An Overview of the Madden-Julian Oscillation and Its Relation to Monsoon and Mid-Latitude Circulation

In the past decade there has been extensive research into tropical intraseasonal variability, one of the major components of the low frequency variability of the general atmospheric circulation. This paper briefly reviews the state-of-the-art in this research area: the nature of the Madden-Julian Oscillation, its relation to monsoonal and extratropical circulations, and the current theoretical understandings.

Preface to the Special Issue:Towards Improving Understanding and Prediction of Arctic Change and its Linkage with Eurasian Mid-latitude Weather and Climate

The dramatic changes in the Arctic climate system during recent decades are one of the most prominent features of global climate change.Two most striking and fundamental characteristics are the amplified near-surface warming at a rate twice the global average since the mid 20th century(e.g.,Blunden and Arndt,2012;Huang et al.,2017),and the rapid

Precipitation changes in the mid-latitudes of the Chinese mainland during 1960–2014

Based on daily precipitation data from 163 meteorological stations, this study investigated precipitation changes in the mid-latitudes of the Chinese mainland（MCM） during 1960–2014 using the climatic trend coefficient, least-squared regression analysis, and a non-parametric Mann-Kendall test.According to the effects of the East Asian summer monsoon on the MCM and the climatic trend coefficient of annual precipitation during 1960–2014, we divided the MCM into the western MCM and eastern MCM. The western MCM was further divided into the western MCM1 and western MCM2 in terms of the effects of the East Asian summer monsoon. The main results were as follows：（1） During the last four decades of the 20^（th） century, the area-averaged annual precipitation presented a significant increasing trend in the western MCM, but there was a slight decreasing trend in the eastern MCM, where a seesaw pattern was apparent. However, in the 21^（st） century, the area-averaged annual precipitation displayed a significant increasing trend in both the western and eastern MCM.（2） The trend in area-averaged seasonal precipitation during 1960–2014 in the western MCM was consistent with that in the eastern MCM in winter and spring. However, the trend in area-averaged summer precipitation during1960–2014 displayed a seesaw pattern between the western and eastern MCM.（3） On an annual basis,both the trend in rainstorms and heavy rain displayed a seesaw pattern between the western and eastern MCM.（4） The precipitation intensity in rainstorms, heavy rain, and moderate rain made a greater contribution to changes in the total precipitation than precipitation frequency. The results of this study will improve our understanding of the trends and differences in precipitation changes in different areas of the MCM. This is not only useful for the management and mitigation of flood disasters, but is also beneficial to the protection of water resources across the MCM.

Origin of the spatial consistency of summer precipitation variability between the Mongolian Plateau and the mid-latitude East Asian summer monsoon region

The Mongolian Plateau(MP) is located in the eastern part of arid Central Asia(ACA). Climatically, much of the MP is dominated by the westerly circulation and has an arid and semi-arid climate;however, the eastern part of the MP is also influenced by the East Asian summer monsoon(EASM) and has a humid and semi-humid climate. Several studies have shown that precipitation variability in the MP differs from that in western ACA but is consistent with that in the EASM region. Here we use monthly precipitation data for 1979–2016 to characterize and determine the origin of the summer precipitation variability of the MP and the EASM region. The results show that the MP and the mid-latitude EASM region exhibit a consistent pattern of precipitation variability on interannual and decadal timescales;specifically, the consistent regions are the MP and North and Northeast China. We further investigated the physical mechanisms responsible for the consistent interdecadal precipitation variability between the MP and the mid-latitude EASM region, and found that the mid-latitude wave train over Eurasia, with positive(negative) geopotential height anomalies over the North Atlantic and ACA and negative(positive) geopotential height anomalies over Europe and the MP, is the key factor responsible for the consistency of precipitation variability in the MP and the mid-latitude EASM region. The positive anomalies over the North Atlantic and ACA and negative anomalies over Europe and the MP would enhance the transport of westerly and monsoon moisture to the MP and North and Northeast China. They could also strengthen the Northeast Asian low, enhance the EASM, and trigger the anomalous ascending motion over the MP which promotes precipitation in the MP and in the mid-latitude EASM region. Overall, our results help explain the spatial variations of paleo-precipitation/humidity reconstructions in East Asia and clarify the reasons for the consistency of the regional climate.

