Seasonal fluctuations in the deep central equatorial Atlantic Ocean: a data–model comparison

Low-frequency current fluctuations in the deep central equatorial Atlantic are analyzed using current meter measurements recorded from November 1992 to November 1994. Current meters were located at about 14°W of longitude and 1° of latitude on both sides of the equator between 1,700 m depth and the ocean bottom. At all sampling depths, the velocity fluctuations are dominantly zonal and symmetrical with respect to the equator. At 1,700 and 2,000 m, the flow is dominated by annual period fluctuations, at 3,000 m, the velocity field amplitude presents a minimum, and at 3,750 and 3,950 m, the flow is modulated by annual and semiannual period variability. The annual signal exhibits an apparent upward phase propagation. When considering the phase and the amplitude of the seasonal fluctuations, the data compare well with the outputs of a realistic numerical simulation of the Atlantic Ocean. Together with a previous analysis of the model simulations, this supports the idea that the observed annual fluctuations are due to wind-forced vertically propagating Kelvin and Rossby waves. Data and model do not provide deciding evidences of the presence of semiannual equatorial waves deeper than 3,500 m depth in the central equatorial Atlantic Ocean.     

NUMERICAL EXPERIMENTS OF EFFECT OF SSTA OVER THE INDIAN OCEAN ON ATMOSPHERIC LOW-FREQUENCY OSCILLATION IN THE EXTRATROPICAL LATITUDE

Numerical experiments on forcing dissipation and heating response of dipole (unipole) are carried out using global spectral models with quasi-geostrophic barotropic vorticity equations. For each experiment model integration is run for 90 days on the condition of three-wave quasi-resonance. The results are given as follows: Under the effects of dipole (unipole) forcing source and basic flow intensity, there exist strong interactions among the three planetary waves and quasi-biweekly and intraseasonal oscillation of the three planetary waves. In the meantime, the changes in the intensity of dipole or unipole forcing source and basic flow have different frequency modulation effects on LFO in the middle and higher latitudes. The results of the stream function field of three quasi-resonant waves evolving with time confirm that the low-frequency oscillation exists in extratropical latitude.     

The thermodynamic structure atop a penetrating convective thunderstorm

The thermodynamic structure on top of a numerically simulated severe storm is examined to explain the satellite observed plume formation above thunderstorm anvils. The same mechanism also explains the formation of jumping cirrus observed by Fujita on board of a research aircraft. A three-dimensional, non-hydrostatic cloud model is used to perform numerical simulation of a supercell that occurred in Montana in 1981. Analysis of the model results shows that both the plume and the jumping cirrus phenomena are produced by the high instability and breaking of the gravity waves excited by the strong convection inside the storm. These mechanisms dramatically enhance the turbulent diffusion process and cause some moisture to detach from the storm cloud and jump into the stratosphere. The thermodynamic structure in terms of the potential temperature isotherms above the simulated thunderstorm is examined to reveal the instability and wave breaking structure. The plumes and jumping cirrus phenomena represent an irreversible transport mechanism of materials from the troposphere to the stratosphere that may have global climatic implications.     

On the influence of stratification and tidal forcing upon mixing in sill regions

A cross-sectional non-hydrostatic model with idealized topography was used to examine the processes influencing tidal mixing in the region of sills. Initial calculations with appropriate parameters for the sill at the entrance to Loch Etive showed that the model could reproduce the main features of the observed mixing in the region. In particular, the hydraulic jump in the sill region was reproduced, as was an intense mid-water jet that was observed to separate from the lee side of the sill. Shear instabilities associated with the jet appeared to be a source of mixing within the thermocline. In addition, internal lee waves were generated on the lee side of the sill, with the observed amplification because of trapping during the flood stage. Their magnitude and hence the mixing increased with increasing Froude number (F _r). In the case of vertically varying buoyancy frequency, its value near the sill top determined the F _r number, with its value below influencing internal waves magnitude at depth. At high F _r values particularly with strong currents, short waves and overturning occurred.     

