A new North Atlantic Oscillation index and its variability

A new North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) index, the NAOI, is defined as the differences of normalized sea level pressures regionally zonal-averaged over a broad range of longitudes 80°W-30°E. A comprehensive comparison of six NAO indices indicates that the new NAOI provides a more faithful representation of the spatial-temporal variability associated with the NAO on all timescales. A very high signal-to-noise ratio for the NAOI exists for all seasons, and the life cycle represented by the NAOI describes well the seasonal migration for action centers of the NAO. The NAOI captures a larger fraction of the variance of sea level pressure over the North Atlantic sector (20°-90°N, 80°W-30°E), on average 10% more than any other NAO index. There are quite different relationships between the NAOI and surface air temperature during winter and summer. A novel feature, however, is that the NAOI is significantly negative correlated with surface air temperature over the North Atlantic Ocean between 10°-25°N and     

冬季各月北太平洋涛动的年际变化及其与我国降水异常的联系

利用ERA-Interim的海平面气压(Sea Level Pressure,SLP)再分析资料和中国160站的降水观测资料,分析了冬季各月(当年12月、次年1月和2月)北太平洋涛动(North Pacific Oscillation,NPO)的年际变化特征,及其与我国同期降水异常之间的联系。结果表明:1)冬季各月NPO指数的年际变化较为显著,但各月NPO指数年际变化之间的相关性较差,1979—2012年冬季12月与1月NPO指数年际变化之间的相关系数为0.09,而1月与2月NPO指数的相关系数仅为-0.003,均没有通过信度检验。2)1月和12月NPO指数年际变化与同期我国黄淮流域降水异常之间存在明显的正相关,而2月NPO指数年际变化与同期我国华北降水异常之间为明显的负相关。3)当1月(12月)NPO指数增加1个标准差时,我国黄淮流域降水量比多年平均值增加约50%(40%);而当2月NPO指数增加1个标准差时,我国华北降水量比多年平均值减少约30%。     

Weakening of Winter North Atlantic Oscillation Signal in Spring Precipitation over Southern China

In this study,the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO)in winter(December–February)and the precipitation over southern China(SCP)in the following spring(March–May)was investigated.Results showed an interdecadal change,from strong to weak connection,in their connection.Before the early1980s,they were highly correlated,with a strong(weak)winter NAO followed by an increased(decreased)spring SCP.However,after the early 1980s,their relationship was weakened significantly.This unstable relationship may be linked to the climatological change of East Asian jet.Before the early 1980s,the wave train along the Asian jet propagated the NAO signal eastward to East Asia and affected local upper-tropospheric atmospheric circulation.A strong NAO in winter led to an anomalous anticyclonic circulation at the south side of 30 N in East Asia in spring,resulting in an increase of SCP.In contrast,after the early1980s,the wave train pattern along the Asian jet extended eastward due to strengthening of the climatological East Asian jet.Correspondingly,the NAO-related East Asian atmospheric circulations in the upper troposphere shifted eastward,thereby weakening the linkage between the spring SCP and the winter NAO.     

热带季节内振荡与北大西洋涛动年际变化的关系

运用K均值聚类法将冬季北大西洋及欧洲地区的天气流型分为4种不同的流型。研究了不同阶段8种不同位相的热带季节内振荡（MJO）与这4种流型的年际变化的关系。通过一系列的对比试验发现,K均值聚类法划分得到的不同位相的北大西洋涛动（NAO）的天数能很好地反映NAO指数;无论是在1978～1990年（简称为P1阶段）还是在1991～2010年（简称为P2阶段）,MJO第3（6）位相影响NAO正（负）位相;但在P1阶段存在NAO的位相转换,当MJO处于第1位相时,NAO由弱的负位相转换为正位相,当MJO处于第6位相时, NAO由正位相转换为负位相;而在P2阶段NAO并没有明显的位相转换,当MJO处于第1位相时,NAO由偶极子结构转换为波列结构。     

Temporal structures of the North Atlantic Oscillation and its impact on the regional climate variability

In this study, the temporal structure of the variation of North Atlantic Oscillation （NAO） and its impact on regional climate variability are analyzed using various datasets. The results show that blocking formations in the Atlantic region are sensitive to the phase of the NAO. Sixty-seven percent more winter blocking days are observed during the negative phase compared to the positive phase of the NAO. The average length of blocking during the negative phase is about 11 days, which is nearly twice as long as the 6-day length observed during the positive phase of the NAO. The NAO-related differences in blocking frequency and persistence are associated with changes in the distribution of the surface air temperature anomaly, which, to a large extent, is determined by the phase of the NAO. The distribution of regional cloud amount is also sensitive to the phase of the NAO. For the negative phase, the cloud amounts are significant, positive anomalies in the convective zone in the Tropics and much less cloudiness in the mid latitudes. But for the positive phase of the NAO, the cloud amount is much higher in the mid-latitude storm track region. In the whole Atlantic region, the cloud amount shows a decrease with the increase of surface air temperature. These results suggest that there may be a negative feedback between the cloud amount and the surface air t.emperature in the Atlantic region.     