An empirical L-band scintillation model for a mid-latitude station,Weihai, China during the low solar activity period

Mid-latitude ionospheric scintillation has been studied in very poor proportion as compared to the equatorial and high latitude ionospheric scintillation. Mid-latitude ionospheric scintillations are often associated with either day time photo-ionization or due to the storm enhanced density. Using the phase screen model and the wave propagation theory in random media, we have identified the orientation of the ionospheric irregularities over Weihai with the local geomagnetic field. Amplitude and phase scintillation data observed using global positioning system(GPS) scintillation receiver deployed at the mid-latitude observation station Weihai, have been used along with K-index derived from the horizontal magnetic field component of the local magnetometer. The proposed model uses the scintillation indices relationship with the local K-index. We identified the scintillation dependence over local K-index during geomagnetic quiet and disturbed condition. This dependence coefficient is used on the real scintillation data for modeling. The presented scintillation model has been validated by comparing it to the real observations. The co-relation coefficient is more than 90% during the disturbed as well as quiet geomagnetic conditions.

An unprecedented high temperature event in southern China in autumn 2021 and the essential role of the mid-latitude trough

Studies about high temperatures in China rarely touched the period beyond summer.But in September-early October 2021,a record-breaking high temperature event occurred in southern China,and affected agriculture in many provinces.Both the daily maximum temperature and the number of high temperature days were the highest in September since 1951.To better understand the different features and possible causes of the extreme event in autumn from those in summer,the analysis of atmospheric circulation patterns was conducted.The western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH)was quite stronger and extended much more westward in most of the days in September 2021 than its climatology,which directly caused this unprecedented autumn high temperature event.Besides,the mid-latitude trough over the east of Japan may also play an essential role in this high temperature event.Due to the southward extension of the trough,a cyclonic circulation anomaly appeared at 850 hPa,and its northerly wind component prevailed in the west of the trough and blocked the eastward retreat of the WPSH.As a result,southern China was stably controlled by the WPSH,which led to the persistence of this high temperature event.The conclusion is further confirmed by the statistical results from the analysis of the multi-year data and analogue analysis.Compared to the previous studies,this study reveals the essential role of the mid-latitude trough and highlights the joint impacts of the WPSH and the trough in causing the unprecedented autumn high temperature event.

The recent evolution of dune landforms and its environmental indications in the mid-latitude desert area(Hexi Corridor)

The history of dune landform changes and dust activity at mid-latitudes is a good archive for exploring environmental changes and related landscape response.In this study,the dynamic changes,material sources,dust activity history and the influencing factors of typical sand dunes in the Hexi Corridor were comprehensively analyzed from the aspects of aeolian geomorphology,grain-size sedimentology,geochemistry and climatology.The results show that in the past half century,the typical crescent-shaped dunes and chains of crescent-shaped dunes in the study area have moved or swayed greatly,with an average speed ranging from 0.8 m/a(Dunhuang)to 6.2 m/a(Minqin).The dynamic changes of sand dunes are mainly affected by annual precipitation,annual average wind speed and annual gale days,which indicates that climate is the primary influencing factor of dune landform changes.The three-stage grain-size curve model of dune sands is obviously different from that of gobi sediments(two-stage),revealing the“immaturity”of the latter in sedimentology,while the former has experienced efficiently aeolian differentiation and non-local origin.The comprehensive evidences of paleogeography,sedimentology and geochemistry reveal that the source materials of sand dunes are mainly alluvial/proluvial and palaeo-fluvial sediments,including clastic sediments in the denudation/erosion zones of the north and south piedmonts.Indicators such as the proportion of surface fine particles,the coverage of surface salt crusts,and the content of erodible sandy materials indicate that the western gobi areas are not the main source areas of wind-blown dust in the central and eastern parts of the Hexi Corridor.The spatial distribution of the movement direction of sand dunes is similar to that of the regional dominant wind direction,which indicates that the difference in the dynamic evolution of dune landforms between the east and west of the Hexi Corridor should be controlled by the regional-scale wind system,that is,controlled by the dynamic mechanism rather than the difference in material sources.The warming and humidification of the Hexi climate is a synchronous response to the global warming and the strengthening of the Asian Summer Monsoon.It is also the main reason for the reduction of dust storms in the study area,which means that a potential inverse desertification process exists in the Hexi Corridor during the same period and it is also controlled by climate change.However,the process of desertification in the oasis areas during the period is caused by groundwater fluctuation affected by human activities.

