A Study of Influencing Systems and Moisture Budget in a Heavy Rainfall in Low Latitude Plateau in China during Early Summer

Analysis of a heavy rainfall in a lower latitude plateau and characteristics of water vapor transportation have been conducted by using conventional data and denser surface data. The results show： （1） the heavy rainfall was caused by a series of mesoscale systems under favorable large-scale conditions when the warm moister air and cold air interacted with each other. At the same time, the coupling between the upper- and lower-level jets was revealed. It is also found that there exists some different characteristics among the main influencing systems of heavy rainfalls in Yunnan, such as the Indian-Myanmar trough and the path of the cold air, compared with those in East and South China. （2） The interaction between mesoscale convergence lines near the ground may be a possible triggering mechanism for the occurrence of mesoscale systems, and the dynamical and thermal dynamical structure of the mesoscale systems was very obvious. The convergence lines may relate closely to the terrain of Yunnan, China. （3） The computation of the water vapor budget reveals that the primary source of water vapor supply for heavy rainfall was in the Bay of Bengal. In this case, the water vapor could be transported into Yunnan even though the amount of water vapor was less than that in the lower troposphere in East and South China. In addition, the analysis for three-dimensional air parcel trajectories better revealed and described the source location and the transportation of water vapor to Yunnan.

Heat and Moisture Budgets during the Period of HUBEX/GAME in the Summer of 1998

By using the high-resolution GAME reanalysis data, the heat and moisture budgets during the period of HUBEX/GAME in the summer of 1998 are calculated for exploring the thermodynamic features of Meiyu over the Changjiang-Huaihe (CH) valley. During the CH Meiyu period, an intensive vertically-integrated heat source and moisture sink are predominant over the heavy rainfall area of the CH valley, accompanied by strong upward motion at 500 hPa. The heat and moisture budgets show that the main diabatic heating component is condensation latent heat released by rainfall. As residual terms, the evaporation and sensible heating are relatively small. Based on the vertical distribution of the heat source and moisture sink, the nature of the rainfall is mixed, in which the convective rainfall is dominant with a considerable percentage of continuous stratiform rainfall. There are similar time evolutions of the main physical parameters (〈Q 1〉, 〈Q 2〉, and vertical motion ω at 500 hPa). The time variations of 〈Q 1〉 and 〈Q 2〉 are in phase with those of −ω 500, and have their main peaks within the CH Meiyu period. This shows the influence of the heat source on the dynamic structure of the atmosphere. The wavelet analyses of those time series display similar multiple timescale characteristics. During the CH Meiyu period, both the synoptic scale(∼6 days) and mesoscale (∼2 days and ∼12 hours) increase obviously and cause heavy rainfall as well as the appearances of the maxima of the main physical parameters. Among them, the mesoscale systems are the main factors.

Effects of Tropical Cyclone Activity on the Boundary Moisture Budget over the Eastern China Monsoon Region

In summer, water vapor over the eastern China monsoon region （ECMR） comes mainly from low latitudes and is modu- lated by tropical cyclone （TC） activity in East Asia （EA）. This study examines the variability of water vapor transport over the ECMR, especially of the moisture inflow via the southern and eastern boundaries. The results of composite and correlation analyses, using data from 1979 to 2010, reveal significant differences in moisture budgets along the boundaries between TC days and non-TC days. Almost 80% of the water vapor transport via the eastern boundary occurs during TC days, while at the southern boundary most inflow occurs on non-TC days. The ratio of the total water vapor transport between TC and non-TC days is about 4：6. In addition, the E1 Nifio-Southem Oscillation （ENSO） exhibits a remarkable influence on moisture trans- port over EA and the contributions of moisture inflow on TC days increase （reduce） in E1 Nifio （La Nifia） years. Moreover, different types of TCs, based on their tracks, have different effects on the moisture budgets along the southern and eastern boundaries. When TCs enter EA （but not the ECMR）, they favor the moisture inflow via the eastern boundary and hinder the moisture inflow via the southern boundary. After TCs enter the ECMR, the inhibition of moisture inflow via the southern boundary will be weakened, and more water vapor can be brought into the ECMR. For some recurring TCs with an increase in TC activity in the midlatitudes, the influence is uncertain in different cases. The results herein suggest that TC activity is an important factor that influences the boundary moisture budgets in the ECMR.

