Growing evidence indicates that the Asian monsoon plays an important role in affecting the weather and climate outside of Asia. However, this active role of the monsoon has not been demonstrated as thoroughly as has t...Growing evidence indicates that the Asian monsoon plays an important role in affecting the weather and climate outside of Asia. However, this active role of the monsoon has not been demonstrated as thoroughly as has the variability of the monsoon caused by various impacting factors such as sea surface temperature and land surface. This study investigates the relationship between the Asian monsoon and the climate anomalies in the Asian-Pacific-American (APA) sector. A hypothesis is tested that the variability of the upper-tropospheric South Asian high (SAH), which is closely associated with the overall heating of the large-scale Asian monsoon, is linked to changes in the subtropical western Pacific high (SWPH), the midPacific trough, and the Mexican high. The changes in these circulation systems cause variability in surface temperature and precipitation in the APA region. A stronger SAH is accompanied by a stronger and more extensive SWPH. The enlargement of the SWPH weakens the mid-Pacific trough. As a result, the southern portion of the Mexican high becomes stronger. These changes are associated with changes in atmospheric teleconnections, precipitation, and surface temperature throughout the APA region. When the SAH is stronger, precipitation increases in southern Asia, decreases over the Pacific Ocean, and increases over the Central America. Precipitation also increases over Australia and central Africa and decreases in the Mediterranean region. While the signals in surface temperature are weak over the tropical land portion, they are apparent in the mid latitudes and over the eastern Pacific Ocean.展开更多
The South Asian High (SAH) and precipitation over East Asia simulated by 11 coupled GCMs associated with the forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report are evaluated. The...The South Asian High (SAH) and precipitation over East Asia simulated by 11 coupled GCMs associated with the forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report are evaluated. The seasonal behavior of the SAH is presented for each model. Analyses of the results show that all models are able to reproduce the seasonal cycle of the SAH. Locations of the SAH center are also basically reproduced by these models. All models underestimate the intensity and the extension of coverage in summer. The anomalous SAH can be divided into east and west modes according to its longitudinal position in summer on the interannual timescale, and the composite anomalies of the observed precipitation for these two modes tend to have opposite signs over East Asia. However, only several coupled GCMs can simulate the relationship between rainfall and SAH similar to the observed one, which may be associated with the bias in simulation of the subtropical anticyclone over the West Pacific (SAWP) at 500 hPa. In fact, it is found that any coupled GCM, that can reproduce the reasonable summer mean state of SAWP and the southward (northward) withdrawal (extension) for the east (west) mode of SAH as compared to the observed, will also simulate similar rainfall anomaly patterns for the east and west SAH modes over East Asia. Further analysis indicates that the observed variations in the SAH, SAWP and rainfall are closely related to the sea surface temperature (SST) over the equatorial tropical Pacific. Particularly, some models cannot simulate the SAWP extending northward in the west mode and withdrawing southward in the east mode, which may be related to weak major E1 Nifio or La Nifia events. The abilities of the coupled GCMs to simulate the SAWP and ENSO events are associated partly with their ability to reproduce the observed relationship between SAH and the rainfall anomaly over East Asia.展开更多
The establishment of the upper-level South Asian high (SAH) over the Indo-China Peninsula (ICP) during late boreal spring and its possible causes are investigated using long-term NCEP-NCAR and ERA-40 reanalysis an...The establishment of the upper-level South Asian high (SAH) over the Indo-China Peninsula (ICP) during late boreal spring and its possible causes are investigated using long-term NCEP-NCAR and ERA-40 reanalysis and satellite-observed OLR data. Results show that, from early March to mid-April, deep convection stays south of -6°N over the northern Sumatran islands. As the maximum solar radiation moves over the latitudes of the ICP (10-20°N) in late April, the air over the ICP becomes unstable. It ascends over the ICP and descends over the adjacent waters to the east and west. This triggers deep convection over the ICP that induces large latent heating and strong updrafts and upper-level divergence, leading to the formation of an upper-level anticyclonic circulation and the SAH over the ICE During early to mid-May, deep convection over the ICP intensifies and extends northwards to the adjacent waters. Strong latent heating from deep convection enhances and maintains the strong updrafts and upper-level divergence, and the SAH is fully established by mid-May. Thus, the seasonal maximum solar heating and the land-sea contrast around the ICP provide the basic conditions for deep convection to occur preferentially over the ICP, which leads to the formation of the SAH over the ICP from late April to mid-May. Simulations using RegCM4 also indicate that the diabatic heating over the ICP is conducive to the generation and development of upper-level anticyclonic circulation, which leads to an earlier establishment of the SAH.展开更多
Variation in the location of the South Asian High (SAH) in early boreal summer is strongly influenced by elevated surface heating from the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the Iranian Plateau (IP). Based on observationa...Variation in the location of the South Asian High (SAH) in early boreal summer is strongly influenced by elevated surface heating from the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the Iranian Plateau (IP). Based on observational and ERA-Interim data, diagnostic analyses reveal that the interannual northwestward-southeastwaxd (NW-SE) shift of the SAH in June is more closely correlated with the synergistic effect of concurrent surface thermal anomalies over the TP and IP than with each single surface thermal anomaly over either plateau from the preceding May. Concurrent surface thermal anomalies over these two plateaus in May are characterized by a negative correlation between sensible heat flux over most parts of the TP (TPSH) and IP (IPSH). This anomaly pattern can persist till June and influences the NW-SE shift of the SAH in June through the release of latent heat (LH) over northeastern India. When the IPSH is stronger (weaker) and the TPSH is weaker (stronger) than normal in May, an anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) appears over northern India at 850 hPa, which is accompanied by the ascent (descent) of air and anomalous convergence (divergence) of moisture flux in May and June. Therefore, the LH release over northeastern India is strengthened (weakened) and the vertical gradient of apparent heat source is decreased (increased) in the upper troposphere, which is responsible for the northwestward (southeastward) shift of the SAH in June.展开更多
