南海-西太平洋春季对流10～30天振荡强度对南海夏季风爆发早晚的影响

采用NCEP再分析资料,揭示了南海-西太平洋春季对流存在显著的10~30天振荡周期。在年际尺度上,南海-西太平洋春季对流10~30天振荡强度(简称SCSWP_SISO)与南海夏季风爆发日期存在显著的负相关关系。当春季菲律宾和西太平洋海温偏高、赤道太平洋中部及以东地区海温偏低时,索马里、110°E越赤道气流会加强,南海-西太平洋偏西风加强,产生异常气旋性环流,垂直上升运动增强,水汽异常偏多,东西风切变增强,有利于SCSWP_SISO增强。而SCSWP_SISO增强时,有由南往北、自西向东的异常气旋传播,从而减弱低层副热带高压使之较早撤出南海,南海夏季风得以较早爆发。反之亦然。在不同的年代际背景下,SCSWP_SISO经历了偏弱、较弱和偏强的变化,但影响其变化的因子并不完全一致。在第一阶段(1958—1976年),主导因子是南海-西太平洋冷的海温与异常下沉运动、异常减弱的水汽-对流条件。在第二阶段(1977—1993年),主导因子为中东太平洋异常偏冷的海温以及局地异常减弱的风场垂直切变。在第三阶段(1994—2011年),主导因子为热带海温的整体偏暖、风场垂直切变的增强以及水汽-对流的加强。但随着SCSWP_SISO的年代际增强,其与南海夏季风爆发日期的相关关系却呈现下降趋势。

南海-太平洋热带气旋形成个数对调制广东汛期降水季节内变化的环流系统对比分析

利用上海台风所组织整编的《台风年鉴》(1949—2005年)、NCEP逐日再分析资料和中国逐日降水资料,分析南海-西太平洋热带气旋形成个数多年(以下简称多年)、形成个数少年(以下简称少年)对广东30～60天振荡降水的影响。考虑到其周期振荡的非规则性,相应降水9个位相(即第1、3、5、7和9位相分别对应降水的最低值、正转折点(由负转为正)、最高值、负转折点(由正转负)和最低值)分别对850 hPa、200 hPa风场和850 hPa的动能、涡度、水汽通量输送以及Hadley环流和Walker环流场进行合成分析。结果表明,在多年,具有较大动能的阿拉伯海-孟加拉湾地区环流东移与南海-西太平洋的西北-东南走向的异常气旋-反气旋对西移的交汇,通过在北半球上升、南半球下沉的异常闭合经圈环流和水汽输送,把西边和南边海洋暖湿气流源源不断输送到广东,使其30～60天振荡降水增加;而在少年,广东地区30～60天振荡降水与阿拉伯海-孟加拉湾地区环流联系不强,主要受南海-西太平洋的东北-西南走向的异常气旋反气旋对的影响,通过北半球低纬增强的异常上升支的局地作用和水汽输送,把南边海洋暖湿气流源源不断输送到广东,使其30～60天振荡降水增加。由于109～119°E,10～20°N区域异常的动能、西风、东风切变、垂直速度和水汽输送均比少年强,从而使得广东30～60天振荡降水在多年比少年强。

Comparison of remote sensing data with in-situ wind observation during the development of the South China Sea monsoon

Wind measurements derived from QuikSCAT data were compared with those measured by anemometer on Yongxing Island in the South China Sea (SCS) for the period from April 2008 to November 2009. The comparison confirms that QuikSCAT estimates of wind speed and direction are generally accurate, except for the extremes of high wind speeds (>13.8m/s) and very low wind speeds (<1.5m/s) where direction is poorly predicted. In-situ observations show that the summer monsoon in the northern SCS starts between May 6 and June 1. From March 13, 2010 to August 31, 2010, comparisons of sea surface temperature (SST) and rainfall from AMSR-E with data from a buoy located at Xisha Islands, as well as wind measurements derived from ASCAT and observations from an automatic weather station show that QuikSCAT, ASCAT and AMSR-E data are good enough for research. It is feasible to optimize the usage of remote-sensing data if validated with in-situ measurements. Remarkable changes were observed in wind, barometric pressure, humidity, outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), air temperature, rainfall and SST during the monsoon onset. The eastward shift of western Pacific subtropical high and the southward movement of continental cold front preceded the monsoon onset in SCS. The starting dates of SCS summer monsoon indicated that the southwest monsoon starts in the Indochinese Peninsula and forms an eastward zonal belt, and then the belt bifurcates in the SCS, with one part moving northeastward into the tropical western North Pacific, and another southward into western Kalimantan. This largely determined the pattern of the SCS summer monsoon. Wavelet analysis of zonal wind and OLR at Xisha showed that intra-seasonal variability played an important role in the summer. This work improves the accuracy of the amplitude of intra-seasonal and synoptic variation obtained from remote-sensed data.

