Simulation of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream with GFDL AGCM (AM2.1)

The present study validated the capability of the AM2.1,a model developed at NOAA's Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL),in reproducing the fundamental features of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream (EASWJ).The main behaviors of the EASWJ are also investigated through the reanalysis of observational NCEP/NCAR data.The mean state of the EASWJ,including its intensity,location,structure,and seasonal evolution is generally well-portrayed in the model.Compared with the observation,the model tends to reproduce a weaker jet center.And,during summer,the simulated jet center is northward-situated.Results also demonstrate the model captures the variability of EASWJ during summer well.The results of the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) applied on the zonal wind at 200 hPa (U200) over East Asia for both the observation and simulation indicate an inter-decadal shift around the late 1970s.The correlation coefficient between the corresponding principle components is as great as 0.42 with significance at the 99% confidence level.

WINTERTIME MIDDLE EAST SUBTROPICAL WESTERLY JET STREAM INTERANNUAL VARIATION CHARACTERISTICS AND ITS POSSIBLE PHYSICAL FACTORS

Using National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy(NCEP/DOE) monthly reanalysis data and an extended reconstruction of the sea surface temperature data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the basic characteristics of the interannual variation in the wintertime Middle East subtropical westerly jet stream(MEJ) and its possible physical factors are studied. The results show that the climatological mean MEJ axis extends southwestward-northeastward and that its center lies in the northwest part of the Arabian Peninsula. The south-north shift of the MEJ axis and its intensity show obvious interannual variations that are closely related to the ElNio-Southern Oscillation(ENSO) and the mid-high latitude atmospheric circulation. The zonal symmetric response of the Asian jet to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing causes the MEJ axis shift, and the Arctic Oscillation(AO)causes the middle-western MEJ axis shift. Due to the influences of both the zonal symmetric response of the Asian jet to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing and the dynamical role of the AO, an east-west out-of-phase MEJ axis shift is observed. Furthermore, the zonal asymmetric response to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing can lead to an anomalous Mediterranean convergence(MC) in the high troposphere. The MC anomaly excites a zonal wave train along the Afro-Asian jet, which causes the middle-western MEJ axis shift. Under the effects of both the zonal symmetric response to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing and the wave train along the Afro-Asian jet excited by the MC anomaly, an east-west in-phase MEJ axis shift pattern is expressed. Finally, the AO affects the MEJ intensity, whereas the East Atlantic(EA) teleconnection influences the middle-western MEJ intensity. Under the dynamical roles of the AO and EA, the change in the MEJ intensity is demonstrated.

Dynamical role of the Rocky Mountain controlled by East Asian topographies in modulating the tropospheric westerly jet in northern winter

Large-scale mountains like Asian topographies and the Rocky Mountains have important influences on subtropical jet streams(STJs)over downstream regions in winter.The dynamical role of the Rocky Mountains in modulating STJs with and without the existence of East Asian(EA)topographies in northern winter is investigated via numerical experiments.In agreement with previous studies,the Rocky Mountains(topographic forcing),with the existence of EA topographies,can only strengthen the STJ from the east coast of North America to the western Atlantic region.The independent role of the Rocky Mountains,however,strengthens the STJ over not only the east coast of North America but also over Pacific regions.It is found that the existence of EA topographies can dramatically strengthen the EA trough,as well as a downstream ridge which,in the upstream of the Rocky Mountains,acts to partly cancel out the strengthening of the anticyclone to the north of the Rocky Mountains and the northward warm air transport in the high latitudes of Pacific regions due to the Rocky Mountains’forcing alone.Such circulation changes effectively weaken the Rocky Mountains–forced strengthening of the meridional temperature gradient in the midlatitude North Pacific,and thus the STJ there.Therefore,EA topographies are of great importance in modulating the role of the Rocky Mountains as a dynamical forcing of STJ variability.

