AREM Simulations of Cloud Features over Eastern China in February 2001

Based on the simulations of cloud features in February 2001 by the regional numerical weather prediction model-Advanced Regional Eta-coordinate Model (AREM), the dynamic and thermodynamic conditions for middle cloud formation over eastern China are studied. Diagnostic analysis partly confirms the previous suggestion that the middle stratiform clouds downstream of the Tibetaan Plateau are maintained by the frictional and blocking effects of the plateau. In addition, it is found that the temperature inversion at plateau height over eastern China generated by the warm air advected from the plateau provides a favorable thermodynamic condition for middle clouds. Both diurnal variations of the mid-level divergence and the inversion over eastern China, which are determined by the atmospheric boundary activity over the Tibetan Plateau, dominate the cloud diurnal cycle. The middle cloud amount decreases and the cloud top falls in the daytime, but reverses at night. The comparison of cloud features between the simulations and the observations also proves that the AREM can well capture the distinctive continental stratiform cloud features downstream of the Tibetan Plateau.

Advances in Cloud Physics and Weather Modification in China

The capabilities of cloud-resolving numerical models, observational instruments and cloud seeding have improved greatly over recent years in China. The subject of this review focuses on the main progresses made in China in the areas of cloud modeling, field observations, aerosol–cloud interactions, the effects of urbanization on cloud and precipitation, and weather modification.Well-equipped aircraft and ground-based advanced Doppler and polarized radars have been rapidly applied in cloudseeding operations. The combined use of modern techniques such as the Global Positioning System, remote sensing, and Geographical Information Systems has greatly decreased the blindness and uncertainties in weather-modification activities.Weather-modification models based on state-of-the-art cloud-resolving models are operationally run at the National Weather Modification Centre in China for guiding weather-modification programs.Despite important progress having been made, many critical issues or challenges remain to be solved, or require stronger scientific evidence and support, such as the chain of physical events involved in the effects induced by cloud seeding. Current important progresses in measurements and seeding techniques provide the opportunity and possibility to reduce these deficiencies. Long-term scientific projects aimed at reducing these key uncertainties are extremely urgent and important for weather-modification activities in China.

HORIZONTAL AND VERTICAL DISTRIBUTIONS OF CLOUD COVER OVER EASTERN CHINA AND THE EAST CHINA SEA

Based on data from satellite and surface observations,the horizontal and vertical distributions of clouds over eastern China and the East China Sea are examined.Three maximum centers of cloud cover are clearly visible in the horizontal distribution of total cloud cover.Two of these maxima occur over land.As the clouds mainly originate from the climbing airflows in the southern and eastern slopes of the Tibetan Plateau,they can be classified as dynamic clouds.The third center of cloud cover is over the sea.As the clouds mainly form from the evaporation of the warm Kuroshio Current,they can be categorized as thermodynamic clouds.Although the movement of the cloud centers reflect the seasonal variation of the Asian summer monsoon,cloud fractions of six cloud types that are distinct from the total cloud cover show individual horizontal patterns and seasonal variations.In their vertical distribution,cloud cover over the land and sea exhibits different patterns in winter but similar patterns in summer.In cold seasons,limited by divergent westerlies in the middle troposphere,mid-level clouds prevail over the leeside of the Tibetan Plateau.At the same time,suppressed by strong downdraft of the western Pacific subtropical high,low clouds dominate over the ocean.In warm seasons both continental and marine clouds can penetrate upward into the upper troposphere because they are subject to similar unstable stratification conditions.

