THE CONTRASTS BETWEEN STRONG AND WEAK MJO ACTIVITY OVER THE EQUATORIAL WESTERN PACIFIC IN WINTER

This paper investigates the contrasts between strong and weak Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) activity over the equatorial western Pacific during winter using the NCEP reanalysis data. It is shown that the MJO over the equatorial western Pacific in winter shows significant interannual and interdecadal variabilities. During the winters with strong MJO activity, an anomalous cyclonic circulation lies east of the Philippines, strong anomalous easterlies control the equatorial eastern Pacific, and anomalous westerlies extend from the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific in the lower troposphere, which strengthens the convergence and convection over the equatorial western Pacific. The moisture convergence in the lower troposphere is also enhanced over the western Pacific, which is favorable to the activity of MJO. Eastward propagation is a significant feature of the MJO, though there is some westward propagation. The space-time spectral power and center period of the MJO are higher during strong MJO activity winters. The anomalous activity of MJO is closely related to the sea surface temperature (SST) and East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM). During strong MJO activity winters, there are positive/negative anomalies at high/low latitudes in both sea level pressure and 500 hPa geopotential height, and the temperature is lower over the central part of the Chinese mainland, which indicates a strong EAWM. China experiences more rainfall between the Yellow and Yangtze Rivers, but less rainfall south of the Yangtze River. The SSTA is negative near the Taiwan Island due to the impact of strong EAWM and shows a La Ni?a pattern anomaly over the eastern Pacific. During the weak MJO activity winters, the situation is reversed.     

THE EFFECT OF EQUATORIAL CENTRAL PACIFIC SSTAS ON THE INTERANNUAL VARIATION OF PRECIPITATION OVER SOUTHWEST CHINA DURING SPRING

The interannual variations of rainfall over southwest China (SWC) during spring and its relationship with sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the Pacific are analyzed, based on monthly mean precipitation data from 26 stations in SWC between 1961 and 2010, NCEP/NCAR re-analysis data, and Hadley global SST data. Sensitivity tests are conducted to assess the response of precipitation in SWC to SSTAs over two key oceanic domains, using the global atmospheric circulation model ECHAM5. The interannual variation of rainfall over SWC in spring is very significant. There are strong negative (positive) correlation coefficients between the anomalous precipitation over SWC and SSTAs over the equatorial central Pacific (the mid-latitude Pacific) during spring. Numerical simulations show that local rainfall in the northwest of the equatorial central Pacific is suppressed, and a subtropical anticyclone circulation anomaly is produced, while a cyclonic circulation anomaly in the mid-latitude western Pacific occurs, when the equatorial Pacific SSTAs are in a cold phase in spring. Anomalous northerly winds appear in the northeastern part of SWC in the lower troposphere. Precipitation increases over the Maritime Continent of the western equatorial Pacific, while a cyclonic circulation anomaly appears in the northwest of the western equatorial Pacific. A trough over the Bay of Bengal enhances the southerly flow in the south of SWC. The trough also enhances the transport of moisture to SWC. The warm moisture intersects with anomalous cold air over the northeast of SWC, and so precipitation increases during spring. On the interannual time scale, the impacts of the mid-latitude Pacific SSTAs on rainfall in SWC during spring are not significant, because the mid-latitude Pacific SSTAs are affected by the equatorial central Pacific SSTAs; that is, the mid-latitude Pacific SSTAs are a feedback to the circulation anomaly caused by the equatorial central Pacific SSTAs.     

近60年中国日降水量分区及气候特征

根据中国国家级地面气象站均一化降水数据集,使用1956~2015年512个台站的日降水量资料,通过旋转经验正交函数（REOF）得到七个分区。比较了各分区平均日降水量的年内变化和多年倾向率差异:我国偏南分区的小雨日数减少,大雨、暴雨日数、日降水量的区域年均值增加;偏北分区的小雨、大雨、暴雨日数、降水量年均值为递减;长江中下游区（东北区）日降水量、小雨日数、暴雨日数的年均值的近60年倾向率分别是0.0071 mm a-1（-0.0010 mm a-1）、-0.0729 d a-1（-0.0615 d a-1）、0.0132 d a-1（-0.0007 d a-1）。100°E以西地区:小雨、中雨日数在增加,无雨日数显著减少,日降水量的年均值呈递增特点。通过自相关函数和小波功率谱估计,揭示了七个分区的日降水量年均值普遍存在2~4 a周期震荡。使用NCEP/NCAR月均再分析资料,以区域日降水量年均值为指数得到500 hPa、700 hPa、850 hPa回归风系数场、旱涝年整场水汽通量和水汽通量散度差异场相结合分析,结果表明:"东高西低,南高北低"环流型和区域降水有密切关系,水汽差异场是上述环流特点的反映。     

