Tropical Stratospheric Circulation and Monsoon Rainfall

Interannual variability of both SW monsoon (June-September) and NE monsoon (October-December) rainfall over subdivisions of Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema and Tamil Nadu have been examined in relation to monthly zonal wind anomaly for 10 hPa, 30 hPa and 50 hPa at Balboa (9°N, 80°W) for the 29 year period (1958-1986). Correlations of zonal wind anomalies to SW monsoon rainfall (r = 0.57, significant at 1% level) is highest with the longer lead time (August of the previous year) at 10 hPa level suggesting some predictive value for Coastal Andhra Pradesh. The probabilities estimated from the contingency table reveal non-occurrence of flood during easterly wind anomalies and near non-occurrence of drought during westerly anomalies for August of the previous year at 10 hPa which provides information for forecasting of performance of SW monsoon over Coastal Andhra Pradesh. However, NE monsoon has a weak relationship with zonal wind anomalies of 10 hPa, 30 hPa and 50 hPa for Coastal Andhra Pradesh, Raya     

热带东风喷射气流之天气学研究

根据台湾省及东南亚地区高空天气图资料及探空资料，分析东风喷射气流之平均位置和特性，并就青藏高原、副热带西风喷射气流和东风喷射气流之关系，讨论东风喷射气流之成因以及对北半球天气和气候之影响，东风喷射气流之南北两侧存在着极强烈的混切现象，这种温切现象不但与东风喷射气流有关，而且对高空民航机之飞航安全有极重大的影响。     

Fluctuations of Tropical Easterly Jet during contrasting monsoons over India: A GCM study

Summary  The fluctuations of intensity of the Tropical Easterly Jet (TEJ) and its association with the Indian summer monsoon rainfall have been examined using the diagnostics from NCEP/NCAR (National Centre for Environmental Prediction/National Centre for Atmospheric Research) reanalyses project for the period 1986 to 1994. The intensity of TEJ is found to be well correlated with India summer monsoon rainfall. The TEJ is weaker/stronger during the El Ni?o/La Ni?a year of 1987/1988 and is associated with deficient (excess) summer monsoon rainfall over India. A numerical study was carried out for the same period using the Centre for Ocean-Land-Atmosphere studies General Circulation Model (COLA GCM, T30L18) with observed Sea-Surface Temperature (SST). The GCM simulates the TEJ with reasonable accuracy. The strong interannual variability of TEJ during the El Ni?o/La Ni?a years of 1987/1988 are well simulated in the GCM. Like observations, the intensity of the TEJ is positively correlated with the summer monsoon rainfall over India in the model simulation. The intensity of Tibetan anticyclone and diabatic heating over the Tibetan Plateau diminished during the El Ni?o-year of 1987. The divergence centre in the upper troposphere associated with Asian monsoon becomes weaker and shifts eastward during the weak monsoon season of 1987. However, the opposite happens for the strong monsoon season of 1988. Also the middle and upper tropospheric meridional temperature gradient between the Tibetan High and Indian Ocean region decreased (increased) during the weak(strong) monsoon season of 1987 (1988). Received May 27, 1999/Revised March 20, 2000     

A study on the decreasing trend in tropical easterly jet stream (TEJ) and its impact on Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis wind and temperature data (1948–2011) and India Meteorological Department (IMD) rainfall data, a long-term trend in the tropical easterly jet stream and its effect on Indian summer monsoon rainfall has been explained in the present study. A decreasing trend in zonal wind speed at 100 mb (maximum decrease), 150 mb, and 200 mb (minimum) is observed. The upper-level (100, 150, and 200 mb) zonal wind speed has been correlated with the surface air temperature anomaly index (ATAI) in the month of May, which is taken as the difference in temperature anomaly over land (22.5°N–27.5°N, 80°E–90°E) and Ocean (5°S–0°S, 75°E–85°E). Significant high correlation is observed between May ATAI and tropical easterly jet stream (TEJ) which suggests that the decreasing land–sea temperature contrast could be one major reason behind the decreasing trend in TEJ. The analysis of spatial distribution of rainfall over India shows a decreasing trend in rainfall over Jammu and Kashmir, Arunachal Pradesh, central Indian region, and western coast of India. Increasing trend in rainfall is observed over south peninsular and northeastern part of India. From the spatial correlation analysis of zonal wind with gridded rainfall, it is observed that the correlation of rainfall is found to be high with the TEJ speed over the regions where the decreasing trend in rainfall is observed. Similarly, from the analysis of spatial correlation between rainfall and May ATAI, positive spatial correlation is observed between May ATAI and summer monsoon rainfall over the regions such as south peninsular India where the rainfall trend is positive, and negative correlation is observed over the places such as Jammu and Kashmir where negative rainfall trend is observed. The decreased land–sea temperature contrast in the pre-monsoon month could be one major reason behind the decreased trend in TEJ as well as the observed spatial variation in the summer monsoon rainfall trend. Thus, the study explained the long-term trend in TEJ and its relation with May month temperature over the Indian Ocean and land region and its effect on the trend and spatial distribution of Indian summer monsoon rainfall.     

