On the variation of temperature structure parameter in cloud- and clear-air during the summer monsoon season

High resolution aicraft observations of temperature were made in cloud-air and clear-air at different heights in the lower atmosphere over the Deccan Plateu, India, during the summer monsoon season (June–September) of 1976. Temperature fluctuations in the horizontal at each flight level were utilised for computing the temperature structure parameter (C _T ² ) at that level for studying the hieght dependence ofC _T ² . The results were found to be in agreement with those obtained by other investigators. Also, the height variations ofC _T ² in cloud-air and clear-air during active and weak monsoon conditions are studied. Marked differences were noticed in the behaviour ofC _T ² during active and weak monsoon conditions.     

Water vapour transport of the pre-monsoon period and the general performance of the Indian summer monsoon

The advective monthly mean transfer of water vapour in the layer below 700 mbar is investigated for India for the years 1962 to 1972 and for the months January to September. The average zonal and meridional components of the transfer of water vapour for India are obtained. They are further averaged for different combinations of the pre-monsoon months from January to May and are correlated with the summer monsoon rainfall. The correlation coefficients for zonal transfer of water vapour are either negative or small positive for different combinations of the months mentioned above. The correlation coefficients for the meridional transfer of water vapour are positive. The maximum value is 0.74 for the March to May combination and is statistically significant at the 1% level.An extensive investigation is, therefore, made for the March to May averages of water vapour transfer for four broad regions of India. The parameters of water vapour transfer for these regions are compared with the threshold values and the prediction category, normal or drought, for the subsequent summer monsoon season is determined for all years. The correlation coefficient between the index of drought, as determined from parameters of water vapour transport and rainfall departure, is statistically significant at the 2% level.     

Diagnosis of dominant forcing factors for large-scale vertical velocities during active and break phases of the monsoon

An attempt to diagnose the dominant forcings which drive the large-scale vertical velocities over the monsoon region has been made by computing the forcings like diabatic heating fields,etc. and the large-scale vertical velocities driven by these forcings for the contrasting periods of active and break monsoon situations; in order to understand the rainfall variability associated with them. Computation of diabatic heating fields show us that among different components of diabatic heating it is the convective heating that dominates at mid-tropospheric levels during an active monsoon period; whereas it is the sensible heating at the surface that is important during a break period. From vertical velocity calculations we infer that the prime differences in the large-scale vertical velocities seen throughout the depth of the atmosphere are due to the differences in the orders of convective heating; the maximum rate of latent heating being more than 10 degrees Kelvin per day during an active monsoon period; whereas during a break monsoon period it is of the order of 2 degrees Kelvin per day at mid-tropospheric levels. At low levels of the atmosphere, computations show that there is large-scale ascent occurring over a large spatial region, driven only by the dynamic forcing associated with vorticity and temperature advection during an active monsoon period. However, during a break monsoon period such large-scale spatial organization in rising motion is not seen. It is speculated that these differences in the low-level large-scale ascent might be causing differences in convective heating because the weaker the low level ascent, the lesser the convective instability which produces deep cumulus clouds and hence lesser the associated latent heat release. The forcings due to other components of diabatic heating, namely, the sensible heating and long wave radiative cooling do not influence the large-scale vertical velocities significantly.     

大型岩体洞室采用柔性垫层减震的可行性研究

采用无限元作为岩体地下洞室静动力分析的边界条件,建立了岩体地下洞室的静动力有限元一无限元(FE-IE)计算模型,分析了柔性垫层对水电站厂房这类大型岩体洞室结构的减震效果.研究结果表明:柔性垫层虽未能从根本上改变岩体洞室结构的地震响应,但是设置一定厚度的柔性垫层后不仅能充分发挥岩体洞室围岩的自承能力,而且还能明显地减小混...     