This study aims to explore the interdecadal variation of South Asian High(SAH) and its relationship with SST(sea surface temperature) of the tropical and subtropical regions by using the NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis d...This study aims to explore the interdecadal variation of South Asian High(SAH) and its relationship with SST(sea surface temperature) of the tropical and subtropical regions by using the NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data from 1948 to 2012, based on the NCAR CAM 3.0 general circulation model. The results show that: 1) the intensity of SAH represents a remarkable interdecadal variation characteristic, the intensity of SAH experienced from weak to strong at the late 1970 s, and after the late 1970 s, its strength is enhanced and the area is expanded in the east-west direction.The expansion degree is greater westward than eastward, while it is opposite in summer. 2) Corresponding to the interdecadal variation of SAH intensity, after the late 1970 s, the divergent component of wind field has two ascending and three descending areas. Of the two ascending areas, one is located in the East Pacific, the other location varies with the season from the Indian Ocean in winter to the South China Sea and West Pacific in summer. Three descending areas are located in the north-central Africa, the East Asia and the Middle Pacific region respectively. 3) Corresponding to the interdecadal variation of SAH intensity, the rotational component of wind field at the lower level is an anomalous cyclone over the South China Sea and West Pacific in summer, while in winter, it is an anomalous cyclone over the Indian Ocean, and an anomalous anticyclone over the equatorial Middle Pacific. 4) Numerical simulations show that the interdecadal variation of SAH is closely related to the SST of the tropical and subtropical regions. The SST of Indian Ocean plays an important role in winter, while in summer, the SST of the South China Sea and West Pacific plays an important role, and the SST of the East Pacific also plays a certain role.展开更多
The South Asian High(SAH) is one of the most important components of the Asian summer monsoon system. To understand the ability of state-of-the-art general circulation models(GCMs) to capture the major characteristics...The South Asian High(SAH) is one of the most important components of the Asian summer monsoon system. To understand the ability of state-of-the-art general circulation models(GCMs) to capture the major characteristics of the SAH, the authors evaluate 18 atmospheric models that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5/Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP5/AMIP). Results show that the multi-model ensemble(MME) mean is able to capture the climatological pattern of the SAH, although its intensity is slightly underestimated. For the interannual variability of the SAH, the MME exhibits good correlation with the reanalysis for the area and intensity index, but poor skill in capturing the east-west oscillation of the SAH. For the interdecadal trend, the MME shows pronounced increasing trends from 1985 to 2008 for the area and intensity indexes, which is consistent with the reanalysis, but fails to capture the westward shift of the SAH center. The individual models show different capacities for capturing climatological patterns, interannual variability, and interdecadal trends of the SAH. Several models fail to capture the climatological pattern, while one model overestimates the intensity of the SAH. Most of the models show good correlations for interannual variability, but nearly half exhibit high root-mean-square difference(RMSD) values. Six models successfully capture the westward shift of the SAH center in the interdecadal trends, while other models fail. The possible causes of the systematic biases involved in several models are also discussed.展开更多
Based on the wavelet packet decomposition/reconstruction method and the NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data set, the relation between the south Asian summer monsoon and the west Pacific subtropical high seasonal variation...Based on the wavelet packet decomposition/reconstruction method and the NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data set, the relation between the south Asian summer monsoon and the west Pacific subtropical high seasonal variation was discussed, and a corresponding summer monsoon frequency-band energy criterion was defined and introduced for diagnosing the west Pacific subtropical high. Besides, some existing characteristics and rules about the west Pacific subtropical high were further argued and proofed, a few new phenomena and correlation between the south Asian summer monsoon and the west Pacific subtropical high were also revealed and presented.展开更多
The timing of the South Asian High(SAH) establishment over the Indochina Peninsula(IP) from April to May and its relations to the setup of the subsequent tropical Asian summer monsoon and precipitation over eastern-ce...The timing of the South Asian High(SAH) establishment over the Indochina Peninsula(IP) from April to May and its relations to the setup of the subsequent tropical Asian summer monsoon and precipitation over eastern-central China in summer are investigated by using NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data,outgoing longwave radiation(OLR)data and the daily precipitation data from 753 weather stations in China.It is found that the transitions of the zonal wind vertical shear and convection establishment over tropical Asia are earlier(later) in the years of early(late) establishment of SAH.In the lower troposphere,anti-cyclonic(cyclonic) anomaly circulation dominates the equatorial Indian Ocean.Correspondingly,the tropical Asian summer monsoon establishes earlier(later).Furthermore,the atmospheric circulation and the water vapor transport in the years of advanced SAH establishment are significantly different from the delayed years in Asia in summer.Out-of-phase distribution of precipitation in eastern-central China will appear with a weak(strong) SAH and western Pacific subtropical high,strong(weak) ascending motion in the area south of Yangtze River but weak(strong) ascending motion in the area north of it,and cyclonic(anti-cyclonic) water vapor flux anomaly circulation from the eastern-central China to western Pacific.Accordingly,the timing of the SAH establishment at the upper levels of IP is indicative of the subsequent onset of the tropical Asian summer monsoon and the flood-drought pattern over eastern-central China in summer.展开更多
The characteristics and possible physical mechanism of interdecadal variation of the intensity of the South Asian High(SAH) in summer are analyzed using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and NOAA extended reconstructed se...The characteristics and possible physical mechanism of interdecadal variation of the intensity of the South Asian High(SAH) in summer are analyzed using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and NOAA extended reconstructed sea surface temperature(SST) data.The results indicate that a remarkable interdecadal transition occurred in the late1970 s that increased the intensity of SAH,or,an abrupt climate change was around 1978.A comparative analysis between the weak and strong period of the SAH intensity shows that the related anomalous patterns of the atmospheric circulation(including wind field,air temperature field and vertical velocity field) are nearly opposite to each other.The surface latent heat flux anomalies over the plateau(especially in the northwest of the plateau) in summer exert great influence on the interdecadal variation of the SAH intensity and the surface sensible heat flux anomalies play a more important role.Consistent with the interdecadal variation of the SAH intensity,the monopole mode of the tropical Indian Ocean SST in summer also experienced a low to high transition in the late 1970 s.To some extent,this can reveal the impact of the anomalous monopole mode of the tropical Indian Ocean SST in summer on interdecadal variation of the SAH.展开更多
