A diagnostic study on the environmental influence of a mesoscale convective system over southern China in Meiyu season

Summary ¶During the Post-TAMEX forecast experiment of Taiwan in 1992, a mesoscale convective system (MCS) developed on June 5–6 over southern China. As this system matured, it produced readily apparent cirrus outflow on satellite imageries while the upper level flow also exhibited a diffluent pattern. The purpose of the current study is to examine the possible changes in its environment associated with the development of this MCS.By using 12-h data from 1200 UTC June 5 to 1200 UTC June 6, objective analyses were performed for a 1°×1° latitude/longitude grid using sounding data and a low-pass filter. To facilitate the diagnosis, a band-pass filter was further applied to separate mesoscale features from macroscale ones, while the apparent heat source and apparent moisture sink defined by Yanai et al (1973) were also calculated.Results suggest that the MCS exerted clearly discernable effects on its environment. The latent heat release led to the development of a warm core and mesoscale high-pressure disturbance at upper levels when the system matured. Ageostrophic winds and diffluent flow patterns together with strong anticyclonic vorticity at 200hPa near the MCS were associated with the mesohigh. After the mature stage, weak cooling occurred above 350hPa, likely due to radiative emission from the cloud top. However, a mid-level cyclonic vortex, often present in MCSs over the North America, was not apparent here due to weak environmental vorticity and small Coriolis parameter f. The level of maximum divergence was initially located at 500hPa, but rose to 200hPa as the MCS matured. In response, the upward motion not only intensified, but the level at which strongest rising occurred also ascended from 700 to 350hPa. Results from the apparent heat source and moisture sink calculation suggest that this slow ascent of maximum heating was partially due to vertical transport of sensible heat by updrafts.During the MCSs mature stage, under the stratiform clouds to the west of the strongest convection, a cold mesohigh formed at the surface due to evaporative cooling in downdrafts, and a gust front appeared along the leading edge of the outflow boundary. A trailing mesolow was also observed, likely due to near-adiabatic warming in drier downdrafts since no precipitation was associated with it.Received April 11, 2002; revised May 27, 2002; accepted July 14, 2002 Published online: April 10, 2003     

亚——非季风区非绝热加热与夏季环流关系的诊断研究

基于热力适应理论,本文利用 ＮＣＥＰ／ ＮＣＡＲ再分析资料对撒哈拉沙漠、青藏高原和孟加拉湾地区的非绝热加热与夏季环流进行了诊断研究。在非洲撒哈拉沙漠地区,以感热输送为主的加热仅局限于近地面层,边界层以上的大气则以辐射冷却占优势。因而除了边界层内存在着浅薄的正涡度和微弱的上升运动以外,整个对流层几乎都维持负涡度并盛行下沉运动。对于青藏高原地区,强大的表面感热通量引起的垂直扩散是近地面大气加热的主要分量,与大尺度上升运动相关的凝结潜热对低层大气的加热也有一定的贡献。长波辐射造成的对流层中、上层大气的冷却则主要由深对流潜热释放来补偿。夏季高原地区总非绝热加热是正值,且最大加热率出现在边界层内。低空大气辐合产生正涡度,而中、高层大气辐散伴有较强的负涡度。因而高原盛行上升运动,最大上升运动位于近地面层。夏季孟加拉湾地区的深对流凝结潜热释放远大于长波辐的冷却作用,因而整个对流层几乎都保持较强的非绝热加热。４００ｈＰａ层附近的最大加热率引起３００－４００ｈＰａ最强的上升运动。对流层上层是负涡度区,而中、低层为正涡度区。结果还表明,垂直和水平辐散环流与大气的热源和热汇区密切相联：在高层,辐散气流从热源区流向热汇区;在低层则相     