THE TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF MOISTURE BUDGETS OVER ASIAN AND AUSTRALIAN MONSOON REGIONS

Apparent moisture sink and water vapor transport flux are calculated by using NCAR/NCEP reanalyzed daily data for water vapor and wind fields at various levels from 1980 to 1989.With the aid of EOF analysis method,temporal and spatial characteristics of moisture budgets over Asian and Australian monsoon regions are studied.The results show that there is apparent seasonal transition of moistrue sink and water vapor transport between Asian monsoon region and Australian monsoon region.In winter,the Asian monsoon region is a moisture source,in which three cross-equatorial water vapor transport channels in the 'continent bridge',at 80°E and 40°E～50° transport water vapor to the Australian monsoon region and southern Indian Ocean which are moistrue sinks.In summer,Australian Monsoon region anmd southern Indian Ocean are moistrue sources and by the three cross-equatorial transport channels water vapor is transport to the Asian monsoon region which is a moisture sink.In spring and autumn,ITCZ is the main moisture sink and there is no apparent water vapor transport between Asian monsoon region and Australian monsoon region.

Climatological Characteristics of the Moisture Budget and Their Anomalies over the Joining Area of Asia and the Indian-Pacific Ocean

The climatological characteristics of the moisture budget over the joining area of Asia and the IndianPacific Ocean （AIPO） and its adjacent regions as well as their anomalies have been estimated in this study. The main results are as follows. In the winter, the northeasterly moisture transport covers the extensive areas at the lower latitudes of the AIPO. The westerly and northerly moisture transport is the major source and the South Indian Ocean （SIO） is the moisture sink. In the summer, influenced by the southwesterly monsoonal wind, the crossequatorial southwesterly moisture transport across Somali originating from the SIO is transported through the Arabian Sea （AS）, the Bay of Bengal （BOB）, and the South China Sea （SCS） to eastern China. The AIPO is controlled by the southwesterly moisture transport. The net moisture influx over the AIPO has obvious interannual and interdecadal variations. From the mid- or late 1970s, the influxes over the SIO, the AS, the northern part of the western North Pacific （NWNP）, and North China （NC） as well as South China （SC） begin to decrease abruptly, while those over Northeast China （NEC） and the Yangtze River-Huaihe River basins （YHRB） have increased remarkably. As a whole, the net moisture influxes over the BOB and the southern part of the western North Pacific （SWNP） in the recent 50 years take on a linear increasing trend. However, the transition timing for these two regions is different with the former being at the mid- or late 1980s and the latter occurring earlier, approximately at the early stage of the 1970s. The anomalous moisture source associated with the precipitation anomalies is different from the normal conditions of the summer precipitation. For the drought or flood years or the years of E1 Nifio and its following years, the anomalous moisture transport originating from the western North Pacific （WNP） is the vital source of the anomalous precipitation over eastern China, which is greatly related with the variation of the subtropical Pacific high.

INVESTIGATIONS ON MOISTURE TRANSPORTS, BUDGETS AND SOURCES RESPONSIBLE FOR THE DECADAL VARIABILITY OF PRECIPITATION IN SOUTHERN CHINA

In the context of global warming,apparent decdal-interdecdal variabilities can be detected in summer precipitation in southern China.Especially around the 1990 s,precipitation in South China experienced a phase transition from a deficiency regime to an abundance regime in the early 1990 s,while the Yangtze River Valley witnessed a phase shift of summer precipitation from abundance to deficiency in the late 1990 s.Pertinent analyses reveal a close relationship between such decadal precipitation shifts and moisture budgets,which is mainly modulated by the meridional component.This relationship can be attributed to large-scale moisture transport anomalies.Further,the HYSPLIT model is utilized to quantitatively evaluate relative moisture contributions from diverse sources during different regimes.It can be found that during the period with abundant precipitation in South China,the moisture contribution from the source of Indochina Peninsula-South China Sea increased significantly,while during the deficient precipitation regime in the Yangtze River Valley,moisture from local source,western Pacific and Indochina Peninsula-South China Sea contributed less to precipitation.It means some new features of relative moisture contributions from diverse sources to precipitation anomaly in southern China took shape after 1990 s.