The South Asian Highs (SAHs) at 100 hPa over China in the three reanalysis datasets NCEP1, NCEP2, and ERA-40 are evaluated by using station observation data. The results demonstrate a substantial discrepancy even betw...The South Asian Highs (SAHs) at 100 hPa over China in the three reanalysis datasets NCEP1, NCEP2, and ERA-40 are evaluated by using station observation data. The results demonstrate a substantial discrepancy even between the reanalyses. First, the data of the three reanalyses generally underestimate the intensity of the SAH in the China domain. Second, there are interdecadal changes in the SAH, with highs in the 1960s and 1980s and lows in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s. This interdecadal variation of the SAH can be well depicted with NCEP1 data, but the high in the 1980s is missed by ERA-40. The NCEP2 corresponds well with NCEP 1 and captures the decreasing trend after 1979. Furthermore, the NCEP1 reanalysis overestimates the interdecadal changes of SAH, while ERA-40 underestimates the interdecadal changes. This work suggests that much caution should be exerted when the reanalysis datasets are adopted to study the interdecadal variability of SAH.展开更多
EI Nino (EN) episodes can be classified based on their time of onset as spring onset EN (SPEN) events and summer onset EN (SUEN) events. To evaluate the different influences of SPEN and SUEN events on the South ...EI Nino (EN) episodes can be classified based on their time of onset as spring onset EN (SPEN) events and summer onset EN (SUEN) events. To evaluate the different influences of SPEN and SUEN events on the South Asian high (SAH), this study compared the seasonal evolution of the SAH (SESAH) associated with SPEN and SUEN events through analysis of geopotential height and zonal wind data derived from NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis-1 and sea surface temperature data obtained from the Hadley Center. The main features of the SESAH during an EN event are similar to its climatological characteristics. Climatologically, the SAH forms in May, strengthens, and moves northwestward in June and July. It does not change much in August, but then it returns south and weakens during September and October. However, its lifespan is shorter and its intensity weaker during EN periods. Furthermore, there are significant differences between the SESAH during SPEN and SUEN events. During a SPEN episode, the movement of the SAH to the northwest during May and June is slower than during a SUEN event, i.e. the SPEN SAH has a shorter lifespan. In comparison with the SUEN SAH, the SPEN SAH in July and September tends more towards the Tibetan high mode rather than the Iranian high mode. The SPEN SAH in October moves southeastward faster than the SUEN SAH, which also indicates that the SAH has a shorter lifespan during a SPEN event than during a SUEN episode.展开更多
This paper investigates the variability of the summer (May-September) South Asian Iligh (SAIl) for the period 1979-2012. Results show that the intensity and the area of the summer SAH decreased around 2002 at the ...This paper investigates the variability of the summer (May-September) South Asian Iligh (SAIl) for the period 1979-2012. Results show that the intensity and the area of the summer SAH decreased around 2002 at the decadal scale; and the East Asian westerly jet suppressed at the north edge of the SAH, which is consistent with the SAH variation. The precipitation pattern over eastern China also shifted during the same periods, with increased rainfall in the Huang-Huai River region and South China and decreased rainfall in the Yangtze River region. The relationship between the two variations is evidently strengthened via changes in moisture flux.展开更多
The ability of a climate model to reproduce the climatic characters of the South Asia High (SAH) is assessed by analyzing the 110-yr output of a Flexible Coupled GCM, version 0 (FGCM-0). Comparing the results of F...The ability of a climate model to reproduce the climatic characters of the South Asia High (SAH) is assessed by analyzing the 110-yr output of a Flexible Coupled GCM, version 0 (FGCM-0). Comparing the results of FGCM-0 with the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the major findings show that FGCM-0 has better results in simulation of the geopotential height field at 100 hPa, and reproduces fairly the main atmospheric circulation centers. However, there are still some differences in the simulated results compared with the reanalysis data. The coupled model also successfully reproduces the mean seasonal variation of the SAH, that is, it moves from the Pacific Ocean to the Asian continent, remaining over the Tibetan Plateau from winter to summer, and then withdraws from the Tibetan Plateau to the Pacific Ocean from summer to winter. However, such observed relationships between the SAH positions and the summer precipitation patterns cannot be fairly reproduced in the FGCM-0.展开更多
The observed South Asia High (SAH) center is characterized by two distinctive equilibrium modes during boreal midsummer, namely the center of SAH is located between 82.5°-92.5°E for the Tibetan Plateau mod...The observed South Asia High (SAH) center is characterized by two distinctive equilibrium modes during boreal midsummer, namely the center of SAH is located between 82.5°-92.5°E for the Tibetan Plateau mode and between 55°-65°E for the Iranian Plateau mode respectively. The present study describes the ability of 15 coupled general circulation models (CGCM) used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report to reproduce the observed bimodality of the SAH. These models reveal a wide range of skill in simulating this bimodality. Nearly half of the models reproduced the bimodality, while the other half of the models did not simulate well these two modes whereas usually preferring one mode, The models that reproduced the bimodality of the SAH present similar horizontal and vertical circulations as those features from the NCEP reanalysis data. The results from these models identify the warm characteristics of the SAH and indicate that these two modes have different dynamic and thermodynamic properties. Different characteristics of the simulated sensible heat and latent heat related to precipitation partly contribute to the difference in the simulations of the SAH bimodality. The majority of these models that prefer to simulate the Tibetan Plateau mode produce a small sensible heat flux difference between the Iranian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau, and also generally simulate a very strong false precipitation center over the east of the Tibetan Plateau, which indicates strong latent release and thereby contributes to the preference of the SAH center on the Tibetan Plateau. Whereas, the models that reproduce the bimodality of the SAH tend to simulate large precipitation over the southern Himalayas and no obviously false precipitation is produced over the east of the Tibetan Plateau. In addition, the model's resolution may also have important impacts on the simulations of precipitation.展开更多