初夏南海台风的结构分析

根据对8005号南海台风的结构分析,初步得到以下几点:1)南海台风各物理量的水平分布不对称。其湿度中心和暧中心分别位于700hPa和300—200hPa。垂直运动在台风迅速发展时达到极值。2)台风范围内的对流层高层和低层分别存在东北风和西南风大值区,U分量的垂直切变零线在台风发展阶级呈东西向穿过台风中心附近,随着台风加强切变加大。3)通过与西太平洋台风的比较,认为对流层高低层散度之差和涡度之差与南海台风发生发展的关系密切。4)积云对流造成的潜热释放是台风发展期的主要热源。      

On the transfer of stratospheric ozone into the troposphere near the north pole

A series of nearly daily ozone vertical profiles obtained at station T-3 on Fletcher's Ice Island (85°N, 90°W) during the period January-March 1971 shows several significant ozone intrusions into the troposphere. These intrusions are not only associated with enhanced ozone amounts in the stratosphere but also require tropopause folding events to transport ozone into the troposphere. These folds in the Arctic tropopause appear to be capable of contributing significantly to the ozone budget of the Arctic troposphere during the late winter and spring seasons. The importance of tropopause folding for bringing ozone into the troposphere seen in the daily ozone profiles confirms the results found in the Arctic Gas and Aerosol Sampling Program aircraft flights.     

河北北部两次强降雪过程对比分析

选取河北北部承德市2010年1月3—4日和2015年2月20—21日两次强降雪过程,利用常规观测资料和NECP(1°×1°)逐6 h再分析资料,对环流形势和物理量场进行对比分析。结果表明,两次过程影响系统虽有不同,但500 hPa贝加尔湖附近有冷涡、低层有切变线缓慢东移、地面上贝加尔湖以西存在冷高压,海平面气压场呈"西北高东南低"是其共同特征,也是承德出现强降雪的有利天气形势。物理量场在强降雪期间有以下共同特征:低层水汽通量呈辐合,辐合中心与强降雪有很好对应关系;700 hPa以下为强上升运动,且850 hPa附近有上升中心;850 hPa以上涡度为正值;垂直螺旋度整层为正值或呈"上负下正"结构。     

Nitrate in the atmospheric boundary layer of the tropical South Pacific: Implications regarding sources and transport

Weekly bulk aerosol samples collected at Funafuti, Tuvalu (8°30S, 179°12E), American Samoa (14°15S, 170°35W), and Rarotonga (21°15S, 159°45W), from 1983 through most of 1987 have been analyzed for nitrate and other constituents. The mean nitrate concentration is about 0.11 g m^–3 at each of these stations: 0.107±0.011 g m^–3 at Funafuti; 0.116±0.008 at American Samoa; and 0.117±0.010 at Rarotonga. Previous measurements of mineral aerosol and trace metal concentrations at American Samoa are among the lowest ever recorded for the near-surface troposphere and indicate that this region is minimally affected by transport of soil material and pollutants from the continents. Consequently, the nitrate concentration of 0.11 g m^–3 can be regarded as the natural level for the remote marine boundary layer of the tropical South Pacific Ocean. In contrast, over the tropical North Pacific which is significantly impacted by the transport of material from Asia and North America, the mean nitrate concentrations are about three times higher, 0.29 and 0.36 g m^–3 at Midway and Oahu, respectively. The major sources of the nitrate over the tropical South Pacific are still very uncertain. A very significant correlation between the nitrate concentrations at American Samoa and the concentrations of ²¹⁰Pb suggests that transport from continental sources might be important. This continental source could be lightning, which occurs most frequently over the tropical continents. A near-zero correlation with ⁷Be indicates that the stratosphere and upper troposphere are probably not the major sources. A significant biogenic source would be consistent with the higher mean nitrate concentrations, 0.16 to 0.17 g m^–3, found over the equatorial Pacific at Fanning Island (3°55N, 159°20W) and Nauru (0°32S, 166°57E). The lack of correlation between nitrate and nss sulfate at American Samoa does not necessarily preclude an important role for marine biogenic sources.     

