Frequency Distribution of Tropospheric Triad Energy Interactions During Summer Monsoon 1988

—In order to understand the physical mechanism for maintenance of low frequency waves, computations of nonlinear kinetic energy (KE) exchanges into individual triad interactions in frequency domain by use of cross-spectral technique over global tropics (20°S–30°N) at 850 hPa and 200 hPa for June, July and August of 1988 are carried out. The KE exchanges among different frequencies and the interactions between the transient eddies and the time mean flow are found to be an order of magnitude smaller in the lower troposphere than those in the upper troposphere. The results show two distinct spectral peaks of periods 45 and 25 days in nonlinear energy transfer in the lower troposphere. The former is more pronounced than the latter. The role of time mean flow on the low frequency transients is found to be secondary compared to the effect of the leading term due to nonlinear interactions in the lower troposphere. Low frequency waves suffer a net loss of energy in the upper troposphere. In the lower troposphere, north of 20°N low frequency waves lose energy through nonlinear triad interactions, unlike the upper troposphere where gain of energy is noticed. Longitude-frequency distributions suggest that wave-CISK process and strong gradient of SST are the possible mechanisms for the strong energy interactions associated with low frequency waves in the lower troposphere over the west Pacific and east coast of Africa, respectively. The study may aid investigation of the rapid loss of predictability of low frequency modes over the tropics.     

Divergent-rotational Nonlinear Energy Conversions in Wavenumber-frequency Domain During Summer Monsoon

--This work deals with computational modelling designed to understand the dynamical mechanism of low frequency monsoonal transients that results from nonlinear divergent-rotational (&gif1;) kinetic energy (KE) conversions due to the effects of Coriolis force, vorticity and divergence during the summer monsoon 1988 over the latitudinal belt 20°S-30°N at 850 hPa and 200 hPa. The results show two distinct spectral peaks spanning 30-45 days and 18-25 days in the energy conversions from the transient divergent motions to rotational motions. Due to the latitudinal variation of the earth's rotational effects, the conversion from the transient divergent to rotational motions, associated mainly with wavenumbers 1 and 2, tend to be more pronounced to the north of 15°N on the 30-45-day and 18-25-day time scales in the upper and lower tropospheres, respectively. The contribution of the stationary waves to maintenance of the low frequency rotational flow due to the effect of divergence through barotropic instability is significant at the upper troposphere. Divergent to rotational KE conversion by wave-wave interaction due to divergence is identified as an important mechanism for maintenance of low frequency oscillations in the lower troposphere. The upper tropospheric planetary scale divergent motions associated with 30-45-day oscillation gain substantial energy through nonlinear &gif1; interaction due to vorticity.     

孟加拉湾夏季风爆发的判断指标及其年际特征

利用高低层大气环流、OLR（向外长波辐射）、CMAP降水、SST（海表温度）等资料分析了孟加拉湾地区3—5月多年气候平均大气环流及不同要素的演变特征,定义了一个新的孟加拉湾夏季风（BOBSM,下同）爆发指标为孟加拉湾地区（5°N—15°N,90°E—97.5°E）850 hPa和200 hPa纬向风区域平均的变化同时满足U850 > 3 m·s^-1和U200 < -5 m·s^-1,并持续5天的第一天即作为BOBSM爆发日期.该季风指数有明确的天气学意义,可以反映孟加拉湾低层西南风持续稳定和南亚高压在青藏高原建立早晚的特征.文章进一步分析了BOBSM爆发的年际特征及其前兆海洋信号特征,结果表明：1981—2010年BOBSM爆发的平均日期为5月10日,季风爆发有显著的年际波动,爆发最早在1999年（4月11日）和最晚在1968年（6月1日）,年代际尺度上表现为由爆发偏晚至偏早的变化趋势;BOBSM爆发早（晚）与热带印度洋地区850 hPa的越赤道气流和西风异常加强（减弱）,以及200 hPa青藏高原南亚高压的季节性建立偏早（晚）等密切联系;前期冬季赤道西太平洋的海温冷（暖）变化对BOBSM爆发早（晚）有很好的指示意义,前期冬季海温偏高（低）有利于季风偏早（晚）,其影响的主要途径是通过热源变化激发纬向垂直环流及其热带印度洋和太平洋低层环流异常,进而影响季风爆发早晚.     

