THE DOUBLE-LAYER STRUCTURE OF THE HADLEY CIRCULATION AND ITS INTERDECADAL EVOLUTION CHARACTERISTICS

Based on the three-pattern decomposition of global atmospheric circulation(TPDGAC), this study investigates the double-layer structure of the Hadley circulation(HC) and its interdecadal evolution characteristics by using monthly horizontal wind field from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data from 1948—2011. The following major conclusions are drawn: First, the double-layer structure of the HC is an objective fact, and it constantly exists in April,May, June, October and November in the Southern Hemisphere. Second, the double-layer structure is more obvious in the Southern than in the Northern Hemisphere. Since the double-layer structure is sloped in the vertical direction, it should be taken into consideration when analyzing the variations of the strength and location of the center of the HC.Third, the strength of the double-layer structure of the HC in the Southern Hemisphere consistently exhibits decadal variations with a strong, weak and strong pattern in all five months(April, May, June, October, and November), with cycles of 20-30 a and 40-60 a. Fourth, the center of the HC(mean position of the double-layer structure) in the Southern Hemisphere consistently and remarkably shifts southward in all the five months. The net poleward shifts over the 64 years are 5.18°, 2.11°, 2.50°, 1.79° and 5.76° for the five respective months, with a mean shift of 3.47°.

Theory of three-pattern decomposition of global atmospheric circulation

This paper reviews the three-pattern decomposition of global atmospheric circulation(3P-DGAC)developed in recent years,including the decomposition model and the dynamical equations of global horizontal,meridional,and zonal circulations.Compared with the traditional two-dimensional(2D)circulation decomposition method,the 3P-DGAC can effectively decompose the actual vertical vorticity into two components that are caused by the horizontal circulation and convergent/divergent movement(associated with the meridional and zonal circulations).It also decomposes the vertical velocity into the components of the meridional vertical circulation and the zonal vertical circulation,thus providing a new method to study the dynamical influences of convergent/divergent motions on the evolution of actual vertical vorticity and an accurate description of local vertical circulations.The 3P-DGAC is a three-dimensional(3D)circulation decomposition method based on the main characteristics of the actual atmospheric movements.The horizontal,meridional,and zonal circulations after the 3P-DGAC are the global generalization of Rossby waves in the middle-high latitudes and Hadley and Walker circulations in low latitudes.Therefore,the three-pattern decomposition model and its dynamical equations provide novel theoretical tools for studying complex interactions between middle-high and low latitude circulations as well as the physical mechanisms of the abnormal evolution of large-scale atmospheric circulations under the background of global warming.