Climatology of Cloud-base Height from Long-term Radiosonde Measurements in China

Clouds are critical to the global radiation budget and hydrological cycle, but knowledge is still poor concerning the observed climatology of cloud-base height （CBH） in China. Based on fine-resolution sounding observations from the China Radiosonde Network （CRN）, the method used to estimate CBH was modified, and uncertainty analyses indicated that the CBH is good enough. The accuracy of CBH estimation is verified by the comparison between the sounding-derived CBHs and those estimated from the micro-pulse lidar and millimeter-wave cloud radar. As such, the CBH climatology was compiled for the period 2006-16. Overall, the CBH exhibits large geographic variability across China, at both 0800 Local Standard Time （LST） and 2000 LST, irrespective of season. In addition, the summertime cloud base tends to be elevated to higher altitudes in dry regions [i.e., Inner Mongolia and the North China Plain （NCP）]. By comparison, the Tibetan Plateau （TP）, Pearl River Delta （PRD） and Sichuan Basin （SCB） have relatively low CBHs （〈 2.4 km above ground level）. In terms of seasonality, the CBH reaches its maximum in summer and minimum in winter. A low cloud base tends to occur frequently （〉 70%） over the TP, PRD and SCB. In contrast, at most sites over the Yangtze River Delta （YRD） and the NCP, about half the cloud belongs to the high-cloud category. The CBH does not exhibit marked diurnal variation in summer, throughout all CRN sites, probably due to the persistent cloud coverage caused by the East Asia Summer Monsson. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first CBH climatology produced from sounding measurements in China, and provides a useful reference for obtaining observational cloud base information.

TRMM-retrieved Cloud Structure and Evolution of MCSs over the Northern South China Sea and Impacts of CAPE and Vertical Wind Shear

Cloud structure and evolution of Mesoscale Convective Systems （MCSs） retrieved from the Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission Microwave Imager （TRMM TMI） and Precipitation Radar （PR） were investigated and compared with some pioneer studies based on soundings and models over the northern South China Sea （SCS）. The impacts of Convective Available Potential Energy （CAPE） and environmental vertical wind shear on MCSs were also explored. The main features of MCSs over the SCS were captured well by both TRMM PR and TMI. However, the PR-retrieved surface rainfall in May was less than that in June, and the reverse for TMI. TRMM-retrieved rainfall amounts were generally consistent with those estimated from sounding and models. However, rainfall amounts from sounding-based and PR-based estimates were relatively higher than those retrieved from TRMM-TMI data. The Weather Research and Forecasting （WRF） modeling simulation underestimated the maximum rain rate by 22% compared to that derived from TRMM-PR, and underestimated mean rainfall by 10.4% compared to the TRMM-TMI estimate, and by 12.5% compared to the sounding-based estimate. The warm microphysical processes modeled from both the WRF and the Goddard Cumulus Ensemble （GCE） models were quite close to those based on TMI, but the ice water contents in the models were relatively less compared to that derived from TMI. The CAPE and wind shear induced by the monsoon circulation were found to play critical roles in maintaining and developing the intense convective clouds over SCS. The latent heating rate increased more than twofold during the monsoon period and provided favorable conditions for the upward transportation of energy from the ocean, giving rise to the possibility of inducing large-scale interactions.

Recent Progress in Cloud Physics Research in China

A review of China cloud physics research during 2003-2006 is made in this paper. The studies on cloud field experiments and observation, cloud physics and precipitation, including its theoretical applications in hail suppression and artificial rain enhancement, cloud physics and lightning, and clouds and climate change are included. Due primarily to the demand from weather modification activities, the issue of cloud physics and weather modification has been addressed in China with many field experiments and model studies. While cloud physics and weather modification is still an important research field, the interaction between aerosol, cloud and radiation processes, which is the key issue of current climate change research, has become a new research direction in China over the past four years.

