Errors and correction of precipitation measurements in China

In order to discover the range of various errors in Chinese precipitation measurements and seek a correction method, 30 precipitation evaluation stations were set up countrywide before 1993. All the stations are reference stations in China. To seek a correction method for wind-induced error, a precipitation correction instrument called the ＂horizontal precipitation gauge＂ was devised beforehand. Field intercomparison observations regarding 29,000 precipitation events have been conducted using one pit gauge, two elevated operational gauges and one horizontal gauge at the above 30 stations. The range of precipitation measurement errors in China is obtained by analysis of intercomparison measurement results. The distribution of random errors and systematic errors in precipitation measurements are studied in this paper. A correction method, especially for wind-induced errors, is developed. The results prove that a correlation of power function exists between the precipitation amount caught by the horizontal gauge and the absolute difference of observations implemented by the operational gauge and pit gauge. The correlation coefficient is 0.99. For operational observations, precipitation correction can be carried out only by parallel observation with a horizontal precipitation gauge. The precipitation accuracy after correction approaches that of the pit gauge. The correction method developed is simple and feasible.     

基于高速公路气象监测数据分析的浓雾预报指标

利用京秦高速公路沿线交通气象监测站实况资料,通过对84个站次的浓雾雾生和雾消各气象要素变化特征进行分析,归纳出高速公路沿线浓雾和强浓雾天气雾生雾消的预报指标。爆发性强浓雾期间能见度少波动,在能见度爆发下降前,温度下降过程中的小幅上升对能见度突然下降有很好的指示作用;相对湿度在能见度爆发下降前1 h内达到80%以上。一般性强浓雾大多数出现在温度波动之后继续直线下降期间;在500 m浓雾出现15 h之前空气相对湿度达90%以上,能见度达50 m之前相对湿度基本达饱和状态。浓雾消散主要有两个方面,因冷空气造成的雾消,预报应着眼于冷空气前锋影响高速公路所在区域的时间;而由辐射升温造成的雾消,预报应着眼于对天空状况和升温速度的判断。     

2008-2012年南京短时强降水特征分析

利用2008-2012年南京自动气象观测站逐时降水量的观测资料,分析南京短时强降水的发生规律,包括短时强降水的年变化、月变化、日变化和空间分布等特征。结果表明：2008-2012年南京雨强大于50 mm/h^-1的致灾性短时强降水过程的发生次数呈显著增长趋势;短时强降水天气主要出现在6-9月,其中7-8月出现日数最多,雨强最大;春雨期短时强降水最易发生在凌晨,梅雨期短时强降水最易发生在上午和傍晚,台汛期短时强降水最易发生在上午;下半夜-凌晨短时强降水出现次数较少,傍晚前后是短时强降水多发时段;短时强降水天气的空间分布具有明显的城郊差异;城市化效应不能引起城区的局地降雨,但在大尺度天气系统过境时,会使城区的对流活动较郊区更活跃,且城市下风向地区的降水也因此增强。     

A timescale decomposed threshold regression downscaling approach to forecasting South China early summer rainfall

A timescale decomposed threshold regression(TSDTR) downscaling approach to forecasting South China early summer rainfall(SCESR) is described by using long-term observed station rainfall data and NOAA ERSST data. It makes use of two distinct regression downscaling models corresponding to the interannual and interdecadal rainfall variability of SCESR.The two models are developed based on the partial least squares(PLS) regression technique, linking SCESR to SST modes in preceding months on both interannual and interdecadal timescales. Specifically, using the datasets in the calibration period 1915–84, the variability of SCESR and SST are decomposed into interannual and interdecadal components. On the interannual timescale, a threshold PLS regression model is fitted to interannual components of SCESR and March SST patterns by taking account of the modulation of negative and positive phases of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO). On the interdecadal timescale, a standard PLS regression model is fitted to the relationship between SCESR and preceding November SST patterns. The total rainfall prediction is obtained by the sum of the outputs from both the interannual and interdecadal models. Results show that the TSDTR downscaling approach achieves reasonable skill in predicting the observed rainfall in the validation period 1985–2006, compared to other simpler approaches. This study suggests that the TSDTR approach,considering different interannual SCESR-SST relationships under the modulation of PDO phases, as well as the interdecadal variability of SCESR associated with SST patterns, may provide a new perspective to improve climate predictions.     

Factors controlling the interannual variations of MJO intensity

The interannual variations of intensity of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) during boreal winter are investigated by using the observed outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and the reanalysis data of ECMWF and NCEP. The standard deviation of 20-80-day filtered OLR anomaly is used to measure the MJO intensity. The dominant spatial structure of the interannual variability is revealed by an EOF analysis of the MJO intensity field. It is found that the leading mode is associated with eastern Pacific type ENSO, whereas the second mode is related to central Pacific type ENSO. A simple atmospheric model is used to investigate the relative roles of background moisture and wind changes in affecting the overall strength of MJO. The numerical experiments indicate that the background moisture effect is dominant while the background wind change has a minor effect.     

