Remote sensing of aerosols over the Solar Village, Saudi Arabia

Aerosol optical properties over Solar Village, Saudi Arabia have been studied using ground-based remote sensing observations through the Aerosol Robotic Network (AERONET). Our analysis covered 8 recorded years of aerosol measurements, starting from February 1999 through January 2007. The seasonal mean values of aerosol optical thickness (AOT), the Ångström wavelength exponent α and the surface wind speed (V), exhibit a one year cyclical pattern. Seasonal variations are clearly found in the shape and magnitude of the volume size distribution (VSD) of the coarse size mode due to dust emission. The Spring is characterized by dusty aerosols as the modal value of the exponent α was low ~ 0.25 while that of AOT was high ~ 0.3. The modal value of wind speed was the highest ~ 3.6 m/s in spring. The increase in wind speed is responsible for increasing the concentration of dust particles during Spring. Spring of 2003 has the highest mean values of AOT, V and VSD and the lowest mean value for the exponent α. The seasonal mean values of the exponent α are anticorrelated with those of the wind speed (r = − 0.63). The annual mean values of the exponent α are well correlated (r = 0.77) with those of the difference between the maximum and minimum values of temperature ΔT. They are anticorrelated (r = − 0.74) with the annual mean values of the relative humidity. Large aerosol particles and high relative humidity increase the radiative forcing. This results in reduction of the values of the temperature difference ΔT.     

Tropical cyclone composite structure and impacts over eastern Madagascar during January–March 1994

Summary Three tropical cyclones crossing the east coast of Madagascar in early 1994 are analysed for composite structure using ECMWF data. TCs Daisy, Geralda and Litanne took similar paths and made landfall on 13 January, 2 February and 15 March, respectively. Because of their similarity, and the inability of the model to resolve detailed structure in a poorly observed region, composites are constructed for 3 days before landfall (Cl) and 3 days during landfall (C2). The interaction between the TC and the background circulation forms the focus of the study. Answers are sought for the repeatability of this extreme weather phenomena during the 1994 season.With 12 Figures     

A comprehensive study on the surface chemistry of particulate matter collected from Jeddah,Saudi Arabia

In this work, the X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) technique is utilized to analyze the surface chemical composition of particulate matter (PM) which was collected from various locations at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The main elements found on the surface of PM are carbon (C), oxygen (O) and silicon (Si) with combined percentage of 89.4–94.9 while traces of nitrogen (N), calcium (Ca), aluminum (Al), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), manganese (Mg), and sulfur (S) were also present. The analyzed XPS chemical state of C, O and Si was further used to determine their bonding with other elements occurring over the surface of PM. Carbon was found in the form of carbides (18.86%), fluorides (2.39%) and carbonates (78.75%); oxygen was observed as oxides (21.05%) and hydroxides (73.42%) of other metals; and silicon was detected as silicones (12.16%), nitrides (82.53%) and silicates (5.25%). The particle size of a PM is also of great concern for health issues, and thus has been investigated by the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM). The Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) was employed for cross verification of detected elements by XPS.     

非静力模式预报热带气旋路径个例试验

利用非静力模式（ＭＭ５Ｖ２）对９６１１号、９９０４号等北上热带气旋路径预报进行民试验。用松驰（Ｎｕｄｇｉｎｇ）四维同化方案和人造热带气旋（Ｂｏｇｕｓ ＴＣ）技术,使独ｔ－１２时刻的模式场（包括第一个Ｂｏｇｕｓ ＴＣ）通过预积分逐步逼近ｔｏ时刻的Ｂｏｇｕｓ ＴＣ和同时刻的观测资料场庆１９９９年能够得到相隔６ｈ一次的ＡＴ１０６Ｌ１９预报场后,分别在ｔ－１２、ｔ－ａ６和ｔｏ时刻各制做一个Ｂｏｇｕｓ ＴＣ     

Remote effects of tropical storm Cristobal upon a cut-off cyclone over Europe in August 2002

