Vorticity Budget Investigation of a Simulated Long-Lived Mesoscale Vortex in South China

A vorticity budget investigation is performed using the output data from a numerical simulation of a typical MCV (mesoscale convectively generated votex) case in South China. Results suggest that the divergence caused by convection in the low troposphere is the main producer of positive vorticity, while vertical vorticity transferred by the tilting term from the horizontal vorticity compensates the upward output of cyclonic vorticity. Scale analyses of the vorticity equation suggest that the advection of planetary vorticity can be neglected owing to the low latitude, which is di?erent from the larger scale systems in high latitude areas. In addition, the distribution of relative vorticity tendency on pressure level is not uniform. A vortex will move along the vector from the negative to the positive vorticity tendency region. The mechanism of the phenomenon—that nearly all of the convectively ascending region is located southward/southeastward of the vortex center—is also discussed. Convergence with regard to latent heat release would be in favor of the spin-up of meso-vortex, however, the horizontal vorticity caused by wind shear is tilted by vertical motion due to convection. Consequently, the negative and positive vorticity tendencies are located symmetrically about the convective center, which suggests that the vortex southward movement is dynamically driven by convection.

A semi-idealized modeling study on the long-lived eastward propagating mesoscale convective system over the Tibetan Plateau

Based on a 16-warm-season statistical study on the mesoscale convective systems(MCSs)that were generated over the Tibetan Plateau(TP),11 long-lived eastward propagating MCSs of the same type were selected for a composite semiidealized simulation and a corresponding no-latent-heating sensitivity run by using the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model.Common evolutionary features and associated mechanisms of this type of long-lived eastward propagating MCS were investigated.Main results are as follows:(i)This type of MCS was generated in a favorable background environment which was characterized by a notable upper-tropospheric divergence south of an upper-level jet,a strong warm advection around a middle-level shortwave trough’s central area,and an instable convective stratification below the trough.Development of the MCS featured rapid increase of cyclonic vorticity in the middle and lower troposphere.The convergence-related vertical stretching and tilting were key factors for the cyclonic-vorticity’s production,and convection-related upward cyclonic-vorticity transport contributed to the upward extending of the MCS.(ii)During the vacating stage of the MCS,it first coupled with a quasistationary Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV)over the TP’s eastern section,and then decoupled from the vortex.In the former stage,the MCS contributed to maintaining ascending motions and convergence associated with the TPV,which favored its persistence;whereas,in the latter stage,decoupling weakened the TPV-associated convection significantly.This reduced the upward transport of cyclonic vorticity notably,which,together with the negative tilting effect,finally led to the vortex’s dissipation.(iii)After vacating TP,the MCS first weakened due to the disappearance of strong direct sensible heating from the TP on its bottom,and then,under the favorable conditions associated with the shortwave trough over the eastern section of the TP,the MCS redeveloped rapidly.Convergence-related cyclonic-vorticity production in the middle and lower troposphere and upward transport of cyclonic vorticity due to convection governed the MCS’s redevelopment.(iv)Sensitivity simulation shows that latent heating was a necessary condition for the formation and development of the long-lived eastward propagating MCS.On the one hand,this MCS affected the TP’s eastern section and downstream regions directly by inducing precipitation;and on the other hand,it exerted effects on the precipitation over a wider range in the downstream regions by modulating large-scale circulations over and around the TP.

A Numerical Study of the Evolution of a Mesoscale Convective Vortex on the Meiyu Front

The Advanced Research WRF（Weather Research and Forecasting） model is used to simulate the evolution of a mesoscale convective vortex（MCV） that formed on the Meiyu front and lasted for more than two days. The simulation is used to investigate the underlying reasons for the genesis, intensification, and vertical expansion of the MCV. This MCV is of a type of mid-level MCV that often develops in the stratiform regions of mesoscale convective systems. The vortex strengthened and reached its maximum intensity and vertical extent（from the surface to upper levels） when secondary organized convection developed within the mid-level circulation. The factors controling the evolution of the kinetic and thermal structure of the MCV are examined through an analysis of the budgets of vorticity, temperature, and energy. The evolution of the local Rossby radius of deformation reveals the interrelated nature of the MCV and its parent mesoscale convective system.

