May to June can be simulated, but the simulation of July and August precipitation shifts obviously to north of the observed. It is also found from the analysis of sensitive experiment that the improvement of the nested boundary condition has a great impact on the simulation results, especially on the precipitation, so the model and the nesting technique need further improvements.     

Validation of a limited area model over Dome C, Antarctic Plateau, during winter

The limited area model MAR (Modèle Atmosphérique Régional) is validated over the Antarctic Plateau for the period 2004–2006, focussing on Dome C during the cold season. MAR simulations are made by initializing the model once and by forcing it through its lateral and top boundaries by the ECMWF operational analyses. Model outputs compare favourably with observations from automatic weather station (AWS), radiometers and atmospheric soundings. MAR is able to simulate the succession of cold and warm events which occur at Dome C during winter. Larger longwave downwelling fluxes (LWD) are responsible for higher surface air temperatures and weaker surface inversions during winter. Warm events are better simulated when the small Antarctic precipitating snow particles are taken into account in radiative transfer computations. MAR stratosphere cools during the cold season, with the coldest temperatures occurring in conjunction with warm events at the surface. The decrease of saturation specific humidity associated with these coldest temperatures is responsible for the formation of polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs) especially in August-September. PSCs then contribute to the surface warming by increasing the surface downwelling longwave flux.     

Vortex initialization for typhoon track prediction

Summary A shallow water single level primitive equation model is ideally suited for studying the motion of a tropical cyclone. Three factors seem to be important in the initialization, i.e. the size, intensity and the initial speed and direction of motion of the storm. This study presents the results of sensitivity studies on the above parameters in the definition of a synthetic idealized vortex. The sensitivity studies include results of experimental forecasts for typhoons Betty of 1987 and Dan of 1989. The results of these studies show that the initial size, intensity and direction and speed of motion show considerable sensitivity to the predicted track. Finally a summary of the track forecast errors through 72 hours are presented for these storms.With 8 Figures     

初始方程数值模式的一个计算格式在有限区域预报的试验

本文是将我组提出的初始方程数值预报模式的一个计算格式,在有限区域进行预报的试验。 本文主要叙述了侧边界条件试验的情况,初值温度的计算方案,最后给出一次24小时的预报结果。     

Impact of vortex-removal from environmental flow in cyclone track prediction using Lagrangian advection model

In the present study, a new approach is discussed to find out the residual steering flow from the high-resolution global Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) model-forecasted wind fields, which have been used in the Lagrangian advection model to determine the track of tropical cyclones formed in the Indian Ocean. The Lagrangian advection model is newly developed model and conceptually closer to the dynamical models, which utilizes environmental steering flow and the effect due to earth’s rotation (the beta-effect) to determine the motion of cyclone. In this approach, the effect of environmental flow on the cyclone track is examined by removing the existing cyclone vortex from the steering flow which is determined by potential vorticity approach. A new approach based on vortex pattern matching has been used to identify the cyclone vortex and to remove it from the steering flow. The tracks of five tropical cyclones (viz., Nargis, Khai_Muk, Nisha, Aila and Phyan) which were formed in the North Indian basin during the period 2008–2009 have been generated by the Lagrangian advection model using the proposed scheme. The position errors were computed with respect to the Joint Typhoon Warning Center (JTWC) best track analysis positions and compared with that of without-vortex-removal scheme. The results show that the mean track errors for five cyclones are reduced by 6–35?% for 12–72?h forecast in case of vortex-removal scheme as compared to the without-vortex-removal scheme.     

Validation of a limited area model in cases of mediterranean cyclogenesis: Surface fields and precipitation scores

Summary We have examined the performance of a limited-area mesoscale model of our design in cases of winter cyclones over the southern European-central Mediterranean area with particular ticular attention to standard precipitation statistical scores (bias, threat score, false alarms), obtaining results which compare favourably with other state-of-the-art LAM's documented in the literature. The model, which we briefly describe here, uses standard procedures and includes Geleyn's radiation package and Emanuel's moist convective adjustment scheme. We also discuss the model's performance from the viewpoint of individual surface fields, which display a variety of-mesoscale features correctly reproducing, in most cases, those of the observed fields. The latter have been re-analyzed for this purpose using conventional SYNOP data and ECMWF analyses as first guess.With 18 Figures     

有限区域伴随模式中适定空间边界条件的理论研究

从理论上论证了借助于同伦方法构造的适定空间边界条件确保有限区域上伴随模式产生的超定边界条件问题得到解决，同时又能维持伴随模式中边界处理的优化特征。从某种意义上讲，伴随模式超定空间边界条件的存在是不可避免的，这是因为数据同化过程必须引进和采用给定的观测资料，而它们在模式空间边界上的定义往往是超定的。我们提出的空间边界条件的算法构架事实上是在数据同化过程中综合运用了张弛滤波、考虑外部强迫的辐射边界条件以及与观测相容的狄里希利边界条件。显然，对于该理论构架所涉及到的具体数值处理方法在中尺度模式中都十分成熟易行。     

Tropical cyclone track and intensity prediction with a structure adjustable balanced vortex

A new Tropical Cyclone (TC) initialization method with the structure adjustable bogus vortex was applied to the forecasts of track, central pressure, and wind intensity for the 417 TCs observed in the Western North Pacific during the 3-year period of 2005–2007. In the simulations the Final Analyses (FNL) with 1° × 1° resolution of National Center for Environmental Prediction (NCEP) were incorporated as initial conditions. The present method was shown to produce improved forecasts over those without the TC initialization and those made by Regional Specialized Meteorological Center Tokyo. The average track (central pressure, wind intensity) errors were as small as 78.0 km (11.4 hPa, 4.9 m s^?1) and 139.9 km (12.4 hPa, 5.5 m s^?1) for 24-h and 48-h forecasts, respectively. It was found that the forecast errors are almost independent on the size and intensity of the observed TCs because the size and intensity of the bogus vortex can be adjusted to fit the best track data. The results of this study indicate that a bogus method is useful in predicting simultaneously the track, central pressure, and intensity with accuracy using a dynamical forecast model.     

