The stratospheric quasi-zero wind layer (QZWL) is a transition region with low zonal wind speeds in the lower stratosphere at an altitude of ~20 km. The zonal wind direction above the QZWL layer is opposite to that be...The stratospheric quasi-zero wind layer (QZWL) is a transition region with low zonal wind speeds in the lower stratosphere at an altitude of ~20 km. The zonal wind direction above the QZWL layer is opposite to that below the QZWL layer and the north –south wind component is small. The atmospheric wind field near the stratospheric QZWL is an important factor affecting the flight altitude and dynamic control of stratospheric airships. It is therefore necessary to study the stratospheric QZWL to provide better environmental information for these aircraft. High-resolution radiosonde data were used to analyze the characteristics of the stratospheric QZWL over Korla, Xinjiang Province, China. A weak wind layer in which the wind direction suddenly reversed from westerly to easterly was observed at ~20 km in the lower stratosphere, characteristic of the stratospheric QZWL. The Weather Research and Forecasting model was used to simulate the profiles of the horizontal wind speed and direction over Korla. The forcing effect of each diagnostic term in the equation on the zonal wind speed was analyzed. The results showed that the advection term was the dominant factor forcing the zonal wind speed. The wave term had a secondary forcing role, although the forcing effect of the wave term on the zonal wind speed was significant in some regions.展开更多
This study investigates the variation in the stratospheric quasi-zero wind layer(QZWL)over Dunhuang,Gansu Province,China,on 9 August 2020 using sounding observations from the Dunhuang national reference station and th...This study investigates the variation in the stratospheric quasi-zero wind layer(QZWL)over Dunhuang,Gansu Province,China,on 9 August 2020 using sounding observations from the Dunhuang national reference station and the fifth generation of ECMWF atmospheric reanalysis data(ERA5).The QZWL over Dunhuang was located between 18.6 and 20.4 km on 9 August 2020.The South Asian high(SAH)and subtropical westerly jet jointly affected the QZWL.As the SAH retreated westward,the upper-level westerly jet over Dunhuang strengthened,and the jet axis height increased.As a result,the zonal westerly wind was lifted to a higher altitude,and the wind speed of 100–70 hPa increased,raising the QZWL.In addition,the east–west oscillation of the SAH occurred earlier than the adjustment of the QZWL altitude,which can be used as a forecasting indicator for the QZWL.To further explore the mechanism responsible for the QZWL adjustment,the forcing terms in the equations for zonal wind,kinetic energy,and vertical wind shear were analyzed.The results showed that the upper-level geopotential gradient was the basic physical factor forcing the local change in zonal wind and kinetic energy.The change in zonal wind and kinetic energy led to the uplift of the QZWL.The results revealed that the vertical shear of horizontal wind could adequately indicate the stratospheric QZWL location.展开更多
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA17010105)
文摘The stratospheric quasi-zero wind layer (QZWL) is a transition region with low zonal wind speeds in the lower stratosphere at an altitude of ~20 km. The zonal wind direction above the QZWL layer is opposite to that below the QZWL layer and the north –south wind component is small. The atmospheric wind field near the stratospheric QZWL is an important factor affecting the flight altitude and dynamic control of stratospheric airships. It is therefore necessary to study the stratospheric QZWL to provide better environmental information for these aircraft. High-resolution radiosonde data were used to analyze the characteristics of the stratospheric QZWL over Korla, Xinjiang Province, China. A weak wind layer in which the wind direction suddenly reversed from westerly to easterly was observed at ~20 km in the lower stratosphere, characteristic of the stratospheric QZWL. The Weather Research and Forecasting model was used to simulate the profiles of the horizontal wind speed and direction over Korla. The forcing effect of each diagnostic term in the equation on the zonal wind speed was analyzed. The results showed that the advection term was the dominant factor forcing the zonal wind speed. The wave term had a secondary forcing role, although the forcing effect of the wave term on the zonal wind speed was significant in some regions.
基金Supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(XDA17010105)Science and Technology Development Plan Project of Jilin Province(20180201035SF)+1 种基金Flexible Talents Introducing Project of Xinjiang(2019)National Key Scientific and Technological Infrastructure Project“Earth System Numerical Simulation Facility”(EarthLab).
文摘This study investigates the variation in the stratospheric quasi-zero wind layer(QZWL)over Dunhuang,Gansu Province,China,on 9 August 2020 using sounding observations from the Dunhuang national reference station and the fifth generation of ECMWF atmospheric reanalysis data(ERA5).The QZWL over Dunhuang was located between 18.6 and 20.4 km on 9 August 2020.The South Asian high(SAH)and subtropical westerly jet jointly affected the QZWL.As the SAH retreated westward,the upper-level westerly jet over Dunhuang strengthened,and the jet axis height increased.As a result,the zonal westerly wind was lifted to a higher altitude,and the wind speed of 100–70 hPa increased,raising the QZWL.In addition,the east–west oscillation of the SAH occurred earlier than the adjustment of the QZWL altitude,which can be used as a forecasting indicator for the QZWL.To further explore the mechanism responsible for the QZWL adjustment,the forcing terms in the equations for zonal wind,kinetic energy,and vertical wind shear were analyzed.The results showed that the upper-level geopotential gradient was the basic physical factor forcing the local change in zonal wind and kinetic energy.The change in zonal wind and kinetic energy led to the uplift of the QZWL.The results revealed that the vertical shear of horizontal wind could adequately indicate the stratospheric QZWL location.
