Skill of synthetic superensemble hurricane forecasts for the Canadian maritime provinces

Summary From 1994 to 2003, fifty-five tropical cyclones entered the Canadian Hurricane Centre (CHC) Response Zone, or about 42% of all named Atlantic tropical cyclones in this ten-year period, and 2003 was the fourth consecutive year for a tropical cyclone to make landfall in Canada. The CHC forecasts all tropical cyclones that enter the CHC Response Zone and assumes the lead in forecasting once the cyclone enters its area of forecast responsibility. This study acknowledges the challenges of forecasting such tropical cyclones at extratropical latitudes. If a tropical cyclone has been declared extratropical, global models may no longer use vortex bogussing to carry the cyclone, and even if it is modeled, large model errors often result. The purpose of this study is to develop a new version of the Florida State University (FSU) hurricane superensemble with greater skill in tracking tropical cyclones, especially at extratropical latitudes. This has been achieved from the development of the synthetic superensemble, which is similar to the operational version of the multi-model superensemble that is used at FSU. The synthetic superensemble differs in that is has a larger set of member models consisting of regular member models, synthetic versions of these models, and the operational superensemble and its synthetic version. This synthetic superensemble is being used here to forecast hurricane tracks from the 2001, 2002, and 2003 hurricane seasons. The track forecasts from this method have generally less error than those of the member models, the operational superensemble, and the ensemble mean. This study shows that the synthetic superensemble performs consistently well and would be an asset to operational hurricane track forecasting.     

Chaba (0417) 台风变性前后热力结构特征

运用美国NOAA-15极轨气象卫星高分辨率的AMSU探测资料, 结合NCEP/NCAR再分析资料和GMS-5气象卫星红外云顶亮温(TBB)资料, 对2004年Chaba(0417)台风(TC)变性前后的热力结构特征进行分析。发现变性前TC暖核结构呈对称分布, 在高空存在一强暖心; 变性后原TC对称暖心结构消失, 存在于温带气旋上空的相对暖区呈现出倾斜的非对称分布, 在高、低层各形成一弱的暖区中心, 锋面的斜压特性显著。通过热力结构对比, 进一步揭示出TC在向高纬度方向移动时, 与中纬度系统相互作用发生变性, 实质上是两个相继过程, 即热带气旋的消亡和温带气旋的生成发展。TC西侧高空干冷空气的入侵下沉, 破坏了其发展所需的水汽条件, 造成TC对称暖核结构的削弱和损毁。与此同时, 在TC残留区域, 由于空气较暖且存在气旋式环流, 暖空气在东侧呈气旋式上升, 与西侧高空入侵下沉的干冷空气形成偶极, TC暖气团与冷空气相交发展形成斜压的结果, 则为温带气旋的生成和发展创造了有利条件。     

Impact of 4DVAR Assimilation of AIRS Total Column Ozone Observations on the Simulation of Hurricane Earl

The Atmospheric Infrared Sounder(AIRS) provides twice-daily global observations of brightness temperature, which can be used to retrieve the total column ozone with high spatial and temporal resolution.In order to apply the AIRS ozone data to numerical prediction of tropical cyclones, a four-dimensional variational(4DVAR) assimilation scheme on selected model levels is adopted and implemented in the mesoscale non-hydrostatic model MM5. Based on the correlation between total column ozone and potential vorticity(PV), the observation operator of each level is established and five levels with highest correlation coefficients are selected for the 4DVAR assimilation of the AIRS total column ozone observations. The results from the numerical experiments using the proposed assimilation scheme for Hurricane Earl show that the ozone data assimilation affects the PV distributions with more mesoscale information at high levels first and then influences those at middle and low levels through the so-called asymmetric penetration of PV anomalies.With the AIRS ozone data being assimilated, the warm core of Hurricane Earl is intensified, resulting in the improvement of other fields near the hurricane center. The track prediction is improved mainly due to adjustment of the steering flows in the assimilation experiment.     