PROPAGATION OF 30—60 DAY LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON THE SUBTROPICAL WESTERLIES JET STREAM DURING NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER

Based on daily ECMWF gridpoint data of two winters during 1981—1983 including an ENSO year,propagation of low frequency oscillations(LFO)during Northern Hemisphere winters and their influences upon 30—60 day oscillations of the subtropical jet stream are studied with the sta- tistical methods as complex empirical orthogonal function(CEOF)and so on.Results show that in the winter of a normal year(1981—1982),30—60 day oscillations in the subtropical zone are mainly in the northern and southern flanks of exit region of jet stream.In the ENSO year(1982— 1983),they are mainly in the vicinity of entrance and exit regions of jet stream.Intraseasonal changes of subtropical jet stream manifested themselves as latitudinal fluctuation or longitudinal progression or regression of about 40 day period.There are marked differences between propagat- ing passages of low frequency modes responsible for changes of subtropical jet stream in the normal year(1981—1982)and in the ENSO year(1982—1983).Changes of oscillation amplitude show obvious phases.In general,the one in late winter is stronger than that in early winter,strongest one occurs in February.

The Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream in CRA-40, ERA5, and CFSR Reanalysis Data:Comparative Assessment

The Asian subtropical westerly jet(AWJ) exerts crucial influences on Eurasian continent weather and climate. This paper analyzes the advantages and limitations of CRA-40, which is China's first generation 40-yr(1979–2018) global atmosphere and land reanalysis product, in describing the characteristics of AWJ, compared with the ECMWF Reanalysis version 5(ERA5) and NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis(CFSR). The results show a close agreement across the three reanalyses on the whole.(1) In terms of climatology, overall differences of 200-h Pa zonal wind across the three reanalyses are within ± 0.5 m s^(-1)(i.e., ± 2%). Large differences with maxima of ± 2 m s^(-1)(±5%) appear over the Iranian Plateau and south of the Tibetan Plateau in the mid–upper troposphere in winter.(2) For seasonal cycle, the position and intensity of the AWJ centers in the three reanalyses are highly consistent, with correlation coefficient over 0.98. But there are some discrepancies in the zonal shift of the western AWJ center during the transition season.(3) On the interannual timescale, intensity of all AWJ centers varies consistently among the three reanalyses, while larger differences appear in their meridional displacement, especially in the eastern AWJ center.(4)For long-term variations, the three reanalyses all present a significant northward movement of the westerly jet axis in winter, and a southward displacement over central Asia(40°–80°E) and a northward migration over East Asia(80°–110°E) in summer. Thus, this study has provided confidence that CRA-40 has comparable performance with ERA5 and CFSR in depicting the characteristics of AWJ.

Effects of the East Asian Summer Monsoon on Tropical Cyclone Genesis over the South China Sea on an Interdecadal Time Scale

Tropical cyclone （TC） genesis over the South China Sea （SCS） during 1965–2004 was analyzed. The locations of TC genesis display evident seasonal changes, with the mean position of formation situated north of 15 °N in summer （June–July–August） and south of 15 °N in autumn （September–October–November）. The TC genesis in summer underwent dramatic interdecadal variations, with more and less TC frequency during 1965–1974/1995–2004 and 1979–1993, respectively. In contrast, a significant interannual variation of TC genesis with a period of ～4 years was observed in autumn. This study investigated the relationship of SCS TC genesis to the East Asian jet stream （EAJS） and the western North Pacific subtropical high （WNPSH） on an interdecadal time scale. Analysis and comparison of the impacts of the EAJS and the WNPSH on vertical wind shear changes indicate that changes in the WNPSH and EAJS intensity rather than EAJS meridional location are responsible for changes in TC genesis on an interdecadal time scale. Corresponding to a weaker EAJS, anomalous Rossby wave energy at upper levels displays equatorward propagation at midlatitudes and poleward propagation in the subtropics. This induces anomalous convergence and divergence of wave activity fluxes in East Asia around 30 °N and the SCS, respectively. The anomalous divergence of wave activity fluxes reduces easterlies at upper levels over the SCS, which is favorable to TC genesis.