NCEP/NCAR data are utilized to analyze an extreme flood year(1998) and an extreme dry year(2006) in the Sichuan-Chongqing region(SCR) and the results are as follows. The positive divergence of South Asia High(SAH) is ...NCEP/NCAR data are utilized to analyze an extreme flood year(1998) and an extreme dry year(2006) in the Sichuan-Chongqing region(SCR) and the results are as follows. The positive divergence of South Asia High(SAH) is stronger in the flood year; the position of the ridge line of SAH is southward compared with the annual average; Western Pacific Subtropical High(WPSH) extends westward and its ridge line is southward. In the drought year, the positive divergence of SAH is weaker, its ridge line is northward, and the position of WPSH is also northward. As shown in the dynamics, in drought(flood) years, negative(positive) vorticity advection in the upper atmosphere can cause the atmosphere to ascend(descend), and anomalous circulation of SAH displays divergence(convergence), and anomalous circulation of the lower atmosphere shows convergence(divergence). Thermal structure of the atmosphere shows that there is warm(cold) temperature advection in the lower atmosphere, and the vertical distribution of diabetic heating causes SAH's local circulation to display convergence(divergence) and affects vertical motion of the lower atmosphere circulation eventually. To some extent, the two extreme years in the SCR is closely related to the vertical motion of atmosphere circulation and the variation of such vertical motion is caused by differences of interactions between SAH and lower atmosphere circulations.展开更多
The NCEP 1°×1°reanalysis of June-to-September dataset between 2002 to 2009 is used in this study to conduct statistical analysis of the relationship between the environmental potential vorticity(PV)on 1...The NCEP 1°×1°reanalysis of June-to-September dataset between 2002 to 2009 is used in this study to conduct statistical analysis of the relationship between the environmental potential vorticity(PV)on 150 hPa located at the south edge of South Asia High(SAH)and TCs making landfall.The results show that 23 of the TCs are affected by the PV on 150 hPa located at the south edge of SAH between 2002 to2009,and three TCs'center pressure decline after the high-value environmental PV moves to the center of the TCs.These three TCs are Senlaku(0216),Bilis(0604)and Linfa(0903).Through diagnostic analysis from the viewpoint of isolines,we determined the relationship between the intensification of these TCs and the PV anomaly at high levels;the isentropic surface is close to the high level’s PV anomaly under the influence of the 150-hPa PV anomaly,leading to the decline of isentropic surfaces on both sides of the PV anomaly.Then the warm core of the middle and high levels of the TC strengthens and PV increases at the middle level,and both of them are beneficial to the reinforcement of the cyclonic vorticity in the low level.As a result,the center pressure of the TC declines.According to Wu’s theory of Slantwise Vorticity Development(SVD),the incline of the isentropic surfaces leads to the development of vertical vorticity,contributing to the vertical motion and the release of the latent heat.Then the warm core of the TC strengthens and the TC strengthens,too.Otherwise,piecewise PV inversion also shows that the high-level PV influences the mid-level more than the low level.展开更多
On the interannual timescale, the meridional displacement of the East Asian upper-tropospheric jet stream (EAJS) is significantly associated with the rainfall anomalies in East Asia in summer. In this study, using the...On the interannual timescale, the meridional displacement of the East Asian upper-tropospheric jet stream (EAJS) is significantly associated with the rainfall anomalies in East Asia in summer. In this study, using the data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction-Department of Energy (NCEP/DOE) reanalysis-2 from 1979 to 2002, the authors investigate the interannual variations of the EAJS's meridional displacement in summer and their associations with the variations of the South Asian high (SAH) and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH), which are dominant circulation features in the upper and lower troposhere, respectively. The result from an EOF analysis shows that the meridional displacement is the most remarkable feature of the interannual variations of the EAJS in each month of summer and in summer as a whole. A composite analysis indicates that the summer (June-July-August, JJA) EAJS index, which is intended to depict the interannual meridional displacement of the EAJS, is not appropriate because the anomalies of the zonal wind at 200 hPa (U200) in July and August only, rather than in June, significantly contribute to the summer EAJS index. Thus, the index for each month in summer is defined according to the location of the EAJS core in each month. Composite analyses based on the monthly indexes show that corresponding to the monthly equatorward displacement of the EAJS, the South Asian high (SAH) extends southeastward clearly in July and August, and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) withdraws southward in June and August.展开更多
In the context of 1958–1997 NCEP/ NCAR re-analyses, the South Asia high (SAH) was divided into two components, barotropic and baroclinic, the former based on mass weighed vertical integration and the latter on the di...In the context of 1958–1997 NCEP/ NCAR re-analyses, the South Asia high (SAH) was divided into two components, barotropic and baroclinic, the former based on mass weighed vertical integration and the latter on the difference between the measured circulation and the barotropic component counterpart, whereupon the barotropic and baroclinic circulation conversion features were addressed of the research SAH during its seasonal variation. Evidence suggests that i) in summer (winter), the SAH is a thermal (dynamical) system, with dominant baroclinicity (barotropicity), either of the components accounting for approximately 70% of the total contribution; ii) as time progresses from winter to summer, accompanied by the barotropic SAH evolving into its baroclinic analog, the SAH is moving under the “ thermal guidance” of its baroclinic component circulation, suggesting that the component circulation precedes the system itself in variation; iii) the reversal happens when it goes from summer to winter, with the SAH displacement under the “ dynamic steering” of its barotropic component circulation. Key words SAH (South Asia high) - Barotropic circulation - Baroclinic circulation - Seasonal variation (1)This work is supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China under Grant No.49735170.展开更多
文摘Growing evidence indicates that the Asian monsoon plays an important role in affecting the weather and climate outside of Asia. However, this active role of the monsoon has not been demonstrated as thoroughly as has the variability of the monsoon caused by various impacting factors such as sea surface temperature and land surface. This study investigates the relationship between the Asian monsoon and the climate anomalies in the Asian-Pacific-American (APA) sector. A hypothesis is tested that the variability of the upper-tropospheric South Asian high (SAH), which is closely associated with the overall heating of the large-scale Asian monsoon, is linked to changes in the subtropical western Pacific high (SWPH), the midPacific trough, and the Mexican high. The changes in these circulation systems cause variability in surface temperature and precipitation in the APA region. A stronger SAH is accompanied by a stronger and more extensive SWPH. The enlargement of the SWPH weakens the mid-Pacific trough. As a result, the southern portion of the Mexican high becomes stronger. These changes are associated with changes in atmospheric teleconnections, precipitation, and surface temperature throughout the APA region. When the SAH is stronger, precipitation increases in southern Asia, decreases over the Pacific Ocean, and increases over the Central America. Precipitation also increases over Australia and central Africa and decreases in the Mediterranean region. While the signals in surface temperature are weak over the tropical land portion, they are apparent in the mid latitudes and over the eastern Pacific Ocean.
