Inter-annual temperature and precipitation variations over the Litani Basin in response to atmospheric circulation patterns

This study examines the sensitivity of a mid-size basin’s temperature and precipitation response to different global and regional climate circulation patterns. The implication of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), El Ni?o Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Indian Monsoon and ten other teleconnection patterns of the Northern Hemisphere are investigated. A methodology to generate a basin-scale, long-term monthly surface temperature and precipitation time series has been established using different statistical tests. The Litani River Basin is the focus of this study. It is located in Lebanon, east of the Mediterranean Basin, which is known to have diverse geophysical and environmental characteristics. It was selected to explore the influence of the diverse physical and topographical features on its hydroclimatological response to global and regional climate patterns. We also examine the opportunity of conducting related studies in areas with limited long-term measured climate and/or hydrological data. Litani's monthly precipitation and temperature data have been collected and statistically extrapolated using remotely sensed data products from satellites and as well as in situ gauges. Correlations between 13 different teleconnection indices and the basin’s precipitation and temperature series are investigated. The study shows that some of the annual and seasonal temperature and precipitation variance can be partially associated with many atmospheric circulation patterns. This would give the opportunity to relate the natural climate variability with the watershed’s hydroclimatology performance and thus differentiate it from other anthropogenic induced climate change outcomes.     

Sensitivity of the IAP two-level AGCM to surface albedo variations

Summary Two numerical experiments were performed for sensitivity study of surface albedo, one was a control run in which the albedo values for snow-free surfaces were prescribed as constant; the other was a sensitivity run in which an albedo with seasonal variation was incorporated into the model show that the simulation of precipitation is sensitive to the surface albedo variations, especially those over Eastern Asia and the Sahara. Changes in surface albedo also have an impact on the monthly mean sea level pressure, especially on the July-mean Western Pacific subtropical high. Surface air temperature decreased over most of the Eastern Asia but increases over most of the Antarctica in July.With 6 Figures     

Surface air temperature response to increasing global industrial productivity: A beneficial greenhouse effect?

Summary Comparisons of trends of global industrial productivity, Northern Hemispheric and United States annual mean temperatures, U.S. annual and summer mean maximum and mean minimum temperatures, and U.S. cloud cover suggest that the net result of the CO₂/trace gas greenhouse effect and certain biologically-modulated negative feedbacks related to cloud characteristics may be a moderate increase in nighttime minimum temperatures with no change in daytime maximum values. Such a response, if verified by further studies, would likely be desirable, for it would reduce low temperature stresses on biological and mechanical systems, significantly amplify many of the positive botanical effects of atmospheric CO₂ enrichment, and produce few, if any, deleterious climatic effects. In a word, it may well be beneficial.With 4 Figures     

The response of the marine boundary layer to mesoscale variations in sea-surface temperature

The effects of variations in sea-surface temperature on the surface fluxes of the marine atmospheric boundary layer have been investigated. The boundary model developed by Brown and Brown and Liu has been used to estimate these effects for near neutral conditions. Data taken on September 1, 1978, during the JASIN experiment have been used to corroborate the results obtained with Brown's model. Some speculations on secondary effects of the sea-surface temperature are given.     

Studies of solar radiation and albedo in the antarctic

Summary The preliminary report deals with studies of the direct solar radiation and albedo which were performed during the US-IGY-Antarctic Expedition 1957/58. The intensity of the direct solar radiation at Little America V (78° S, 162° W, 44 meters above sea level) corresponds to the intensities measured in the European Alps at 3000 meters in June. The intensity at the South Pole (2800 meters above sea level) agrees with the intensity in the European Alps at 3000 meters in December. Measurements of the albedo at the South Pole and at Byrd Station (80° S, 120° W, 1515 meters above sea level) gave mean value of 89 percent, the whole range being 84 to 93 percent.

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Zusammenfassung Die vorläufige Mitteilung gibt einige Ergebnisse von Messungen der direkten Sonnenstrahlung und der Albedo, die während der US-IGJ-Antarktis-Expedition 1957/58 ausgeführt wurden. Die Intensitätdet der direkten Sonnenstrahlung in Little America V (78° S, 162° W, 44 m über dem Meeresniveau) entspricht den Intensitäten in den europäischen Alpen in 3000 m Höhe im Juni. Die Intensität am Südpol (2800 m über dem Meeresniveau) stimmt mit den Intensitäten in den europäischen Alpen in 3000 m Höhe im Dezember überein. Messungen der Albedo am Südpol und an der Byrd-Station (80° S, 120° W, 1515 m über dem Meeresniveau) ergaben einen Mittelwert von 89%, die Einzelwerte schwankten zwischen 84 und 93%.