Time–frequency characterization of sub-divisional scale seasonal rainfall in India using the Hilbert–Huang transform

Time–frequency characterization is useful in understanding the nonlinear and non-stationary signals of the hydro-climatic time series. The traditional Fourier transform, and wavelet transform approaches have certain limitations in analyzing non-linear and non-stationary hydro-climatic series. This paper presents an effective approach based on the Hilbert–Huang transform to investigate time–frequency characteristics, and the changing patterns of sub-divisional rainfall series in India, and explored the possible association of monsoon seasonal rainfall with different global climate oscillations. The proposed approach integrates the complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise algorithm and normalized Hilbert transform method for analyzing the spectral characteristics of two principal seasonal rainfall series over four meteorological subdivisions namely Assam-Meghalaya, Kerala, Orissa and Telangana subdivisions in India. The Hilbert spectral analysis revealed the dynamic nature of dominant time scales for two principal seasonal rainfall time series. From the trend analysis of instantaneous amplitudes of multiscale components called intrinsic mode functions (IMFs), it is found that both intra and inter decadal modes are responsible for the changes in seasonal rainfall series of different subdivisions and significant changes are noticed in the amplitudes of inter decadal modes of two seasonal rainfalls in the four subdivisions since 1970s. Further, the study investigated the links between monsoon rainfall with the global climate oscillations such as Quasi Bienniel Oscillation (QBO), El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Sunspot Number (SN), Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) etc. The study noticed that the multiscale components of rainfall series IMF1, IMF2, IMF3, IMF4 and IMF5 have similar periodic structure of QBO, ENSO, SN, tidal forcing and AMO respectively. As per the seasonal rainfall patterns is concerned, the results of the study indicated that for Assam-Meghalaya subdivision, there is a likelihood of extreme rare events at ~0.2 cycles per year, and both monsoon and pre-monsoon rainfall series have decreasing trends; for Kerala subdivision, extreme events can be expected during monsoon season with shorter periodicity (~2.5 years), and monsoon rainfall has statistically significant decreasing trend and post-monsoon rainfall has a statistically significant increasing trend; and for Orissa subdivision, there are chances of extremes rainfall events in monsoon season and a relatively stable rainfall pattern during post-monsoon period, but both monsoon and post-monsoon rainfall series showed an overall decreasing trend; for Telangana subdivision, there is a likelihood of extreme events during monsoon season with a periodicity of ~4 years, but both monsoon and post-monsoon rainfall series showed increasing trends. The results of correlation analysis of IMF components of monsoon rainfall and five climate indices indicated that the association is expressed well only for low frequency modes with similar evolution of trend components.     

Baroclinic energetics and zonal plane distribution of monsoon disturbances

The adiabatic, quasi-geostraphic, 25-layer, numerical, linear model with Ekman boundary layer friction is utilised to perform the baroclinic stability analysis of the mean monsoon zonal wind profile. It is shown thec _i is a function of the resultant wavenumber alone. This relation is able to explain the effects of the lateral walls on the unstable waves.The energetics and zonal plane distribution of the short and long preferred viscous waves are computed. The upward motion of the short wave together with the warm (cold) core lies to the west of the surface trough position above (below) 850 mb. Further, it is shown that the main source of kinetic energy for the wave lies in the middle layer (850–700 mb) which is transported to the lower and upper layers. Computed is found to be in good agreement with observed values.     

北京地区臭氧垂直分布的演变趋势与特征的研究——卫星SBUV资料与地面遥感对比分析

利用地面遥感O₃垂直分布的逆转方法〈C〉测量出的北京上空O₃剖面资料,对雨云7号卫星的SBUV系统测量的同地区的O₃垂直分布数据进行了订正.对订正后的长达8年（1979-1986年）的完整的SBUV资料进行了较为仔细的分析,得出了这一时期内的O₃垂直分布长期演变呈下降趋势.并在上层O₃含量的季节变化特征和周期振荡等方面,有新的发现,得出一些有意义的结果.     

