Anomalous changes of temperature and ozone QBOs in 2015−2017 from radiosonde observation and MERRA-2 reanalysis

Anomalous changes of zonal wind quasi-biennial oscillation(QBO)in winter 2015−2016 have received close attention.Combining radiosonde and satellite observations and reanalysis data,we investigate anomalous changes in temperature and ozone QBOs from the lower to middle stratosphere.As wind shear direction is reversed due to unexpected changes of zonal wind QBO at about 24−30 km,the shortest cold phase at 21−27 km appears in temperature QBO.This is different from the completely interrupted westward phase in zonal wind QBO,while the longest cold phase above almost 27 km lasts for 2−3 years from 2015 to 2017,owing to the absence of corresponding warm phase.Meridional scale reduction of temperature QBO causes a small temperature anomaly,thus the thermal wind relationship looks seemingly different from that in the other regular QBO cycles.QBO in the ozone mixing ratio anomaly shows a double-peak with inverse phase,and its phase below(above)30 km is in agreement with(opposite to)the phase of temperature QBO because of different control mechanisms of ozone.Following temperature QBO variation,QBO in the ozone mixing ratio anomaly exhibits a less positive phase at 20−30 km in 2016−2017,and a very long positive phase above 30 km from 2015 to 2017.QBO in total column ozone shows a small peak in winter 2016−2017 since ozone is mainly concentrated at 20 to 30 km.Anomalous changes of temperature and ozone QBOs due to unexpected QBO zonal wind variation can be well-explained according to thermal wind balance and thermodynamic balance.

Definition and analysis of the circulation indices of polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Northern Hemisphere

A set of circulation indices are defined and calculated to characterize monthly mean polar vortex at 10 hPa geopotential height chart in the Northern Hemisphere,including area–(S),intensity–(P) and center position (λc,φc)–indices by use of 1948–2007 NCEP/NCAR 10 hPa monthly height data.These indices series are used to investigate the seasonal variation and interannual anomaly of polar vortex,along with the relations with global warming,ozone anomaly and Arctic Oscillation (AO).The results show that (1) there is anticyclonic (cyclonic) from Jun.to Aug.(from Sep.to Mar.).The change of spring circulation pattern is slower than that of autumn.(2) S can be replaced by P due to the interannual synchronal variations of the intensity and area for polar vortex.The interannual (interdecadal) variations of P are significant in Jan.(Jul.).(3) The anomalies of system center position in Jan.are more evident than that in Jul.(4) The variations of mean temperature at mid-stratosphere in the vicinity of pole zone in Jan.are different from that in Jul.,but they are synchronal with the corresponding P and not significant correlation with the trend of global warming.However,the relationship between P and total O3 in Jul.are obvious.(5) There is so notable correlation between P and AO that P can represent AO.

Multi-scale variation characteristics of polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere

By use of 1948-2007 NCEP/NCAR reanalysis monthly geopotential data, a set of circulation indices are defined to characterize the polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere, including area-（S）, intensity-（P） and centre position-（λc , φc） indices. Sea-sonal variation, interannual anomalies and their possible causes of 10 hPa polar vortex in the Southern Hemisphere are analyzed by using these indices, the relationship between 10 hPa polar vortex strength and the Antarctic Oscillation are analyzed as well. The results show that： （1） the polar region at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere is controlled by anticyclone （cyclone） from Dec. to Jan. （from Mar. to Oct.）, Feb. and Nov. are circulation transition seasons. （2） Intensity index （P） and area index （S） of anticy-clone （cyclone） in Jan. （Jul.） show a significant spike in the late 1970s, the anticyclone （cyclone） enhances （weakens） from ex-tremely weak （strong） oscillation to near the climatic mean before a spike, anticyclone tends to the mean state from very strong oscillation and cyclone oscillates in the weaker state after the spike. （3） There is significant interdecadal change for the anticyclone center in Jan., while markedly interannual variation for cyclone center in July. （4） The ozone anomalies can cause the interannual anomaly of the polar anticyclone at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere in Jan. （positive correlation between them）, but it is not related to the polar cyclone anomalies. （5） There is notable negative correlation between the polar vortex intensity index P and the Antarctic Oscillation index （AAOI）, thus AAOI can be represented by P.