A Generation Mechanism for Mesoscale Eddies in the Kuril Basin of the Okhotsk Sea: Baroclinic Instability Caused by Enhanced Tidal Mixing

Mesoscale eddies, particularly anticyclonic ones, are dominant features in the Kuril Basin of the Okhotsk Sea. In 1999, both surface drifter and hydrographic observations caught the same anticyclonic eddy northwest of Bussol’ Strait, which has a diameter of ∼100 km, typical surface velocity of 0.2–0.3 m s⁻¹, and less dense core extending to a depth of ∼1200 m. Based on an idea that the generation of mesoscale eddies is caused by strong tidal mixing in and around Kuril Straits, we have conducted a series of three-dimensional numerical model experiments, in which strong tidal mixing is simply parameterized by increasing coefficients of vertical eddy viscosity and diffusivity along the eastern boundary. Initially, a regular series of disturbances with a wavelength of ∼70 km starts to develop. The disturbances can be clearly explained by a linear instability theory and regarded as the baroclinic instability associated with the near-surface front formed in the region between the enhanced mixing and offshore regions. In the mature phase, the disturbances grow large enough that some eddies pinch off and advect offshore (westward), with the scale of disturbances increasing gradually. Typical eddy scale and its westward propagation speed are ∼100 km and ∼0.6 km day⁻¹, respectively, which are consistent with the observations by satellites. The westward propagation can be explained partly due to nonlinear effect of self-offshore advection and partly due to the β-effect. With the inclusion of the upper ocean restoring, the dominance of anticyclonic eddy, extending from surface to a depth of ∼1200 m, can be reproduced.     

SENSITIVITY OF MESOSCALE CONVECTIVE SYSTEMS AND ASSOCIATED HEAVY RAINFALL TO SOIL MOISTURE OVER SOUTH CHINA

The impacts of soil moisture(SM) on heavy rainfall and the development of Mesoscale Convection Systems(MCSs) are investigated through 24-h numerical simulations of two heavy rainfall events that occurred respectively on28 March 2009(Case 1) and 6 May 2010(Case 2) over southern China. The numerical simulations were carried out with WRF and its coupled Noah LSM(Land Surface Model). First, comparative experiments were driven by two different SM data sources from NCEP-FNL and NASA-GLDAS. Secondary, with the run driven by NASA-GLDAS data as a control one, a series of sensitivity tests with different degree of(20%, 60%) increase or decrease in the initial SM were performed to examine the impact of SM on the simulations. Comparative experiment results show that the 24-h simulated cumulative rainfall distributions are not substantially affected by the application of the two different SM data,while the precipitation intensity is changed to some extent. Forecast skill scores show that simulation with NASA-GLDAS SM data can lead to some improvement, especially in the heavy rain(芏50 mm) forecast, where there is up to 5% increase in the TS score. Sensitivity test analysis found that a predominantly positive feedback of SM on precipitation existed in these two heavy rain events but not with completely the same features. Organization of the heavy rainfall-producing MCS seems to have an impact on the feedback process between SM and precipitation. For Case 1, the MCS was poorly organized and occurred locally in late afternoon, and the increase of SM only caused a slight enhancement of precipitation. Drier soil was found to result in an apparent decrease of rainfall intensity,indicating that precipitation is more sensitive to SM reduction. For Case 2, as the heavy rain was caused by a well-organized MCS with sustained precipitation, the rainfall is more sensitive to SM increase, which brings more rainfall. Additionally, distinctive feedback effects were identified from different stages and different organization of MCS, with strong feedback between SM and precipitation mainly appearing in the early stages of the poorly organized MCS and during the late period of the well-organized MCS.     

东海西湖凹陷反转构造与油气

本文从东海西湖凹陷的地质构造特征出发，根据西湖凹陷所处的西太平洋特殊地质构造位置，结合反转构造理论，认为自新生代以来，西湖凹陷长期处于太平洋板块向欧亚板块斜向俯冲的挤压状态。随时间的推移凹陷的边界条件不断地变化，由此引起应力场的改变，继而造成构造反转。西湖凹陷曾经历过五次构造反转期。盆地的复合，构造的叠加，断层性质的改变，对油气生成、运移和储集起着决定性的作用。本文最后用反转构造理论对油气远景作了简单的探索。认为早期由正断层形成的地堑、地垒、断块及晚期褶皱、逆断层发育的地区应作为油气勘探的重点。前者，早期局部张应力形成的正断层，在区域压应力的持续作用下，后期虽然在形式上还是正断层，但晚期已转变为压性的，对油气聚集较为有利。后者，由于新生代早期的巨厚沉积，并且发育着张性断裂，这些对油气的生成和运移有一定好处。     