Persistence in rainfall occurrence over Tropical south-east Asia and equatorial Pacific

Summary Daily rainfall observations during the principal rainy seasons over a large part of Tropical Asia and the equatorial Pacific are analysed for persistence by fitting Markov chains of various order. Daily rainfall data of 98 stations from India, Sri Lanka and Thailand falling in the monsoonal regime and 9 stations in the non-monsoonal regime of the equatorial Pacific are examined.The appropriate order of Markov chain is determined by analyzing wet and dry spell length characteristics and by applying the Schwarz Baysian Criterion to the arbitrary sequences of 5-day length. Markov chains of order greater than 1 are found to characterize the persistence in rainfall over India and to some extent over wet zones of Sri Lanka and central equatorial Pacific. Simple Markov chains are suggested for Thailand, the dry zone of Sri Lanka and the stations of central equatorial Pacific lying some what away from the equator.With 5 Figures     

2018年冬季浙江连续阴雨天气东亚高空急流特征分析

利用欧洲中心ERA 5月平均资料和日资料分析2018年冬季浙江罕见连续阴雨寡照期间东亚高空副热带急流和温带急流的位置和强度特征,分析连阴雨异常天气期间东亚高空急流在位置和强度上的部分异常特征.结果表明:东亚高空急流活动区域以青藏高原上空为分界线,分为南北两支,南支副热带急流活动区域沿青藏高原南侧呈准纬向分布,北支温带急...     

一次典型东风波极端暴雨的中尺度特征及地形影响分析

利用湖南省常规气象观测资料、区域自动站资料、NCEP再分析资料、常德多普勒雷达资料,分析2016年8月8—15日在多个东风波倒槽接力影响下,湘北地区反复出现的极端暴雨天气的中尺度特征,并利用WRF-ARW中尺度数值模式,对8月10—11日湘北地区极端暴雨过程进行数值模拟和地形敏感性试验。结果表明：(1)1604号台风在广东深圳登陆后沿西北路径移动和1605号台风在西北太平洋向北移动后,副热带高压快速西伸控制华东及沿海地区,其底部的东风波扰动为极端暴雨提供了环流背景;(2)近地面不均匀加热为东风波槽附近强对流提供了充足的热力不稳定条件,地面中尺度辐合线为对流的触发和加强起到重要作用;(3)东风波槽带来的边界层暖湿气流在武陵山东侧激发深厚中尺度涡旋,是极端暴雨形成的主要原因;(4)地形敏感性试验进一步验证了东风波暖湿气流在武陵山脉地形抬升和阻挡作用下,在迎风坡上游地区形成气旋性辐合导致暴雨增幅。     

夏季热带东风急流的结构、变化及其与亚非季风降水的关系

使用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料研究热带东风急流(TEJ）的长期变化及其与亚非降水分布的关系。用150～100 hPa纬向风代表TEJ, 并定义了一个指数(TEJI)来度量急流的变率。分析发现, TEJ主要覆盖了热带地区从日界线向西延伸到非洲西海岸的大片地区, 其核心位于150～100 hPa印度半岛南部10°N～15°N, 中心风速超过30 m/s。急流中线大致位于70°E, 以东是急流的入口区, 以西是出口区。在入口区急流轴线有两个分支, 南支位于0°～10°N, 呈西北东南走向, 北支位于10°N～20°N, 呈西南东北走向。TEJ存在40～60天和20～30天的季节内振荡周期, 以及2～4年和7～10年的周期变化。出现暖事件时TEJ减弱, 出现冷事件时TEJ加强。TEJ存在明显的年代际变化, 1978年是其气候突变点, 突变前为强TEJ时期, 突变后TEJ显著减弱。亚洲和中非的主要降水带、对流区、高层辐散及大尺度上升运动都出现在东风急流入口区的右侧及出口区的左侧, 但出口区西非的情况略显复杂。在急流的入口区和出口区存在两个近于相反的垂直环流, 它们与降水分布密切有关。在急流的入口区, 强TEJ年其垂直环流更强, 其右侧的降水也更大; 但在急流的出口区, 强、弱TEJ年的垂直环流没有明显差异, 其左侧的降水也没有明显差异。     