气溶胶对热带气旋强度及电过程影响的数值模拟研究

将详细的气溶胶活化方案和非感应起电参数化方案耦合到WRF模式的Morrison微物理方案中,在此基础上模拟了理想的热带气旋个例,讨论了气溶胶对热带气旋强度及电活动的影响。研究发现气溶胶对热带气旋强度和电活动的影响在不同发展阶段是不同的。在热带气旋发展阶段,气溶胶增加使云内的云滴数浓度增加,云滴尺度降低,抑制了暖雨过程,未降落的小云滴粒子上升到冻结层之上,冻结形成了更多的冰相粒子,冻结过程释放潜热,激发云系对流发展,使热带气旋强度增强,电活动更为剧烈。而在热带气旋成熟阶段,污染个例中的冰相粒子降落,形成更多的降水,降水粒子在下落过程中对上升气流产生拖曳作用,抑制对流强度。降水粒子在海平面蒸发吸收了大量潜热,使该区域温度降低,这也阻碍了外部暖湿能量向内输送,抑制了对流发展,从而使热带气旋强度降低。而由于污染个例中的冰粒子较少,参与起电过程的冰粒子减少,热带气旋的电活动强度降低。     

Advances in research and forecasting of tropical cyclones from 1963–2013

A review of progress over the past 50 years in observing and forecasting of tropical cyclones is presented. Tremendous progress has been made in track forecasting in the past 20 years with the improvement in numerical model guidance and the use of consensus forecasting, and this has contributed to a number of warning centers now issuing five-day track forecasts that are as accurate as three-day forecasts of a decade ago. Techniques are now available to specify the track forecast uncertainty for assessing the risk of a tropical cyclone. With the advent of five-day forecasts, a focus on improved understanding of formation has led to two field experiments. A recent advance has been in extended-range (5–30 days) forecasts of tropical cyclone events (formations and tracks) in the western North Pacific from the ECMWF 32-day ensemble predictions. This advance is a contribution to a goal of seamless forecasting from one day to a season for tropical cyclones. Little progress has been made in intensity forecasting, although the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Project in the United States and recent field experiments may offer some future advances. Some advances in forecasting tropical cyclone impacts such as storm surge, surface waves, and precipitation have been achieved. Future opportunities for continued advances are possible such that improved warnings can lead to reductions in losses of lives and minimizing damages from tropical cyclones.     

Changes in the frequency of tropical cyclones over the North Indian Ocean

Summary  Changes in the frequency of tropical cyclones developing over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal have been studied utilizing 122 year (1877–1998) data of tropical cyclone frequency. There have been significant increasing trends in the cyclone frequency over the Bay of Bengal during November and May which are main cyclone months. During transitional monsoon months; June and September however, the frequency has decreased. The results have been presented for five months, i.e., May-November which are relevant as far as tropical cyclone frequency over the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal are concerned. The tropical cyclone frequency in the Arabian Sea has not shown any significant trend, probably due to small normal frequency. The frequency time series has been subjected to the spectral analysis to obtain the significant periods. The cyclone frequency over the Bay of Bengal during May has shown a 29 year cycle. A significant 44 year cycle has been found during November. Over the Arabian Sea significant cycles of 13 and 10 years have been observed during May-June and November, respectively. The tropical cyclone frequency in the North Indian Ocean has a prominent El Ni?o-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) scale cycle (2–5 years) during all above five months. The annual cyclone frequency exhibits 29 year and ENSO scale (2–4 years) oscillations. There is a reduction in tropical cyclone activity over the Bay of Bengal in severe cyclone months May and November during warm phases of ENSO. Examination of the frequencies of severe cyclones with maximum sustained winds ≥ 48 knots has revealed that these cyclones have become more frequent in the North Indian Ocean during intense cyclone period of the year. The rate of intensification of tropical disturbances to severe cyclone stage has registered an upward trend. Received June 7, 1999/Revised March 20, 2000     

南半球冷空气入侵与热带气旋的形成

文中采用NCAR/PSU研制的非静力中尺度模式MM 5 ,研究了南半球冷空气入侵在热带气旋形成中的作用。初始场为纬向平均场 ,不含任何扰动 ,但为热带气旋的发生提供了基本条件 ;通过改变设在赤道的南边界条件 ,设计系列数值试验反映南半球不同强度冷空气的入侵。数值试验结果表明 :南半球冷空气侵袭后 ,在菲律宾以东洋面上形成热带气旋 ;没有冷空气入侵时 ,只有扰动产生 ,没有热带气旋形成。在对流不稳定的背景场中 ,即使没有冷空气入侵 ,低层小尺度辐合引起强上升运动 ,产生的非绝热加热 ,在热带洋面上也能形成扰动。但是非绝热加热使得稳定度增加 ,没有低层强辐合的支持 ,对流不能持续 ,扰动不能发展成为热带气旋。南半球冷空气的入侵 ,一方面气温降低 ,使得中低层层结稳定度降低 ;另一方面 ,冷空气形成向北的气压梯度 ,在低纬度产生南风 ,导致低层强辐合。稳定度因子和低层辐合的共同作用 ,驱动深厚的垂直环流 ,产生十分显著的非绝热加热 ,形成了暖心的热带气旋。上述研究结果一定程度上肯定了存有疑义的冷空气学说     