Satellite Measurements of the Madden–Julian Oscillation in Wintertime Stratospheric Ozone over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia

We investigate the Madden-Julian Oscillation （MJO） signal in wintertime stratospheric ozone over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia using the harmonized dataset of satellite ozone profiles. Two different MJO indices -- the all-season Real-Time multivariate MJO index （RMM） and outgoing longwave radiation-based MJO index （OMI） -- are used to compare the MJO- related ozone anomalies. The results show that there are pronounced eastward-propagating MJO-related stratospheric ozone anomalies （mainly within 20-200 hPa） over the subtropics, The negative stratospheric ozone anomalies are over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia in MJO phases 4-7, when MJO-related tropical deep convective anomalies move from the equatorial Indian Ocean towards the western Pacific Ocean. Compared with the results based on RMM, the MJO-related stratospheric column ozone anomalies based on OM1 are stronger and one phase ahead. Further analysis suggests that different sampling errors, observation principles and retrieval algorithms may be responsible for the discrepancies among different satellite measurements. The MJO-related stratospheric ozone anomalies can be attributed to the MJO-related circulation anomalies, i.e., the uplifted tropopanse and the northward shifted westerly jet in the upper troposphere. Compared to the result based on RMM, the upper tropospheric westerly jet may play a less important role in generating the stratospheric column ozone anomalies based on OMI. Our study indicates that the circulation-based MJO index （RMM） can better characterize the MJO- related anomalies in tropopause pressure and thus the MJO influence on atmospheric trace gases in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, especially over subtropical East Asia.

The Response of the East Asian Summer Monsoon to Strong Tropical Volcanic Eruptions

A 600-year integration performed with the Bergen Climate Model and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research （NCEP/NCAR） reanalysis data were used to investigate the impact of strong tropical volcanic eruptions on the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） and EASM rainfall.Both the simulation and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data show a weakening of the EASM in strong eruption years.The model simulation suggests that North and South China experience droughts and the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley experiences floods during eruption years.In response to strong tropical volcanic eruptions,the meridional air temperature gradient in the upper troposphere is enhanced,which leads to a southward shift and an increase of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet stream （EASWJ）.At the same time,the land-sea thermal contrast between the Asian land mass and Northwest Pacific Ocean is weakened.The southward shift and increase of the EASWJ and reduction of the land-sea thermal contrast all contribute to a weakening of the EASM and EASM rainfall anomaly.

Wave Sources, Energy Propagation and Conversion for Anomalous Rossby Wave Activities Along the West Asian Jet Stream

Characteristics of the wave sources, energy propagation and conversion for anomalous Rossby wave activities （RWAs） along the West Asian jet stream （WAJS） in summer are examined based on the NCEP/NCAR （National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research） reanalysis data from 1958 to 2003, using the vorticity source equation, the Eliassen-Palm （EP） flux, and the wave energy equation under diabatic heating. The study aims to find the dynamical causes for RWA anomalies along the WAJS and to improve the understanding of mid-high latitude circulation anomalies. The results show that the negative vorticity source and the strong EP flux divergence over the Mediterranean Sea and the North Atlantic Scandinavian Peninsula area act as the wave sources for RWA anomalies along the WAJS. When the intensity and position of the wave sources are anomalous, the excited eastward-propagating RWA along the WAJS also behaves anomalously. In strong （weak） years of RWA, Rossby waves excited by the strong divergence of EP fluxes over the Iceland Scandinavian Peninsula area （east to the Scandinavian Peninsula） propagate eastward and southeastward. The eastward propagating waves become strengthened （weakened） after turning southeastward near the Ural Mountains and then entering the Asian subtropical westerly jet stream （ASWJS） over the Caspian Sea-Aral Sea-Xinjiang. The southeastward propagating waves also strengthen （weaken） after directly entering the ASWJS over the eastern Mediterranean-the Black Sea. Furthermore, the divergence of EP fluxes over the Mediterranean also strengthens （weakens） in the strong （weak） years, so they jointly bring about the strong （weak） RWA along the WAJS. Finally, the perturbation available potential energy （PAPE） along the WAJS （15°- 60°E） produced by diabatic heating, is far greater than the conversion from the kinetic energy of the basic flow into the perturbation kinetic energy and from the available potential energy of the basic flow into PAPE. The RWA along the WAJS looks stronger （weaker） than normal when the PAPEs produced by diabatic heating over the Iranian Plateau and West Asia significantly strengthen （weaken）, and therefore they are also the energy sources of RWA anomalies.