文摘The South Asian High (SAH) and precipitation over East Asia simulated by 11 coupled GCMs associated with the forthcoming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report are evaluated. The seasonal behavior of the SAH is presented for each model. Analyses of the results show that all models are able to reproduce the seasonal cycle of the SAH. Locations of the SAH center are also basically reproduced by these models. All models underestimate the intensity and the extension of coverage in summer. The anomalous SAH can be divided into east and west modes according to its longitudinal position in summer on the interannual timescale, and the composite anomalies of the observed precipitation for these two modes tend to have opposite signs over East Asia. However, only several coupled GCMs can simulate the relationship between rainfall and SAH similar to the observed one, which may be associated with the bias in simulation of the subtropical anticyclone over the West Pacific (SAWP) at 500 hPa. In fact, it is found that any coupled GCM, that can reproduce the reasonable summer mean state of SAWP and the southward (northward) withdrawal (extension) for the east (west) mode of SAH as compared to the observed, will also simulate similar rainfall anomaly patterns for the east and west SAH modes over East Asia. Further analysis indicates that the observed variations in the SAH, SAWP and rainfall are closely related to the sea surface temperature (SST) over the equatorial tropical Pacific. Particularly, some models cannot simulate the SAWP extending northward in the west mode and withdrawing southward in the east mode, which may be related to weak major E1 Nifio or La Nifia events. The abilities of the coupled GCMs to simulate the SAWP and ENSO events are associated partly with their ability to reproduce the observed relationship between SAH and the rainfall anomaly over East Asia.
基金jointly supported by the Major Program of the Natural Science Researches for Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province(Grant No.14KJA170004)the Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(Grant No.BK20131432)+5 种基金the“333”Project of Jiangsu Province“Qing Lan”Project of Jiangsu Provincethe Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)supported by the U.S.National Science Foundation(Grant No.AGS-1353740)the U.S.Department of Energy’s Office of Science(Grant No.DE-SC0012602)the U.S.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(Grant No.NA15OAR4310086)
文摘The establishment of the upper-level South Asian high (SAH) over the Indo-China Peninsula (ICP) during late boreal spring and its possible causes are investigated using long-term NCEP-NCAR and ERA-40 reanalysis and satellite-observed OLR data. Results show that, from early March to mid-April, deep convection stays south of -6°N over the northern Sumatran islands. As the maximum solar radiation moves over the latitudes of the ICP (10-20°N) in late April, the air over the ICP becomes unstable. It ascends over the ICP and descends over the adjacent waters to the east and west. This triggers deep convection over the ICP that induces large latent heating and strong updrafts and upper-level divergence, leading to the formation of an upper-level anticyclonic circulation and the SAH over the ICE During early to mid-May, deep convection over the ICP intensifies and extends northwards to the adjacent waters. Strong latent heating from deep convection enhances and maintains the strong updrafts and upper-level divergence, and the SAH is fully established by mid-May. Thus, the seasonal maximum solar heating and the land-sea contrast around the ICP provide the basic conditions for deep convection to occur preferentially over the ICP, which leads to the formation of the SAH over the ICP from late April to mid-May. Simulations using RegCM4 also indicate that the diabatic heating over the ICP is conducive to the generation and development of upper-level anticyclonic circulation, which leads to an earlier establishment of the SAH.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.91437219,41275075 and 41175005)the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No.2013CB430203)
文摘Variation in the location of the South Asian High (SAH) in early boreal summer is strongly influenced by elevated surface heating from the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and the Iranian Plateau (IP). Based on observational and ERA-Interim data, diagnostic analyses reveal that the interannual northwestward-southeastwaxd (NW-SE) shift of the SAH in June is more closely correlated with the synergistic effect of concurrent surface thermal anomalies over the TP and IP than with each single surface thermal anomaly over either plateau from the preceding May. Concurrent surface thermal anomalies over these two plateaus in May are characterized by a negative correlation between sensible heat flux over most parts of the TP (TPSH) and IP (IPSH). This anomaly pattern can persist till June and influences the NW-SE shift of the SAH in June through the release of latent heat (LH) over northeastern India. When the IPSH is stronger (weaker) and the TPSH is weaker (stronger) than normal in May, an anomalous cyclone (anticyclone) appears over northern India at 850 hPa, which is accompanied by the ascent (descent) of air and anomalous convergence (divergence) of moisture flux in May and June. Therefore, the LH release over northeastern India is strengthened (weakened) and the vertical gradient of apparent heat source is decreased (increased) in the upper troposphere, which is responsible for the northwestward (southeastward) shift of the SAH in June.