Skills of different mesoscale models over Indian region during monsoon season: Forecast errors

Performance of four mesoscale models namely, the MM5, ETA, RSM and WRF, run at NCMRWF for short range weather forecasting has been examined during monsoon-2006. Evaluation is carried out based upon comparisons between observations and day-1 and day-3 forecasts of wind, temperature, specific humidity, geopotential height, rainfall, systematic errors, root mean square errors and specific events like the monsoon depressions.It is very difficult to address the question of which model performs best over the Indian region? An honest answer is ‘none’. Perhaps an ensemble approach would be the best. However, if we must make a final verdict, it can be stated that in general, (i) the WRF is able to produce best All India rainfall prediction compared to observations in the day-1 forecast and, the MM5 is able to produce best All India rainfall forecasts in day-3, but ETA and RSM are able to depict the best distribution of rainfall maxima along the west coast of India, (ii) the MM5 is able to produce least RMSE of wind and geopotential fields at most of the time, and (iii) the RSM is able to produce least errors in the day-1 forecasts of the tracks, while the ETA model produces least errors in the day-3 forecasts.     

The use and performance of mesoscale models over the Indian region for two high-impact events

High-impact mesoscale weather events, occurring in different parts of India in all seasons, lead to major weather- and climate-related disasters. Several research groups and operational weather forecasting centres in India have adopted mesoscale models for research and operational usage. This paper reviews the work done by different groups with respect to two specific events, (1) unprecedented locally heavy rainfall near Mumbai (Santa Cruz) on 26 and 27 July 2005 and (2) the Orissa super-cyclone of 29 and 30 October 1999 from its incipient stage on 24 and 25 October 1999. Considerable variability in the prediction of the intensity and location of mesoscale heavy rainfall, as well as in the intensity and path of the super-cyclone, are found. In order to reduce uncertainty in dynamical prediction, it is necessary that the model dynamics, physics, resolution, boundary conditions and availability of data on land–ocean surface processes are tuned separately to the specific event types, such as heavy monsoon rainfall, tropical cyclone genesis and movement and severe local thunderstorms, as the processes controlling such types of events may require suitable treatments for their proper simulations through appropriate dynamics, physics and resolution.     

Structure and variability of the Yucatan and loop currents along the slope and shelf break of the Yucatan channel and Campeche bank

Three years (2008–2011) of direct current measurements from a mooring array deployed at the western Yucatan Channel (defined west of 85.6°W) and along the eastern Campeche Bank captured the main characteristics of the Yucatan and Loop Currents and the eddies associated with them. The array was deployed to provide upstream conditions in support of the Loop Current Dynamics Experiment. A substantial portion (60–80%) of the variance at the mooring sections is related to horizontal shifts of the currents due to meanders and eddies. Time-frequency analysis indicates that the velocity time-series are “event dominated”, with higher variability at low-frequencies (40–100 days or longer periods) but with a substantial contribution at higher frequencies (5–25 days periods) particularly strong from October to March. The vertical structure and time evolution of the eddy kinetic energy in a developing Campeche Bank cyclone suggest baroclinic instability dynamics are relevant for its development. Four Loop Current eddies (Cameron, Darwin, Ekman and Franklin) separated during 2008–2011. Ekman and Franklin were particularly dominated by a cyclone associated with a meander trough of the southward flowing branch of the Loop Current (Donohue et al., 2016a, Donohue et al., 2016b) and weaker Campeche Bank cyclones. For Cameron and Darwin, Campeche Bank cyclonic anomalies appear to be nearly as strong as the ones coming from the eastern side of the Loop Current. Eastward shifts of the Yucatan and Loop Currents observed over the sections appear to be linked to vorticity perturbations propagating from the Caribbean and precede several eddy detachments; their significance for the generation of Campeche Bank cyclones and eddy shedding remains to be determined.Time-series of Yucatan Current transport, vorticity fluctuations and Loop Current northward extension during the 3 deployment periods only depict positive correlation in two of them. Given the wide spectrum of variability, much more data are required to determine if a statistically robust relation exists among these variables. Our results clearly illustrate the complexity of the flow in this region and that it is difficult to single out a dominant mechanism that can explain all Loop Current eddy detachments.     