Westerlies Affecting the Seasonal Variation of Water Vapor Transport over the Tibetan Plateau Induced by Tropical Cyclones in the Bay of Bengal

This study investigates the activity of tropical cyclones(TCs)in the Bay of Bengal(BOB)from 1979 to 2018 to discover the mechanism affecting the contribution rate to the meridional moisture budget anomaly(MMBA)over the southern boundary of the Tibetan Plateau(SBTP).May and October–December are the bimodal phases of BOB TC frequency,which decreases month by month from October to December and is relatively low in May.However,the contribution rate to the MMBA is the highest in May.The seasonal variation in the meridional position of the westerlies is the key factor affecting the contribution rate.The relatively southern(northern)position of the westerlies in November and December(May)results in a lower(higher)contribution rate to the MMBA.This mechanism is confirmed by the momentum equation.When water vapor enters the westerlies near the trough line,the resultant meridional acceleration is directed north.It follows that the farther north the trough is,and the farther north the water vapor can be transported.When water vapor enters the westerlies from the area near the ridge line,for Type-T(Type-R)TCs,water vapor enters the westerlies downstream of the trough(ridge).Consequently,the direction of the resultant meridional acceleration is directed south and the resultant zonal acceleration is directed east(west),which is not conducive to the northward transport of water vapor.This is especially the case if the trough or ridge is relatively south,as the water vapor may not cross the SBTP.

A Study on Water Vapor Transport and Budget of Heavy Rain in Northeast China

The characteristics of moisture transport and budget of widespread heavy rain and local heavy rain events in Northeast China are studied using the NCEP-NCAR reanalysis 6-hourly and daily data and daily precipitation data of 200 stations in Northeast China from 1961-2005. The results demonstrate that during periods with widespread heavy rain in Northeast China, the Asian monsoon is very active and the monsoonal northward moisture transport is strengthened significantly. The widespread heavy rainfall obtains enhanced water vapor supply from large regions where the water vapor mainly originates from the Asian monsoon areas, which include the East Asian subtropical monsoon area, the South China Sea, and the southeast and southwest tropical monsoon regions. There are several branches of monsoonal moisture current converging on East China and its coastal areas, where they are strengthened and then continue northward into Northeast China. Thus, the enhanced northward monsoonal moisture transport is the key to the widespread heavy rain in Northeast China. In contrast, local heavy rainfall in Northeast China derives water vapor from limited areas, transported by the westerlies. Local evaporation also plays an important role in the water vapor supply and local recycling process of moisture. In short, the widespread heavy rains of Northeast China are mainly caused by water vapor advection brought by the Asian monsoon, whereas local heavy rainfall is mainly caused by the convergence of the westerly wind field.

Spatiotemporal characteristics and water budget of water cycle elements in different seasons in northeast China