基金National Natural Science Foundation for Yong Scholars(41105059,41305079)General Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(41575070,41230422,41575102)Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)
文摘This study aims to explore the interdecadal variation of South Asian High(SAH) and its relationship with SST(sea surface temperature) of the tropical and subtropical regions by using the NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data from 1948 to 2012, based on the NCAR CAM 3.0 general circulation model. The results show that: 1) the intensity of SAH represents a remarkable interdecadal variation characteristic, the intensity of SAH experienced from weak to strong at the late 1970 s, and after the late 1970 s, its strength is enhanced and the area is expanded in the east-west direction.The expansion degree is greater westward than eastward, while it is opposite in summer. 2) Corresponding to the interdecadal variation of SAH intensity, after the late 1970 s, the divergent component of wind field has two ascending and three descending areas. Of the two ascending areas, one is located in the East Pacific, the other location varies with the season from the Indian Ocean in winter to the South China Sea and West Pacific in summer. Three descending areas are located in the north-central Africa, the East Asia and the Middle Pacific region respectively. 3) Corresponding to the interdecadal variation of SAH intensity, the rotational component of wind field at the lower level is an anomalous cyclone over the South China Sea and West Pacific in summer, while in winter, it is an anomalous cyclone over the Indian Ocean, and an anomalous anticyclone over the equatorial Middle Pacific. 4) Numerical simulations show that the interdecadal variation of SAH is closely related to the SST of the tropical and subtropical regions. The SST of Indian Ocean plays an important role in winter, while in summer, the SST of the South China Sea and West Pacific plays an important role, and the SST of the East Pacific also plays a certain role.
基金funded by the National Basic Research Program of China (Grant No. 2014CB953904)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91337110, 41405091, and 41305065)the State Key Laboratory of Loess and Quaternary Geology (Grant No. SKLLQG1216)
文摘The South Asian High(SAH) is one of the most important components of the Asian summer monsoon system. To understand the ability of state-of-the-art general circulation models(GCMs) to capture the major characteristics of the SAH, the authors evaluate 18 atmospheric models that participated in the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5/Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project(CMIP5/AMIP). Results show that the multi-model ensemble(MME) mean is able to capture the climatological pattern of the SAH, although its intensity is slightly underestimated. For the interannual variability of the SAH, the MME exhibits good correlation with the reanalysis for the area and intensity index, but poor skill in capturing the east-west oscillation of the SAH. For the interdecadal trend, the MME shows pronounced increasing trends from 1985 to 2008 for the area and intensity indexes, which is consistent with the reanalysis, but fails to capture the westward shift of the SAH center. The individual models show different capacities for capturing climatological patterns, interannual variability, and interdecadal trends of the SAH. Several models fail to capture the climatological pattern, while one model overestimates the intensity of the SAH. Most of the models show good correlations for interannual variability, but nearly half exhibit high root-mean-square difference(RMSD) values. Six models successfully capture the westward shift of the SAH center in the interdecadal trends, while other models fail. The possible causes of the systematic biases involved in several models are also discussed.
基金A project in the Natural Science Foundation of China (40375019) a key project in the Natural Science Foundation of China (40135020)
文摘Based on the wavelet packet decomposition/reconstruction method and the NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data set, the relation between the south Asian summer monsoon and the west Pacific subtropical high seasonal variation was discussed, and a corresponding summer monsoon frequency-band energy criterion was defined and introduced for diagnosing the west Pacific subtropical high. Besides, some existing characteristics and rules about the west Pacific subtropical high were further argued and proofed, a few new phenomena and correlation between the south Asian summer monsoon and the west Pacific subtropical high were also revealed and presented.
基金Major Program of the Natural Science Researches for Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province(14KJA170004)Natural Science Foundation of Jiangsu Province(BK20131432)+1 种基金"Qing Lan"Project of Jiangsu Province"333"Project of Jiangsu Province
文摘The timing of the South Asian High(SAH) establishment over the Indochina Peninsula(IP) from April to May and its relations to the setup of the subsequent tropical Asian summer monsoon and precipitation over eastern-central China in summer are investigated by using NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data,outgoing longwave radiation(OLR)data and the daily precipitation data from 753 weather stations in China.It is found that the transitions of the zonal wind vertical shear and convection establishment over tropical Asia are earlier(later) in the years of early(late) establishment of SAH.In the lower troposphere,anti-cyclonic(cyclonic) anomaly circulation dominates the equatorial Indian Ocean.Correspondingly,the tropical Asian summer monsoon establishes earlier(later).Furthermore,the atmospheric circulation and the water vapor transport in the years of advanced SAH establishment are significantly different from the delayed years in Asia in summer.Out-of-phase distribution of precipitation in eastern-central China will appear with a weak(strong) SAH and western Pacific subtropical high,strong(weak) ascending motion in the area south of Yangtze River but weak(strong) ascending motion in the area north of it,and cyclonic(anti-cyclonic) water vapor flux anomaly circulation from the eastern-central China to western Pacific.Accordingly,the timing of the SAH establishment at the upper levels of IP is indicative of the subsequent onset of the tropical Asian summer monsoon and the flood-drought pattern over eastern-central China in summer.