冬季西伯利亚高压动力结构的研究

本文研究了冬季西伯利亚高压建立时期的动力结构。研究得到,在高压建立前期,对流层中以正涡度为主。低层和高层有弱的辐合,中层是辐散;相应在700hPa以下是上升,以上是下沉。但当反气旋发展时,高层为正涡度和辐合气流,低层为负涡度和辐散气流,整层为下沉运动。这表明对流层中、上层的强质量辐合是导致西伯利亚高压发展的一个重要因子。涡度方程的诊断表明,西伯利亚高压区负涡度的出现和加强是对流层中、上层负涡度平流和低层散度项的作用。 另外,西伯利亚高压热平衡计算表明,对流层有深厚的冷却层(热汇)。这种非绝热冷却将在对流层中导致深厚的下沉运动,从而引起中高层的辐合,低层的辐散,有利于高压的加强。因而西伯利亚高压是在动力和热力因子共同作用下形成的。     

On the vorticity and energy budgets of the cold vortex in Northeast China: a case study

This study examines the vorticity budgets, turbulent extended exergy and kinetic energy evolution equations to investigate the major dynamical and energy conversion processes contributing to the initiation and intensification of the cold vortex over Northeast China that occurred during June 19–22, 2009. The results show that the cyclonic vorticity was initiated in the lower troposphere due to the intense convergence of horizontal winds. The growth of cyclonic vorticity in the middle troposphere is mainly due to the vertical transportation of the vorticity, yet the increase of cyclonic vorticity in the upper troposphere primarily results from the horizontal advection of vorticity. Of special interest in this study is the evaluation of the role of thermal advections in the baroclinic development of the cold vortex. The results indicate that the rising of the air over relatively warm areas and the sinking of the air in relatively cold regions are favorable for releasing turbulent extended exergy $ \left( {e_{\text{t}} } \right) $ , which is later converted to turbulent kinetic energy $ \left( {k_{\text{t}} } \right) $ , and this process occurs during the initiation and intensification of the cold vortex. In addition, barotropic energy conversion is another important process that contributes to the growth of k _t, and it strengthens gradually after the initiation of the cold vortex. Other than frictional consumption, the flux of k _t in the vertical direction also depletes some of k _t. The fluxes of e _t, baroclinic energy conversions and diabatic generations are favorable factors for the growth of e _t, whereas it decreases with time as a result of a large amount of e _t that is released. Most of the energy conversion processes, including the baroclinic and the barotropic energy transformations and the energy conversions from e _t to k _t, as well as the fluxes of e _t, are stronger in the lower troposphere than the other areas during the formation of the cold vortex. This accounts for the initiation of the cyclonic vorticity in the lower troposphere. Finally, the fact that the turbulent extended exergy releases primarily in the middle troposphere through the vertical thermal circulation is consistent with our understanding based on the vorticity budget analyses.     

湿位涡在广西冰雹大风天气过程诊断分析中的应用

应用湿位涡理论,对2006年4月发生在广西的3次冰雹大风强对流天气过程进行了详细地诊断分析.结果表明:θsc线陡立密集区附近对流稳定度很小,冷空气从高层沿等熵面下滑的过程中绝对涡度增加,导致气旋性涡度的发展加强,为冰雹、大风天气的易发地;强对流天气发生前对流层高层有湿位涡高值中心向下传播,强对流易在正压湿位涡等值线相对密集零线附近和925 hPa上斜压湿位涡负中心附近出现.     

Relative optical mass functions for air, water vapour, ozone and nitrogen dioxide in atmospheric models presenting different latitudinal and seasonal conditions

Summary A study of the dependence features of the relative optical mass functions for air, water vapour, ozone and nitrogen dioxide on the apparent solar zenith angle was performed by calculating these optical parameters by means of the well-known computer code LOWTRAN 7 at several values of and for nine atmospheric models characterized by different latitudes and seasons. Moreover, other investigations were performed on the dependence features of (i) the relative optical air mass on the thermal characteristics of the low troposphere, (ii) the relative optical water vapour mass on the vertical distribution characteristics of absolute humidity in the troposphere, and (iii) the relative optical mass function for ozone and nitrogen dioxide on the shape characteristics of the vertical profiles of the two gaseous concentrations and the concentration peak altitudes. The results are compared with the values given by the two simple formulas proposed by Kasten (1966) for air and water vapour and the formulas defined by Young (1969) and Staehelin et al. (1995) for ozone and nitrogen dioxide. From this comparison, a wide set of correction factors were obtained which can be conveniently used in the analysis of multispectral sun-radiometric measurements for calculating, with a very high precision, the values of the four optical mass functions at all the angles in the 0° to 87° range, corresponding to the various latitudinal and seasonal conditions described by the nine atmospheric models.With 9 Figures     

