A SYNOPTIC CLIMATOLOGY OF TORNADOES IN VIRGINIA

Although tornadoes are microscale meteorological features, their occurrence is linked to the larger synoptic-scale environment. Most conceptual models of synoptic situations that give rise to tornadoes are based on conditions prevalent in the Great Plains of the United States. However, tornadoes develop in many different synoptic environments, particularly when they form beyond the boundaries of “Tornado Alley.”

Tornado occurrences in the state of Virginia are identified from 1951 through 1992. Using upper air data for the nearest site and observation time, a synoptic classification is produced via application of principal components analysis and cluster analysis. The five resulting synoptic classes each exhibit distinctive thermodynamic and flow conditions that serve as air-mass paradigms for tornado occurrence in Virginia. The groups include thermodynamic/northwest flow air masses, a mixed thermodynamic/dynamic category, a polar front jet situation, cool season midlatitude cyclone events, and Great Plains type tornadic air masses. A sixth type, tornadoes spawned by tropical systems, is defined separately.

A variety of indices have been developed by forecasters to provide information about the likelihood of severe weather and tornadic activity. The lifted index, K-index, Showalter index, SWEAT, Totals index, and a wind shear index are calculated for each tornado event. Analysis of variance indicates that most of these indices are statistically different between synoptic classes.

These results suggest that the synoptic-scale mechanisms responsible for tornado occurrence in the mid-Atlantic states are quite variable. Enhanced predictive capability could be gained by considering the prevailing synoptic conditions associated with individual storms. [Key words: synoptic climatology, tornadoes, Virginia, classification, severe weather.]     

不均衡的跨国人口流动：对美墨移民历程与政策的思考

美国是全球最大的移民接收国,墨西哥是美国最大的移民来源国,特殊的地缘关系和巨大的发展差距使众多墨西哥人移民美国。墨裔移民为美国提供了充足的劳动力,在美墨边境地区,移民集聚带动了两国边境地区的发展。但族裔矛盾始终是美国主要社会问题之一,特别是“9·11”事件后,少数族裔和非法移民问题加剧美国社会分裂和对立,成为美国国内政治博弈的焦点。基于区域地缘关系的视角来看,美国与墨西哥之间长期不对等的国际关系决定了跨国移民的流入状态和生存境遇,也是美国族群矛盾的主要原因之一。移民问题政治化将持续强化墨裔移民政策的不确定性,使移民个人与家庭面临更大的融入困难。     

Lower Tropospheric Warm Air Advection Patterns Associated with Heavy Rainfall over the Appalachian Region*

A synoptic climatology of warm season heavy rainfall is developed from patterns of 850 mb thermal advection over the Appalachian region. Heavy rain events are categorized according to the position and orientation of a warm air advection (WAA) ridge, a feature found in nearly two-thirds of the events. Numerous study events occur within the conditionally unstable region of the WAA ridge. In fact, numerous occurrences of heavy rainfall are tied to a superpositioning of a WAA and air mass instability ridge in the vicinity or upstream of the heavy rain area.     

SPATIAL,SYNOPTIC, AND SEASONAL PATTERNS OF HEAVY RAINFALL IN THE SOUTHEASTERN UNITED STATES

This paper examines the synoptic climatology and seasonality of heavy rainfall across the southeastern United States. Frontal systems (particularly cold fronts) were found to be the dominant mechanism that induces heavy rainfall across the study area, but tropical disturbances and air-mass storms also contribute, especially at the more coastal locations. Annual regimes were found to vary dramatically from one site to another, and seven of the eight sites investigated exhibited statistically significant seasonality. Generally, peaks in heavy rainfall are bimodal in the western portion of the region, occurring in the transitional seasons. The central portion of the region peaks in late winter and spring, whereas the area east of the Appalachians (including Florida) has summer peaks. This spatial pattern is likely related to patterns of mid-tropospheric air flow and positions of the Bermuda High in summer, and the seasonality of cyclogenesis in North America. [Key words: synoptic climatology, seasonality, heavy rainfall, storms, southeastern United States.]     