QUASI-RESONANCE OF BAROTROPIC ATMOSPHERIC WAVE MOTION AND MID-LATITUDE LOW-FREQUENCY OSCILLATION

It is proved, based on the quasi--geostropic barotropic vortex equation and the quasi-resonance conditions K_1+ K_2+ K_3=0 and ω_1 +ω_1 +ω_3 =Δω, that the analytic solution ofthe 3--wave amplitude of quasi--resonance is an elliptical function. The approximate expressionfor the periodic variation of wave energy is thus obtained under certain conditions. Boththe approximate expression and numerical calculation indicate that the period of energyvariation approaches the period 1/Δω corresponding to the quasi--resonance frequency biasΔω itself. When Δω～(0.1--0.025)o(ω_j), the energy variation period is 12---46 days andwhen Δω=0, it is 25--568 days. Therefore, the occurrence of frequency bias Δω is probablya new important mechanism for the formation of mid-latitude low--frequency oscillation.This also accounts for the result of the numerical test Egger (1978) did on blocking causedby the resonance of two topographic stationary waves and one free slow wave.

NUMERICAL EXPERIMENT ON MID-LATITUDE SST ANOMALY AND VARIATION IN CIRCULATION PATTERN

By means of simulation experiments with a two-dimensional zonal-mean model,a study is made of the influence of the western North-Pacific midlatitude sea-surface temperature(SST)anomalies on the circulation pattern and wet-seasonal precipitation over the East-China Changjiang-Huaihe reaches and the North-China plain.The SST anomalies are divided into two types,one being“colder in the south and warmer in the north”and the other just opposite,depending on season.Results show that the occurrence of the anomalies is followed by considerable changes in the position of the subtropical high happening for 3-5 months to come.For instance,the spring“colder in the south and warmer in the north”anomalous type (i.e.,colder for 20—35°N,and warmer north of 35°N)leads to the intensification of the summer subtropical high,with the ridge line moved slightly northward,resulting in drought over Changjiang reaches for July-August and in excessive rainfall in the North-China plain,and vice versa.

The unimodal latitudinal pattern of K,Ca and Mg concentration and its potential drivers in forest foliage in eastern China

Potassium(K),calcium(Ca),and magnesium(Mg)are essential elements with important physiological functions in plants.Previous studies showed that leaf K,Ca,and Mg concentrations generally increase with increasing latitudes.However,recent meta-analyses suggested the possibility of a unimodal pattern in the concentrations of these elements along latitudinal gradients.The authenticity of this unimodal latitudinal pattern,however,requires validation through large-scale field experimental data,and exploration of the underlying mechanisms if the pattern is confirmed.Here,we collected leaves of common species of woody plants from 19 montane forests in the north-south transect of eastern China,including 322 species from 160 genera,67 families;and then determined leaf K,Ca,and Mg concentrations to explore their latitudinal patterns and driving mechanisms.Our results support unimodal latitudinal patterns for all three elements in woody plants across eastern China,with peak values at latitude 36.5±1.0°N.The shift of plant-functional-type compositions from evergreen broadleaves to deciduous broadleaves and to conifers along this latitudinal span was the key factor contributing to these patterns.Climatic factors,mainly temperature,and to a lesser extent solar radiation and precipitation,were the main environmental drivers.These factors,by altering the composition of plant communities and regulating plant physiological activities,influence the latitudinal patterns of plant nutrient concentrations.Our findings also suggest that high leaf K,Ca,and Mg concentrations may represent an adaptive strategy for plants to withstand water stress,which might be used to predict plant nutrient responses to climate changes at large scales,and broaden the understanding of biogeochemical cycling of K,Ca,and Mg.