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Résumé Note préliminaire concernant les mesures de rayonnement solaire et d'albédo faites lors de l'expédition américaine de l'Année géophysique internationale 1957/58 en Antarctide. L'intensité du rayonnement solaire direct à Little America (44 m.) correspond à celle que l'on observe en juin à 3000 m. dans les Alpes; au Pôle Sud, à 2800 m. elle est équivalente à celle qui s'observe à 3000 m. dans les Alpes en décembre. Les mesures d'albédo au Pôle Sud et à Byrd-Station (1515 m) ont fourni une valeur moyenne de 89%, avec variations comprises entre 84 et 93%.

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气溶胶对AVHRR通道反照率的影响

通过数值模拟,考察了大气气溶胶对AVHRR通道1,2和整个太阳光谱区的行星反照率和地面反照率的影响,并研究了气溶胶对行星反照率和地面反照率之间关系的影响.     

Delayed Atmospheric Temperature Response to ENSO SST： Role of High SST and the Western Pacific

Tropical zonally symmetric atmospheric warming occurs during ENSO’s warm phase, and lags the equa- torial east Pacific sea surface temperatures (SSTs) by 3–4 months. The role of the Indian and Atlantic oceans on the atmospheric delayed response has been pointed out by earlier studies. For 1951–2004, a regression analysis based on the observed SST data shows the western Pacific has a similarly important role as the Indian and Atlantic. Nevertheless, there is time mismatch of around 1–2 months between the zon...     

遥感大气温度层结中的反演问题

遥感大气层结的反演要解第一类Fredholm积分方程。为了能得到满意的结果,对于所要解决的问题必须作充分的物理分析,根据这些分析对于方程提出制约,由此得到有效的答案。本文讨论地面微波遥感测温的反演问题。首先分析作为遥感基础的大气噪音,进而讨论遥感大气温度层结的反演方法、测温实践结果以及存在的问题。     

Possible influences of solar radiation variations on the atmospheric circulation in the northern hemisphere of the earth

The strength of the circumpolar zonal circulation of the atmosphere in the northern hemisphere, expressed by an index calculated from the air pressure gradient between 35° N and 65°N, shows a remarkable secular change in this century in the years 1935 to 1938, and probably again in the years after 1970. A contemporary change and parallel course with a high positive correlation can be found in a solar radiation index calculated by means of sunspot numbers and solar faculae areas. A good correlation was also found between this solar radiation index and a series of UV measurements on Mt. Wilson. The possible mechanism of action in the atmosphere will be discussed, and it is shown that this solar radiation index is also correlated with circulation parameters in the troposphere and stratosphere over Europe. There are indications of a decrease of the action from the upper to the lower atmosphere. The consequences of this secular change of circulation for the climatic history in the 20th century in Europe are presented and from that a hypothetical retrospective view of the European climatic history before the 20th century, based on the total series of sunspot numbers, is briefly discussed. In a general view with smoothed data it can be concluded that the sun seems to determine the basic structure of the north hemispheric circulation in middle latitudes, if a strong influence of sunspots and solar faculae on the solar radiation is assumed.     

Seasonal variations of the clear-sky greenhouse effect: the role of changes in atmospheric temperatures and humidities

We present an analysis of the factors which control the seasonal variations of the clear-sky greenhouse effect, based on satellite observations and radiative transfer simulations. The satellite observations include the radiation budget at the top of the atmosphere from the Earth Radiation Budget Experiment and the total column moisture content derived from the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager. The simulations were performed with the SAMSON system described in an earlier paper, using atmospheric temperatures and humidities from operational analyses produced by the European Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasts. At low latitudes, the magnitude of the clear-sky greenhouse effect is dominated by the strong thermodynamic link between the total column moisture content of the atmosphere and sea surface temperatures, with minimal seasonal variations. In contrast, at middle to high latitudes there are strong seasonal variations, the clear-sky greenhouse effect being largest in winter and smallest in summer. These variations cannot be explained by the seasonal cycle in the total column moisture content, as this is largest in summer and smallest in winter. The variations are controlled instead by the seasonal changes in atmospheric temperatures. The colder atmosphere in winter enhances the temperature differential between the atmosphere and the sea surface, leading to a larger greenhouse effect despite the lower moisture contents. The magnitude of the clear-sky greenhouse effect is thus controlled by atmospheric humidity at low latitudes, but by atmospheric temperature at middle and high latitudes. These controls are illustrated by results from sensitivity experiments with SAMSON and are interpreted in terms of a simple model.     