In this paper, we study the spatiotemporal characteristics of precipitable water, precipitation, evaporation, and watervapor flux divergence in different seasons over northeast China and the water balance of that area. The data used in this paper is provided by the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts （ECMWF）. The results show that the spatial distributions of precipitable water, precipitation, and evaporation feature that the values of elements above in the southeastern area are larger than those in the northwestern area; in summer, much precipitation and evaporation occur in the Changbai Mountain region as a strong moisture convergence region; in spring and autumn, moisture divergence dominates the northeast of China; in winter, the moisture divergence and convergence are weak in this area. From 1979 to 2010, the total precipitation of summer and autumn in northeast China decreased significantly; especially from 1999 to 2010, the summer precipitation always demonstrated negative anomaly. Additionally, other elements in different seasons changed in a truly imperceptible way. In spring, the evaporation exceeded the precipitation in northeast China; in summer, the precipitation was more prominent; in autumn and winter, precipitation played a more dominating role than the evaporation in the northern part of northeast China, while the evaporation exceeded the precipitation in the southern part. The Interim ECMWF Re-Analysis （ERA-Interim） data have properly described the water balance of different seasons in northeast China. Based on ERA-Interim data, the moisture sinks computed through moisture convergence and moisture local variation are quite consistent with those computed through precipitation and evaporation, which proves that ERA- Interim data can be used in the research of water balance in northeast China. On a seasonal scale, the moisture convergence has a greater influence than the local moisture variation on a moisture sink, and the latter is variable slightly, generally as a constant. Likewise, in different seasons, the total precipitation has a much greater influence than the evaporation on the moisture sink.

CMIP6 Evaluation and Projection of Precipitation over Northern China:Further Investigation

Based on 20 models from phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP6),this article explored possible reasons for differences in simulation biases and projected changes in precipitation in northern China among the allmodel ensemble(AMME),“highest-ranked”model ensemble(BMME),and“lowest-ranked”model ensemble(WMME),from the perspective of atmospheric circulations and moisture budgets.The results show that the BMME and AMME reproduce the East Asian winter circulations better than the WMME.Compared with the AMME and WMME,the BMME reduces the overestimation of evaporation,thereby improving the simulation of winter precipitation.The three ensemble simulated biases for the East Asian summer circulations are generally similar,characterized by a stronger zonal pressure gradient between the mid-latitudes of the North Pacific and East Asia and a northward displacement of the East Asian westerly jet.However,the simulated vertical moisture advection is improved in the BMME,contributing to the slightly higher performance of the BMME than the AMME and WMME on summer precipitation in North and Northeast China.Compared to the AMME and WMME,the BMME projects larger increases in precipitation in northern China during both seasons by the end of the 21st century under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathway 5-8.5(SSP5-8.5).One of the reasons is that the increase in evaporation projected by the BMME is larger.The projection of a greater dynamic contribution by the BMME also plays a role.In addition,larger changes in the nonlinear components in the BMME projection contribute to a larger increase in winter precipitation in northern China.

Modulation of Madden-Julian Oscillation Activity by the Tropical Pacific-Indian Ocean Associated Mode

In this study,the impacts of the tropical Pacific–Indian Ocean associated mode(PIOAM)on Madden–Julian Oscillation(MJO)activity were investigated using reanalysis data.In the positive(negative)phase of the PIOAM,the amplitudes of MJO zonal wind and outgoing longwave radiation are significantly weakened(enhanced)over the Indian Ocean,while they are enhanced(weakened)over the central and eastern Pacific.The eastward propagation of the MJO can extend to the central Pacific in the positive phase of the PIOAM,whereas it is mainly confined to west of 160°E in the negative phase.The PIOAM impacts MJO activity by modifying the atmospheric circulation and moisture budget.Anomalous ascending(descending)motion and positive(negative)moisture anomalies occur over the western Indian Ocean and central-eastern Pacific(Maritime Continent and western Pacific)during the positive phase of the PIOAM.The anomalous circulation is almost the opposite in the negative phases of the PIOAM.This anomalous circulation and moisture can modulate the activity of the MJO.The stronger moistening over the Indian Ocean induced by zonal and vertical moisture advection leads to the stronger MJO activity over the Indian Ocean in the negative phase of the PIOAM.During the positive phase of the PIOAM,the MJO propagates farther east over the central Pacific owing to the stronger moistening there,which is mainly attributable to the meridional and vertical moisture advection,especially low-frequency background state moisture advection by the MJO’s meridional and vertical velocities.