基金State Key Basic Study Program of China("973",2010CB950401)National Science Foundation of China(41275086)
文摘The characteristics and possible physical mechanism of interdecadal variation of the intensity of the South Asian High(SAH) in summer are analyzed using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and NOAA extended reconstructed sea surface temperature(SST) data.The results indicate that a remarkable interdecadal transition occurred in the late1970 s that increased the intensity of SAH,or,an abrupt climate change was around 1978.A comparative analysis between the weak and strong period of the SAH intensity shows that the related anomalous patterns of the atmospheric circulation(including wind field,air temperature field and vertical velocity field) are nearly opposite to each other.The surface latent heat flux anomalies over the plateau(especially in the northwest of the plateau) in summer exert great influence on the interdecadal variation of the SAH intensity and the surface sensible heat flux anomalies play a more important role.Consistent with the interdecadal variation of the SAH intensity,the monopole mode of the tropical Indian Ocean SST in summer also experienced a low to high transition in the late 1970 s.To some extent,this can reveal the impact of the anomalous monopole mode of the tropical Indian Ocean SST in summer on interdecadal variation of the SAH.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 40775053)the Ministry of Finance/Ministry of Science and Technology special funds for scientific research on public causes (Grant No GYHY200906018)
文摘The South Asian Highs (SAHs) at 100 hPa over China in the three reanalysis datasets NCEP1, NCEP2, and ERA-40 are evaluated by using station observation data. The results demonstrate a substantial discrepancy even between the reanalyses. First, the data of the three reanalyses generally underestimate the intensity of the SAH in the China domain. Second, there are interdecadal changes in the SAH, with highs in the 1960s and 1980s and lows in the 1970s, 1990s, and 2000s. This interdecadal variation of the SAH can be well depicted with NCEP1 data, but the high in the 1980s is missed by ERA-40. The NCEP2 corresponds well with NCEP 1 and captures the decreasing trend after 1979. Furthermore, the NCEP1 reanalysis overestimates the interdecadal changes of SAH, while ERA-40 underestimates the interdecadal changes. This work suggests that much caution should be exerted when the reanalysis datasets are adopted to study the interdecadal variability of SAH.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant numbers 41641042,41675039,41305039,91537213,41375047,41375092,41475140,41575057]the Priority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)
文摘EI Nino (EN) episodes can be classified based on their time of onset as spring onset EN (SPEN) events and summer onset EN (SUEN) events. To evaluate the different influences of SPEN and SUEN events on the South Asian high (SAH), this study compared the seasonal evolution of the SAH (SESAH) associated with SPEN and SUEN events through analysis of geopotential height and zonal wind data derived from NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis-1 and sea surface temperature data obtained from the Hadley Center. The main features of the SESAH during an EN event are similar to its climatological characteristics. Climatologically, the SAH forms in May, strengthens, and moves northwestward in June and July. It does not change much in August, but then it returns south and weakens during September and October. However, its lifespan is shorter and its intensity weaker during EN periods. Furthermore, there are significant differences between the SESAH during SPEN and SUEN events. During a SPEN episode, the movement of the SAH to the northwest during May and June is slower than during a SUEN event, i.e. the SPEN SAH has a shorter lifespan. In comparison with the SUEN SAH, the SPEN SAH in July and September tends more towards the Tibetan high mode rather than the Iranian high mode. The SPEN SAH in October moves southeastward faster than the SUEN SAH, which also indicates that the SAH has a shorter lifespan during a SPEN event than during a SUEN episode.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grants Nos. 41210007 and 41130103)
文摘This paper investigates the variability of the summer (May-September) South Asian Iligh (SAIl) for the period 1979-2012. Results show that the intensity and the area of the summer SAH decreased around 2002 at the decadal scale; and the East Asian westerly jet suppressed at the north edge of the SAH, which is consistent with the SAH variation. The precipitation pattern over eastern China also shifted during the same periods, with increased rainfall in the Huang-Huai River region and South China and decreased rainfall in the Yangtze River region. The relationship between the two variations is evidently strengthened via changes in moisture flux.
文摘The ability of a climate model to reproduce the climatic characters of the South Asia High (SAH) is assessed by analyzing the 110-yr output of a Flexible Coupled GCM, version 0 (FGCM-0). Comparing the results of FGCM-0 with the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the major findings show that FGCM-0 has better results in simulation of the geopotential height field at 100 hPa, and reproduces fairly the main atmospheric circulation centers. However, there are still some differences in the simulated results compared with the reanalysis data. The coupled model also successfully reproduces the mean seasonal variation of the SAH, that is, it moves from the Pacific Ocean to the Asian continent, remaining over the Tibetan Plateau from winter to summer, and then withdraws from the Tibetan Plateau to the Pacific Ocean from summer to winter. However, such observed relationships between the SAH positions and the summer precipitation patterns cannot be fairly reproduced in the FGCM-0.
基金jointly supported by the National Basic Research Program of China(973 Program)Grant 2007CB411806the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC)Grant Nos.40675049 and 40821092
文摘The observed South Asia High (SAH) center is characterized by two distinctive equilibrium modes during boreal midsummer, namely the center of SAH is located between 82.5°-92.5°E for the Tibetan Plateau mode and between 55°-65°E for the Iranian Plateau mode respectively. The present study describes the ability of 15 coupled general circulation models (CGCM) used in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's (IPCC) 4th Assessment Report to reproduce the observed bimodality of the SAH. These models reveal a wide range of skill in simulating this bimodality. Nearly half of the models reproduced the bimodality, while the other half of the models did not simulate well these two modes whereas usually preferring one mode, The models that reproduced the bimodality of the SAH present similar horizontal and vertical circulations as those features from the NCEP reanalysis data. The results from these models identify the warm characteristics of the SAH and indicate that these two modes have different dynamic and thermodynamic properties. Different characteristics of the simulated sensible heat and latent heat related to precipitation partly contribute to the difference in the simulations of the SAH bimodality. The majority of these models that prefer to simulate the Tibetan Plateau mode produce a small sensible heat flux difference between the Iranian Plateau and the Tibetan Plateau, and also generally simulate a very strong false precipitation center over the east of the Tibetan Plateau, which indicates strong latent release and thereby contributes to the preference of the SAH center on the Tibetan Plateau. Whereas, the models that reproduce the bimodality of the SAH tend to simulate large precipitation over the southern Himalayas and no obviously false precipitation is produced over the east of the Tibetan Plateau. In addition, the model's resolution may also have important impacts on the simulations of precipitation.