Summary In August 2002, many parts of central Europe were affected by heavy precipitation and flooding caused by a cut-off cyclone. This study shows that this cyclone developed as a result of the propagation of a Rossby wave packet. The wave-packet propagation along the relatively weak subtropical jet was accompanied by wave-breaking and re-emission in the subtropics. In particular, there was an interaction between the Rossby wave packet and a precipitation band along the east coast of North America associated with tropical storm Cristobal. This interaction had a significant influence upon the formation of the European cut-off low. Results from numerical simulations from two different initial conditions are investigated to study this interaction. Downstream influences from tropical storm Cristobal upon the development of this cyclone and associated flooding precipitation are confirmed by sensitivity analysis using ensemble forecasts. It is concluded from analysis and simulations that poor forecast skills of tropical storm Cristobal affected the predictability of the European cut-off low.     

西北太平洋台风尺度与强度变化之间关系初探

为探究西北太平洋台风尺度对台风强度变化的影响,从美国联合台风预警中心(JTWC)2006—2015年最优路径(best track)观测资料中筛选出快速增强和非快速增强两类台风样本,采用台风最大风速半径(RMW)、34 kn(1 kn=0.51 m/s)风速等值线半径(AR34)和最外围闭合等压线半径(ROCI)三个尺度参数,初步分析了台风尺度与强度变化之间的关系。结果表明:内核尺度(RMW和AR34)与台风强度变化之间存在显著负相关,而外核尺度(ROCI)与台风强度变化之间的相关性较弱。经历和未经历快速增强过程的两类台风的初始尺度,前者显著小于后者。可以使用RMW和AR34代表的尺度参数来辅助中小尺度台风的强度预报和快速增强过程的预测。     

Siberian high variability and its teleconnections with tropical circulations and surface air temperature over Saudi Arabia

Based on a generated time series for the central pressure of the Siberian High, and on defining a robust Siberian High Index (SHI), the behavior of this atmospheric center of action is examined from 1949 to 2010 with regard to inter-annual variations, persistence, trends, abrupt changes, spectral analysis and interactions. The interannual variability in the central pressure of the Siberian High is considerable. The mean downward linear and non-linear trend over the entire period (1949–2010) is estimated and is found to be statistically significant at the 95 % confidence level. Low frequency variation and linearity within the SHI time series are found from the persistence analysis. Using spectral analysis, the center of action of the Siberian High is characterized by non-periodic behavior; the peaks occur only at the lowest frequency and may be related to the Sea Surface Temperature (SST) over the El Niño region. The Siberian High is affected by the Hadley circulation cell; there is no detectable connection between the Walker circulation cell and the Siberian High. SSTs over the El Niño region may affect the Siberian High. Interactions between the Siberian High and the SSTs over the tropical Atlantic Ocean are absent. The SHI is positively correlated to surface air temperatures over Saudi Arabia, and this is statistically significant in the western and north-western regions.     

On the relationship between climatic variables and pressure systems over Saudi Arabia in the winter season

The synoptic circulation over Saudi Arabia is complicated and frequently governed by the effect of large-scale pressure systems. In this work, we used NCEP–NCAR global data to illustrate the relationship between climatic variables and the main pressure systems that affect the weather and climate of Saudi Arabia, and also to investigate the influence of these pressure systems on surface air temperature(SAT) and rainfall over the region in the winter season. It was found that there are two primary patterns of pressure that influence the weather and climate of Saudi Arabia. The first occurs in cases of a strengthening Subtropical High(Sub H), a weakening Siberian High(Sib H), a deepening of the Icelandic Low(Ice L), or a weakening of the Sudanese Low(Sud L). During this pattern, the Sub H combines with the Sib H and an obvious increase of sea level pressure(SLP) occurs over southern European, the Mediterranean, North Africa, and the Middle East. This belt of high pressure prevents interaction between midlatitude and extratropical systems, which leads to a decrease in the SAT,relative humidity(RH) and rainfall over Saudi Arabia. The second pattern occurs in association with a weakening of the Sub H, a strengthening of the Sib H, a weakening of the Ice L, or a deepening of the Sud L. The pattern arising in this case leads to an interaction between two different air masses: the first(cold moist) air mass is associated with the Mediterranean depression travelling from west to east, while the second(warm moist) air mass is associated with the northward oscillation of the Sud L and its inverted V-shape trough. The interaction between these two air masses increases the SAT, RH and the probability of rainfall over Saudi Arabia, especially over the northwest and northeast regions.     