Latitudinal dependence of the seasonal variation of particulate extinction in the UTLS over the Indian longitude sector during volcanically quiescent period based on lidar and SAGE-II observations

The altitude profiles of particulate extinction in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) obtained from SAGE-II in the latitude region 0–30°N over the Indian longitude sector (70–90°E) are used to study the latitudinal variation of its annual pattern in this region during the volcanically quiescent period of 1998–2003. The SAGE-II data is compared with the lidar measurements from Gadanki (13.5°N, 79.2°E) when the satellite had an overhead occultation pass over a small geographical grid centered at this location. The particulate optical depth (τ_p) in the UT region shows a general decrease with increase in latitude and a pronounced summer–winter contrast with relatively low values during winter and high values during summer. In general, these variations are in accordance with the latitudinal variation of convective available potential energy (CAPE) and thunderstorm activity, which are good representative indices of tropospheric convection. While the particulate extinction (and τ_p) in the 18–21 km (LS₁) region is relatively low in the equatorial region up to 15°N, it shows an increase in the off-equatorial region, beyond 15°N. While the annual variation of τ_p in the LS₁ region is almost insignificant near the equator, it is rather well pronounced in latitude region between 10 and 15°N with relatively high values during winter and low values during summer. Beyond 20°N, this shows a prominent peak during summer. At a higher altitude, the 21–30 km (LS₂) region, the latitude variation of τ_p shows a different pattern with high values near the equator and low values in the off-equatorial region confirming the existence of a stratospheric aerosol reservoir. Low values of τ_p at lower regime (LS₁) near the equator could be due to rapid transport of particulates from the near equatorial region to higher latitudes, while the equatorial high at upper regime (LS₂) could be due to lofting and subsequent accumulation.     

On the maintenance of the atmosphere's kinetic energy over the Northern Hemisphere in winter

Summary A quantitative study of the balance requirements of the atmosphere's kinetic energy during normal winter conditions is made for the whole Northern Hemisphere and separately for the tropics (0–30°N) and the extratropics (30–90°N) by using different sources of data. The most important new finding is a demonstration of the existence (on the isobaric surfaces) of meridional eddy flux of potential energy; this flux approximately counterbalances the meridional flux of kinetic energy. One of the conclusions reached is that maintenance of the large-scale eddies in the tropics is mainly due to forcing by extratropical eddies. This forcing occurs at 30°N as a southward eddy flux of potential energy.     

Zonal propagation of kinetic energy and convection in the South China Sea and Indian monsoon regions in boreal summer

As early as in the 1980s, Chinese scientists hadfirst proposed that there exits two summer monsoonsystems in Asia, namely the East Asian summer mon-soon (EASM) and the Indian summer monsoon(ISM)[1-4]. The two monsoon systems are quite dif-ferent in characteristics. Since then, such issue andconclusion had been documented and approved by alot of studies in the past two decades, and was appliedin the guideline of the South China Sea summer mon-soon experiment (SCSMEX), which was undertak…     

长江中游1998年特大洪涝成因分析

应用 １００ｈＰａ、５００ｈＰａ月平均高度资料、海温、射出长波辐射（ＯＬＲ）及武汉的气温 和降水资料,对１９９８年长江中游特大洪涝的成因作了总结分析．结果表明,冬春厄尔尼诺、副 热带高压和从春到初夏期间,印度洋－西太平洋赤道辐合带（ＩＴＣＺ）南侧积云对流的异常较 强,以及冬季雨雪异常偏多等气候特点,是有利于洪涝发生的强信号．     

Periodic modulation of Pc3 and Pc4 pulsations in the polar cap by interplanetary and atmospheric processes

The variations in the daily average energy of geomagnetic pulsations and noise in the Pc3 (20–60 mHz) and Pc4 (10–19 mHz) frequency bands in the polar cap have been studied based on the data from P5 Antarctic station (corrected geomagnetic latitude ?87°) from November 1998 to November 1999. The daily average pulsation energy has been calculated using the method for detecting the wave packets, the spectral amplitude of which is higher than the threshold level, from the dynamic spectrum. A spectral analysis of the energy of pulsations and noise in the Pc3 and Pc4 bands, performed using the maximal entropy method, has revealed periodicities of 18 days in the local winter and 26, 13, and 7–9 days during the local summer. The simultaneous and coherent variations with periods of 26, 13, and 7–9 days in the solar wind velocity and IMF orientation indicate that the variations in the Pc3–4 wave energy in the polar cap at a sunlit ionosphere are mainly controlled by the parameters of the interplanetary medium. The variations in the Pc3–4 wave energy with a period of 18 days are observed only during the local winter and are supposedly related to the variations in the ionospheric conductivity modulated by planetary waves.     