Identification and elimination of an inflow boundary computational solution in limited area model integrations

Abstract

The linearized non‐divergent barotropic vorticity equation in one dimension is used for the study of a problem associated with the specification of lateral boundaries in limited area models. This problem presents itself in the form of a “pillow” that builds up near the inflow boundary of the model. Linear analysis shows that this pillow can easily be eliminated. Linear integrations carried out with a corrector seem to be reasonably accurate.

Similar integrations with the linearized shallow water equations in one dimension also produce a pillow and the same corrector gives improved results. Additional runs are performed in order to show that some commonly used nesting strategies do not control this computational problem in a satisfactory manner. It seems that these strategies could be improved with an appropriate corrector.     

台风路径集合预报试验

基于T63L9模式,利用BGM法进行了台风路径的集合预报试验,并对集合预报中的一个关键技术—繁殖长度进行了研究。结果表明:相对于控制预报,利用增长模繁殖法制作的集合预报对台风路径预报的技巧水平有了很大提高。集合预报中采用不同的繁殖长度对台风路径预报效果有一定影响。繁殖长度取2 d和3 d集合预报效果相对于控制预报都有很大提高。繁殖长度取为2 d时,集合离散度较小,取为3 d时较合理,取为4 d时,离散度较大。对台风路径的预报采用集合选择平均后,繁殖2 d和繁殖3 d的集合预报系统的预报效果都优于控制预报。从综合集合预报效果分析,繁殖长度取为3 d更合适。当集合预报中繁殖长度取为3 d时,在预报的前3天,台风路径集合预报误差基本维持在100 km,第4天误差也只接近300 km。相对于控制预报,集合预报的改进率在预报的2～4 d基本超过了60%,甚至可达到70%。     

Evaluation of Forecast Performance of an Economical Explicit Time Integration Scheme in a Limited Area Model over Indian Region

ＥｖａｌｕａｔｉｏｎｏｆＦｏｒｅｃａｓｔＰｅｒｆｏｒｍａｎｃｅｏｆａｎＥｃｏｎｏｍｉｃａｌＥｘｐｌｉｃｉｔＴｉｍｅＩｎｔｅｇｒａｔｉｏｎＳｃｈｅｍｅｉｎａＬｉｍｉｔｅｄＡｒｅａＭｏｄｅｌｏｖｅｒＩｎｄｉａｎＲｅｇｉｏｎＡ．Ｂａｎｄｙｏｐａｄｈｙａｙａ...     

暴雨系统中的非平衡运动与有限区域模式的初值化

将非平衡风分成两部分:(1)非平街风的旋度部分(?)′_R和(2)非平衡风的散度部分(?)′_D。在产生暴雨的次天气尺度系统中,这两种非平衡风具有同样重要的作用。所以在有限区域细网格模式的初值化中,不能只考虑散度风,即使用通常称为“散度初值化”的方案,而且要考虑非平衡风的旋度部分。根据散度方程分析,(?)′_R是维持、调整散度场的重要因子。试验了三种风场初值化方案,结果表明,在风场初值中同时考虑(?)′_R和(?)′_D,可以明显改善模式的降水预报。     

Predictability in limited area and global models

Summary Selected small domain LAM forecasts modulated by highly corrugated underlying topography, and driven by different state-of-science outer models suggest that uncertain outer model guidance for LAMs produces large, domain averaged sensitivity. A further literature survey indicates that many LAM forecasts are relatively insensitive to details of the local initial state, and that mesoscales show slight error growth, in contradiction to classical predictability theory. A series of global predictability experiments is presented in order to reconcile the contradiction. The experiments imply that, even in baroclinically unstable atmospheres, the most common sources of local error growth are associated with small uncertainties of the larger spatial scales rather than small uncertainties of the smaller spatial scales. Variable resolution, real-data experiments of barotropic versions of the global model display substantial mesoscale error growth, due principally to the effect of larger scales. The uncertainties possessing largest spatial scale appear as boundary uncertainties in LAMs, and explain the strong boundary sensitivity and weak local initial data sensitivity observed in many LAMs. We infer that accurate depiction of the largest spatial scales is a first order priority for accurate local prediction, and that for the advective portion of the dynamics, errors of the outer model that provides lateral boundary conditions may impose the largest current practical limitation for many LAM predictions.With 10 Figures     

Caribbean hurricanes: changes of intensity and track prediction

The meteorological conditions of hurricanes passing near Puerto Rico (18N, 68W) are analyzed using composite daily reanalysis and satellite data. When an intense hurricane is present, the regional circulation is dominated by upper easterly flow over the Caribbean and central Atlantic and a surge of low-level westerly anomalies across the tropics. Warm SST anomalies extend along the coast of Venezuela, doubling the convective energy available to Caribbean hurricanes. Intensifying hurricanes tend to propagate westward with an atmospheric ridge over the Gulf Stream, in an environment with aerosol optical depth <0.6. Hurricanes form and strengthen in the east-shear phase of the Madden Julian Oscillation. Sinking motions and dry air appear in an anti-cyclonic gyre behind intensifying hurricanes. Numerical model 48-h forecasts of Caribbean hurricane tracks are analyzed over the period 2000–2010. A “slow right” bias is found east of Puerto Rico in comparison with observed.