A Case Study of Ocean-Atmosphere Interactions during the Passage of an Extra-Tropical Cyclone in the Vicinity of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina

The authors document the interaction of the atmosphere and ocean during the formation and passage of an Extra-Tropical Cyclone, which is a Nor-Easter, winter storm that formed in the southern apex of the Middle Atlantic Bight near Cape Hatteras North Carolina, between February 15 and 18, 1996. While Nor-Easters per se, which have formed along the Atlantic Eastern Seaboard of the United States have been studied for decades, the actual atmospheric-oceanic mechanics and thermodynamics in the formation of a Nor-Easter has never been documented. We report on having done so with in-situ observations and data-based calculations and a numerical model. The in-situ observations were made via a Control Volume consisting of an array of Eulerian Oceanic-Atmospheric Moorings with current meters, temperature and salinity sensors and meteorological towers. We find that Gulf Stream waters were located surrounding the mooring array, and that with the invasion of cold dry atmospheric air, there was a rapid loss of heat from the ocean to the atmosphere via latent and sensible surface heat flux during the cyclogenesis onset of the storm. A unique feature of this storm was that neither satellite nor buoy data showed significant sea surface cooling in the control volume. The findings indicate that storm winds drove warm saline waters from the Gulf Stream across the continental shelf into the control volume, accounting for a 51 cm rise in water level along the coast. This lateral heat advection provided heat to the control volume of 3.4e+18 Joules. On average, the heat loss at the surface of the control volume, via sensible and latent heat fluxes and radiation, was 0.7e+18 Joules, corresponding to a surface heat flux of -600 Watts per Meter2 (W/m2). However, the heat lost by the control volume as latent and sensible heat fluxes was less than the heat it received via lateral heat advection, resulting in the lack of an often-observed sea surface cooling during other winter storms. The serendipitous and detailed observations and calculations reveal a climatological flywheel in this region, documenting the role of ETCs in the global heat balance.

Spatio-temporal variations of Arctic amplification and their linkage with the Arctic oscillation

The Arctic near-surface air temperatures are increasing more than twice as fast as the global average-a feature known as Arctic amplification （AA）. A modified AA index is constructed in this paper to emphasize the contrast of warming rate between polar and mid-latitude regions, as well as the spatial and temporal characteristics of AA and their influence on atmospheric circulation over the Northern Hemisphere. Results show that AA has a pronounced annual cycle. The positive or negative phase activities are the strongest in autumn and winter, the weakest in summer. After experiencing a remarkable decadal shift from negative to positive phase in the early global warming hiatus period, the AA has entered into a state of being enlarged continuously, and the decadal regime shift of AA in about 2002 is affected mainly by decadal shift in autumn. In terms of spatial distribution, AA has maximum warming near the surface in almost all seasons except in summer. Poleward of 20~N, AA in autumn has a significant influence on the atmospheric circulation in the following winter. The reason may be that the autumn AA increases the amplitude of planetary waves, slows the wave speeds and weakens upper-level zonal winds through the thermal wind relation, thus influencing surface air temperature in the following winter. The AA correlates to negative phase of the Arctic oscillation （AO） and leads AO by 0-3 months within the period 1979-2002. However, weaker relationship between them is indistinctive after the decadal shift of AA.

Sensitivity of Cyclone Tracks to the Initial Moisture Distribution:A Moist Potential Vorticity Perspective

In this study, the characteristics of moist potential vorticity （MPV） in the vicinity of a surface cyclone center and their physical processes axe investigated. A prognostic equation of surface absolute vorticity is then used to examine the relationship between the cyclone tracks and negative MPV （NMPV） using numerical simulations of the life cycle of an extratropical cyclone. It is shown that the MPV approach developed herein, i.e., by tracing the peak NMPV, can be used to help trace surface cyclones during their development and mature stages. Sensitivity experiments are conducted to investigate the impact of different initial moisture fields on the effectiveness of the MPV approach. It is found that the lifetime of NMPV depends mainly on the initial moisture field, the magnitude of condensational heating, and the advection of NMPV. When NMPV moves into a saturated environment at or near a cyclone center, it can trace better the evolution of the surface cyclone due to the conservative property of MPV. It is also shown that the NMPV generation is closely associated with the coupling of large potential temperature and moisture gradients as a result of frontogenesis processes. Analyses indicate that condensation, confluence and tilting play important but different roles in determining the NMPV generation. NMPV is generated mainly through the changes in the strength of baroclinicity and in the direction of the moisture gradient due to moist and/or dry air mass intrusion into the baroclinic zone.