A Synoptic Climatology of Severe Storms in Virginia*

A synoptic climatology is developed for Virginia using 21 years of late spring and summer surface and upper air observations. The climatology is produced by applying a combination of principal components analysis and cluster analysis such that each day is classified into one of a distinct number of synoptic situations. Days on which at least one severe storm occurred in Virginia are merged with the synoptic climatology. A majority of severe storms are associated with one synoptic situation distinguished by moderate instability and a high moisture content.     

THE EFFECT OF SYNOPTIC SCALE WEATHER SYSTEMS ON SUB‐SURFACE SOIL TEMPERATURES IN A DIURNAL FROST ENVIRONMENT: PRELIMINARY OBSERVATIONS FROM SUB‐ANTARCTIC MARION ISLAND

Marion Island in the South Indian Ocean has a maritime climate dominated by diurnal frost processes in the landscape. We test the hypothesis that synoptic time‐scale measurements are essential in understanding the drivers of diurnal frost processes. Preliminary results from automated microclimate measurements in a polar desert habitat show that diurnal soil surface temperatures on Marion Island are influenced by a complex interaction of radiation balance, air mass circulation, cloud cover and snow. The passage of synoptic scale weather systems influences soil thermal characteristics through changes in dominance of the radiation budget. Soil frost on Marion appears to be dependent on clear skies, while synoptic weather systems affect the duration and intensity of soil frost processes and non‐radiative heat fluxes. Air circulation patterns at Marion Island influence diurnal scale temperature fluctuations and its direct and indirect interactions with ecosystem processes. The data suggest that in a maritime sub‐Antarctic environment the climatic drivers of soil frost occur at a finertemporal resolution than for seasonal and permafrost environments and needs to be measured at a diurnal time‐scale to be meaningful.     

A SYNOPTIC CLIMATOLOGY OF COOL-SEASON DERECHO EVENTS

Synoptic-scale environments favorable for producing derechos in the cool season (September through February) are examined with the goal of providing useful techniques for identifying commonalities within derecho activity corridors. Fourteen derechos were identified from two activity corridors located in the southeastern United States and Atlantic seaboard regions between 1986 and 1995. The synoptic environment at the initiation and midpoint of each derecho was then evaluated using surface, upper-air, and the NCAR/NCEP reanalysis data sets. Models are provided in order to illustrate the synoptic-scale environment and to assist meteorologists in recognizing conditions favorable for cool-season derecho formation. Marginal instability and strong synoptic-scale forcing characterized the environments of events in both corridors. The overall synoptic patterns associated with cool-season derecho-producing mesoscale convective systems (DMCSs) resembled environments found with cool-season tornado episodes. Recognition of key elements in this environment could lead to improvements in cool-season severe weather prediction. [Key words: derecho, windstorm, mesoscale convective system (MCS), synoptic climatology, southeast United States.]     

新世纪第一场沙尘暴初探

利用实时和历史常规气象观测资料与大气颗粒物污染监测资料,从沙尘暴天气实况、天气气候成因和对城市空气污染影响三方面,对世纪之交发生在我国北方的一次速度较快、强度较大的沙尘暴天气过程做了初步探讨。结果表明:①大型天气环流系统调整时的上下游效应,使乌拉尔山高压脊迅速发展东移,推动西伯利亚的一股较强冷空气南下,影响我国北方地区,加之高空急流动量的下传,是这次沙尘暴天气发生的环流背景和动能基础;②前期12月我国北方较正常年份温暖干燥,表层土质干燥疏松,沙尘源丰富,这是此次沙尘暴天气发生的物质基础;③沙尘天气的发生使我国北方城市空气污染雪上加霜,造成部分城市空气污染异常严重,大气颗粒物污染浓度增加100%~300%。     

Air Quality,Climate, and Policy: A Case Study of Ozone Pollution in Tucson,Arizona