A 20 ka sediment record from the Hajar Mountain range in N-Oman,and its implication for detecting arid–humid periods on the southeastern Arabian Peninsula

Playa-like sediments from the Hajar Mountain range in northern Oman (22.83°N, 59.00°E; 1050 m asl) document variations of the paleoenvironmental and paleoclimate conditions over the last 20 ka. Based on high-resolution sediment sampling and their OSL dating, sedimentation rates were calculated and used as a proxy for paleorainfall. The results show that the Glacial to Lateglacial was characterized by arid conditions with a following transitional period of even less rainfall. At 10.5 ka, sedimentation rates increases abruptly, indicating the onset of the early Holocene humid period (EHHP). Rainfall reaches its maximum at 9–8 ka (EHHP-2) and a decreasing sedimentation rate after 8 ka characterizes the arid period of the middle to late Holocene. Variations of the hydrological regime are associated with the intensity of the boreal summer Indian monsoon and its related position of the ITCZ. For the onset of the EHHP, a northerly shift of the ITCZ is postulated, thus confirming earlier results from the southern Arabian Peninsula.     

Dynamical response of low-latitude middle atmosphere to major sudden stratospheric warming events

The zonally averaged UK Meteorological Office (UKMO) zonal mean temperature and zonal winds for the latitudes 8.75°N and 60°N are used to investigate the low-latitude dynamical response to the high latitude sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events that occurred during winter of the years 1998–1999, 2003–2004 and 2005–2006. The UKMO zonal mean zonal winds at 60°N show a short-term reversal to westward winds in the entire upper stratosphere and lower mesosphere and the low-latitude winds (8.75°N) show enhanced eastward flow in the upper stratosphere and strong westward flow in the lower mesosphere during the major SSW events at high latitudes. The mesosphere and lower thermosphere (MLT) zonal winds acquired by medium frequency (MF) radar at Tirunelveli (8.7°N, 77.8°E) show a change of wind direction from eastward to westward several days before the onset of SSW events and these winds decelerate and weak positive (eastward) winds prevail during the SSW events. The time variation of zonal winds over Tirunelveli is nearly similar to the one reported from high latitudes, except that the latter shows intense eastward winds during the SSW events. Besides, the comparison of daily mean meridional winds over Tirunelveli with those over Collm (52°N, 15°E) show that large equatorial winds are observed over Tirunelveli during the 2005–2006 event and over Collm during the 1998–1999 events. The variable response of MLT dynamics to different SSW events may be explained by the variability of gravity waves.     

Observational evidence of deep convection over Indonesian sector in relation with major stratospheric warming events of 2003–04 and 2005–06

The major sudden stratospheric warming (SSW) events of 2003–04 and 2005–06 are considered to investigate changes in equatorial convection due to circulation changes associated with the SSW events. It is observed that the SSW events are accompanied by a considerable decrease in Outgoing Longwave Radiation (OLR), a proxy for tropical convection, over equatorial latitudes (15°N–15°S) in the Indonesian sector (90°E–150°E). However, unlike noted by earlier observations, the zonal mean OLR does not show any notable relationship with the SSW events. It can be explained from the latitude–longitude map of potential vorticity (PV) at 100 hPa, which shows a tongue of high PV emanating from high latitudes towards equator and converges in the longitude band of 90°E–150°E on the day of peak warming at 1 hPa in the case of 2003–04 and 10 hPa in the case of 2005–06. The latitude-height map of Eliassen–Palm (EP) vector and its divergence show convergence of EP flux in the upper troposphere at latitudes even lower than 20°N on these days. Further, vertical winds computed from the convergence of momentum flux are upward indicating convective activity at low-latitudes and downward at mid-latitudes.     