中国降水的季节性

本文使用一套基于中国气象局所属的2416个台站数据所得的高分辨降水资料,对1961~2013年中国降水季节性进行了研究。就全国平均而言,各季节降水占全年降水百分率最高的为夏季（56.5%）,春季（19.3%）和秋季（18.9%）次之,冬季（5.3%）最少;针对不同地区,各季节降水百分率存在很大差异,例如华南春季降水最多、东北至高原一线秋季降水大于春季降水。春、夏两季降水百分率高值（低值）区域略呈现出降水百分率减少（增多）趋势,秋季整体上略微减少,冬季则显著增加;季节降水百分率的变率整体表现为夏季大而冬季小,其西部的变率与地形为显著负相关,东部变率的大值区位置随季节变化;秋冬两季的降水百分率变率有显著增加,各季节不同地区变率的变化趋势存在明显差异。     

Verification of the Weather Research and Forecasting Model when Forecasting Daily Surface Conditions in Southern Alberta

The Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) model was compared with daily surface observations to verify the accuracy of the WRF model in forecasting surface temperature, pressure, precipitation, wind speed, and direction. Daily forecasts for the following two days were produced at nine locations across southern Alberta, Canada. Model output was verified using station observations to determine the differences in forecast accuracy for each season.

Although there were seasonal differences in the WRF model, the summer season forecasts generally had the greatest accuracy, determined by the lowest root mean square errors, whereas the winter season forecasts were the least accurate. The WRF model generally produced skillful forecasts throughout the year although with a smaller diurnal temperature range than observed. The WRF model forecast the prevailing wind direction more accurately than other directions, but it tended to slightly overestimate precipitation amounts. A sensitivity analysis consisting of three microphysics schemes showed relatively minor differences between simulated precipitation as well as 2?m surface temperatures.     

Evaluating the Ability of CRCM5 to Simulate Mixed Precipitation

Precipitation episodes in the form of freezing rain and ice pellets represent natural hazards affecting eastern Canada during the cold season. These types of precipitation mainly occur in the St. Lawrence River valley and the Atlantic provinces of Canada. This study aims to evaluate the ability of the fifth-generation Canadian Regional Climate Model (CRCM5), using a 0.11° horizontal grid mesh, to hindcast mixed precipitation when driven by reanalyses produced by the European Centre for Medium-range Weather Forecasts (ERA-Interim) for a 35-year period. In general, the CRCM5 simulation slightly overestimates the occurrence of freezing rain, but the geographical distribution is well reproduced. The duration of freezing rain events and accompanying surface winds in the Montréal region are reproduced by CRCM5. A case study is performed for an especially catastrophic freezing-rain event in January 1998; the model succeeds in simulating the intensity and duration of the episode, as well as the propitious meteorological environment. Overall, the model is also able to reproduce the climatology and a specific event of freezing rain and ice pellets.     

气象卫星的云观测

云体现着不同尺度天气系统发生、发展和消亡的过程。云还通过反射太阳辐射和阻止地球发射辐射,维持着全球能量平衡。1960年气象卫星的出现,揭开了从浩瀚太空,俯视千变万化云系的历史。气象卫星云图的获取,加深了人们对天气、气候变化过程的认识,推进了大气科学的发展。本文围绕气象卫星云遥感主题,首先概述了利用卫星资料开展云检测、云相态识别、云光学厚度与等效粒子半径反演的原理和方法。而后,着重介绍了各类天气尺度和中尺度天气过程的云系特征。最后,文章回顾了国际卫星云气候方面的工作,展望了未来云观测技术的发展前景。     