Reanalysis of western Pacific typhoons in 2004 with multi-satellite observations

Summary A pilot tropical cyclone reanalysis project was conducted to construct a reliable, high temporal and spatial resolution tropical cyclone dataset for selected western Pacific typhoons in summer 2004, with the application of the latest satellite observations and a 4-dimensional variational data assimilation method. Primary data used for the reanalysis include SSM/I rain rate, GOES-retrieved upper-level wind, QuikSCAT surface wind, Aqua AIRS/AMSU retrieved temperature and moisture profiles, and JTWC best track data. A regular reanalysis procedure was established and up to 12 western Pacific typhoons have been reanalyzed. The reanalysis period covers the entire life cycle of a tropical cyclone, from a few days prior to its genesis to its final decay stage. A preliminary analysis shows that the reanalysis product significantly improves typhoon intensity, structure, and track, compared to the NCEP operational final analysis. The validation of the TC structure against independent observations shows that the reanalysis reproduces well the asymmetric characteristics of TC rain bands and cloud bands. A further modeling experiment with an initial condition from the reanalysis product reveals a significant improvement in typhoon intensity forecast compared to a parallel experiment with an initial condition from the NCEP final analysis, which provides a further indication of quality of the tropical cyclone reanalysis. The reanalysis product and the raw observational data will soon be posted on the data server of the IPRC Asia-Pacific Data-Research Center () for public use.     

The Genesis of Tropical Cyclone Bilis (2000) Associated with Cross-equatorial Surges

The purpose of this paper is to explore how a tropical cyclone forms from a pre-existing large-scale depression which has been observed and associated with cross-equatorial surges in the western North Pacific. Tropical cyclone Bilis(2000) was selected as the case to study.The research data used are from the results of the non-hydrostatic mesoscale model(MM5),which has successfully simulated the transformation of a pre-existing weak large-scale tropical depression into a strong tropical storm.The scale separation technique is used to separate the synoptic-scale and sub-synoptic-scale fields from the model output fields. The scale-separated fields show that the pre-existing synoptic-scale tropical depression and the subsynoptic scale tropical cyclone formed later were different scale systems from beginning to end.It is also shown that the pre-existing synoptic-scale tropical depression did not contract to become the tropical cyclone. A series of weak,sub-synoptic-scale low and high pressure systems appeared and disappeared in the synopticscale depression,with one of the low systems near the center of the synoptic-scale depression having deepened to become the tropical cyclone. The roles of the synoptic-scale flow and the sub-synoptic scale disturbances in the formation of the tropical cyclone are investigated by diagnoses of the scale-separated vertical vorticity equation.The results show that the early development of the sub-synoptic scale vortex was fundamentally dependent on the strengthening synoptic-scale environmental depression.The depression was strengthened by cross-equatorial surges,which increased the convergence of the synoptic-scale depression at low levels and triggered the formation of the tropical cyclone.     

Circulation Features Associated with the Record-breaking Typhoon Silence in August 2014

Climatologically, August is the month with the most tropical cyclone(TC) formation over the western North Pacific(WNP) during the typhoon season. In this study, the reason for abnormal TC activity during August is discussed—especially August 2014, when no TCs formed. The large-scale background of August 2014 is presented, with low-level large-scale easterly anomalies and anticyclonic anomalies dominating over the main TC genesis region, a weak monsoon trough system,and a strong WNP subtropical high(WPSH), leading to significantly reduced low-level convergence, upper-level divergence,and mid-level upward motion. These unfavorable large-scale conditions suppressed convection and cyclogenesis. In August2014, equatorial waves were inactive within the negative phase of the Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO), with fewer tropical disturbances. Although the low-level vorticity and convection of those disturbances were partly promoted by the convective envelopes of equatorial waves, the integral evolution of disturbances, as well as the equatorial waves, were suppressed when propagating into the negative MJO phase. Moreover, the upper-level potential vorticity(PV) streamers associated with anticyclonic Rossby wave breaking events imported extratropical cold and dry air into the tropics. The peripheral tropospheric dryness and enhanced vertical wind shear by PV streamer intrusion combined with the negative MJO phase were responsible for the absence of TC formation over the WNP in August 2014.     