The spatial distribution of annual rainfall in Israel — a review

Summary This paper summarizes relevant studies dealing with the analysis of the annual rainfall map of Israel. With the aid of multiple regression analysis it was possible to quantify the contribution of each of the five geographical factors determining the annual rainfall map. Although the variance of the north-south component on the rainfall map looks most impressive, the orographic factor seems to be the more important contributor. The contribution of the spatially discrete urban factor has to be isolated from the deliberated cloud seeding augmentation. The statistical tools, spatial regression model and distance correlation matrix technique, were applied for the Central Coastal Plain and the Haifa area downwind, respectively. By applying sophisticated remote sensing methods, it was possible to classify and determine the rainfall yields of the variety of cloud formations appearing in the cold air mass following the cold front.With 8 Figures     

Outgoing long-wave radiation over the Tropical Pacific and Atlantic Ocean and Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Summary In this paper, the interannual variability of satellite derived outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is examined in relation to the Indian summer monsoon rainfall (June to September total rainfall; ISMR). Monthly grid point OLR field over the domain i.e. the tropical Pacific and Atlantic region (30°N to 30°S, 110°E to 10°W) and the ISMR for the period 1974–2001 are used for the study. A strong and significant north–south dipole structure in the correlation pattern is found between the ISMR and the OLR field over the domain during January. This dipole is located over the west Pacific region with highly significant negative (positive) correlations over the South China Sea and surrounding region (around north-east Australia). The dipole weakens and moves northwestward during February and disappears in March. During the month of May, the OLR over the central Atlantic Ocean shows a significant positive relationship with the ISMR. These relationships are found to be consistent and robust during the period of analysis and can be used in the prediction of the ISMR.A multiple regression equation is developed, using the above results, for prediction of the ISMR and the empirical relationships are verified using an independent data set. The results are encouraging for the prediction of the ISMR. The composite annual cycle of the OLR, over the west Pacific regions during extreme ISMR is found to be useful in the prediction of extreme summer monsoon rainfall conditions over the Indian subcontinent.     

Caribbean hurricanes: case study of interacting easterly and westerly waves

This observational study considers Caribbean cyclogenesis in the period 2003?C2009. Numerous events are identified from maximum of low-level relative vorticity and rain rate, and a case study is analyzed. Although fast moving tropical cyclones (TC) pose dangers to Caribbean Islands, it is the slower moving TC that inflict flood damage. The Atlantic warm pool enlarges through October as steering winds slacken. African easterly waves move over the warm pool and draw moist unstable air, while near-equatorial Kelvin waves from the Pacific surge into the Caribbean. The westerly flow accelerates around the northern Andes and is drawn into TC Omar 13?C15 October 2008. A combination of warm pool air and cyclonic vorticity provided by transient zonal waves sets off the process of cyclogenesis.     

东亚西风急流变化与热带对流加热关系的研究

应用OLR资料和高空格点资料,研究了东亚地区西风急流及其附近的纬向西风与热带地区对流加热场的关系。结果表明西风急流中心的季节变化是和热带加热场的季节变化紧密的联系在一起的。东亚地区的纬向西风强度的年变化与热带加热场的同期及前期状况也密切相关,这种关系可以作为预测我国江淮地区夏季梅雨的一个强信号。     

Mechanism Study of Tropical Cyclone Impact on East Asian Subtropical Upper-Level Jet: a Numerical Case Investigation

In the case study of this paper, sensitivity experiments are carried out using the mesoscale non-hydrostatic Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model to investigate the impact of tropical cyclone (TC) Soudelor (2003) on the East Asian subtropical upper-level jet (EASJ) before TC Soudelor transformed into an extratropical cyclone. The physical mechanism for changes in the EASJ intensity and position caused by TC Soudelor is explored. Results indicate that TC Soudelor would warm the air in the middle and upper troposphere over the Japan Sea and the adjacent areas through stimulating northward propagating teleconnection pattern as well as releasing large amounts of latent heat, which led to increase (decrease) the meridional air temperature gradient to the south (north) below the EASJ axis. As a result, the geopotential height abnormally increased in the upper troposphere, resulting in an anomalous anticyclonic circulation belt along the EASJ axis. Correspondingly, the westerly winds to the north (south) of the EASJ axis intensified (weakened) and the EASJ axis shifted northward by one degree. The case study also suggests that before the extratropical cyclone transition of TC Soudelor, the TC activities had exerted significant impacts on the EASJ through thermodynamic processes.     