2016年中国气候主要特征及主要天气气候事件

2016年,全国气候异常,极端天气气候事件多,暴雨洪涝、台风和风雹等气象灾害较突出,气候年景差。全国平均气温较常年偏高0.8℃,为1951年以来第三高;四季气温均偏高,其中,夏季气温为1961年以来同期最高。四季降水量均偏多,冬、秋季分别为1961年以来同期最多。全国平均年降水量730.0 mm,较常年偏多16%,为1951年以来最多。华南前汛期和西南雨季开始早;入梅早、出梅晚,梅雨期长,雨量多;华北雨季短,雨量多;华西秋雨短,雨量少。2016年,全国暴雨过程多,南北洪涝并发。登陆台风数量多、平均强度强。强对流天气多,损失偏重,北方风雹灾害突出。气温波动大,夏季高温影响范围广。秋、冬京津冀及周边地区霾天气频繁。其他灾害如干旱、低温冷冻害、雪灾和春季沙尘影响均偏轻。     

一次冰雹天气过程的多源资料观测分析

利用地基微波辐射计、风廓线雷达和雨滴谱仪等观测资料,对2015年4月28日发生在南京的一次冰雹天气进行了分析,探讨新型探测资料在冰雹监测预警中的应用。结果表明:(1)华北冷涡后部冷空气南下,与低层暖湿气流交汇,是产生这次冰雹的天气背景;高空冷平流叠加在低层暖湿气流之上,使得对流层中低层形成不稳定层结;地面辐合中心及辐合线是降雹的触发机制。(2)微波辐射计监测显示,降雹期间冰雹云中上升气流将底层空气的感热和潜热向上输送,导致2 km以上大气有明显升温,由于低层水汽聚集及冰雹在近地层融化造成降雹时近地层相对湿度、水汽密度增大。冰雹发生在云液态水含量快速增长的波峰上,对冰雹的发生具有较好指示意义。(3)对比南京3站风廓线雷达资料表明各站上空环境风场存在一定差异,六合地区降雹前6 km高度高空急流有利于六合上空形成有利的辐散形势,降雹时0~6 km存在较深厚的垂直风切变,配合地面中尺度低压,降雹最为强烈;南京站降雹时,对流层中下层有一槽过境,而高淳地区冰雹由近地面垂直风切变激发。(4)六合站、高淳站雨滴谱仪分析表明不同降水相态对应的滴谱特征有差异,两站雨滴谱型分别呈指数型、多峰型分布。高淳站雨滴谱仪监测到直径达到15 mm的冰雹粒子,六合站冰雹直径最大为5 mm。两站速度谱大致为单峰型,在较强降水时刻,粒子下落峰值速度在3~4 m·~(-1)。(5)影响六合的超级单体存在钩状回波、回波悬垂、三体散射等雷达回波中尺度特征,地面中尺度低压系统、中低层的中气旋及高层的辐散环流配置造成了雹云中维持较强的旋转上升气流,有利于出现大冰雹。     

Monitoring canopy growth and grain yield of paddy rice in South Korea by using the GRAMI model and high spatial resolution imagery

Monitoring crop conditions and forecasting crop yields are both important for assessing crop production and for determining appropriate agricultural management practices; however, remote sensing is limited by the resolution, timing, and coverage of satellite images, and crop modeling is limited in its application at regional scales. To resolve these issues, the Gramineae (GRAMI)-rice model, which utilizes remote sensing data, was used in an effort to combine the complementary techniques of remote sensing and crop modeling. The model was then investigated for its capability to monitor canopy growth and estimate the grain yield of rice (Oryza sativa), at both the field and the regional scales, by using remote sensing images with high spatial resolution. The field scale investigation was performed using unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) images, and the regional-scale investigation was performed using RapidEye satellite images. Simulated grain yields at the field scale were not significantly different (p = 0.45, p = 0.27, and p = 0.52) from the corresponding measured grain yields according to paired t-tests (α = 0.05). The model’s projections of grain yield at the regional scale represented the spatial grain yield variation of the corresponding field conditions to within ±1 standard deviation. Therefore, based on mapping the growth and grain yield of rice at both field and regional scales of interest within coverages of a UAV or the RapidEye satellite, our results demonstrate the applicability of the GRAMI-rice model to the monitoring and prediction of rice growth and grain yield at different spatial scales. In addition, the GRAMI-rice model is capable of reproducing seasonal variations in rice growth and grain yield at different spatial scales.