This article addresses the need to better understand the complex interactions between climate, human activities, vegetation responses, and surface ozone so that more informed air‐quality policy recommendations can be made. The impacts of intraseasonal climate variations on ozone levels in Tucson, Arizona from April through September of 1995 to 1998 are determined by relating variations in ozone levels to variations in atmospheric conditions and emissions of ozone's precursor chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and by determining month‐specific atmospheric conditions that are conducive to elevated ozone levels. Results show that the transport of ozone and its precursor chemicals within the Tucson area causes the highest ozone levels to be measured at a downwind monitor. The highest ozone levels occur in August, due in part to the presence of the North American monsoon. Atmospheric conditions conducive to elevated ozone concentrations differ substantially between the arid foresummer (May and June) and the core monsoon months ( July and August). Transport of pollution from Phoenix may have a substantial impact on elevated ozone concentrations during April, May, and June, while El Paso/Ciudad Juarez –derived pollution may contribute significantly to elevated ozone concentrations in August and September. Two broad policy implications derive from this work. Regional pollutant transport, both within the U.S. and between the U.S. and Mexico, is a potential issue that needs to be examined more intensively in future studies. In addition, spatiotemporal variations in sensitivities of ozone production require the adoption of both NO_x and VOC control measures to reduce ozone levels in the Tucson area.     

Sub-regional snow cover distribution across the southern Appalachian Mountains

Abstract

Snowfall in the Southern Appalachian Mountain region of the eastern US is characterized by much spatiotemporal variability. Annual snowfall totals vary by up to 75 cm, and variations in snowfall intensity can lead to large differences in the local snowfall distribution. Research has shown that the synoptic pattern associated with the snowfall strongly influences the regional-scale distribution of snow cover. However, topographic variability results in locally complex snow cover patterns that are not well understood or documented. In this study, we characterize the snow covered area (SCA) and fractional snow cover associated with different synoptic patterns in 14 individual sub-regions. We analyze 63 snow events using Moderate-resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer standard snow cover products to ascertain both qualitative and quantitative differences in snow cover across sub-regions. Among sub-regions, there is significant variation in the snow cover pattern from individual synoptic classes. Furthermore, the percent SCA follows the regional snowfall climatology, and sub-regions with the highest elevations and northerly latitudes exhibit the greatest variability. Results of the sub-regional analysis provide valuable guidance to forecasters by contributing a deeper understanding of local snow cover patterns and their relationship to synoptic-scale circulation features.     

中国暴雨区划初步研究

本文根据近三十年水文站和气象站实测和调查24h最大暴雨均值和极值,将中国暴雨进行了初步区划。分区原则是:综合考虑暴雨强度及其分布特点、发生季节、暴雨天气系统以及地理诸因素(包括地形、拔海高度和海陆性质)。首先采用天气气候学方法对全国暴雨进行初步划分;然后,根据全国气象站25年汛期(5—9月)雨量和年雨量资料,算出各区域面雨量指标,以某区面雨量指标为变量,分别对其周围各站雨量求相关,如果相关系数通过显著性水平α=0.05,即将该站划归为同一暴雨气候区,否则,划归另一气候区。 最后将全国分为十个暴雨气候区和四个副区,并简述了各区暴雨洪水成因及特征。     

The spatial distribution of tornadoes and high wind impacts associated with inland-moving tropical cyclones in the southeastern United States

The southeastern United States is routinely hit by tropical cyclones (TC). As TC track inland and dissipate their inland impacts can be substantial. This study examined the spatial patterns of societal impacts associated with tornadoes and high winds with 31 inland-moving TC that made landfall from 1985 to 2008. Hourly weather information was collected from all available first-order weather stations affected by each storm, as well as tropical cyclone preliminary reports issued from the National Hurricane Center. Societal impacts were identified through selected newspapers across the region and the National Climatic Data Center’s Storm Data. Geographic Information System (GIS) software was employed to make geometric measurements of the distance and direction of the impacts relative to storm center. From these measurements, the spatial distribution of the societal and meteorological impacts was plotted relative to the track (e.g., left vs. right) and location (forward vs. rear sector) of the cyclone center. Various tropical cyclone attributes, including size, strength, and forward speed of movement were then related to the occurrence of different impacts and their location relative to the cyclone track. The majority of tropical cyclone tornado and high wind impacts occur in the right-forward sector of the tropical cyclone. However, many TC produce impacts that occur in other sectors far from the center of circulation. These abnormalities are associated in many cases with interactions between the tropical cyclone circulation, topography, peripheral dry air, and extratropical synoptic weather features.     