Variation of Air-Sea Heat Fluxes over the Western Pacific Warm Pool Area and Its Relationship with the South China Sea Summer Monsoon Onset

Based on oceanic and atmospheric parameters retrieved by satellite remote sensing using a neural network method, air-sea heat fluxes over the western Pacific warm pool area were calculated with the advanced the advanced Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment 3.0 (COARE3.0) bulk algorithm method. Then, the average annual and interannual characteristics of these fluxes were analyzed. The rela- tionship between the fluxes and the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon onset is highlighted. The results indicate that these fluxes have clear temporal and spatial characteristics. The sensible heat flux is at its maximum in the Kuroshio area, while the latent heat flux is at its maximum in the North Equatorial Current and Kuroshio area. The distribution of average annual air-sea heat fluxes shows that both sensible and latent heat fluxes are maximized in winter and minimized in summer. The air-sea heat fluxes have obvious interannual variations. Correlation analysis indicates a close lag-correlation between air-sea heat fluxes in the western Pacific warm pool area and at the SCS summer monsoon onset. The lagcorrelation can therefore predict the SCS summer monsoon onset, providing a reference for the study of precipitation related to the monsoon.

Influence of Tropical Western Pacific Warm Pool Thermal State on the Interdecadal Change of the Onset of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon in the Late-1990s

An interdecadal shift in the onset date of the South China Sea summer monsoon(SCSSM) is identified during the late 1990 s by using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis dataset. The mean onset date was brought forward by two pentads during 1999–2013 compared to that during 1979–1998. The large-scale atmospheric and oceanic change associated with this shift exhibits a significant interdecadal variation signal around 1998/1999, indicating that the shift during the late 1990 s is robust. Different from the well-known mid-1990 s shift, this shift carried more important systematical significance. Diagnostic analysis suggests that the earlier outbreak of the SCSSM was due to the interdecadal warming of the warm pool, which brought stronger convection anomalies and led to a weak western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH) during boreal spring(March–May). The earlier retreat of the WPSH was a direct cause of this shift.

COMPARISON STUDY ON THE INTRASEASONAL VARIATIONS IN CIRCULATIONS AND PRECIPITATION MODULATED BY THE TROPICAL CYCLOGENESIS OVER SOUTH CHINA SEA-WESTERN PACIFIC DURING GUANGDONG FLOODING PERIOD

Based on tropical cyclone datasets from Shanghai Typhoon Institute of China Meteorological Administration,the National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP,USA) reanalysis data and the rainfall records from 743 stations in China,the impacts of cyclogenesis number over the South China Sea and the western Pacific are studied on the 30-60-day oscillations in the precipitation of Guangdong during the flooding period.The year with more-than-normal (less-than-normal) tropical cyclogenesis is defined as a 'high year' ('low year').In light of the irregular periodic oscillations,the method used to construct the composite life cycle is based on nine consecutive phases in each of the cycles.Phases 1,3,5,and 7 correspond to,respectively,the time when precipitation anomalies reach theminimum,a positive transition (negative-turning-to-positive) phase,the maximum,and a negative transition phase.The results showed that the precipitation of the 30-60-day oscillations is associated with the interaction between a well-organized eastward propagation system from the Arabian Sea/Bay of Bengal and a westward-propagating system (with cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies in the northwest-southeast direction) from the South China Sea to western Pacific during the high years,whereas the precipitation is affected during a low year by the circulation over the South China Sea and western Pacific (with cyclonic and anticyclonic anomalies in the northeast-southwest direction).During the high year,the warm and wet air mass from the ocean to the west and south are transported to Guangdong by westerly anomalies and an enclosed latitudinal cell,which ascends in the Northern Hemisphere low latitudes and descends in the Southern Hemisphere low latitudes.During the low year,the warm and wet air mass from the ocean to the south is transported to Guangdong by southwesterly wind anomalies and local ascending movements.Because the kinetic energy,westerly,easterly shift,vertical velocity and vapor transportation averaged over (109-119° E,10-20° N) is stronger in high years than those in low years,the precipitation of the 30-60-day oscillations in Guangdong is higher in high years than that in low years.