MF radar observations of mean winds over Yamagawa (31.2°N, 130.6°E) and Wakkanai (45.4°N, 141.7°E)

Continuous MF radar measurements of mesospheric mean winds are in progress at the observatories in Yamagawa (31.2°N, 130.6°E) and Wakkanai (45.4°N, 141.7°E). The observations at Yamagawa and Wakkanai were started in August 1994 and September 1996, respectively. The real-time wind data are used for the study of major large scale dynamic features of the middle atmosphere such as mean winds, tides, planetary waves, and gravity waves, etc. In the present study of mean winds, we have utilized the data collected until June 1999, which include the simultaneous observation period of little more than two and a half years, for the two sites. The database permits us to draw conclusions on the characteristics of mean winds and to compare the mean wind structure over these sites. The mean prevailing zonal winds at both sites are dominated by westward/eastward motions in summer/winter seasons below 90 km. Meridional circulation at meteor heights is generally southward during most times of the year and it extends to lower mesospheric heights during summer also. The summer westward jet at Wakkanai is consistently stronger than those at Yamagawa. However, the winter eastward winds have identical strength at both locations. Meridional winds also show larger values at Wakkanai. The mean wind climatology has been examined and compared with the MU radar observations over Shigaraki (34.9°N, 136.1°E). The paper also presents the results of the comparison between the MF radar winds and the latest empirical model values (HWM93 model) proposed by Hedin et al. (1996. Journal of Atmospheric and Terrestrial Physics 58, 1421–1447). Hodograph analyses of mean winds conducted for the summer and winter seasons show interesting similarities and discrepancies.     

Comparison between IRI predictions and digital ionosonde measurements of hmF2 at New Delhi during low and moderate solar activity

This paper deals with the diurnal and seasonal variations of height of the peak electron density of the F2-layer (hmF2) derived from digital ionosonde measurements at a low–middle-latitude station, New Delhi (28.6°N, 77.2°E, dip 42.4°N). Diurnal and seasonal variations of hmF2 are examined and comparisons of the observations are made with the predictions of the International Reference Ionosphere (IRI-2001) model. Our study shows that during both the moderate and low solar activity periods, the diurnal pattern of median hmF2 reveals a more or less similar trend during all the seasons with pre-sunrise and daytime peaks during winter and equinox except during summer, where the pre-sunrise peak is absent. Comparison of observed median hmF2 values with the IRI during moderate and low solar activity periods, in general, reveals an IRI overestimation in hmF2 during all the seasons for local times from about 06 LT till midnight hours except during summer for low solar activity, while outside this time period, the observed hmF2 values are close to the IRI predictions. The hmF2 representation in the IRI model does not reproduce pre-sunrise peaks occurring at about 05 LT during winter and equinox as seen in the observations during both the solar activity periods. The noontime observed median hmF2 values increase by about 10–25% from low (2004–2005) to high solar activity (2001–2002) during winter and equinox, while the IRI in the same time period and seasons shows an increase of about 10–20%. During summer, however, the observed noontime median hmF2 values show a little increase with the solar activity, as compared to the IRI with an increase of about 12%.     

Thermodynamical Structure of Atmosphere during Pre-monsoon Thunderstorm Season over Kharagpur as Revealed by STORM Data

Variation of atmospheric thermodynamical structure parameters between days of thunderstorm occurrence and non-occurrence is presented based on data sets obtained during Severe Thunderstorm-Observations and Regional Modeling (STORM) experiments conducted over Kharagpur (22.3°N, 87.2°E) in pre-monsoon season of 2009 and 2010. Potential instability (stable to neutral) is noticed in the lower layers and enhanced (suppressed) convection in the middle troposphere during thunderstorm (non-thunderstorm) days. Low-level jets are observed during all days of the experimental period but with higher intensity on thunderstorm days. Convective available potential energy (CAPE) builds up until thunderstorm occurrence and becomes dissipated soon after, whereas convective inhibition (CIN) is greatly decreased prior to the event on thunderstorm days. In contrast, higher CAPE and CIN are noticed on non-thunderstorm days. Analysis of thermodynamic indices showed that indices including moisture [humidity index (HI) and dew point temperature at 850 hPa (DPT850)] are useful in differentiating thunderstorm from non-thunderstorm days. The present study reveals that significant moisture availability in the lower troposphere in the presence of convective instability conditions results in thunderstorm occurrence at Kharagpur.     