影响广西的热带气旋与热带季风的某些关系

利用常规的热带气旋气候资料和最近（1998）实施的南海季风试验研究成果资料，统计分析影响广西的热带气旋活动与热带季风爆发迟早，强弱等变异的关系，揭示了一些统计特征，并探讨其中的某些规律，初步分析了热带季风对热带气旋的作用，指出热带季风气流进入热带气旋环流对热带气旋的发展有正贡献。     

一种对资源不稳定性敏感的EASY-backfill算法

利用合成技术对1995—2006年冬季（11月—次年2月）生成在西北太平洋上的34个热带气旋（tropicalcyclone,TC）个例进行分析,研究冬季西北太平洋TC生成的大尺度环流特征及其生成机制,结果表明：冬季TC生成的大尺度环流特征型为东风波西传型;北半球冬季对流层低层出现的跨赤道气旋对是冬季北半球TC形成的重要特征;太平洋中部赤道混合Rossby重力波西北传,与强对流中心重合,性质转为＂热带低压型扰动＂,为冬季热带气旋生成提供扰动源。对合成TC初始场的涡动扰动动能的收支分析表明,涡动有效位能和正压不稳定转换为TC形成提供了能量,这两种能量分别与积云对流加热和水平不均匀气流有关。正压不稳定能量转换为动能主要位于对流层中下层,而扰动有效位能的转换主要位于对流层中上层。低层热带东风波动从平均气流中获得正压不稳定能量,并与强积云对流耦合,热力和动力共同作用下形成TC。     

大气季节内振荡对夏季西北太平洋热带气旋群发性的影响

利用中国气象局上海台风研究所整编的热带气旋最佳路径资料、 向外射出长波辐射 (OLR) 和NCEP/NCAR再分析风场资料, 研究了1991年夏季西北太平洋热带气旋的群发性特征及其与大气季节内振荡的关系。结果表明, 1991年6～9月西北太平洋地区的对流活动存在20～60天的准周期振荡, 该区域的热带气旋活动也具有这种频率的季节内变化, 即热带气旋的活动具有明显的群发性和周期性。进一步分析表明, 热带气旋易集中出现在大气季节内振荡的湿位相, 这是因为湿位相期间大气低层维持的较大尺度的低频气旋性环流为天气尺度的热带气旋的生成提供了有利的背景环流场。低频气旋中心东南侧的不稳定低空西风急流容易激发出一些小扰动, 低空的低频正涡度异常又有利于这些初始小扰动的增长, 同时, 热带气旋发生势 (genesis potential) 表现为正距平, 说明热带气旋发生发展的垂直风切变条件容易满足, 因而导致热带气旋的相继群发。     

西北太平洋热带气旋生成客观预测模型

该文提出一种西北太平洋热带气旋年生成活动的客观预测模型。研究大尺度环境因子对西北太平洋热带气旋年生成频次的作用,使用最小角回归算法对初始14个预测因子进行选择和降维,将资料集分为训练集(1979—2015年)和验证集(2016—2020年),建立随机森林回归模型预测热带气旋年生成频次。分析环境因子对西北太平洋热带气旋生成位置的作用,使用逐步回归算法筛选影响显著的预测因子,建立局部泊松回归模型预测热带气旋生成空间位置的概率。结果表明:随机森林回归模型可以预测西北热带气旋频次的主要变化和趋势,揭示环境因子对西北太平洋热带气旋年生成频次的影响。局部泊松回归模型对于气旋生成位置概率有一定预测能力。利用随机森林回归模型和局部泊松回归模型模拟1979—2020年西北太平洋热带气旋生成,结果与观测基本一致,可见模型可为热带气旋危险性分析提供参考。     

赤道波动转换在西北太平洋热带气旋生成中的作用

This study associates tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the western North Pacific (WNP) with the equatorial wave transition from an interannual viewpoint, revealing that the tropical cyclogenesis mean location may be modulated by a longitudinal shift in the transition of Mixed Rossby-gravity (MRG) waves to off-equatorial tropical depression (TD) disturbances from year to year. To a large extent, the wave transition is attributable to the monsoon trough in response to the thermal state of the warm pool (WP) over the WNP. During the cold state years in the WP, the basic flow confluence region associated with the monsoon trough penetrates eastward, leading to an eastward shift in the location of the wave transition. Such an environment, in which wave accumulation and energy conversion occur, is favorable for tropical cyclogenesis; as a result, the averaged cyclogenesis location moves eastward. The condition is reserved during the warm years in the WP, resulting in the prominent westward-retreating mean TC formation. Citation: Chen, G. H., and R. H. Huang, 2008: Role of equatorial wave transitions in tropical cyclogenesis over the western north Pacific, Atmos. Oceanic Sci. Lett., 1, 64-68     