Urbanization effects on the air temperature rise in Saudi Arabia

We study the possible effects of urbanization on the rise of air temperature in Saudi Arabia for the period 1981–2010. The effects of variations in elevation and marine temperature on the air temperature trend are also investigated. Surface air temperature data are analyzed for 24 sites which are mostly located at the airports across the country. The population data for the current (2010) and earlier (2004 and 1992) censuses are used for the nearest cities where the observation sites are located. A national average is calculated using two different approaches (simple averaging and weighted according to area for 1985–2010 when all stations are available) which gives trends of 0.60 and 0.51 °C/decade respectively, both significant at the 99 % level. We find no link between the temperature increase and population increase nor with elevation at the 24 sites which are mostly located in the urban effected area but not at the city centers. This suggests that the rise in air temperature is not likely due to urbanization changes resulting from the population increases.     

Cloud modification in Saudi Arabia: Statistical estimation of the results

The results of experiments to enhance precipitation in Saudi Arabia by Weather Modification Inc. (USA) are presented. Statistical analysis of radar measurements indicates that there are significant changes in cloud characteristics and an increase in precipitation due to seeding.     

Simulation of tropical cyclone activity over the western North Pacific based on CMIP5 models

Based on the Coupled Model Inter-comparison Project 5 (CMIP5) models, the tropical cyclone (TC) activity in the summers of 1965–2005 over the western North Pacific (WNP) is simulated by a TC dynamically downscaling system. In consideration of diversity among climate models, Bayesian model averaging (BMA) and equal-weighed model averaging (EMA) methods are applied to produce the ensemble large-scale environmental factors of the CMIP5 model outputs. The environmental factors generated by BMA and EMA methods are compared, as well as the corresponding TC simulations by the downscaling system. Results indicate that BMA method shows a significant advantage over the EMA. In addition, impacts of model selections on BMA method are examined. To each factor, ten models with better performance are selected from 30 CMIP5 models and then conduct BMA, respectively. As a consequence, the ensemble environmental factors and simulated TC activity are similar with the results from the 30 models’ BMA, which verifies the BMA method can afford corresponding weight for each model in the ensemble based on the model’s predictive skill. Thereby, the existence of poor performance models will not particularly affect the BMA effectiveness and the ensemble outcomes are improved. Finally, based upon the BMA method and downscaling system, we analyze the sensitivity of TC activity to three important environmental factors, i.e., sea surface temperature (SST), large-scale steering flow, and vertical wind shear. Among three factors, SST and large-scale steering flow greatly affect TC tracks, while average intensity distribution is sensitive to all three environmental factors. Moreover, SST and vertical wind shear jointly play a critical role in the inter-annual variability of TC lifetime maximum intensity and frequency of intense TCs.     

Antecedent mid-tropospheric frontogenesis caused by the interaction between a tropical cyclone and midlatitude trough: a case study of Typhoon Rusa (2002)

This study examines antecedent mid-tropospheric frontogenesis (AMF) resulting from the interaction between Typhoon Rusa (2002) and a midlatitude trough over the Korean Peninsula. In this event, the AMF contributed to the first peak in the time series of rainfall in Gangneung (37.75°N, 128.90°E), occurring about 12 h before the time of the extratropical transition (ET) process of the tropical cyclone (TC). Using observations and high-resolution model outputs, we showed that the AMF contributed to the antecedent rainfall in Gangneung during the first rainfall period when Gangneung was located outside of Rusa's sphere of direct influence. A Weather Research Forecasting (WRF) model experiment was conducted to diagnose the frontogenetical features and associated precipitation processes in detail. The experiment revealed that the AMF was mainly forced by the horizontal deformation forcing (HDF). The direction of the HDF was oriented from southwest to northeast in the middle part of the peninsula. The HDF increased positively due to the confluence of the southeasterlies from the TC and the northwesterlies emanating from the midlatitude trough. The experiment also suggested that the mid-tropospheric moisture originated from the subtropical ocean and deposited into the frontal region by the southerlies on the eastern periphery of the TC, which enhanced the convergence of moisture flux in the frontal region during the first rainfall period. The thermally direct circulation associated with the AMF lead to the mid-tropospheric saturation, which enhanced the precipitation of the first rainfall event together with the orographically forced convection at the low level above Gangneung.     