Short－term Climatic Fluctuations in North Atlantic Oscillation and Frequency of Cyclonic Disturbances over North Indian Ocean and Northwest Pacific

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Contribution of the sea surface temperature over the Mediterranean-Black Sea to the decadal shift of the summer North Atlantic Oscillation

Recent observational study has shown that the southern center of the summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO) was located farther eastward after the late 1970s compared to before. In this study, the cause for this phenomenon is explored. The result shows that the eastward shift of the SNAO southern center after the late 1970s is related to the variability of the Mediterranean-Black Sea (MBS) SST. A warm MBS SST can heat and moisten its overlying atmosphere, consequently producing a negative sea level pressure (SLP) departure over the MBS region. Because the MBS SST is negatively correlated with the SNAO, the negative SLP departure can enhance the eastern part of the negative-phase of the SNAO southern center, consequently producing an eastward SNAO southern center shift. Similarly, a cold MBS SST produces an eastward positive-phase SNAO southern center shift. The reason for why the MBS SST has an impact on the SNAO after the late 1970s but why it is not the case beforehand is also discussed. It is found that this instable relationship is likely to be attributed to the change of the variability of the MBS SST on the decadal time-scale. In 1951--1975, the variability of the MBS SST is quite weak, but in 1978--2002, it becomes more active. The active SST can enhance the interaction between the sea and its overlying atmosphere, thus strengthening the connection between the MBS SST and the SNAO after the late 1970s. The above observational analysis results are further confirmed by sensitivity experiments.     

A Statistical Analysis of the North Atlantic Oscillation and its Impact on European Temperature

In this study the behaviour of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its impact on the surface air temperature in Europe 1891-1990 is analysed using statistical time series analysis techniques. For this purpose, both the NAO index (NAOI) and the surface air temperature time series from 41 European stations are split up into typical variation components. Various measures of correlation indicate that the NAOI-temperature relationships are approximately linear and most pronounced in winter. The spatial correlation patterns show a correlation decrease from North West to South East (winter) exceeding correlation coefficients of 0.6 in the Scotland-South Norwegian area. In summer, these correlations are very weak, in spring and autumn stronger but smaller than in winter. These correlations change significantly in time indicating increasing correlations in Central and North Europe and decreasing correlations in the North West. Low-frequent episodic components represented by related polynomials of different order are very outstanding in both NAO and temperatures showing up in all seasons, except summer, relative maxima roughly 1900 and in recent times, relative minima in the beginning ( ca . 1870) and roughly 1960-1970. Periodogramm analysis reveals a dominant cycle of 7.5 years (NAOI and a majority of temperature time series) whereas in case of the polynomial component one may speculate about a 80-90 year cycle.     

Teleconnections of inter-annual streamflow fluctuation in Slovakia with Arctic Oscillation,North Atlantic Oscillation,Southern Oscillation,and Quasi-Biennial Oscillation phenomena

The aim of the paper is to analyze a possible teleconnection of Quasi-Biennial Oscillation （QBO）, Southern Oscillation （SO）, North Atlantic Oscillation （NAO）, and Arctic Oscillation （AO） phenomena with longterm streamflow fluctuation of the Bela River （1895-2004） and Cierny Hron River （1931-2004） （central Slovakia）. Homogeneity, long-term trends, as well as inter-annual dry and wet cycles were analyzed for the entire 1895-2004 time series of the Bela River and for the 1931-2004 time series of the Cierny Hron River. Inter-annual fluctuation of the wet and dry periods was identified using spectral analysis. The most significant period is that of 3.6 years. Other significant periods are those of 2.35 years, 13.5 years, and 21 years. Since these periods were found in other rivers of the world, as well as in SO, NAO, and AO phenomena, they can be considered as relating to the general regularity of the Earth.     