Synoptic analysis of sea level pressure patterns and Vertically Integrated Moisture Flux Convergence VIMFC during the occurrence of durable and pervasive rainfall in Iran

To carry out this research, interpolated data of daily rainfall from Iran’s Asfazari data base during 1/1/1979–31/12/2013 is used. The day along with pervasive rainfall considered a day that at least 50% of Iran’s territory has received more than 1 mm for at least two consecutive days. Based on mentioned thresholds, 224 days selected for statistical analysis. The sea level pressure data, zonal and meridional wind components and specific humidity with spatial resolution of 0.25*0.25 Gaussian degree in spatial domain of 10 °N to 60 °N and 15 °E to 75 °E obtained from the European Center for Medium range Weather Forecasting (ECMWF) ERA-Interim for selected days. Then on the data matrix of sea level pressure, the cluster analysis by Ward linkage method done and 4 sea level pressure patterns with different configuration of synoptic systems were identified. The findings showed that in the sea level, the interaction between southern thermal low pressure systems (Arabia low pressure) with Europe and Siberia cold immigrant high pressure both by individual and integration and anticyclone circulation of Arab sea from the low level of 1000–500 hPa of troposphere have the most role on occurrence of durable and pervasive rainfall of Iran. The most Vertically Integrated Moisture Flux Convergence in the first layer of troposphere (1000–850 hPa) observed in low height regions, in the second layer of troposphere (775–700 hPa) on Zagros Mountains and in third layer of troposphere (600–500 hPa) is seen in mountains leeward of Iran. Also the results showed that the maximum rainfall cores has the most coordination with Vertically Integrated Moisture Flux Convergence (VIMFC) in the second layer of troposphere (775–700 hPa) on the Zagros heights in the southwest of Iran.     

河北两次大（暴）雪过程对比分析

选取河北省2003年和2004年两次较大的降雪过程,利用常规气象资料和NCEP再分析资料,对它们的环流形势和物理量场作了对比分析。结果表明,500 hPa南北两支槽在110°E附近同位相叠加、地面气压场"北高南低"并在河套地区有倒槽生成是河北出现大(暴)雪的有利形势。低层暖温舌和暖平流的存在为大(暴)雪的形成提供了较好的热力条件。槽前西南气流、低层偏东气流和低空急流都能为产生大(暴)雪带来充足的水汽。高层辐散、低层辐合的水平散度结构和整层为垂直上升气流的分布,加强了上空的抽吸作用,有利较大降雪的发生。而整层是正涡度(正垂直螺旋度)对垂直上升运动最有利。925 hPa和850 hPa温度同时降至0℃以下,且地面气温小于等于1℃是适合降雪的温度条件。     