Cloud-Base Distribution and Cirrus Properties Based on Micropulse Lidar Measurements at a Site in Southeastern China

The cloud fraction （CF） and cloud-base heights （CBHs）, and cirrus properties, over a site in southeastern China from June 2008 to May 2009, are examined by a ground-based lidar. Results show that clouds occupied the sky 41% of the time. Significant seasonal variations in CF were found with a maximum/minimum during winter/summer and similar magnitudes of CF in spring and autumn. A distinct diurnal cycle in the overall mean CF was seen. Total, daytime, and nighttime annual mean CBHs were 3.05 ± 2.73 km, 2.46 ± 2.08 kin, and 3.51 ± 3.07 km, respectively. The lowest/highest CBH occurred around noon/midnight. Cirrus clouds were present ～36.2% of the time at night with the percentage increased in summer and decreased in spring. Annual mean values for cirrus geometrical properties were 8.89 ± 1.65 km, 9.80 ± 1.70 kin, 10.73 ± 1.86 km and 1.83± 0.91 km for the base, mid-cloud, top height, and the thickness, respectively. Seasonal variations in cirrus geometrical properties show a maximum/minimum in summer/winter for all cirrus geometrical parameters. The mean cirrus lidar ratio for all cirrus cases in our study was ～ 25 ± 17 sr, with a smooth seasonal trend. The cirrus optical depth ranged from 0.001 to 2.475, with a mean of 0.34 ± 0.33. Sub-visual, thin, and dense cirrus were observed in ～12%, 43%, and 45% of the cases, respectively. More frequent, thicker cirrus clouds occurred in summer than in any other season. The properties of cirrus cloud over the site are compared with other lidar-based retrievals of midlatitude cirrus cloud properties.

The Cloud Processes of a Simulated Moderate Snowfall Event in North China

The understanding of the cloud processes of snowfall is essential to the artificial enhancement of snow and the numerical simulation of snowfall. The mesoscale model MM5 is used to simulate a moderate snowfall event in North China that occurred during 20-21 December 2002. Thirteen experiments are performed to test the sensitivity of the simulation to the cloud physics with different cumulus parameterization schemes and different options for the Goddard cloud microphysics parameterization schemes. It is shown that the cumulus parameterization scheme has little to do with the simulation result. The results also show that there are only four classes of water substances, namely the cloud water, cloud ice, snow, and vapor, in the simulation of the moderate snowfall event. The analysis of the cloud microphysics budgets in the explicit experiment shows that the condensation of supersaturated vapor, the depositional growth of cloud ice, the initiation of cloud ice, the accretion of cloud ice by snow, the accretion of cloud water by snow, the deposition growth of snow, and the Bergeron process of cloud ice are the dominant cloud microphysical processes in the simulation. The accretion of cloud water by snow and the deposition growth of the snow are equally important in the development of the snow.

THE SPATIOTEMPORAL CHARACTERISTICS OF LIGHT RAIN DAYS AND LOW CLOUD COVER UNDER HEAVY POLLUTION OVER SOUTH CHINA

By using the data set of light rain days and low cloud cover at 51 stations in South China(SC), and the method of linear regression and correlative analysis, we analyze the spatiotemporal characteristics of the light rain days and low cloud cover including annual variation and long-term seasonal change. The results are as follows:(1) The trends of light rain days and low cloud cover over SC are opposite(light rain days tended to decrease and low cloud cover tended to increase in the past 46 years). The value distributed in east is higher than that in west, and coastal area higher than inland area.(2) The regression coefficients of light rain days and low cloud cover during 1960-2005 are4.88 d/10 years and 1.14%/10 years respectively, which had all passed the 0.001 significance level.(3) Variations of light rain days are relatively small in spring and summer, but their contributions are larger for annual value than that of autumn and winter.(4) There are two regions with large values of aerosol optical depth(AOD), which distribute in central and southern Guangxi and Pearl River Delta(PRD) of Guangdong, and the value of AOD in PRD is up to 0.7.The aerosol index distributed in coastal area is higher than in the inland area, which is similar to the light rain days and low cloud cover over SC. Aerosol indexes in SC kept increasing with fluctuation during the past 27 years. The GDP of the three provinces in SC increased obviously during the past 28 years, especially in Guangdong, which exhibited that there is simultaneous correlation between light rain days with the variables of low cloud cover and release of aerosols over SC during 1960 to 2005.