2018年1月北大西洋上一个具有“T”型锋面结构的超强爆发性气旋的分析

利用欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）提供的0.5°×0.5° ERA-Interim再分析资料，麦迪逊-威斯康星大学气象卫星研究所（CIMSS）提供的地球静止环境业务卫星（GOES-EAST）红外卫星云图和天气预报模式（WRF）的模拟结果，对2018年1月3—6日发生在北大西洋上的一个具有“T”型（T-bone）锋面结构的超强爆发性气旋进行分析。该爆发性气旋在较暖的湾流上空生成，沿海表面温度大值区向东北方向快速移动，生成后6 h内爆发性发展，24 h中心气压降低48.7 hPa。高空槽加深、涡度平流加强和低层较强的大气斜压性为气旋快速发展提供了有利的环流背景场。由于气旋发展迅速，低层相对涡度急剧增大，低压中心南部来自西北方向的干冷空气随气旋式环流快速向东推进，与东南暖湿气流汇合，锋生作用较强。较暖的洋面对西北冷空气的加热作用使得交汇的冷、暖空气温度梯度较小。减弱东移的冷锋与暖锋逐渐形成近似垂直的“T”型结构。用Zwack-Okossi方程诊断分析表明，非绝热加热、温度平流和正涡度平流是该爆发性气旋发展的主要影响因子。气旋初始爆发阶段，西北冷空气进入温暖的洋面，海洋对上层大气感热输送和潜热释放较强，非绝热加热对气旋快速发展有较大贡献。气旋进一步发展，“T”型锋面结构显著，温度平流净贡献较大，对气旋的发展和维持起重要作用。      

A Diagnostic Study of Explosive Development of Extratropical Cyclone over East Asia and West Pacific Ocean

ＡＤｉａｇｎｏｓｔｉｃＳｔｕｄｙｏｆＥｘｐｌｏｓｉｖｅＤｅｖｅｌｏｐｍｅｎｔｏｆＥｘｔｒａｔｒｏｐｉｃａｌＣｙｃｌｏｎｅｏｖｅｒＥａｓｔＡｓｉａａｎｄＷｅｓｔＰａｃｉｆｉｃＯｃｅａｎ￥ＪｉａＹｉｑｉｎ（贾逸勤）ａｎｄＺｈａｏＳｉｘｉｏｎｇ（赵思雄）（...     

一次秋季温带气旋的雨雪天气过程分析

2012年11月3-5日,受强冷空气和气旋发展的影响,华北地区出现了秋冬之交首场雨雪过程.此次雨雪天气过程具有降水强度大、雨雪范围广、初雪时间早、降水相态多变以及雨雪降温大风并存等特点.着重分析了过程的多尺度相互作用及其成因机理等,得到以下结果:(1)通过对北极涛动指数变化的分析发现,此次过程前期由于北极涛动指数负位相出现的时间较早,并且强度大,维持时间长,对应当年秋冬之交首场雨雪天气出现亦时间早、强度大.(2)此次过程前期华北地区西风带上游长波波数趋于减少,导致后期位于华北地区受其引导的相应低压系统稳定少动.(3)东亚-西太平洋地区建立的“Ω”形阻塞形势阻挡了其上游西风带槽的东移,特别是后期此阻塞高压南部迅速生成的低值系统与阻塞高压的高值中心构成了十分稳定的对偶之势,阻断了其上游西风带槽的东移,导致相应地面气旋系统长时间稳定维持在北京及其邻近地区,从而促使该地区出现了历史上罕见的强降水事件.(4)该过程涡度平流和温度平流对锋前上升运动的形成和气旋的发展演变有重要的影响,这次天气过程的气旋发展机制与经典的第二类温带气旋发生、发展机制不尽相同.(5)此次过程中水汽条件极为有利,特别是在气旋发展后期,来自海上的水汽源源不断流入移动缓慢的气旋区域,为该区域的罕见强降水创造了极为有利的水汽条件.(6)在整体大气稳定层结环境下,锋面前沿的水汽输送和抬升在低层形成了大气不稳定层结,有利于低层上升运动的触发,锋面加强引起的风垂直切变加强促进了大气不稳定层结之上的条件性对称不稳定区向上扩展,并与高层的条件性对称不稳定区连通,从而为低层触发的上升运动向高层发展提供了有利条件.     