A study of the crustal structure beneath the Himalayas from body waves

Summary The crustal structure beneath the Himalayas has been investigated using body wave data from near earthquakes having epicentres over the Himalayas and recorded by the observatories situated over, or very near, the foothills of the mountains. A three-layered crustal model, without the top sedimentary layer, with velocities for theP wave group in Granite I, Granite II and the Basaltic layer as 5.48, 6.00 and 6.45 and for theS wave group as 3.33, 3.56 and 3.90 km/sec respectively, has been interpreted. The upper mantle velocity for theP wave has been observed to be 8.07 km/sec and for theS wave as 4.57 km/sec. Average thickness for the Granite I layer has been computed as 22.7 km, for the Granite II layer as 16.3 km and for the Basaltic layer as 18.7 km. Crustal and sub-crustal velocities indicate a lower trend under the mountain. A thicker crust has been obtained beneath the Himalayas.     

北京地区臭氧垂直分布的演变趋势与特征的研究——卫星SBUV资料与地面遥感对比分析

利用地面遥感O_3垂直分布的逆转方法〈C〉测量出的北京上空O_3剖面资料,对雨云7号卫星的SBUV系统测量的同地区的O_3垂直分布数据进行了订正.对订正后的长达8年(1979—1986年)的完整的SBUV资料进行了较为仔细的分析,得出了这一时期内的O_3垂直分布长期演变呈下降趋势.并在上层O_3含量的季节变化特征和周期振荡等方面,有新的发现,得出一些有意义的结果.     

Role of Ocean in the Variability of Indian Summer Monsoon Rainfall

Asian summer monsoon sets in over India after the Intertropical Convergence Zone moves across the equator to the northern hemisphere over the Indian Ocean. Sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies on either side of the equator in Indian and Pacific oceans are found related to the date of monsoon onset over Kerala (India). Droughts in the June to September monsoon rainfall of India are followed by warm SST anomalies over tropical Indian Ocean and cold SST anomalies over west Pacific Ocean. These anomalies persist till the following monsoon which gives normal or excess rainfall (tropospheric biennial oscillation). Thus, we do not get in India many successive drought years as in sub-Saharan Africa, thanks to the ocean. Monsoon rainfall of India has a decadal variability in the form of 30-year epochs of frequent (infrequent) drought monsoons occurring alternately. Decadal oscillations of monsoon rainfall and the well-known decadal oscillation in SST of the Atlantic Ocean (also of the Pacific Ocean) are found to run parallel with about the same period close to 60 years and the same phase. In the active–break cycle of the Asian summer monsoon, the ocean and the atmosphere are found to interact on the time scale of 30–60 days. Net heat flux at the ocean surface, monsoon low-level jetstream (LLJ) and the seasonally persisting shallow mixed layer of the ocean north of the LLJ axis play important roles in this interaction. In an El Niño year, the LLJ extends eastwards up to the date line creating an area of shallow ocean mixed layer there, which is hypothesised to lengthen the active–break (AB) cycle typically from 1 month in a La Niña to 2 months in an El Niño year. Indian monsoon droughts are known to be associated with El Niños, and long break monsoon spells are found to be a major cause of monsoon droughts. In the global warming scenario, the observed rapid warming of the equatorial Indian ocean SST has caused the weakening of both the monsoon Hadley circulation and the monsoon LLJ which has been related to the observed rapid decreasing trend in the seasonal number of monsoon depressions.     

The bottom Ekman layer and the apparent violation of the maximum principle

The solution for the bottom Ekman layer has a somewhat counter intuitive character, which seems to violate the maximum principle: at a certain level the velocity within the Ekman layer is higher than the velocity in the geostrophic layer above. I explain this character by looking at an analogous problem in an inertial frame of reference and show that it is the result of observing the flow from a rotating frame of reference (i.e. within a system that is not in steady state). The flow in the bottom Ekman layer is a superposition of the flow that results from the force exerted on the fluid by the rotating Earth and of the flow that results from the pressure-gradient term. Therefore, at a certain level the speed is higher than the speed of the geostrophic layer above which results from the pressure gradient alone.     