2011年初广西异常低温冰冻灾害成因分析

利用NECP再分析资料和Micaps站点资料,对2011-01-03-28广西地区出现的异常低温冰冻灾害过程的环流背景场、物理量场和影响系统等特征进行了分析.结果表明:1)此次过程的异常环流特征表现为中高纬倒Ω流型,低纬南支槽异常活跃,构成典型的“北脊南槽”形势,有利于北方冷空气与南方暖湿气流在广西地区交汇;2)蒙古地面冷高压强度较往年偏强,位置偏东、偏南,有利于地面冷空气的堆积和不断分裂南下,影响广西地区;3)逆温区主要位于桂北,长时间降水普遍以小到中雨为主,容易形成过冷水滴,造成冻雨灾害;4)华南静止     

A SYNOPTIC CLIMATOLOGY OF NORTHEASTERN UNITED STATES TORNADOES

This study documents the spatial and temporal characteristics of northeast United States tornadoes and the synoptic patterns associated with their development. Daily 1200 UTC surface pressure, 500 mb height and 850 mb temperature data are used in a compositing analysis to indicate the general conditions on tornado-producing days during four quasi-seasonal periods. Temporally, two-thirds of all northeast tornadoes occur between the hours of 1800 UTC and 0000 UTC. Annually, greater than 75% occur during the four-month period from May through August. During the period of study (1950 through 1986) the region had an average of 30 tornado occurrences per year. Spatially, three preferred areas of tornadic development are identified across the northeast region. These areas include western and southeastern Pennsylvania and north-central Massachusetts. The general synoptic patterns associated with tornadic events in the northeast United States remain consistent throughout the year. The composite analyses indicate that the presence of a strong surface low pressure system moving through the Great Lakes, coupled with significant upper-level divergence associated with a vigorous shortwave feature and a cold frontal boundary, are the synoptic features most common during the initiation of tornadic storms in this region. [Key words: synoptic climatology, tornadoes, northeastern United States.]     

Annual floods in New England (USA) and Atlantic Canada: synoptic climatology and generating mechanisms

New England and Atlantic Canada are characterized by mixed flood regimes that reflect different storm types, antecedent land surface conditions, and flood seasonality. Mixed flood regimes are known to complicate flood risk analyses, yet the synoptic climatology and precipitation mechanisms that generate annual floods in this region have not been described in detail. We analyzed a set of long-term annual flood records at climate-sensitive stream gauges across the region and classified the synoptic climatology of each annual flood, quantitatively describing the precipitation mechanisms, and characterize flood seasonality. We find that annual floods here are dominantly generated by Great Lakes-sourced storms and Coastal lows, known locally as ‘nor’easters.’ Great Lakes storms tend to be associated with lower magnitude annual floods (<75th percentile) and Coastal lows are more clearly associated with higher magnitude events (>75th percentile). Tropical cyclones account for few of all annual floods, including extreme events, despite causing some of the region’s largest and most destructive floods. Late winter/early spring is when the greatest number of annual floods occur region wide, and rainfall is the dominant flood-producing mechanism. Rainfall in combination with snowmelt is also important. Both mechanisms are expected to be impacted by projected regional climate change. We find little evidence for associations between flood-producing synoptic storm types or precipitation mechanisms and large-scale atmospheric circulation indices or time periods, despite upward trends in New England annual flood magnitudes. To more completely investigate such associations, partial duration flood series that include more floods than just the largest of each year, and their associated synoptic climatologies and precipitation mechanisms, should be analyzed.     

Urban Form,Air Pollution,and CO2 Emissions in Large U.S. Metropolitan Areas

In this article we explore the relationships between urban form and air pollution among 86 U.S. metropolitan areas. Urban form was quantified using preexisting sprawl indexes and spatial metrics applied to remotely sensed land cover data. Air pollution data included the nonpoint source emission of the ozone (O₃) precursors nitrogen oxides (NOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the concentration of O₃, the concentration and nonpoint source emission of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and the emission of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from on-road sources. Metropolitan areas that exhibited higher levels of urban sprawl, or sprawl-like urban morphologies, generally exhibited higher concentrations and emissions of air pollution and CO₂ when controlling for population, land area, and climate.     