Intraseasonal oscillation of the rainfall variability over Rwanda and evaluation of its subseasonal forecasting skill

非洲中东部地区的经济主要依靠自给农业支撑,该地区农业经济对降水的变化尤为敏感.本文以卢旺达为例,观测分析指出卢旺达的次季节降雨主要集中在10-25天;根据次季节尺度降水变率的单点相关方法,发现卢旺达的次季节降水变率和周围区域变化一致;进一步合成结果显示该地区次季节降水变率与异常西风有关,这可追溯到赤道地区西传的赤道Rossby波.最后,本文评估了当前动力模式ECMWF对 卢旺达地区(即非洲中东部)次季节降水变率的预报能力,发现EC模式在对该区域降水和相关风场指数的预报技巧都在18天左右,且预报技巧表现出一定的年际差异,这可能与热带太平洋的背景海温信号有关.该工作增进了当 前对非洲中东部地区的次季节降水变率和预测水平的认知,并且对该地区国家粮食安全和防灾减灾具有启示性意义.     

一个观察北极涛动与北大西洋涛动关系的典型个例

北极涛动与大西洋涛动是否属同一气候变率模态一直是北极涛动动力学研究方面的一个颇具争议的话题。文中通过对"0801南方雪灾"期间及其前后北极涛动与北大西洋涛动异常及产生原因进行个例分析,对两者之间的关系进行了讨论。首先使用交叉子波变换与子波相关方法分析了两者的相位关系。发现在30—60天时间尺度上北极涛动与北大西洋涛动相位相差90°或-90°。而在10 20天这一尺度上北极涛动与北大西洋涛动具有大致相同的相位。对北极涛动及北大西洋涛动形成的动力过程及其在拉尼娜背景下各自特点的分析表明,这种不同尺度上位相关系的差异来自于波-流相互作用动力学的局域性。众所周知,北极涛动的3个活动中心的形成与分别位于北大西洋、北太平洋和北极平流层的3个波流相互作用中心有关。而北大西洋涛动则主要与位于北大西洋的波-流相互作用中心有关。拉尼娜事件的出现通过影响太平洋急流及行星尺度的准定常波从而进一步强化了30-60天时间尺度上北极涛动与北大西洋涛动的这种差异。这主要是因为太平洋急流或准定常行星波在对流层中直接影响了位于该区域的北极涛动的活动中心。同时准定常行星波冬季向上传播至平流层并与平流层极涡相互作用从而也影响了北极涛动在北极的活动中心。而在10—20天时间尺度上的北极涛动与北大西洋涛动同步关系则说明它们都是北极涛动的另一活动中心即大西洋上同一波-流相互作用现象——天气波破碎的反映。基于上述分析.文中倾向于认同将北极涛动和北大西洋涛动区别考虑的观点。     

冬季北大西洋涛动与中国北方极端低温相关性的年代际变化

本文基于中国地面气温日值网格数据集（V2.0）,采用滑动相关和相关分析等方法,揭示了冬季北大西洋涛动（NAO）对中国北方极端低温影响的事实,进一步证实了东北后冬（1、2月）冷日（夜）与同期NAO相关性的年代际变化。研究发现:在20世纪80年代中期前,东北后冬冷日（夜）频发,与NAO的相关性较好,而在80年代中期后东北后冬冷日（夜）少发,与NAO的相关性减弱。其中,1月在1969~1988阶段,东北冷日（夜）与NAO的相关性最好,相关区域显著,相关系数可达-0.68（-0.66）,而在1989~2009阶段二者相关性最弱,相关区域不显著。进一步分析发现,在不同年代际背景下,NAO引起的大气环流异常是导致东北1月冷日（夜）与1月NAO相关性年代际变化的重要原因。相关性较好的年代,NAO引起的环流异常有利于冷涡等天气系统维持在贝加尔湖到东北一带,使东北地区气温偏低,冷日（夜）频发;相关性较弱的年代,不利于冷空气南下,使东北地区气温偏高,冷日（夜）少发。     

Observed Long- and Short-lived North Atlantic Oscillation Events: Role of the Stratosphere

Utilizing three different sets of reanalysis data, this study examines the long-and short-lived observed positive North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO) events(referred to as NAO+_LE and NAO+_SE) and long-and short-lived observed negative NAO events(referred to as NAO-_LE and NAO-_SE). Composite results indicate that the NAO-like circulation anomalies associated with the long-lived NAO events can reach the stratosphere, while they are primarily confined to the tr...     