The preconditioning role of Tropical Atlantic Variability in the development of the ENSO teleconnection: implications for the prediction of Nordeste rainfall

A comparison of rainfall variability in the semi-arid Brazilian Nordeste in observations and in two sets of model simulations leads to the conclusion that the evolving interaction between Tropical Atlantic Variability (TAV) and the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon can explain two puzzling features of ENSOs impact on the Nordeste: (1) the event-to-event unpredictability of ENSOs impact; (2) the greater impact of cold rather than warm ENSO events during the past 50 years. The explanation is in the preconditioning role of Tropical Atlantic Variability. When, in seasons prior to the mature phase of ENSO, the tropical Atlantic happens to be evolving consistently with the development expected of the ENSO teleconnection, ENSO and TAV add up to force large anomalies in Nordeste rainfall. When it happens to be evolving in opposition to the canonical development of ENSO, then the net outcome is less obvious, but also less anomalous. The more frequent occurrence of tropical Atlantic conditions consistent with those that develop during a cold ENSO event, i.e. of a negative meridional sea surface temperature gradient, explains the weaker warm ENSO and stronger cold ENSO anomalies in Nordeste rainfall of the latter part of the twentieth century. Close monitoring of the evolution of the tropical Atlantic in seasons prior to the mature phase of ENSO should lead to an enhanced forecast potential.     

一个混合型热带海洋-大气耦合模式I.模式构成及热带太平洋气候态模拟

本工作发展了一个用于研究热带海洋大气系统相互作用和ＥｌＮｉｎ～ｏ／ＳｏｕｔｈｅｒｎＯｓ－ｃｉｌａｔｉｏｎ动力过程的混合型（ｈｙｂｒｉｄ）耦合模式，其中的大气部分为一个由一阶斜压模表示的自由大气和混合行星边界层所组成的简单热带大气模式（区域为热带太平洋：１２０°Ｅ～８０°Ｗ，３０°Ｎ～３０°Ｓ；水平分辨率为２°×２°），海洋部分为大气物理研究所高分辨率自由表面热带太平洋环流模式（经纬圈方向水平分辨率分别为１°和２°，垂直方向分为不等距的１４层）。两模式间的耦合是这样进行的：简单大气模式计算出海表风应力，热通量由松弛公式计算，淡水通量（蒸发与降水之差）由观测资料给定，它们一起作为海洋环流模式（ＯＧＣＭ）的强迫场；而ＯＧＣＭ计算出海表温度（ＳＳＴ），在其以外地区给定观测到的气候海表温度或陆地温度，作为大气模式的边界条件。本文给出采用逐日、同步耦合方案时模式对热带太平洋气候态模拟结果，表明未采用任何通量修正（ｆｌｕｘｅｓｃｏｒｒｅｃｔｉｏｎ），耦合模式未出现气候漂移（ｃｌｉｍａｔｅｄｒｉｆｔ）现象，并且非常逼真地再现了热带太平洋气候态，特别是海表风场及相伴随的辐合带和降水、海表温度和流场及它们的季节变化。文中还进行     

The APE-THESEO Tropical Campaign: An Overview

The APE-THESEO campaign was held from 15 February to 15 March 1999 from the Seychelles in the western Indian Ocean. APE-THESEO stands for Airborne Platform for Earth observation — (contribution to) the Third European Stratospheric Experiment on Ozone. The campaign aimed to study processes controlling the low water content of the stratosphere, including the mechanisms of cloud formation in the tropical tropopause region, and transport processes, studied using measurements of long-lived trace gases and ozone.Two aircraft were used: the high-altitude research aircraft, M-55 Geophysica, which can fly up to 21 km, and the Falcon of the Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt, a tropospheric aircraft. Seven flights were performed, including the first simultaneous in situ and remote sensing of sub-visible cirrus clouds, the first interception of sub-visible cirrus using in-flight guidance from a path-finding aircraft, and guided descent of a high-altitude research aircraft into the anvil cloud at the top of a tropical cyclone. In this paper we describe the payload used, the objectives for each flight, and the meteorological conditions encountered. First results show that a new type of cloud, which we have dubbed ultra-thin tropical tropopause cloud (UTTC), has been observed frequently, and observed to cover areas of 10⁵ km². The frequent coincidence of the tropopause and hygropause implies that the western Indian Ocean played an important role in the dehydration of the lower tropical stratosphere during the season of the mission. UTTCs, sub-visible cirrus, and visible cirrus, have all been implicated in the observed dehydration. Tracer measurements indicate little mixing of stratospheric air into the upper tropical troposphere.