PSSA-Management Tool for Protection of a Marine Biodiversity in the Vietnam East Sea

Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas （PSSA） is an important management tool for protection of marine biodiversity of a marine area. At the time of designation of PSSA, an associated protective measure, which meets the requirements of the appropriate legal instrument establishing such measure, must have been approved or adopted by IMO to prevent, reduce, or eliminate the threat or identified vulnerability. Information on each of the PSSA that has been designated by IMO is available on the nautical chart. The Vietnam＇s coastal zones and island is an isolated oceanic habitat of extremely rich marine life in very good condition which is important to the maintenance and dispersal of the marine life of the Western Tropical Pacific. Vietnam coastal areas are very high risk areas affected by maritime activities, particularly international shipping, therefore in the future identification of some PSSA is necessary.

OPERATIONAL ENSEMBLE FORECASTING AND ANALYSIS OF TROPICAL CYCLONES OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC(INCLUDING THE SOUTH CHINA SEA)

Based on the tropical cyclone data from the Central Meteorological Observatory of China, Japan Meteorological Agency, Joint Typhoon Warning Center and European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts （ECMWF） during the period of 2004 to 2009, three consensus methods are used in tropical cyclone （TC） track forecasts. Operational consensus results show that the objective forecasts of ECMWF help to improve consensus skill by 2%, 3%-5% and 3%-5%, decrease track bias by 2.5 kin, 6-9 km and 10-12 km for the 24 h, 48 h and 72 h forecasts respectively over the years of 2007 to 2009. Analysis also indicates that consensus forecasts hold positive skills relative to each member. The multivariate regression composite is a method that shows relatively low skill, while the methods of arithmetic averaging and composite （in which the weighting coefficient is the reciprocal square of mean error of members） have almost comparable skills among members. Consensus forecast for a lead time of 96 h has negative skill relative to the ECMWF objective forecast.

Meridional distribution of 226Ra in the west Pacific and the Southern Ocean surface waters

During the 134 （1996 1997） and the 19th （2002-2003） Chinese National Antarctica Research Expeditions, we collected 60 discrete surface seawater samples along the cruise from the Chanjiang River （Yangtze） estuary （30^.59%, 122^.26＇E） through Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea, and the Eastern Indian Ocean to Prydz Bay, Antarctica （69^.10＇S, 74^.30＇E）, and analyzed them for the 226Ra specific activity. The 226Ra specific activity of the Chanjiang River estuary surface water （3.15 Bq/m3） was found to be the highest among all the surface samples because of the desorption of 226Ra from riverine particles. Between Chanjiang River estuary and 40^.S, 226Ra specific activity was found to be relatively uniform with a mean value of 1.07 Bq/m3 （n= 19, SD=0.14）, similar to that of the open ocean. From 40^.S to 65^.S, 226Ra specific activity increased intensively, then decreased moderately further southwards. Near the Antarctic shore, it increased again, to 2.31 Bq/m3. This distribution was controlled by a combination of deep water upwelling, Southern Ocean fronts, water mixing and the continental 226Ra import. In Prydz Bay and the adjacent sea area, the mean 226Ra activity value was 2.26 Bq/m3 （n=31, SD=0.28）, with a relatively higher value outside of the bay and low 226Ra activity value in the center of the bay. This was consistent with the topography and hydrological setting of the bay. In addition, we extended the study area northward to the Arctic, by combining the published Z26Ra dataset for surface water from the Bering Sea to the Japan Sea. We also discuss the 226Ra distribution of high latitude oceanic surface water and its mechanisms.

Does the Asian monsoon modulate tropical cyclone activity over the South China Sea?