Study on Cloud Change Trend in Southern China under the Influence of Climate Warming

[ Objective] The research aimed to study influences of the climate warming on cloudage and cloud-like structure in southern China. [ Method] Annual average temperature, total cloudage and low cloudage in Gan County, Nankang, Shangyou and Xinfeng of southern Jiangxi from 2004 to 2011 were selected. Influences of the annual average temperature change on annual average total cloudage, annual average low cloudage and cloud-like structure in southern Jiangxi were analyzed. [ Result] Climate warming was affecting cloudage and cloud-like structure in southern China. When annual average temperature rose, annual average total cloudage and low cloudage both presented decrease trends. When annual av- erage temperature declined, annual average total cloudage and low cloudage both presented rise trends. When annual average temperature was equal to that in prior year at low point, annual average total cloudage and low cloudage increased. Annual average low cloudage was different in mountain area and basin. Influences of the annual average temperature on annual average total cloudage and low cloudage in basin at the low alti- tude presented slow fluctuation form, and had severe influence on that in mountain area at the high altitude. Rise of the annual average temperature had larger influence on high cloudage, while decline of the annual average temperature had larger influence on annual average low cloudage. Under different weather situations, formation and disappearance change of the low cloud had different manifestation forms. [ Conclusion] The research provided scientific basis for studying changes of the cloudage and cloud-like structure in southern China as climate warming.

基于CloudSat资料的中国及周边地区云垂直结构统计分析

利用2006年7月—2009年2月的CloudSat 2B-GEOPROF-LIDAR资料,分析了中国及周边地区（0°~60°N,70°~140°E）的云垂直结构分布特征,并根据气候特征的地域差异从该区域选出8个子区域,逐区统计了云垂直结构特征。结果表明：整个研究区域内61%的云为单层云,39%的云为多层云,其中77%的多层云为2层云;无论冬、夏季,热带地区多层云出现频率均大于中纬度地区,副热带地区多层云出现频率季节差异较大,其中印度洋季风区多层云出现频率冬、夏季差异最大,夏季多于冬季;研究区域内,所有云的平均云顶、云底高度和云厚度分别为8.2,5.4和2.8 km,多层云中各云层之间晴空的平均厚度为4.4 km,其中2层云中晴空的厚度〉3层云中的厚度,且3层云上层与中层之间晴空厚度小于中层与下层之间厚度;热带地区所有云的平均云顶高度大于中纬度地区,且最上层云云顶高度的高值区与热带辐合带（ITCZ）的位置相对应,从冬季到夏季,由赤道向北移动;副热带地区云层平均厚度冬、夏季差异最大,夏季大于冬季,整个研究区域冬季较夏季有更多的薄高云。此外,对比各区域的云垂直结构特征发现,印度洋季风区、中国南海与西太平洋地区具有相似的云垂直结构特征,但其它各区域差异比较明显。

AIRS Cloud Detection Scheme Based on FOV

6 hours scanning of view field was conducted by Grapes-3DVar detection system.The process is based on cloud detection,combining Grapes-3DVar system with AIRS instrument characteristics to eliminate field of view contaminated by cloud,which lays a solid foundation for application of AIRS data in 3-dimensional variational assimilation system.

Analysis on the Macro and Micro Physical Characteristics of Stratiform Cloud in Henan