Development and Rapid Intensification of Tropical Cyclone OCKHI(2017)over the North Indian Ocean

Tropical Cyclone OCKHI over the North Indian Ocean during 2017 underwent dramatic development and rapid intensification very close to the land-Sri Lanka,extreme South Indian coast and Lakshadweep area during its initial developmental stage and caused extensive damages over these areas.On examining the physical and structural mechanism involved in such development,it is observed that the initial development was associated with axi-symmetrisation of the vortex that could be associated with Vortex Rossby waves near the eyewall.Associated with the expulsion of high vorticity from the centre during asymmetry mixing,there was outward propagation of eddy angular momentum flux in the lower levels that strengthened a low level anticyclone to the northeast of the TC centre which in turn enhanced the cyclonic inflow near the TC centre.The rapid intensification phase was associated with vertical non-uniform heating with upper and lower tropospheric warming associated with latent heat release in convection.During the mature phase,the system sustained‘very severe’intensity even under increasing vertical shear and lower ocean heat flux under the influence of a break in the sub tropical ridge to the north of the system centre that enhanced the poleward outflow in the upper troposphere.

Cloud Water Resource in North China in 2017 Simulated by the CMA-CPEFS Cloud Resolving Model:Validation and Quantification

Based on the concept of cloud water resource(CWR)and the cloud microphysical scheme developed by the Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences(CAMS),a coupled mesoscale and cloud-resolving model system is developed in the study for CWR numerical quantification(CWR-NQ)in North China for 2017.The results show that(1)the model system is stable and capable for performing 1-yr continuous simulation with a water budget error of less than 0.2%,which indicates a good water balance.(2)Compared with the observational data,it is confirmed that the simulating capability of the CWR-NQ approach is decent for the spatial distribution of yearly cumulative precipitation,daily precipitation intensity,yearly average spatial distribution of water vapor.(3)Compared with the CWR diagnostic quantification(CWR-DQ),the results from the CWR-NQ differ mainly in cloud condensation and cloud evaporation.However,the deviation of the net condensation(condensation minus evaporation)between the two methods is less than 1%.For other composition variables,such as water vapor advection,surface evaporation,precipitation,cloud condensation,and total atmospheric water substances,the relative differences between the CWR-NQ and the CWR-DQ are less than 5%.(4)The spatiotemporal features of the CWR in North China are also studied.The positive correlation between water vapor convergence and precipitation on monthly and seasonal scales,and the lag of precipitation relative to water vapor convergence on hourly and daily scales are analyzed in detail,indicating the significance of the state term on hourly and daily scales.The effects of different spatial scales on the state term,advection term,source-sink term,and total amount are analyzed.It is shown that the advective term varies greatly at different spatiotemporal scales,which leads to differences at different spatiotemporal scales in CWR and related characteristic quantities.

Maintenance of Tropical Cyclone Bill (1988) after Landfall

The mechanism for the maintenance of Tropical Cyclone Bill （1988） after landfall is investigated through a numerical simulation. The role of the large-scale environmental flow is examined using a scale separation technique, which isolates the tropical cyclone from the environmental flow. The results show that Bill was embedded in a deep easterly-southeasterly environmental flow to the north-northeast of a large-scale depression and to the southwest of the western Pacific subtropical high. The depression had a quasi-barotropic structure in the mid-lower troposphere and propagated northwestward with a speed similar to the northwestward movement of Bill. The moisture budgets associated with both the large-scale and the tropical cyclone scale motions indicate that persistent low-level easterly-southeasterly flow transported moisture into the inner core of the tropical cyclone. The low-level circulation of the tropical cyclone transported moisture into the eyewall to support eyewall convection, providing sufficient latent heating to counteract energy loss due to surface friction and causing the storm to weaken relatively slowly after landfall. Warming and a westward extension of the upper-level easterly flow led to westward propagation of the environmental flow in the mid-lower troposphere. As a result, Bill was persistently embedded in an environment of deep easterly flow with high humidity, weak vertical wind shear, convergence in the lower troposphere, and divergence in the upper troposphere. These conditions are favorable for both significant intensification prior to landfall and maintenance of the tropical cyclone after landfall.