基金National Key Basic Research Development Program Project of China(2012CB417202)Key Project of National Natural Science Foundation(91337215)National Natural Science Foundation of China(41275051)
文摘NCEP/NCAR data are utilized to analyze an extreme flood year(1998) and an extreme dry year(2006) in the Sichuan-Chongqing region(SCR) and the results are as follows. The positive divergence of South Asia High(SAH) is stronger in the flood year; the position of the ridge line of SAH is southward compared with the annual average; Western Pacific Subtropical High(WPSH) extends westward and its ridge line is southward. In the drought year, the positive divergence of SAH is weaker, its ridge line is northward, and the position of WPSH is also northward. As shown in the dynamics, in drought(flood) years, negative(positive) vorticity advection in the upper atmosphere can cause the atmosphere to ascend(descend), and anomalous circulation of SAH displays divergence(convergence), and anomalous circulation of the lower atmosphere shows convergence(divergence). Thermal structure of the atmosphere shows that there is warm(cold) temperature advection in the lower atmosphere, and the vertical distribution of diabetic heating causes SAH's local circulation to display convergence(divergence) and affects vertical motion of the lower atmosphere circulation eventually. To some extent, the two extreme years in the SCR is closely related to the vertical motion of atmosphere circulation and the variation of such vertical motion is caused by differences of interactions between SAH and lower atmosphere circulations.
基金National Key Fundamental Research Development Program Planning"973"(2009CB4215032013CB430103)+2 种基金Natural Science Foundation of China(41375058)Construction of Advantageous Disciplines for Higher Education in Jiangsu ProvincePriority Academic Program Development of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions(PAPD)
文摘The NCEP 1°×1°reanalysis of June-to-September dataset between 2002 to 2009 is used in this study to conduct statistical analysis of the relationship between the environmental potential vorticity(PV)on 150 hPa located at the south edge of South Asia High(SAH)and TCs making landfall.The results show that 23 of the TCs are affected by the PV on 150 hPa located at the south edge of SAH between 2002 to2009,and three TCs'center pressure decline after the high-value environmental PV moves to the center of the TCs.These three TCs are Senlaku(0216),Bilis(0604)and Linfa(0903).Through diagnostic analysis from the viewpoint of isolines,we determined the relationship between the intensification of these TCs and the PV anomaly at high levels;the isentropic surface is close to the high level’s PV anomaly under the influence of the 150-hPa PV anomaly,leading to the decline of isentropic surfaces on both sides of the PV anomaly.Then the warm core of the middle and high levels of the TC strengthens and PV increases at the middle level,and both of them are beneficial to the reinforcement of the cyclonic vorticity in the low level.As a result,the center pressure of the TC declines.According to Wu’s theory of Slantwise Vorticity Development(SVD),the incline of the isentropic surfaces leads to the development of vertical vorticity,contributing to the vertical motion and the release of the latent heat.Then the warm core of the TC strengthens and the TC strengthens,too.Otherwise,piecewise PV inversion also shows that the high-level PV influences the mid-level more than the low level.
基金This work was supported by the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.KZCX3 SW-221)the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant No.40221503.
文摘On the interannual timescale, the meridional displacement of the East Asian upper-tropospheric jet stream (EAJS) is significantly associated with the rainfall anomalies in East Asia in summer. In this study, using the data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction-Department of Energy (NCEP/DOE) reanalysis-2 from 1979 to 2002, the authors investigate the interannual variations of the EAJS's meridional displacement in summer and their associations with the variations of the South Asian high (SAH) and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH), which are dominant circulation features in the upper and lower troposhere, respectively. The result from an EOF analysis shows that the meridional displacement is the most remarkable feature of the interannual variations of the EAJS in each month of summer and in summer as a whole. A composite analysis indicates that the summer (June-July-August, JJA) EAJS index, which is intended to depict the interannual meridional displacement of the EAJS, is not appropriate because the anomalies of the zonal wind at 200 hPa (U200) in July and August only, rather than in June, significantly contribute to the summer EAJS index. Thus, the index for each month in summer is defined according to the location of the EAJS core in each month. Composite analyses based on the monthly indexes show that corresponding to the monthly equatorward displacement of the EAJS, the South Asian high (SAH) extends southeastward clearly in July and August, and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) withdraws southward in June and August.
文摘In the context of 1958–1997 NCEP/ NCAR re-analyses, the South Asia high (SAH) was divided into two components, barotropic and baroclinic, the former based on mass weighed vertical integration and the latter on the difference between the measured circulation and the barotropic component counterpart, whereupon the barotropic and baroclinic circulation conversion features were addressed of the research SAH during its seasonal variation. Evidence suggests that i) in summer (winter), the SAH is a thermal (dynamical) system, with dominant baroclinicity (barotropicity), either of the components accounting for approximately 70% of the total contribution; ii) as time progresses from winter to summer, accompanied by the barotropic SAH evolving into its baroclinic analog, the SAH is moving under the “ thermal guidance” of its baroclinic component circulation, suggesting that the component circulation precedes the system itself in variation; iii) the reversal happens when it goes from summer to winter, with the SAH displacement under the “ dynamic steering” of its barotropic component circulation. Key words SAH (South Asia high) - Barotropic circulation - Baroclinic circulation - Seasonal variation (1)This work is supported by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China under Grant No.49735170.