Aerosol study during INDOEX: observation of enhanced aerosol activity over the Mid Arabian Sea during the northern winter

The spatial distribution of the aerosol optical depth during the northern winter, along the West coast of India and over the oceanic environments of the Arabian Sea and the South-West Indian Ocean (between 60°E–78°E and 15°N–20°S), has been investigated using co-ordinated ground-based and ship-borne measurements carried out during January–March of 1998 and 1999 under the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX). In this paper apart from the expected results, an interesting observation is presented of enhanced aerosol activity in the mid Arabian Sea, far removed from the continent. Its implications are discussed.     

Impact of an extreme melt event on the runoff and hydrology of a high Arctic glacier

On 28–30 July 2000, an extreme melt event was observed at John Evans Glacier (JEG), Ellesmere Island (79° 40′N, 74° 00′W). Hourly melt rates during this event fell in the upper 4% of the distribution of melt rates observed at the site during the period 1996–2000. Synoptic conditions during the event resulted in strong east‐to‐west flow over the northern sector of the Greenland Ice Sheet, with descending flow on the northwest side reaching Ellesmere Island. On JEG, wind speeds during the event averaged 8·1 m s^?1 at 1183 m a.s.l., with hourly mean wind speeds peaking at 11·6 m s^?1. Air temperatures reached 8°C, and rates of surface lowering measured by an ultrasonic depth gauge averaged 56 mm day^?1. Calculations with an energy balance model suggest that increased turbulent fluxes contributed to melt enhancement at all elevations on the glacier, while snow albedo feedback resulted in increased melting due to net radiation at higher elevations. The event was responsible for 30% of total summer melt at 1183 m a.s.l. and 15% at 850 m a.s.l. Conditions similar to those during the event occurred on only 0·1% of days in the period 1948–2000, but 61% of events occurred in the summer months and there was an apparent clustering of events in the 1950s and 1980s. Such events have the potential to impact significantly on runoff, mass balance and drainage system development at high Arctic glaciers, and changes in their incidence could play a role in determining how high Arctic glaciers respond to climate change and variability. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

An experimental evaluation of ice cover effects on the dynamic behaviour of a concrete gravity dam

An extensive forced‐vibration testing programme has been carried out on an 84‐m concrete gravity dam located in northeastern Québec, Canada. The dam was subjected to a harmonic load on the crest in summer and severe winter conditions with temperatures ranging from ?10°C to ?15°C and a 1.0–1.5m ice cover. Acceleration and hydrodynamic frequency responses were obtained in different locations on the dam and in the reservoir. The main objective of the repeated tests was to investigate the effects of the ice cover on the dynamic behaviour of the dam–reservoir–foundation system, by comparing summer and winter results. Modifications in damping and resonance frequencies were observed, as well as an additional resonance that was attributed to an interaction of the dam with the ice cover. These findings provided a reliable and unique database for the investigations of dam–reservoir–foundation interaction and, in particular, the ice‐cover effects for dams located in northern regions. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The effect of heated effluents from power plants on seagrass (Thalassia) communities quantitatively comparing estuaries in the subtropics to the tropics

The need for most efficient use of energy is abruptly in conflict with the need to maintain environmental quality in terms of heated effluents released from power plants. This study synthesizes biological results found from four effluent canals from power plants releasing heat on shallow estuaries: tropics, edge of tropics and subtropics. The dominant near-shore community in the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean is that of Thalassia, rich in animal and plant abundance and biomass. Summer mean temperatures in all three estuaries ranged around 30°C. Results show sustained temperatures of +5°C in summer denude the area of the Thalassia community. Temperatures +1 and +1.5°C were minimally damaging to the studied areas and can be considered rational release temperatures. Insufficient data was available at +2°C to make a statement; +4°C areas showed intense damage to the biological communities at all locations; +3°C effect varied from severe damage in the subtropics to 40% damage in the tropics. Recommended summer heated effluent release for power plants eliminating heat onto Thalassia beds would certainly nerver be greater than +3°C. A trade-off decision must be made by decision-makers as to +3 or +2°C as the upper permissable limit. Winter release of effluent temperature in areas where winter temperatures fall below 25°C could be above +3°C apparently without damage. Tropical and subtropical ecosystems are on the brink of disaster and small increments of change by man's activities can push them beyond tolerance limits. Evidently the marine tropics differ from marine temperate zones in their capacity to assimilate man's activities.     