“碧利斯”引发广西异常暴雨的成因分析

利用常规气象资料和卫星云图等资料对“碧利斯”造成异常暴雨的成因进行了综合分析，结果表明：“碧利斯”登陆减弱成的低压进入广西为强降水提供了动力抬升条件；中低层低压环流与强盛的西南暖湿气流相互作用，为降水云团不断发生和发展提供“燃料”；低层水汽辐合、高层辐散和强烈的上升运动是造成异常暴雨的主要原因。     

浅谈台风雨性质的辨别

利用地面观测资料,以及观测经验,对台风产生的降水过程进行分析,从中鉴别出该降水是阵性还是非阵性。     

多普勒雷达探测“艾利”台风风场不对称结构

2004年8月25日, “艾利”台风在靠近我国台湾东北部海域后不同于正常路径, 先后发生两次左折, 先是西北转偏西, 再偏西转西南, 这种路径在历史上极为罕见。通过“艾利”台风的雷达观测事实, 从单多普勒雷达和双多普勒雷达均发现在台风前进方向的右前方, 即西北象限风速极值大于其他象限, 进一步证明了“艾利”台风的风场分布遵循波数为1的非对称性, 从位于台风不同象限的福州长乐和厦门两站雷达资料, 以及常规的地面观测、高空探测资料和NCEP数值预报再分析资料都得到证实。研究表明, “艾利”台风处在大陆高压东南侧, 台风外围存在一支7 m/s左右的环境风场引导气流。因此, 西北象限风速极值大于其他象限的不对称分布可能是由环境风场和台风本身两方面共同造成的, 这种不对称分布有利于维持“艾利”台风向西南方向移动。在我国东南沿海地区, 由于单部多普勒雷达不可能同时探测到台风的西北、东北和西南3个象限的风速极值, 而双多普勒雷达或多多普勒雷达联合探测台风, 则可以同时探测到3个象限的风速极值, 根据风速极值可能存在的不对称分布情况来预测台风的路径转折趋势, 因此重视双多普勒雷达或多多普勒雷达联合探测对于提高监测预报水平具有重要的意义。     

影响中国的台风频数年代际变化趋势:1951-2004年

Interdecadal variations in the frequency of typhoon affecting China (TAC) during 1951-2004 were investigated in this study. The yearly frequency of TACs showed a slightly increasing trend from the 1950s to the early 1970s and a significant decreasing trend afterwards. There were more TACs during the 1960s while the most inactive period was observed in recent 10 years. A decreasing trend was observed in the monthly frequency of TACs in June, August and September throughout the 54 years. Large interannual variabilities were apparent in yearly and monthly frequencies of TACs.     

风浪作用下水生植物对水流结构的影响——以太湖中两种典型沉水植物为例

为研究风浪作用下水生植物对水流结构的影响,选取太湖中两种典型沉水植物(苦草与马来眼子菜)为研究对象,分别对苦草植物斑块与马来眼子菜植物斑块内外水体的瞬时流速进行野外现场测量,利用瞬时流速的能量谱分布将波浪流速与紊动流速分离,分别分析水生植物对时均流速、波浪流速以及紊动能的影响。风浪影响下,水体中存在流向与测量时近水面处盛行风向一致的水流;波浪流速以垂向流速为主,且波浪流速自水面向床底逐渐减小;紊动能在水面处达到最大值,并向床底方向逐渐减小。与无植被条件相比,苦草与马来眼子菜的存在减小了时均流速、波浪流速以及紊动能。两种植物形态上的差异,导致其对水流结构的影响不同:苦草叶片阻流面积在冠层中部达到最大,使得时均流速与波浪流速在苦草中部位置的减小程度最大;马来眼子菜叶片主要集中于冠层顶部(水面附近),其对时均流速以及波浪流速的减小作用在水面处达到最大。