内蒙古沙尘暴天气系统及预报指标探讨

根据21 世纪15 a 来出现在内蒙古的沙尘暴个例,归纳形成沙尘暴的高空环流背景和地面天气系统,提炼预报指标。结果显示：沙尘暴是强冷空气爆发南下的过程,具有冷空气强、锋区强、高空急流强的特征;造成内蒙古沙尘暴的高空环流背景可分为高脊移动型、冷槽下滑型、横槽型和低涡旋转型等四个类型;强烈发展的蒙古气旋和冷锋是造成沙尘暴的主要地面天气系统。沙尘暴预报应主要着眼于高空急流轴的位置、乌拉尔山高压脊、高空锋区、蒙古气旋及冷锋、地面变压中心、高空正涡度平流中心与地面气旋相叠置的区域等方面。     

Air Quality,Climate, and Policy: A Case Study of Ozone Pollution in Tucson,Arizona

This article addresses the need to better understand the complex interactions between climate, human activities, vegetation responses, and surface ozone so that more informed air-quality policy recommendations can be made. The impacts of intraseasonal climate variations on ozone levels in Tucson, Arizona from April through September of 1995 to 1998 are determined by relating variations in ozone levels to variations in atmospheric conditions and emissions of ozone's precursor chemicals, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and nitrogen oxides (NO_x), and by determining month-specific atmospheric conditions that are conducive to elevated ozone levels. Results show that the transport of ozone and its precursor chemicals within the Tucson area causes the highest ozone levels to be measured at a downwind monitor. The highest ozone levels occur in August, due in part to the presence of the North American monsoon. Atmospheric conditions conducive to elevated ozone concentrations differ substantially between the arid foresummer (May and June) and the core monsoon months ( July and August). Transport of pollution from Phoenix may have a substantial impact on elevated ozone concentrations during April, May, and June, while El Paso/Ciudad Juarez –derived pollution may contribute significantly to elevated ozone concentrations in August and September. Two broad policy implications derive from this work. Regional pollutant transport, both within the U.S. and between the U.S. and Mexico, is a potential issue that needs to be examined more intensively in future studies. In addition, spatiotemporal variations in sensitivities of ozone production require the adoption of both NO_x and VOC control measures to reduce ozone levels in the Tucson area.     

关于气候的概念及气候学与地理学的关系问题

本文包括以下内容:(1)从气候概念的历史源流、感性基础、气候与天气的关系及气候与地理的关系、气候形成过程五个方面论述了人类对气候认识的发展情况。(2)把现代气候的概念总结为:统计气候学、天气气候学、地理气候学和动力气候学四个方面。(3)在批判流行多年的鲁宾施晋和特洛兹多夫气候定义的基础上提出气候的新定义,即气候是宏观的大气物理过程。(4)明确指出气候学不是地理学的部门学科,它们在科学分类中是并列的。     

一次强沙尘暴活动对中国城市空气质量的影响

对2006年4月8—12日发生在中国北方地区的一次强沙尘暴天气过程及其对中国大陆城市空气质量的影响进行了分析研究。结果表明：①造成此次沙尘天气过程的直接原因是伴随着西伯利亚强冷空气南下的冷锋自西北向东南方向的移动。沙尘暴鼎盛时期卫星观测的中国境内大气沙尘气溶胶指数（AI）的分布存在一个高值区和两个次高值区。高值区位于内蒙古西部地区、河西走廊和河套地区;两个次高值区分别位于塔克拉玛干沙漠及华北至东北地区。与此同时,地面观测的最小能见度小于10 km的气象站点分布最密集的地区也主要分布在上述3个区域。AI的分布与最小能见度的分布之间有着很好的一致性。②这次沙尘天气过程的影响范围主要在33°N以北。从西到东沙尘天气影响的程度逐渐减轻,受污染最严重的城市集中在西北地区东部。根据锋面过境时间与发生大气污染事件时间的对比可将受沙尘天气影响的城市大致分为两类：第一类城市大气污染事件发生在冷锋过境期间（Ⅰ类城市）,第二类城市大气污染事件发生在冷锋过境前（Ⅱ类城市）。Ⅰ类城市受沙尘过程影响发生空气污染事件的持续时间相对较短,空气污染事件主要出现在锋面过境前后。Ⅱ类城市受沙尘过程影响发生空气污染事件的持续时间相对较长,空气污染事件的出现时间要明显超前于锋面过境时间。两类城市的共同特征是能见度与空气污染指数（API）之间存在着良好的反位相关系。