A STUDY ON LOW－LEVEL ATMOSPHERIC STRUCTURE ON THE SEASIDE BORDERS TO THE WEST OF HAIKOU

In this paper, the observed data of low-level wind and temperature collected from western outskirts of Haikou city, Hainan Island, are analysed. Mean boundary layer structure, generation and development of ground-level inversion and inner boundary layer on the coastal area of interest, which is in China,s northern tropical area, are analysed. It is found that an inner thermal boundary layer can be produced under intense insolation in both dry and rainy seasons, and the mixing layer on the coast is remarkably deeper than that of inland.

Subjective annoyance caused by indoor low-level and low frequency noise and control method

The influence of low_level noise has not been widely noticed. This paper discovered that low_level and low frequency noise(A_weighted equivalent level L eq <45 dB) causes higher probability of subjective annoyance. The fuzzy mathematic principle was applied to deal with the threshold level of subjective annoyance from noise in this study; there is preferable relationship between the indoor noise and noise annoyance at low frequency noise level. Study indicated at the same centered noise level, the change of annoyance probability is mainly caused by the change of the frequency spectrum characteristic of the indoor noise. Under low noise level environment, without change of the medium_low frequency noise, the slight increase of medium_high frequency noise level with the help of noise sheltering effect can significantly reduce the noise annoyance. This discovery brings a new resolution on how to improve the environmental quality of working or living places. A noise control model is given in this study according to the acoustic analysis.

Case studies on mesoscale structures of heavy rainfall system in the Yangtze River generated by Meiyu front

A heavy rainfall system was observed over the Yangtze River during Meiyu season by using dual-Doppler radar systems in the field experiment conducted by the project of National Fundamental Research Planning “Research on formation mechanism and the prediction theory of hazardous weather over China”. The three-dimensional mesoscale kinematic structure and process of a heavy rain on 22 and 23 July, 2002 are investigated by using the radial velocity and dual-Doppler radar technique. The results show that a southwest-northeast oriented rain band with the length of about 1000 km involves numbers of meso-β or meso-γ-scale convective cells with the size of 20―50 km. The heavy rain band in the middle reaches of the Yangtze River ex-ists in a low-level wind shear. The interaction between southwest low-level jet on the southern side of wind shear and east wind on the northern side formed the updraft. The wind disturbance, wind shear and convergence generate the convective action. The new cell developed in right rear flank of rain band and moved to the southwest wind area, where the vapor is abundant. This kind of echo can last a long time and developed well. The strong convective echoes are often ac-companied by the meso-γ-scale vortex and convergence.

Advances in Low-Level Jet Research and Future Prospects

The low-level jet （LLJ） is closely related to severe rainfall events, air pollution, wind energy utilization, aviation safety, sandstorms, forest fire, and other weather and climate phenomena. Therefore, it has attracted considerable attention since its discovery. Scientists have carried out many studies on LLJs and made significant achievements during the past five or six decades. This article summarizes and assesses the current knowledge on this subject, and focuses in particular on three aspects： 1） LLJ classification, definition, distribution, and structure; 2） LLJ formation and evolutionary mechanisms; and 3） relationships between LLJ and rainfall, as well as other interdisciplinary fields. After comparing the status of LLJ research at home （China） and abroad, we then discuss the shortcomings of LLJ research in China. We suggest that this includes： coarse definitions of the LLJ, lack of observations and inadequate quality control, few thorough explorations of LLJ characteristics and formation mechanisms, and limited studies in interdisciplinary fields. The future prospects for several LLJ research avenues are also speculated.