By using the microphysical data of stratiform cloud in Henan which were observed by PMS airborne cloud particle measure system on March 23 in 2007 and combining with the radar,satellite,sounding data,the macro and micro physical structure characteristics of cloud were analyzed.The results showed that the average diameter of small cloud drop which was measured by FSSP-100 in the warm layer of cloud was mainly during 5-12 μm,and the average value was 7.33 μm.The biggest diameter of small cloud drop changed during 14-47 μm,and the average value was 27.80 μm.The total number concentration scope of small cloud drop was during 47.73-352.00 drop/cm3,and the average value was 160 drop/cm3.In the cold layer of cloud,the biggest diameter of small cloud particle(included the cloud droplet and the ice crystals)which was measured by FSSP-100 was 24.8 μm.The total number concentration scope of small cloud particle was during 0.899-641.000 drop/cm3,and the average value was 297 drop/cm3.The airborne King heat line liquid water content instrument observed that the super-cooling liquid water existed in the cloud.The super-cooling cloud water content changed during 0.02-0.20 g/m3,and the average value was 0.093 g/m3.The biggest value which was 0.202 g/m3 appeared in 4 368 m height(the temperature was-8.5 ℃).The particle spectrum type in the cloud was mainly the negative exponent type and the single peak type.

Comparison of Satellite Cloud Image and Radar of Precipitation Process on July 31st,2007

Based on the data of satellite cloud image and Doppler radar,the rainstorm process from July 31st,2007 to August 1st,2007 in Liaoning was analyzed.The precipitation in Fushun and Haicheng was more than 100 mm,and 6 h precipitation in Fushun and Dandong was more than 50 mm.Through the analysis of strong precipitation period,the structure of clouds had a little decline from the stage of development to maturity.The gray value and gradient degree around were both larger in the center of heavy precipitation.

Ecological Significance of Developing Cloud Water Resource in Liaoning Province

The potential evapotranspiration of main ecosystems and its relationship with precipitation during the same period were studied,the results showed that precipitation did not meet the water requirement of main ecosystems influencing ecosystem construction.Based on the data from Liaoning Provincial Department of Water Resources and Liaoning Meteorological Archives,the characteristics of water inflow and each component were analyzed,and it showed that the imbalance between supply and demand of water resource in main ecosystems was improved by means of developing cloud water resource to increase atmospheric precipitation.

Distribution of lightning spatial modes and climatic causes in China

本文利用中国气象局国家雷电监测网(CNLDN)的地闪观测数据集,分析了2010-2020年中国陆地区域地闪空间模态分布特征及其可能的气候成因.研究发现,夏季地闪第一模态的方差贡献率为32.86%,其分布从北到南呈现出“-+-”的经向跷跷板模式,当东太平洋和印度洋的海温异常增暖,西北太平洋的海温异常变冷时,在中国黄海,东海及热带西太平洋地区激发出气旋性环流,随着水汽南下至华南地区,与来自孟加拉湾的水汽汇合,上升运动在此加强,从而使得该地区的雷电活动增强.表明厄尔尼诺-南方涛动(ENSO)现象,是发生在中国陆地区域的地闪活动的气候驱动因子。

Temporal Variations in Sea of Clouds and Their Relation with Meteorological Factors in Yandang Mountains

Based on data of meteorological elements in the meteorological station in North Yandang Mountains during 1960- 2013,temporal variations in days of sea of clouds over Yandang Mountains in nearly 50 years and their relation with air temperature,precipitation,relative humidity and wind speed were analyzed. The results showed that annual average days of sea of clouds over Yandang Mountains were 164. 92 d,and the maximum and minimum were 215 and 58 d,so there was a big difference between various years. The days of sea of clouds were the most in spring,and average days of sea of clouds（ average days of sea of clouds with low cloud cover ≥80%） were 50. 89 d（ 32. 77 d）,while they were the least in autumn. There was an obvious positive correlation between the days of sea of clouds and relative humidity. Precipitation occurred the day before or on the day when sea of clouds with low cloud cover ≥80% formed. On the day when sea of clouds with low cloud cover ≥80% appeared,average relative humidity was ≥80%,and average wind speed was ≤4. 5 m/s.