A new index to describe the tropical Asian summer monsoon

We define a new monsoon index (MV) as the product of relative vorticity and equivalent potential temperature using the long-term NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. The MV index provides new insights into the intraseasonal and interannual variabilities of the broad-scale tropical Asian summer monsoon (TASM), including the South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) and the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM). On the intraseasonal timescale, the pentad-to-pentad MV index bears a close relationship to the broad-scale rainfall in the TASM regions. Among 29 summers from 1979 to 2007, in 23/27 summers the correlation coefficients are higher than 0.7 in the SASM/SCSSM region. However, in fewer than 9 summers, the correlations between the broad-scale rainfall and the existing circulation indices are higher than 0.7. On the interannual timescale, various existing SASM circulation indices are moderately or well correlated with all-India summer monsoon rainfall, whereas their correlations with broad-scale SASM rainfall are weak. In contrast, the summer mean MV index correlates well with the broad-scale SASM rainfall and all-India summer monsoon rainfall (correlation of 0.73 and 0.65, respectively). In the SCSSM region, the summer mean MV index also bears a close relationship to the SCSSM rainfall, although some discrepancies exist during certain years. The composite strong TASM shows a stronger low-tropospheric low pressure in association with the enhanced westerly winds and moisture transfer, stronger convection, and upper-tropospheric easterly winds, which indicate that the MV index can well capture the features of TASM. Supported by National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2006CB400500), China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 20070410133), Open Foundation of Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Meteorological Disaster (Grant No. KLME0704)     

Some Atmospheric Surface Layer Characteristics over Varanasi from MONTBLEX-90

—An attempt has been made to study the atmospheric surface layer characteristics such as Richardson number (Ri). Monin-Obukhov length scale (L), friction velocity (U _* ?), friction temperature (θ _*?), roughness length (Z ₀?), turbulent kinetic energy (TKE), ratio of eddy conductivity to eddy diffusivity (K _m ?/K _h ?) over a semi-moist convective regime. Data which were collected at Varanasi (25°18′N, 83°E) as part of the experiment known as MONTBLEX-90 (Monsoon Trough Boundary Layer Experiment) during the summer monsoon season was used in the present study. The variation of the above parameters with stability has been discussed. The differences within the surface layer are also pointed out. Some broad features are found to coincide with that of Businger et al. (1971). The heterogeneity and the anisotropic turbulence typical of monsoon tropical atmosphere are shown to be responsible for the deviations noticed within the surface layer.     

Observed and Forecasted Intraseasonal Activity of Southwest Monsoon Rainfall over India During 2010, 2011 and 2012

The monsoon seasons of 2010 and 2011, with almost identical seasonal total rainfall over India from June to September, are associated with slightly different patterns of intraseasonal rainfall fluctuations. Similarly, the year 2012, with relatively less rainfall compared to 2010 and 2011, also witnessed different intraseasonal rainfall fluctuations, leading to drought-like situations over some parts of the country. The present article discusses the forecasting aspect of monsoon activity over India during these 3 years on an extended range time scale (up to 3 weeks) by using the multimodel ensemble (MME), based on operational coupled model outputs from the ECMWF monthly forecasting system and the NCEP’s Climate Forecast System (CFS). The average correlation coefficient (CC) of weekly observed all-India rainfall (AIR) and the corresponding MME forecast AIR is found to be significant, above the 98 % level up to 2 weeks (up to 18 days) with a slight positive CC for the week 3 (days 19–25) forecast. However, like the variation of observed intraseasonal rainfall fluctuations during 2010, 2011 and 2012 monsoon seasons, the MME forecast skills of weekly AIR are also found to be different from one another, with the 2012 monsoon season indicating significant CC (above 99 % level) up to week 2 (12–18 days), and also a comparatively higher CC (0.45) during the week 3 forecast (days 19–25). The average CC between observed and forecasted weekly AIR rainfall over four homogeneous regions of India is found to be the lowest over the southern peninsula of India (SPI), and northeast India (NEI) is found to be significant only for the week 1 (days 5–11) forecast. However, the CC is found to be significant over northwest India (NWI) and central India (CEI), at least above the 90 % level up to 18 days, with NWI having slightly better skill compared to the CEI. For the individual monsoon seasons of 2010, 2011 and 2012, there is some variation in CC and other skill scores over the four homogeneous regions. Thus the slight variations in the characteristics of intraseasonal monsoon rainfall over India is associated with variations in predictive skill of the coupled models and the MME-based predictions of intraseasonal monsoon fluctuations for 2–3 weeks, providing encouraging results. The MME forecast in 2010 is also able to provide useful guidance, well in advance, about an active September associated with a delayed withdrawal of the monsoon and also the heavy rainfall over north Pakistan.     