沙尘暴过程中沙尘对流层-平流层输送的数值模拟初步分析

在初步明确东亚沙尘气溶胶对流层-平流层输送监测事实的基础上,利用观测资料、NCEP再分析资料以及基于中尺度天气模式MM5的数值模拟方法,对一次蒙古气旋沙尘暴过程中沙尘对流层-平流层输送问题进行了初步分析.结果表明:斜压不稳定是本次蒙古气旋发展的主要强迫要素,伴随气旋发展成熟,高空切断低涡的形成引导高空急流下落并诱发对流层顶折叠和高空位涡下传.对流层顶折叠区呈漏斗状,底部达500 hPa左右.高空急流产生近似垂直的下落,并在高空切断低涡的南侧和东侧达到最强.在对流层顶折叠区周边的300-500 hPa,上升气流与低涡区偏西、偏南、偏东气流叠加,或水平横穿折叠的对流层顶,或斜升并准垂直地穿过下落的对流层顶到达平流层,且随时间的推移,空气质点能够进一步抵达平流层中部(100 hPa).轨迹分析表明,沙尘天气区对流层低层的空气质点在气旋涡旋上升气流的驱动下呈气旋式盘旋上升,并在对流层高层形成分支,一支穿过对流层顶到达平流层,并在平流层向下游进行反气旋式螺旋运动,另一支则留在对流层高层并向下游进行准水平的气旋式螺旋运动.在高空位涡下传过程中,主要产生平流层到对流层的净输送;高空位涡停止下传之后则出现对流层到平流层的净输送,且强度随时间呈指数型增长.这一特征有利于形成更强的沙尘对流层平流层输送.     

Atmospheric dispersion in the arctic: Winter-time boundary-layer measurements

The winter-time arctic atmospheric boundary layer was investigated with micrometeorological and SF₆ tracer measurements collected in Prudhoe Bay, Alaska. The flat, snow-covered tundra surface at this site generates a very small (0.03 cm) surface roughness. The relatively warm maritime air mass originating over the nearby, partially frozen Beaufort Sea is cooled at the tundra surface resulting in strong (4 to 30 °C · (100 m)^-1) temperature inversions with light winds and a persistent weak (1 to 2 °C · (100 m)^-1) surface inversion with wind speeds up to 17 m s^-1. The absence of any diurnal atmospheric stability pattern during the study was due to the very limited solar insolation. Vertical profiles were measured with a multi-level mast from 1 to 17 m and with a Doppler acoustic sounder from 60 to 450 m. With high wind speeds, stable layers below 17 m and above 300 m were typically separated by a layer of neutral stability. Turbulence statistics and spectra calculated at a height of 33 m are similar to measurements reported for non-arctic, open terrain sites and indicate that the production of turbulence is primarily due to wind shear. The distribution of wind direction recorded at 1 Hz was frequently non-Gaussian for 1-hr periods but was always Gaussian for 5-min periods. We also observed non-Gaussian hourly averaged crosswind concentration profiles and assume that they can be modeled by calculating sequential short-term concentrations, using the 5-min standard deviation of horizontal wind direction fluctuations () to estimate a horizontal dispersion coefficient ( _y ), and constructing hourly concentrations by averaging the short-term results. Non-Gaussian hourly crosswind distributions are not unique to the arctic and can be observed at most field sites. A weak correlation between horizontal ( _v ) and vertical ( _w ) turbulence observed for both 1-hr and 5-min periods indicates that a single stability classification method is not sufficient to determine both vertical and horizontal dispersion at this site. An estimate of the vertical dispersion coefficient, _z , could be based on or a stability classification parameter which includes vertical thermal and wind shear effects (e.g., Monin-Obukhov length, L).     

INTERACTIONS OF MULTIPLE TYPHOONS AND RELATIONSHIPS OF HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL VORTICITY

Three typhoons, Goni, Morakot and Etau which were generated in Western Pacific in 2009, are successfully simulated by the WRF model. The horizontal and vertical vorticity and their interaction are analyzed and diagnosed by using the simulation results. It is shown that their resultant vectors had a fixed pattern in the evolution process of the three typhoons: The horizontal vorticity converged to the tropical cyclone (TC) center below 900 hPa level, flowed out from it at around 900 to 800 hPa, and flowed in between 800 hPa and 700 hPa. If multiple maximum wind speed centers showed up, the horizontal vorticity converged to the center of the typhoon below the maximum wind speed center and diverged from the TC center above the maximum wind speed center. At low levels, the three typhoons interacted with each other through vertical circulation generated by the vortex tube. This circulation was mainly generated by the eastward or westward horizontal vorticity vectors. Clouds and precipitation were generated on the ascending branch of the vertical circulation. The vortex tubes often flowed toward the southwest of the right TC from the northeast of the left TC. According to the full vorticity equation, the horizontal vorticity converted into the vertical vorticity near the maximum wind speed center below 850 hPa level, and the period of most intense conversion was consistent with the intensification period of TC, while the vorticity advection was against the intensification. The vertical vorticity converted into the horizontal vorticity from 800 hPa to 600 hPa, and the wind speed decreased above the maximum wind speed region at low levels.     