Teleconnection Patterns along the Asian Jet Associated with Different Combinations of Convection Oscillations over the Indian Continent and Western North Pacific during Summer

A zonal teleconnection has been found along the Asian jet over the Eurasian continent during summer. In this study, the authors investigated circulation anomalies in the extratropics, in particular for the zonal teleconnection, under different combinations of subtropical convection anomalies over the northern Indian continent （IND） and the westem North Pacific （WNP）. The outof-phase configuration （i.e., stronger （weaker） IND convection and weaker （stronger） WNP convection） was found to be more common than the in-phase configuration （i.e., stronger （weaker） IND convection and stronger （weaker） WNP convection）, which is consistent with previous results. Composite results indicated that circulation anomalies for out-of-phase configurations of 30-60-day convection oscillations are much stronger in the middle latitudes than those for in-phase configurations. In addition, zonal teleconnection patterns are predominant for the out-of-phase configurations, particularly for the configuration of strong IND convection and weak WNP convec- tion; however, they are either weak or obscure for the in-phase configurations. These results suggest that the zonal teleconnection pattem along the Asian jet is dependent on different combinations of the 1ND and WNP subtropical convection anomalies.

Linking moisture and near-surface wind with winter temperature to reveal the Holocene climate evolution in arid Xinjiang region of China

An increasing number of palaeo-climatic records have been reported to identify the Holocene climate history in the arid Xinjiang region of northwest China. However, few studies have fully considered the internal linkages within the regional climate system, which may limit our understanding of the forcing mechanisms of Holocene climate change in this region. Here, we systematically consider three major issues of the moisture/precipitation, temperature and near-surface wind relevant to the Holocene climate history of Xinjiang. First, despite there still has debated for the Holocene moisture evolution in this region, more climatic reconstructions from lake sediments, loess, sand-dunes and peats support a long-term regional wetting trend. Second, temperature records from ice cores, peats and stalagmites demonstrate a long-term winter warming trend during the Holocene in middle-to high-latitudes of Asia. Third, recent studies of aeolian sedimentary sequences reveal that the near-surface winds in winter gradually weakened during the Holocene, whereas the winter mid-latitude Westerlies strengthened in the Tienshan Mountains. Based on this evidence, in the arid Xinjiang region we propose an early to middle Holocene relatively cold and dry interval, with strong near-surface winds;and a warmer, wetter interval with weaker near-surface winds in the middle to late Holocene during winter. Additionally,we develop a conceptual model to explain the pattern of Holocene climate changes in this region.From the early to the late Holocene, the increasing atmospheric COcontent and winter insolation,and the shrinking of high-latitude continental ice-sheets, resulted in increasing winter temperatures in middle to high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere. Subsequently, the increased winter temperature strengthened the winter mid-latitude Westerlies and weakened the Siberian high-pressure system,which caused an increase in winter precipitation and a decrease in near-surface wind strength. This scenario is strongly supported by evidence from geological records, climate simulation results, and modern reanalysis data. Our hypothesis highlights the important contribution of winter temperature in driving the Holocene climatic evolution of the arid Xinjiang region, and it implies that the socio-economic development and water resources security of this region will face serious challenges presented by the increasing winter temperature in the future.

Southern Meridional Atmospheric Circulation Associated with IOD

Using the monthly wind and sea surface temperature （SST） data, southern meridional atmospheric circulation cells associated with the Indian Ocean Dipole Mode （IOD） events in the Indian Ocean are for the first time described and examineS. The divergent wind and pressure vertical velocity are employed for the identification of atmospheric circulation cells. During the four different phases of the positive IOD events, the anomalous meridional Hadley circulation over the western Indian Ocean shows that the air rises in the tropics, flows poleward in the upper troposphere, sinks in the subtropics, and returns back to the tropics in the lower troposphere. The anomalous Hadley circulation over the eastern Indian Ocean is opposite to that over the western Indian Ocean. During positive IOD events, the meridional Hadley circulation over the eastern Indian Ocean is weakened while it is strengthened over the western Indian Ocean. Correlation analysis between the IOD index and the indices of the Hadley cells also proves that, the atmospheric circulation patterns are evident in every IOD event over the period of record.