To investigate whether the Asian monsoon influences tropical cyclone (TC) activity over the South China Sea (SCS), TCs (including tropical storms and typhoons) over the SCS are analyzed using the Joint Typhoon Warning Center dataset from 1945 to 2009. Results show an increasing trend in the frequencies of TC-all (all TCs over the SCS) and TY-all (all typhoons over the SCS), due mainly to an increase in the number of TCs moving into the SCS after development elsewhere. Little change is seen in the number of TCs that form in the SCS. The results of wavelet analysis indicate that the frequency of typhoons (TY) shows a similar oscillation as that of TCs, i.e., a dominant periodicity of 8-16 years around the 1970s for all TC activity, except for TC-mov (TCs that moved into the SCS from the western North Pacific). To examine the relationship between typhoon activity and the summer monsoon, a correlation analysis was performed that considered typhoons, TCs, and five monsoon indexes. The analysis reveals statistically significant negative correlation between the strength of the Southwest Asian summer monsoon and typhoon activity over the SCS, which likely reflects the effect of the monsoon on TC formation in the western North Pacific (WNP) and subsequent movement into the SCS. There is a statistically significant negative correlation between TY-loc (typhoons that developed from TCs formed over the SCS) and the South China Sea summer monsoon and Southeast Asian summer monsoon.

Water vapor transport over China and its relationship with drought and flood in Yangtze River Basin

The characteristics of water vapor transport(WVT) over China and its relationship with precipitation anomalies in the Yangtze River Basin(YRB) are analyzed by using the upper-air station data in China and ECMWF reanalysis data in summer from 1981 to 2002.The results indicate that the first mode of the vertically integrated WVT is significant whose spatial distribution presents water vapor convergence or divergence in the YRB.When the Western Pacific Subtropical High(WPSH) is strong and shifts southward and westward, the Indian Monsoon Low Pressure(IMLP) is weak, and the northern part of China stands behind the middle and high latitude trough, a large amount of water vapor from the Bay of Bengal(BOB), the South China Sea(SCS) and the western Pacific forms a strong and steady southwest WVT band and meets the strong cold water vapor from northern China in the YRB, thus it is likely to cause flood in the YRB.When WPSH is weak and shifts northward and eastward, IMLP is strong, and there is nearly straight west wind over the middle and high latitude, it is unfavorable for oceanic vapor extending to China and no steady and strong southwest WVT exists in the region south of the YRB.Meanwhile, the cold air from northern China is weak and can hardly be transported to the YRB.This brings on no obvious water vapor convergence, and then less precipitation in the YRB.

Extreme Sea Level Rise off the Northwest Coast of the South China Sea in 2012

Tide gauge data are used to investigate sea level variability offthe northwest coast of the South China Sea （SCS） in 2012, and a significant sea level elevation with a magnitude approaching 79 mm is observed. Analysis suggests that an abnormal sea surface heat flux and freshwater flux may have contributed to this abnormal rise in sea level, together with the remote influence of an ENSO event. Further investigation shows that the event was dominated by the positive freshwater flux, where large volumes of water entered the ocean, and a maximum is centered to the south of Guangdong province, China. Simultaneously, a positive anomalous heat flux occurred in the northwestern part of the SCS, which is considered to have made a positive contribution to the high local sea level elevation. In addition to the heat flux, the ENSO event also had a significant effect on the event, where the La Nifia-induced northwest Pacific cyclone contributed to sea level rise over the northwestern SCS through dynamic and thermodynamic interactions.

A mesoscale eddy detection method of specific intensity and scale from SSH image in the South China Sea and the Northwest Pacific

Mesoscale eddies exist almost everywhere in the ocean and play important roles in the ocean circulation of the world. These eddies may cause sound spread singular regions and bring great influences to the upwater ship and underwater aircraft. Due to the lack of hydrographic survey datasets, study of mesoscale eddies has been greatly restricted. Fortunately, satellite altimeter provided an effective way to study mesoscale eddies. An automatic detection algorithm is introduced to detect mesoscale eddies of specific intensity and spatial/temporal scale based on satellite sea surface height(SSH) data and the algorithm is applied in a strong eddy activity region: the South China Sea and the Northwest Pacific. The algorithm includes four steps. The first step is preprocessing of the SSH image, which includes elimination of error SSH data and interpolation. The second step is to detect suspected mesoscale eddies from preprocessed SSH images by dynamic threshold adjustment and morphological method, and the suspected mesoscale eddy detection includes two procedures: suspected mesoscale eddy core region detection and suspected mesoscale eddy brim extraction. The third step is to pick out mesoscale eddies satisfied with specified criteria from suspected mesoscale eddies. The criteria include three items, that is, intensity criterion, spatial scale, criterion and temporal scale criterion. The last step is algorithm performance analysis and verification. The algorithm has the capability of adaptive parameter adjustment, and can extract mesoscale eddies of interested intensity and spatial/temporal scale. The paper can provide a basis for analyzing space-time characteristics of mesoscale eddy in the South China Sea and the Northwest Pacific.