"2003.6.17"滇中特大暴雨的中尺度分析

结合大尺度环流的高通滤波、卫星云图和雷达回波诊断，用Shuman—Shapiro中尺度滤波方法，对2003年6月17日云南中部的楚雄市至南华县一带发生的特大暴雨过程进行了中尺度分析。结果表明，这次过程是热带中尺度气旋东南移并发展造成的；地面强冷空气侵入中尺度低压导致对流发展，是热带中尺度气旋加强的原因；大尺度环流下，孟加拉湾、南海和北部湾形成的两条水汽输送带通过热带低压，为强对流的发展和维持提供了能源保障；地面中尺度低压中心和与之配置的切变线北侧对特大暴雨落区有较好的指示。     

The impact of AIRS atmospheric temperature and moisture profiles on hurricane forecasts: Ike (2008) and Irene (2011)

Atmospheric Infra Red Sounder(AIRS) measurements are a valuable supplement to current observational data, especially over the oceans where conventional data are sparse. In this study, two types of AIRS-retrieved temperature and moisture profiles, the AIRS Science Team product(Sci Sup) and the single field-of-view(SFOV) research product, were evaluated with European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF) analysis data over the Atlantic Ocean during Hurricane Ike(2008) and Hurricane Irene(2011). The evaluation results showed that both types of AIRS profiles agreed well with the ECMWF analysis, especially between 200 h Pa and 700 h Pa. The average standard deviation of both temperature profiles was approximately 1 K under 200 h Pa, where the mean AIRS temperature profile from the AIRS Sci Sup retrievals was slightly colder than that from the AIRS SFOV retrievals. The mean Sci Sup moisture profile was slightly drier than that from the SFOV in the mid troposphere. A series of data assimilation and forecast experiments was then conducted with the Advanced Research version of the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model and its three-dimensional variational(3DVAR) data assimilation system for hurricanes Ike and Irene. The results showed an improvement in the hurricane track due to the assimilation of AIRS clear-sky temperature profiles in the hurricane environment. In terms of total precipitable water and rainfall forecasts, the hurricane moisture environment was found to be affected by the AIRS sounding assimilation.Meanwhile, improving hurricane intensity forecasts through assimilating AIRS profiles remains a challenge for further study.     

0308号强热带风暴"天鹅"影响过程分析

利用天气图、卫星云图等资料,分析了0308号强热带风暴"天鹅"的高空环流形势及演变、双热带气旋的影响、日本24小时地面预报图和降水预报图以及FY-2云图,探讨了如何预报热带气旋的移动路径、登陆地点和时段,切实提高热带气旋活动的预报准确率.     

近71a影响黑龙江省热带气旋统计特征分析

利用中国气象局上海台风研究所整编的1949—2019年热带气旋数据,统计分析近71 a影响黑龙江省的热带气旋发生时间、频率、强度、移动路径等特征。结果表明：近71 a影响黑龙江的热带气旋共有77个,平均1.08个·a^-1,其中有28 a没有热带气旋影响黑龙江;近10 a是黑龙江受热带气旋影响的活跃期,西北太平洋生成的热带气旋频数与影响黑龙江的频数没有直接相关关系,出现El Ni1o或La Ni1a现象时对影响黑龙江的热带气旋起抑制作用;热带气旋影响黑龙江最早出现在5月,最晚出现在9月,8月出现频率最高,“七下八中下”是每年的活跃阶段;在强度上,影响黑龙江的超强台风居多,但近年趋于减少,更多低级别的热带气旋可维持较长生命史北上产生影响;牡丹江市为黑龙江最易受热带气旋影响的地区;按移动路径可将影响黑龙江的热带气旋分为两类,分别为北上热带气旋和偏东路径热带气旋,其中北上热带气旋又可进一步分为七类,其中经朝鲜半岛东转向出现的频次最多,但对黑龙江影响相对较小;经朝鲜半岛北上和高纬东转向更容易给黑龙江带来严重的风雨影响。     

影响山东的热带气旋年际和年代际变化

利用1949-2006年热带气旋年鉴资料对58年来影响山东的热带气旋频数和强度,以及热带气旋引起的暴雨和大风进行了气候统计学分析.分析表明:7月下旬至8月下旬是热带气旋影响山东的主要时段.影响山东的热带气旋具有明显的年代际变化,并存在显著的2.4年和5年左右的周期变化,但影响山东的热带气旋强度呈明显减弱趋势,年代际变化不明显;8月份影响山东的热带气旋最多,极易发生洪涝和强风灾害,所造成的暴雨和大风的次数与热带气旋频数的变化较为一致.通过分析影响山东热带气旋活动与太平洋海温和西太平洋副高的关系,指出,北太平洋海温关键区以及西太平洋副高的气候变化对热带气旋活动有着很重要的作用.