依安县近50a气温变化趋势分析

通过对依安县气象站1961-2010年气温资料进行统计分析,得出依安县的年平均气温呈上升趋势﹙0.45℃/10 a﹚,四季气温也呈上升趋势,尤其是冬季变暖最明显﹙0.58℃/10 a﹚;年平均最低气温的上升趋势﹙0.73℃/10 a﹚远大于年平均最高气温的上升趋势﹙0.22℃/10 a﹚。以20世纪80年代末为界分为冷暖两个阶段,前为冷期,后为暖期。     

Estimates of total radiation and albedo in Sub-Arctic Canada

Summary Maps have recently been prepared of the physiography and plant cover of Labrador-Ungava, in the Canadian Sub-Arctic. These enable detailed studies of representative localities to be extended over wider areas. Methods of estimating the average total insolation from sun and sky received at the surface are discussed, together with aerial measurements of albedo and thus a method of calculating the insolation absorbed by the surface is demonstrated. The limitations of the technique are stressed.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurden Karten der Physiographie und Pflanzenbedeckung von Labrador-Ungava im sub-arktischen Klimagebiet Kanadas bearbeitet; an Hand dieser Karten kann von einzelnen, repräsentativen Orten auf die Verhältnisse in größeren Gebieten geschlossen werden. Die Methoden zur Abschätzung der Globalstrahlung an der Erdoberfläche werden diskutiert. Zusammen mit Messungen der Albedo vom Flugzeug aus ergibt sich eine Möglichkeit, die vom Erdboden absorbierte Strahlungsenergie zu berechnen. Die Grenzen der Leistungsfähigkeit dieser Methode werden betont.

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Résumé On a dressé des cartes de la physiographie et de la couverture végétale du Labrador-Ungava soumis au climat subarctique du Canada. Elles permettent d'étendre les conclusions relatives à certains lieux représentatifs à de plus grands territoires. Discussion des méthodes d'estimation du rayonnement global à la surface du sol. En tentant compte de mesures de l'albédo faites depuis l'avion, on peut calculer l'énergie de rayonnement absorbée par le sol. Les limites d'application de la méthode sont discutées.

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The research described in this paper was sponsored jointly by the Carnegie Arctic Programme of McGill University and the Defence Research Board of Canada.     

Assessment of vegetation dynamics and their response to variations in precipitation and temperature in the Tibetan Plateau

The Tibetan Plateau is a region sensitive to climate change, due to its high altitude and large terrain. This sensitivity can be measured through the response of vegetation patterns to climate variability in this region. Time series analysis of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) imagery and correlation analyses are effective tools to study land cover changes and their response to climatic variations. This is especially important for regions like the Tibetan Plateau, which has a complex ecosystem but lacks a lot of detailed in-situ observation data due to its remoteness, vastness and the severity of its climatic conditions. In this research a time series of 315 SPOT VEGETATION scenes, covering the period between 1998 and 2006, has been processed with the Harmonic ANalysis of Time Series (HANTS) algorithm in order to reveal the governing spatiotemporal pattern of variability. Results show that the spatial distribution of NDVI values is in agreement with the general climate pattern in the Tibetan Plateau. The seasonal variation is greatly influenced by the Asian monsoon. Interannual analysis shows that vegetation density (recorded here by the NDVI values) in the entire Tibetan Plateau has generally increased. Using a 1 km resolution land cover map from GLC2000, seven meteorological stations, presenting monthly data on near surface air temperature and precipitation, were selected for correlation analysis between NDVI and climate conditions in this research. A time lag response has also been found between NDVI and climate variables. Except in desert grassland (Shiquanhe station), the NDVI of all selected sites showed strong correlation with air temperature and precipitation, with variations in correlation according to the different land cover types at different locations. The strongest relationship was found in alpine and subalpine plain grass, the weakest in desert grassland.     