我国南方MCC的涡度、水汽和热量收支平衡

采用合成分析方法 ,将我国南方中尺度对流复合体的生命史划分为 7个子阶段 ,详细探讨MCC演变过程中的涡度、水汽和热量收支平衡演变特征 ,着重分析了中小尺度系统在MCC过程中的作用。结果表明 :( 1)在MCC过程中 ,中γ尺度和中 β尺度系统活动是引起涡度不平衡的重要原因。( 2 )在MCC初始阶段有中小尺度对流系统消耗MCC的水汽、热量而积极活动 ,造成MCC的视热汇、视水汽汇。成熟阶段的源区域表明有中小尺度系统的活动造成MCC的视热源、视水汽源 ,这是MCC具有长生命史的原因。MCC后期 ,中小尺度对流系统活动造成的视水汽汇和视热汇 ,与有利的大尺度天气条件的逐渐消亡 ,使MCC渐渐消失。 ( 3 )MCC的形成和启动受大尺度环境场的控制 ;一旦MCC开始活动 ,对流层低层、中层的中尺度对流系统活动对MCC的发展与持续过程有十分重要的作用 ;在MCC前期 ,中小尺度对流活动消耗MCC的总能量而启动 ;在成熟阶段中小尺度对流活动释放总能量造成了MCC的长生命史 ;MCC后期 ,大形势发生改变 (如位势不稳定度的变化等 ) ,积云对流活动和(或 )中尺度对流活动的作用与大尺度形势趋势一致 ,致使MCC消亡。 ( 4 )在MCC前期 ,潜热释放是主要加热因子 ;而后对流垂直输送水汽和热量的作用比对流凝结加热的作用大。

中国东部地区一个中尺度对流涡旋的涡度收支分析

中尺度对流涡旋(MCV),与其他中尺度涡旋不同,有着其独特的动力机制与发展途径.一旦MCV形成,极易产生灾害性天气过程.为了解我国的MCV,使用非静力中尺度模式天气预报和研究模式对中国东部2003年7月4至5日降水过程进行了高分辨率的双向三重嵌套的数值模拟.与观测资料比较,模拟结果较为准确地再现了当时的大气状况.采用了空间滤波的方法对模式结果进行了大尺度背景场与中尺度扰动场的尺度分离,对MCV的结构与移动进行分析,并追随MCV的活动对其的涡度收支情况进行诊断分析.分析表明,大尺度背景场与中尺度扰动场对MCV的作用有着明显的差异.MCV的移动由大尺度背景风场引导;其中辐合作用直接决定了MCV的形成与发展,大尺度水平运动对中尺度涡度的水平输送为水平平流项的主要部分.而由垂直风速的水平变化所导致的水平涡度的倾斜作用在此MCV形成与发展阶段作用并不明显.成熟时的MCV与成熟时的中尺度对流复合体类似有着3个明显的环流,在对流层高层与低层均为辐散反气旋性环流,对流层中层则为较为深厚的气旋性环流.

东北冷涡背景下中尺度低涡的演变成因及其对MCS的影响分析

利用WRF中尺度数值模式,NCEP/NCAR分析资料、多普勒雷达观测资料等,对2015年8月3日发生在山东地区附近的一次东北冷涡背景下中尺度低涡伴随MCS的过程进行数值模拟和分析,研究了东北冷涡影响下中尺度低涡发生发展的原因及其对MCS发展的影响。结果表明:(1)在天气尺度的东北冷涡槽前,高层高空急流入口区右侧存在强辐散场,低层有不稳定能量释放为中尺度低涡以及对流发生提供有利背景场,低层中尺度低涡的生成促进了MCS的形成;(2)中尺度低涡形成和发展时期,低层正涡度主要受到水平散度项和垂直输送项的影响,水平散度项作用更大,中层正涡度主要受到垂直输送项的影响,由于两项的正贡献作用,中低层正涡度增加,低涡发展;中尺度低涡减弱时期,中低层水平散度项减弱,垂直输送项变为负值,正涡度制造减弱,负涡度制造增加,低涡消亡;(3)在MCS发展过程中,扰动有效位能的增加主要由于潜热释放作用和中尺度低涡纬向平均有效位能向扰动有效位能转化,之后扰动有效位能通过垂直运动向扰动动能转化,扰动动能的增加促进强对流发展。中尺度低涡不仅为强对流的发展提供能量,其中风场变化也是影响强对流演变的重要原因。