中国华北地区冬季降水异常特征及其与大气环流和海温的关系

利用1951—2012年中国冬季160站降水资料、NCEP/NCAR再分析资料及NOAA海温资料,分析了中国华北地区冬季降水的异常变化特征及其与大气环流和海温的关系。结果表明:华北地区冬季降水主要呈现为全区一致变化的特征,且年际变率较大,具有2~4 a的年际变化周期。降水异常偏多(少)年,西伯利亚高压偏弱(强),阿留申低压偏弱(强),850 h Pa上华北地区盛行的西北风较弱(强),控制该地区的东亚冬季风偏弱(强),该地区有偏南(北)风距平,500 h Pa上东亚槽脊系统偏弱(强)。影响华北地区冬季降水的异常水汽主要来源于南海及其以东的西太平洋。前期夏季日本以东的西风漂流区、同期冬季近海的黄渤海区域的海温均与中国华北地区冬季降水存在显著的正相关关系。     

基于前春对流层温度和北大西洋涛动的中国夏季降水统计预测模型

本文在分析中国夏季降水典型模态与前期春季对流层中上层温度主要分布类型、北大西洋涛动(简称NAO)之间关系的基础上,提出基于前春对流层温度和NAO的中国夏季降水统计预测模型,并对利用该模型预报的2004～2009年中国160站夏季降水进行检验.结果表明:中国大范围夏季降水多寡主要与5月NAO变化有关,“南多(少)北少(多...     

The Relationship between the Wintertime Blocking over Greenland and the Sea Ice Distribution over North Atlantic

The sea-ice concentration in the Northern Hemisphere, 500 hPa height, sea-level pressure and 1000-500 hPa thickness of monthly mean data are examined for the period 1953-1989, with emphasis on the winter season.Relationships between large-scale patterns of atmospheric variability and sea-ice variability are investigated, making use of the correlation method. The analysis is conducted for the Atlantic sectors. In agreement with earlier studies based upon monthly mean data on sea-ice concentration, the strongest sea-ice pattern is composed of a dipole with opposing centers of action in the Davis Straits / Labrador Sea region and the Greenland and Barents Seas. Its temporal variability is strongly coupled to the atmospheric North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO). The relationship between the two patterns is strongest with the atmosphere leading the ocean. The polarity of the NAO is associated with Greenland blocking episodes, during which the influence of the atmosphere is strong enough to temporarily halt the c     

The Role of the Solar Cycle in the Relationship Between the North Atlantic Oscillation and Northern Hemisphere Surface Temperatures

The North Atlantic Oscillation （NAO） is one of the leading modes of climate variability in the Northern Hemisphere. It has been shown that it clearly relates to changes in meteorological variables, such as surface temperature, at hemispherical scales. However, recent studies have revealed that the NAO spatial pattern also depends upon solar forcing. Therefore, its effects on meteorological variables must vary depending upon this factor. Moreover, it could be that the Sun affects climate through variability patterns, a hypothesis that is the focus of this study. We find that the relationship between the NAO/AO and hemispheric temperature varies depending upon solar activity. The results show a positive significant correlation only when solar activity is high. Also, the results support the idea that solar activity influences tropospheric climate fluctuations in the Northern Hemisphere via the fluctuations of the stratospheric polar vortex .     

近60年华北春季干旱特征及其与北大西洋海表温度的关系

利用观测资料统计分析和CAM5.3数值模拟相结合的方法,基于标准化降水蒸散指数(Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index,SPEI),分析了1955-2018年华北地区春季干旱特征,并重点探讨了对北大西洋产生的影响.华北春季干旱的主要空间分布型为全区一致型,...     

Trends and Variability of Sea Surface Temperature in the Northwest Atlantic from Three Historical Gridded Datasets

ABSTRACT

Historical variability in sea surface temperature (SST) in the North Atlantic (NA) is examined using trend and Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analyses of annual and summer means from three interpolated monthly datasets: Hadley Centre Sea Ice and Sea Surface Temperature (HadISST1), Extended Reconstruction of SST (ERSST), and Centennial in situ Observation-Based Estimates (COBE). Comparisons with time series of upper-ocean temperature from four monitoring sites off Atlantic Canada reveal substantial similarity in the interannual to multi-decadal variability but notable differences in the longer-term trends. The magnitude of decadal-scale variability is comparable to, or greater than, the long-term changes in all of the datasets; together with the trend discrepancies, this needs to be considered in climate change applications. Averaged over the NA, the annual means have a long-term increasing trend and a pronounced multi-decadal variation, resembling those in global mean (land-ocean) surface temperature and the Atlantic Multi-decadal Oscillation (AMO). There is remarkable similarity in the spatial and temporal variability of the three leading EOF modes from the different gridded datasets, with the first highly correlated with the AMO, the second modestly correlated with the winter North Atlantic Oscillation, and the third apparently related to ocean circulation variability. Trends since 1981 are generally two to three times larger than those since 1900 and 1950, which is at least partly related to the phase of the AMO. Trends in the summer means are generally larger than in the annual means. Overall, the results provide support for both anthropogenic global warming and decadal-scale natural variations making important contributions to ocean climate variability in the Northwest Atlantic.