北极地区低平流层惯性重力波的观测研究

南极地区重力波活动有大量报道,相对而言,北极地区重力波的研究还很少.本文利用极区Ny-Alesund站点（78.9°N,11.9°E）无线电探空仪从2012年4月1日到2017年3月31日共5年的观测数据,统计分析了北极地区低平流层惯性重力波的特征.观测显示,月平均纬向风在20 km以下盛行东向风,再随着高度增加,逐渐呈现出半年振荡现象.对流层顶高度在5~13 km范围内变化,其月平均高度显示出年循环,最高出现在夏季,约为10 km,最低出现在冬季,约为8.5 km.对流层和低平流层月平均温度都显示出明显的年周期变化,这与中低纬度观测结果有所不同.结合Lomb-Scargle谱分析和矢端曲线方法,估算了准单色惯性重力波参数.个例研究表明,低平流层惯性重力波呈现出远离源区的自由传播性质.统计结果显示,惯性重力波的水平和垂直波长分别集中在50~450 km和1~4 km范围内,本征频率集中在1~2.5倍惯性频率间,这些值都比中低纬度观测值稍小.垂直方向本征相速度主要集中在-0.3~0 m·s^-1,而纬向和经向本征相速度集中在-40~40 m·s^-1之间.在5年的观测中,大约91.5%的惯性重力波向上传播.在冬季和早春,由于极地平流层极涡活动,激发出向下传播的惯性重力波,因此,向下传播的比例上升到相应月份的20%左右.由于低层大气盛行的东向风的滤波效应,低平流层大部分惯性重力波向西传播.波能量呈现出明显的年周期变化,最大值在冬季、最小值在夏季,与北半球中低纬度观测结果一致,表明北半球重力波活动普遍冬季强、夏季弱.     

Nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent and atmospheric predictability research

Because atmosphere itself is a nonlinear system and there exist some problems using the linearized equations to study the initial error growth, in this paper we try to use the error nonlinear growth theory to discuss its evolution, based on which we first put forward a new concept: nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent. It is quite different from the classic Lyapunov exponent because it may characterize the finite time error local average growth and its value depends on the initial condition, initial error, variables, evolution time, temporal and spatial scales. Based on its definition and the at-mospheric features, we provide a reasonable algorithm to the exponent for the experimental data, obtain the atmospheric initial error growth in finite time and gain the maximal prediction time. Lastly, taking 500 hPa height field as example, we discuss the application of the nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent in the study of atmospheric predictability and get some reliable results: atmospheric predictability has a distinct spatial structure. Overall, predictability shows a zonal distribution. Prediction time achieves the maximum over tropics, the second near the regions of Antarctic, it is also longer next to the Arctic and in subtropics and the mid-latitude the predictability is lowest. Particularly speaking, the average prediction time near the equation is 12 days and the maximum is located in the tropical Indian, Indonesia and the neighborhood, tropical eastern Pacific Ocean, on these regions the prediction time is about two weeks. Antarctic has a higher predictability than the neighboring latitudes and the prediction time is about 9 days. This feature is more obvious on Southern Hemispheric summer. In Arctic, the predictability is also higher than the one over mid-high latitudes but it is not pronounced as in Antarctic. Mid-high latitude of both Hemispheres (30°S―60°S, 30°―60°N) have the lowest predictability and the mean prediction time is just 3―4 d. In addition, predictability varies with the seasons. Most regions in the Northern Hemisphere, the predictability in winter is higher than that in summer, especially in the mid-high latitude: North Atlantic, North Pacific and Greenland Island. However in the Southern Hemisphere, near the Antarctic regions (60°S―90°S), the corresponding summer has higher predictability than its winter, while in other areas especially in the latitudes of 30°S―60°S, the prediction does not change obviously with the seasons and the average time is 3―5 d. Both the theoretical and data computation results show that nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent and the nonlinear local error growth really may measure the predictability of the atmospheric variables in different temporal and spatial scales.