Discussion on Geodynamics of Three-body Motion

To determine the Earth＇s dynamics and their equations, which are crucial for Earth science research, this paper analyzes the interaction forces in the motion of a three-body system（namely, fixed, active, and passive points）, based on the orbital motion. The mathematical derivation has been conducted strictly according to trigonometric functions with time and space as variables. In spatial transformation, related data items are simplified and replaced reasonably and necessarily according to the physical phenomenon to conduct derivations of planar to spatial transformation, through which the motion point has universal significance. Moreover, the polynomial equation for the dynamics has been obtained. Results indicate that the polynomial expression for the dynamics comprises the tidal force, the powerful mid-latitude Force（PML Force）, and gravitation. Gravitation analysis shows that it is proportional to the dynamics quality, the size of the angular velocity of their deviation from the progenitor-paternal orbital plane＇s center position, and the square of the progenitor orbital plane＇s distance. However, it is inversely proportional to the distance of the paternal orbital plane and not related to another body＇s quality. Some past errors are addressed and some constructive conclusions are offered in the discussion of gravitation.

The global response of temperature to high-latitude vegetation greening in a two-dimensional energy balance model

The relationship between vegetation greening and climate change remains unclear due to its complexity, especially in drylands. Against the background of global warming, arid and semi-arid areas, including mid-latitude deserts, are most sensitive to climate change. In recent decades, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between vegetation greening and climate change have been widely discussed in the literature. However, the influence of vegetation greening in high latitudes on regional climate has not been fully studied. In this paper, a two-dimensional energy balance model was used to study the influence of greening in high latitudes on mid-latitude deserts. The authors found that when greening occurs in high latitudes, the mid-latitude desert recedes at the south boundary, while the polar ice belt and low-latitude vegetation belt both expand. Simultaneously, greening in high latitudes can induce a negative temperature anomaly in northern latitudes and a positive temperature anomaly in southern latitudes. The mid-latitude desert expands at its north and south boundaries until the CO2 concentration reaches 600 ppm(saturated state). The greening in high latitudes could result in a lower global-mean temperature in the ‘saturated’ state, due to the stronger cooling in high latitudes.

Characteristics and spatial distribution of strong warming events in the central Arctic(2000-2019)

Arctic amplification in the context of global warming has received considerable attention,and mechanisms such as ice-albedo feedback and extratropical cyclone activity have been proposed to explain such abnormal warming.Since 2000,several short-term episodes of significant temperature rise have been observed in the Arctic;however,long-duration warming events in the central Arctic are less common and lack comprehensive research.Previous studies identified that amplified Rossbywaves could connect Arctic warming with extreme weather events in mid-latitude regions,and thus the recent increase in the frequency of mid-latitude extreme weather is also a subject of intensive research.With consideration of temperature anomalies,this study defined a continuous warming process as a warming event and selected strong warming events based on duration.Analysis of National Centers for Environmental Prediction Reanalysis-2 surface air temperature data found that nine strong warming events occurred during 2000-2019,which could be categorized into three types based on the area of warming.This study also investigated the relation between strong warming events and sea ice concentration reduction,sudden stratospheric warming,and extratropical cyclone activities.After full consideration and comparison,we believe that strong warming events in the central Arctic are induced primarily by continuous transport of warm air from mid-latitude ocean areas.

Atmospheric eddy anomalies associated with the wintertime North Pacific subtropical front strength and their influences on the seasonal-mean atmosphere

This study investigates transient eddy activity anomalies in the mid-latitude upper troposphere associated with intensity variability of the wintertime North Pacific subtropical front. Our results show that the meridional gradient of air temperature and baroclinic instability in the mid-latitude atmosphere become stronger as the subtropical front intensifies, and the mid-latitude westerly jet accelerates with barotropic structure. We further divide the mid-latitude atmospheric eddy activities into high-(2–7 days) and low-frequency(10–90 days) eddy activities according to their life periods. We find that, when the oceanic subtropical front intensifies, the high-frequency atmospheric eddy activity in the mid-latitudes strengthens while the low-frequency eddy activity weakens. The stronger high-frequency eddy activity tends to moderate the air temperature gradient and baroclinicity in the mid-latitudes. High-frequency eddy anomalies accelerate the westerly jet on the northern side and downstream of the westerly jet, and enhance the jet with equivalent barotropic structure. In contrast, the weaker low-frequency eddy activity has a negative contribution to zonal wind speed tendency and attenuates the zonal homogenization of the jet. The anomalous thermodynamic forcing of the low-frequency eddy activity helps maintain the meridional gradient of air temperature in the mid-troposphere.