Microphysical Characteristics of Precipitation during Pre-monsoon,Monsoon, and Post-monsoon Periods over the South China Sea

Raindrop size distribution (RSD) characteristics over the South China Sea (SCS) are examined with onboard Parsivel disdrometer measurements collected during marine surveys from 2012 to 2016. The observed rainfall is divided into premonsoon, monsoon, and post-monsoon periods based on the different large-scale circumstances. In addition to disdrometer data, sounding observation, FY-2E satellite, SPRINTARS (Spectral Radiation-Transport Model for Aerosol Species), and NCEP reanalysis datasets are used to illustrate the dynamical and microphysical characteristics associated with the rainfall in different periods. Significant variations have been observed in respect of raindrops among the three periods. Intercomparison reveals that small drops (D < 1 mm) are prevalent during pre-monsoon precipitation, whereas medium drops (1?3 mm) are predominant in monsoon precipitation. Overall, the post-monsoon precipitation is characterized by the least concentration of raindrops among the three periods. But, several large raindrops could also occur due to severe convective precipitation events in this period. Classification of the precipitation into stratiform and convective regimes shows that the lg(Nw) value of convective rainfall is the largest (smallest) in the pre-monsoon (post-monsoon) period, whereas the Dm value is the smallest (largest) in the pre-monsoon (post-monsoon) period. An inversion relationship between the coefficient A and the exponential b of the Z?R relationships for precipitation during the three periods is found. Empirical relations between Dm and the radar reflectivity factors at Ku and Ka bands are also derived to improve the rainfall retrieval algorithms over the SCS. Furthermore, the possible causative mechanisms for the significant RSD variability in different periods are also discussed with respect to warm and cold rain processes, raindrop evaporation, convective activities, and other meteorological factors.

基于CloudSat资料的东海及周边云层垂直分布特征

利用2007—2010年CloudSat二级产品中的2B-GEOPROF和2B-GROPROF-Lidar数据,分季节、昼夜统计分析东海海区及其周边的云层频率、云层厚度、云层间隙等云垂直参数的时空分布特征,并利用EOF分解给出了云层出现频率的第一、二模态。结果表明:无论任何季节、昼夜,云层的数目与其出现的频率均成反比,即云层数越少出现的频率越高,出现最多的是单层云,年平均出现频率在60%以上;其次是双层云,年平均出现频率在20%～30%之间;出现三层云及以上的情况很少。云层数越多,底层云底高越低,顶层云顶高越高,每层云的厚度越薄,每层云之间云层间隙也越小。云的垂直结构受季节和地域影响较大。单层云频率月异常的第一、二模态分别反映了海陆下垫面不同的影响以及东亚大槽和西太平洋副高的影响,并均具有年变化。双层云第一模态则表现为在东海及其周边的绝大部分范围,春季出现的频率高,秋冬季出现的频率低,并也有年变化;而第二模态则无年变化。

The Characteristics of the Cold Front Cloud in Doppler Radar Reflectivity Factor

[Objective] The aim was to summarize the characteristics of refelectivity factors of Doppler radar of the cold front cloud system. [Method] Judging from the characteristics of reflectivity factors, by dint of the new generation weather radar in Harbin from 2002 to 2007, the features of the reflectivity factors of the cold front cloud system were summarized. [Result] The cloud formed by the cold front was in banded form in general. However, there was void in the cloud and its intensity was uneven. Most fast moving cold front was long and narrow banded echo and basically the radial velocity turned from northwest wind to southwest. With the changes of month, the feature of the reflective rate also changed. In winter, the cold front cloud was in layer form. The feature of the reflectivity factors was weak and in large area. However, the structure was loose and there was space in the echo. Among them, there were several strong echoes. Strong convection cell echo formed in the two sides of the cold front, and it moved with the entire cloud belt. When the dry cold front moved, regional strong convective current formed, mainly by convective cloud and small echo area. Generally, the changes of the wind direction can not be expounded from the radial velocity. However, the intensity of the convection cell was distinct, 'three-body scattering', 'side lobe echo', and 'weak echo', as well as features of super convection cell. [Conclusion] The study provided positive role for the application of Doppler radar in the surveillance of weather in Heilongjiang Province.