北京城区大气混合层内臭氧垂直结构特征的初步分析——基于臭氧探空

本文利用2013年6月至2015年10月北京南苑观象台两年多午后臭氧探空资料,初步分析了北京城区大气混合层内臭氧浓度的垂直分布规律以及典型天气条件下大气边界层臭氧的变化特征.主要结果有：（1）季节平均而言,地表至对流层中部（8 km）的臭氧浓度在夏季最高,冬季最低,相差50~130 μg·m^-3,最大差异在边界层.总体而言,对流层臭氧浓度随高度有比较缓慢的增加,但是边界层内臭氧浓度的垂直结构随季节有比较大的差异：夏季混合层中部存在一个臭氧浓度极大值,这与夏季比较强的光化学生成臭氧有关;而在冬季地面臭氧浓度很低,平均值小于40 μg·m^-3,说明冬季地面是臭氧很强的汇.（2）臭氧浓度季节内变率的季节差异也十分明显,夏季最大、冬季最小.季节内变率在从边界层向自由对流层过渡区域最小（夏季为24 μg·m^-3,冬季仅为10 μg·m^-3）,在边界层内变率较大,夏季可达64 μg·m^-3（冬季为30 μg·m^-3）,这也说明边界层化学过程明显影响臭氧浓度的变化.（3）我们从所有白天样本中严格筛选了部分混合层样本,并把臭氧浓度在由混合层向自由大气过渡时的垂直分布分成了三类,即臭氧浓度随高度增大（Ⅰ型）、减小（Ⅱ型）以及基本稳定不变（Ⅲ型）;臭氧垂直结构类型有明显的季节特征,夏季主要是Ⅱ型,而冬季则以Ⅰ型为主.（4）此外,我们还针对一些典型天气过程（强风、静稳雾天和PM_2.5污染）边界层内臭氧的变化特征进行了分析,结果表明：强风切变产生的机械对流引起的充分混合,有利于高层臭氧向低层输送,使得混合层内臭氧浓度的垂直梯度明显减小,同时混合层高度较高,达3 km以上;在高湿度静稳天气控制下,大气混合层较稳定,对北京上空污染物的垂直扩散十分不利：颗粒物浓度升高,削弱到达近地层的太阳辐射,从而降低臭氧的生成效率,混合层内臭氧浓度与混合层厚度都处于较低水平.     

Water exchange between Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean during winter

Variability in water-exchange time between Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean during winter is investigated based on the results of intensive field observation from November 2000 to March 2001. Water-exchange time between Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean during winter mainly depends on the strength of northerly monsoon, being about 16 days under the weak monsoon and about 12 days under the strong monsoon. Moreover, it becomes longer by about 1 day in spring tide and shorter in neap tide due to the coupling effect of estuarine circulation and vertical mixing. Water-exchange time also varies depending on the open-ocean condition. When the warm water mass approaches from the Pacific Ocean to the mouth of Tokyo Bay through the eastern channel of Sagami Bay, which connects Tokyo Bay and the Pacific Ocean, water-exchange time becomes longer by about 2 days because the warm water mass is blocked in the surface layer at the bay mouth. On the other hand, when the warm water mass approaches to the mouth of Tokyo Bay through the western channel of Sagami Bay, water-exchange time becomes shorter by about 1 day because the warm water mass intrudes into the middle or lower layers of Tokyo Bay. Such different behavior of warm water mass at the mouth of Tokyo Bay is due to the difference in density of approaching warm water masses, that is, the density of the warm water mass through the eastern channel is smaller than that of the warm water mass through the western channel of Sagami Bay.Responsible Editors: Yens Kappenberg     