区域中尺度模式云微物理参数化方案特征及其在中国的适用性

云微物理参数化方案在数值模式中起着重要的作用,是影响数值天气预报和气候预测准确性的最大因素。系统回顾了中尺度数值模式中云微物理参数化方案的研究进展,并统计分析了最近十余年云微物理参数化方案在中国范围内的敏感性试验研究成果。Lin方案和Rutledge-Hobbs方案奠定了中尺度模式中云微物理参数化方案的基础,其他方案都是直接或间接在这2个方案的基础上从多方面改进而形成的。这些改进主要体现在:①水凝物粒子分类数目;②冰核活化;③粒子谱分布描述函数;④粒子谱截距的取值;⑤粒子间相互转换阈值大小的设定。中国范围内云微物理参数化方案敏感性试验研究成果统计表明,使用WRF模式中Lin方案的模拟效果较好,MM5模式采用Goddard和Reisner方案效果较好。     

“2011.6.18”湖北大暴雨成因分析

利用常规观测和地面自动站资料、NCEP1°×1°再分析资料、FY-2E卫星云图,以及武汉和荆州多普勒雷达资料,针对2011年6月17-18日湖北中东部地区一次大暴雨过程进行了天气动力学诊断和中尺度分析,结果表明:(1)暴雨是在有利的大尺度背景条件下,在特定的地域触发产生的,干冷、暖湿空气在江汉平原和鄂东剧烈交汇触发了这次大暴雨过程.(2)中尺度对流云团有3种类型:即单一云团型、合并型和急剧发展型.中尺度对流云团的大小与其生命史相关,尺度越大,生命史越长,在多个α中尺度对流云团之间的新生云团发展最为迅速,降水强度也最大.(3)呈气旋性转动的中尺度回波团和由低层较强的偏北风急流与偏南风急流辐合作用产生的中尺度复合体是此次暴雨过程雷达回波的主要表现形式;(4)地形对暴雨的强度以及落区等起到重要的作用,长江中游地区由于特定地形形成了三支明显的气流,由这三支气流组成的中尺度辐合系统促进了中尺度对流云团的形成和发展,云团F的加强和发展与地形作用密切相关.     

中尺度模式风电场风速短期预报能力研究

本文利用内蒙古乌兰察布风电场2009 年观测记录和WRF 数值模式预报,研究了中尺度数值天气模式对风电场风速的短期预报能力。研究表明:不同数值模式参数化方案的预报能力没有实质性的区别,对于不同时效的风场预报各种方案的预报能力不尽相同。在天气演变较为剧烈时,模式预报技巧相对较差。风电场周边主要天气系统对预报准确度有很大影响。就乌兰察布风电场而言,WRF 模式2009 年日平均预报相对误差仅为11.78%,且误差大于20%的日数占研究总天数不超过15%,具有较高的预报技巧。当蒙古气旋、东北气旋剧烈发展或风速迅速减小时风速的预报误差较大。     

基于雷达外推临近预报和中尺度数值预报融合技术的短时定量降水预报试验

为克服目前中尺度数值模式在对流尺度定量降水短时预报方面的不足,弥补基于“外推”的临近预报技术在2h以上定量降水预报能力方面的缺陷,研究设计了一种基于“外推”临近预报技术和中尺度数值模式的定量降水预报(QPF)融合技术方案,并进行了试验应用.该方案首先基于雷达探测和自动气象站观测的定量降水估计(QPE)结果,对中尺度数值模式输出的定量降水预报在谱空间进行相位校正,分析计算出数值预报和观测的偏差,导出一个附加的数值预报校正场;其次,根据数值预报校正场满足一定时间变化分布的特征,调整相应时段的数值预报降水区域和强度;最后,利用双曲正切线权重函数,对校正后的数值模式定量降水预报和基于临近预报技术的定量降水预报进行融合,融合权重根据典型环流特征动态变化.融合后的定量降水预报在前1-2h表现出主要依赖“外推”临近预报结果,之后随着融合权重的变化,数值预报对融合结果的贡献逐渐加大,直至融合后5-6h占主导地位.通过对京津冀地区2011年夏季5个及2012年夏季2个典型强降水个例的80次预报试验及其检验,表明融合后的0-6h定量降水预报结果改进较为明显,总体优于单独的临近预报技术或者中尺度数值预报模式的结果.