Influence of future tropical cyclone track changes on their basin-wide intensity over the western North Pacific: Downscaled CMIP5 projections

The possible changes of tropical cyclone(TC) tracks and their influence on the future basin-wide intensity of TCs over the western North Pacific(WNP) are examined based on the projected large-scale environments derived from a selection of CMIP5(Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) models. Specific attention is paid to the performance of the CMIP5 climate models in simulating the large-scale environment for TC development over the WNP. A downscaling system including individual models for simulating the TC track and intensity is used to select the CMIP5 models and to simulate the TC activity in the future.The assessment of the future track and intensity changes of TCs is based on the projected large-scale environment in the21 st century from a selection of nine CMIP5 climate models under the Representative Concentration Pathway 4.5(RCP4.5)scenario. Due to changes in mean steering flows, the influence of TCs over the South China Sea area is projected to decrease,with an increasing number of TCs taking a northwestward track. Changes in prevailing tracks and their contribution to basin-wide intensity change show considerable inter-model variability. The influences of changes in prevailing track make a marked contribution to TC intensity change in some models, tending to counteract the effect of SST warming. This study suggests that attention should be paid to the simulated large-scale environment when assessing the future changes in regional TC activity based on climate models. In addition, the change in prevailing tracks should be considered when assessing future TC intensity change.     

Tropical cyclone genesis potential index over the western North Pacific simulated by CMIP5 models

Tropical cyclone(TC) genesis over the western North Pacific(WNP) is analyzed using 23 CMIP5(Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5) models and reanalysis datasets. The models are evaluated according to TC genesis potential index(GPI). The spatial and temporal variations of the GPI are first calculated using three atmospheric reanalysis datasets(ERA-Interim, NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis-1, and NCEP/DOE Reanalysis-2). Spatial distributions of July–October-mean TC frequency based on the GPI from ERA-interim are more consistent with observed ones derived from IBTr ACS global TC data. So, the ERA-interim reanalysis dataset is used to examine the CMIP5 models in terms of reproducing GPI during the period 1982–2005. Although most models possess deficiencies in reproducing the spatial distribution of the GPI, their multimodel ensemble(MME) mean shows a reasonable climatological GPI pattern characterized by a high GPI zone along 20?N in the WNP. There was an upward trend of TC genesis frequency during 1982 to 1998, followed by a downward trend. Both MME results and reanalysis data can represent a robust increasing trend during 1982–1998, but the models cannot simulate the downward trend after 2000. Analysis based on future projection experiments shows that the GPI exhibits no significant change in the first half of the 21 st century, and then starts to decrease at the end of the 21 st century under the representative concentration pathway(RCP) 2.6 scenario. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, the GPI shows an increasing trend in the vicinity of20?N, indicating more TCs could possibly be expected over the WNP under future global warming.     

A simplified calibrated model for estimating daily global solar radiation in Madinah, Saudi Arabia

Solar radiation is the most important parameter in defining the energy budget at the surface thereby influencing the hydroclimate. Several empirical models based on air temperature are developed and used in several decision-making needs such as agriculture and energy sector. However, a calibration against direct observations is a priori for implementing such models. A calibrated model is developed for Saudi Arabia (Madinah) based on observations during 2007–2011. The model $ \left( {\mathrm{Rs}=A+B\cdot \mathrm{R}{{\mathrm{s}}_0}{{{\left( {{T_{\max }}-{T_{\min }}} \right)}}^C}} \right) $ is used to estimate daily solar radiation and results show a correlation coefficient of 0.94. The calibrated model outperforms the uncalibrated model available for this location. To increase the confidence, the calibrated model is also compared with a simple artificial neural network.