Influence of coastal wind on surface ozone and nitrogen oxides in suburban Shanghai

Surface ozone, NO, NO₂, and NO _x were measured at a coastal site (Shihua) and a nearby inland site (Zhujing) in suburban Shanghai for the whole year of 2009. More days with ozone pollution in a longer time range were observed at the coastal site than the inland site. The diurnal variations of NO _x concentrations were obviously higher at Zhujing station, while those of ozone concentrations were higher at Shihua station, indicating their different air pollution conditions. Coastal wind has significant influence on the levels and characteristics of the air pollutants. The ozone concentrations during maritime winds (MW) were much higher than those during continental winds (CW) at each of the site, while the NO and NO₂ concentrations were both opposite. The ozone concentrations at Shihua station were much higher than those at Zhujing station, while the NO and NO₂ concentrations were both opposite. The ozone concentrations at both of the two sites showed a distinct “weekend effects” and “weekdays effects” patterns during CW and MW, respectively. Correlation analysis of the pollutants showed that, the compounds during MW were more age than those during CW, and the compounds at Shihua were more age than those at Zhujing. The air pollutions at both of the two sites are mainly associated with the pollutants emitted in this region instead of long range transport.     

Erratum to: Climate change projections over India by a downscaling approach using PRECIS

The author “Bhaski Bhaskaran” and his affiliation “Fujitsu Laboratory of Europe, Middlesex, UK” should be replaced by “Balakrishnan Bhaskaran”, “Fujitsu Laboratories of Europe Limited, Hayes Park, Middlesex, UK”, respectively.The corrected name and affiliation are shown in this erratum.     

1960～2018年中国高温热浪的线性趋势分析方法与变化趋势

高温热浪直接影响人体健康和作物生长。研究全球变暖背景下我国高温热浪发生率的趋势是气候变化研究的基本问题之一,可为人们的生产生活等提供重要的科学信息。目前对于高温热浪趋势的研究大都使用最小二乘（Ordinary Least Squares,OLS）方法估计趋势,结合学生t检验判断趋势的统计显著性。本文审视了以往常用方法在研究我国高温热浪发生率的线性趋势时的适用性。首先,以2018年东北局部地区因当年高温日数异常多而形成离群值的例子展开,说明OLS方法估计趋势时对离群值非常敏感,造成虚假趋势。进一步,通过正态分布检验和自相关计算,发现1960~2018年中国至少有91.14%站点、90.06%格点的高温日数和92.18%站点、87.74%格点的热浪次数的序列不服从正态分布,而且多数存在自相关。采用一种不易受离群值影响并考虑自相关的非参数方法,本文对1960～2018年中国站点和格点、4个典型区域以及全国平均的高温日数和热浪次数的线性趋势做出了更为准确的估计。研究发现,高温日数显著增多的站点主要出现在华南和西北地区,热浪次数呈显著增多趋势的站点目前几乎仅限于华南地区和新疆的个别站点;区域平均而言,仅有华南区域和西北区域的高温日数和热浪次数是显著增多的,华北区域和东北区域趋势并不显著;全国平均的高温日数和热浪次数都是显著增多的。本文对高温热浪的趋势及其显著性估计、统计预测的方法选择上有重要参考价值。     

An analysis on the concentration characteristics of PM2.5 in Seoul,Korea from 2005 to 2012

PM2.5 is a big issue as it is considerably more harmful than other sizes of particulate matter. World Health Organization (WHO) recommends 25 μg m^?3 as the daily average concentration, and 10 μg m^?3 per day as an annual average. To keep up with global trends, it is first necessary to understand the current status and characteristics of PM2.5 concentrations in Korea. Using the PM2.5 data measured by Seoul Metropolitan City from November 2005 to March 2012, the author analyzed its statistical characteristics and correlations with other air pollutants. For the time period from 2005 to 2012, the annual average concentration of PM2.5 was 27 μg m^?3, three times the WHO standard. Also, the daily average PM2.5 concentration of 215 days per year also exceeded the WHO standard. However, the number days exceeding the Korean daily average standard of 50 μg m^?3 to be enacted in 2014 was only three. PM2.5 concentration had a high correlation (r = 0.84) with PM10, and also showed high correlations with gaseous pollutants, such as SO₂, NO₂, and CO, but not O₃. This study suggests that the Korean government should strengthen their standard to match the criteria used by WHO.