黄土高原复杂地形上边界层低空急流对近地层湍流的影响

利用中尺度气象数值模式（Weather Research and Forecasting Model,WRF）模拟风场,结合兰州大学半干旱气候与环境观测站（Semi-Arid Climate and Environment Observatory of Lanzhou University,SACOL）湍流观测资料,分析了黄土高原复杂地形上稳定边界层低空急流对近地层湍流活动的影响.黄土高原复杂地形上稳定边界层低空急流的形成与地形作用引发的局地环流有关.低空急流对近地层湍流活动有强烈影响,剪切作用使小尺度湍涡活动加剧,湍动能增大,同时非平稳运动被压制.低空急流发生时,观测数据有87.3%是弱稳定情形（梯度理查森数小于0.25）;而无低空急流时,对应时段的观测表明65.4%属于强稳定层结（梯度理查森数大于0.3）,非平稳运动造成湍流功率谱在低频端迅速增大.与无低空急流和弱低空急流情形相比,强低空急流发生时,近地层湍动能增大1倍,湍动能在垂直方向上的传递增大1个量级,且方向向下,约为-3 × 10^-3 m³·s^-3,湍流在上层产生并向下传递.     

水-气界面CO_2通量监测的静态箱法与薄边界层模型估算法比较

模型估算法与静态箱法是水-气界面气体通量监测的主要方法,因原理不同监测结果通常存在一定差异.目前对引起上述差异的主要环境因素仍不清晰.本研究使用自行设计的静态箱对三峡支流澎溪河水-气界面CO2通量进行监测,并与同步开展的CO2通量薄边界层模型估算法结果相比较,探讨该水域引起这两种监测方法结果产生差异的主要环境因素.结果表明,瞬时风速、水汽温差及水深均会对静态箱法及模型估算法的监测结果产生影响.风速越强、水汽温差越大、水深越大,这两种方法监测结果的差异就越小;而水域面积对两种方法的差异没有影响.比较发现,两种方法所获通量数据呈显著正相关,但静态箱法所获通量数据离散性显著高于薄边界层模型估算法.从方法的稳定性角度,在峡谷河道型水库水体温室气体监测中薄边界层模型估算法可能更为适宜.     

On the geomagnetic lunar variation at Istanbul

Summary The article describes lunar daily magnetic variation inH, D andZ components of the earth's magnetic field at Istanbul. Maximum occurs at 10.03 l.hr. (lunar hour) in theH component, 3.38 l.hr. in theD and 2.15 l.hr. in theZ component, during the period 1949 to 1968. Also, the seasonal variation of the lunar magnetic variation has been determined and it is seen that the variation of the phase inD andZ are opposite from the phase of the lunar variation inH, and the amplitudes of the lunar variation inH, D andZ are greatest during the northern solstice.     

The canopy conductance of a boreal aspen forest,Prince Albert National Park,Canada

Annual fluxes of canopy‐level heat, water vapour and carbon dioxide were measured using eddy covariance both above the aspen overstory (Populus tremuloides Michx.) and hazelnut understory (Corylus cornuta Marsh.) of a boreal aspen forest (53·629 °N 106·200 °W). Partitioning of the fluxes between overstory and understory components allowed the calculation of canopy conductance to water vapour for both species. On a seasonal basis, the canopy conductance of the aspen accounted for 70% of the surface conductance, with the latter a strong function of the forest's leaf area index. On a half‐hour basis, the canopy conductance of both species decreased non‐linearly as the leaf‐surface saturation deficits increased, and was best parameterized and showed similar sensitivities to a modified form of the Ball–Berry–Woodrow index, where relative humidity was replaced with the reciprocal of the saturation deficit. The negative feedback between the forest evaporation and the saturation deficit in the convective boundary layer varied from weak when the forest was at full leaf to strong when the forest was developing or loosing leaves. The coupling between the air at the leaf surface and the convective boundary layer also varied seasonally, with coupling decreasing with increasing leaf area. Compared with coniferous boreal forests, the seasonal changes in leaf area had a unique impact on vegetation–atmosphere interactions. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.