一种计算辐射因子变化的地面温度效应的简便方法

本文综合利用Ramanathan和Lacis给出的长短波吸收率公式,将云量、云高、地面反射率和太阳天顶角作为参数,解出辐射传输方程,推导出计算地球大气长短波辐射及吸收的公式,计算出北半球平均辐射收支状况,计算结果证实了北半球对流层基本处于辐射对流平衡的特点.此外,由辐射对流平衡模式,我们找到一种简单的计算方法来估计辐射因子变化的地面温度效应.用此方法,我们计算了不同辐射因子变化对地面温度造成的影响.     

Surface albedo at a tower site in Lake Ontario

Measurements of incoming global, diffuse and reflected radiation at a tower site in Lake Ontario are used to evaluate components of surface albedo. Albedo for diffuse radiation lies between 0.074 and 0.082 and a coefficient for backscatter from sub-surface water layers shows little deviation from a mean of 0.017. Direct beam albedo for a calm surface follows the Fresnel law. Waves increase direct-beam albedo particularly at higher solar zenith angles. A pronounced dependence of albedo upon zenith angle for clear skies decreases with increasing cloud amount and becomes undetectable in overcast conditions. On a daily basis, albedo ranged between 0.07 in early July to 0.11 in mid-November. Day-to-day scatter is within ±1% of the mean seasonal trend.     

Simulation of canopy radiation transfer and surface albedo in the EALCO model

A new canopy radiation transfer and surface albedo scheme is developed as part of the land surface model EALCO (Ecological Assimilation of Land and Climate Observations). The model uses a gap probability-based successive orders of scattering approach that explicitly includes the heterogeneities of stands and crown elements and the radiation multiple scattering. The model uses the optical parameters of ecosystem elements and physically represents ecosystem processes in surface albedo dynamics. Model tests using measurements from a boreal deciduous forest ecosystem show that the model well reproduced the observed diurnal and seasonal albedo dynamics under different weather and ecosystem conditions. The annual mean absolute errors between modeled and measured daily albedo and reflected radiation are 0.01 and 1.33 W m⁻², respectively. The model results provide a quantitative assessment of the impacts of plant shading and sky conditions on surface albedo observed in high-latitude ecosystems. The contribution of ground snow to surface albedo in winter was found to be less than 0.1 even though the canopy is leafless during this time. The interception of snow by the leafless canopy can increase the surface albedo by 0.1–0.15. The model results show that the spectral properties of albedo have large seasonal variations. In summer, the near infrared component is substantially larger than visible, and surface albedo is less sensitive to sky conditions. In winter, the visible band component is markedly increased and can exceed the near infrared proportion under cloudy conditions or when snow exists on the canopy. The spectral properties of albedo are also found to have large diurnal variations under the clear-sky conditions in winter.     

Estimating solar radiation as a function of air temperature using Fourier series

Summary Due to the periodicity of variations in solar radiation and air temperature their dimensionless values are expanded in Fourier series. Fourier coefficients were determined using data recorded by weather stations in various Egyptian cities. In terms of ambient air temperature, these coefficients are used to calculate solar radiation for specific geographic locations near to weather stations for which solar radiation data are unavailable.Estimates of solar radiation calculated by means of Fourier coefficients are compared with observed solar radiation data based on the number of hours of sunshine for the stations where there were records of sunshine duration. The comparison shows a good agreement between estimated and observed.With 10 Figures     

Planktonic dimethylsulfide and cloud albedo: An estimate of the feedback response

Partial control of climate by the biosphere may be possible through a chain of processes that ultimately links marine plankton production of dimethylsulfide (DMS) with changes in cloud albedo (Charlson et al., 1987). Changes in cloud optical properties can have profound impacts on atmospheric radiation transfer and, hence, the surface environment. In this study, we have developed a simple model that incorporates empirically based parameterizations to account for the biological control of cloud droplet concentration in a first attempt to estimate the strength of the DMS-cloud albedo feedback mechanism. We find that the feedback reduces the global climatic response to imposed perturbations in solar insolation by less than 7%. Likewise, it modifies the strength of other feedbacks affecting surface insolation over oceans by roughly the same amount. This suggests that the DMS-cloud albedo mechanism will be unable to substantially reduce climate sensitivity, although these results should be confirmed with less idealized models when more is known about the net production of DMS by the marine biosphere and its relation to aerosol/cloud microphysics and climate.