华南季风低压暴雨及其结构分析

文中对2005年夏季华南的一次季风低压大暴雨过程进行了诊断分析,讨论了该季风低压的三维结构,并将其与南亚季风低压和梅雨锋上低压系统的结构进行了对比分析。结果表明,这次暴雨过程由华南季风低压直接引起,造成大暴雨的季风低压产生在有利的大尺度环流背景下。这次华南季风低压的三维结构特征为:在水平方向上,季风低压的南侧是一条对流云带,在对流层中低层,季风低压基本上处于对流不稳定并伴随有较强的上升运动;它对应中低层的湿舌、辐合区和很强的正涡度带。在垂直方向上,季风低压在对流层中低层有明显的气旋性环流,在300 hPa以上无反映。它对应低层辐合和气旋性涡度,高层辐散和反气旋性涡度。季风低压的上升气流可达对流层高层,主要上升运动区位于低压的西侧,主要下沉运动区位于低压的东侧。季风低压南侧有低空急流存在,但高层急流并不明显;季风低压的热力结构为上暖下冷。华南季风低压的轴线随高度向东南方向倾斜。这种种特征,与南亚季风低压和梅雨锋低压均有较大不同。     

On the stable stratification of the nocturnal lower troposphere inferred from lidar observations over Pune,India

The nocturnal structure of the lower troposphere is studied using aerosol profile data (50–2800 m AGL) obtained with a bistatic, continuous wave, Argon ion lidar system during October 1986–September 1989 at Pune (18°32 N, 73°51 E, 559m AMSL), India. The top of the nocturnal groundbased inversion is taken as the height above ground where the negative vertical gradient in aerosol concentration first reaches a maximum. During the post-sunset period over this station, this height is as low as 160m and frequently lies around 550m. Greater heights are observed in pre-monsoon months and smaller ones during the southwest monsoon season. Positive vertical gradients in aerosol concentration, indicative of stable/elevated layers, appear frequently around 750m. Temporal variations of aerosol concentration gradients in two adjacent air layers, 920–1000m and 100–1100m, provide evidence that stability increases downward in the early night hours.     

中国冬半年区域持续性低温事件的前期信号

大气变量物理分解的方法应用于寻找中国区域持续性低温事件的前期信号。1960～2008年的冬半年期间, 总数115次强的区域持续性低温事件的对流层低层出现了天气尺度温度的负值扰动, 而在对流层中高层至平流层出现了天气尺度位势高度的负值扰动。其中, 112次事件分别在850 hPa和300 hPa上出现了温度扰动负值中心和位势高度扰动负值中心。追踪850 hPa层的温度扰动能够提前5～9天预示中国区域持续性低温事件的出现。     

Study of the influence of katabatic flows on the Antarctic circulation using GCM simulations

Summary A one dimensional analytical model of katabatic wind over the Antarctica has been developed. This parametric model is derived from the bulk two-layer model of Ball including the surface friction and taking into account the Earth's rotation and the geostrophic wind in the upper layer.This model is validated using the data set (70 soundings) collected during IAGO experiment at D47 (67°24S, 138°43E, altitude 1 564m), 110 km inland from the coast of Adélie Land.The parameteric model is then introduced into a GCM which is a spectral global version of the operational numerical weather prediction model used by the French weather service. The most significant effect of the parameterization is a 50 m increase of the geopotential height over the South Pole. The surface temperature at the South Pole increases (2°C) reducing the pole-midlatitude thermal gradient. The westerly circulation at 50° S is slowed down (4m/s at 850 hPa), and the surface pressure at the South Pole increases (4hPa). These results, consistent with an increase of katabatic winds, would however be improved by a better coupling between the parameterization and the GCM boundary layer.With 8 Figures