Identification and Interpretation of Earth’s Atmosphere Dynamics’ and Thermodynamics’ Similarities between Rogue Waves and Oceans’ Surface Geostrophic Wind

In their daily practices, meteorologists make extensive use of the geostrophic wind properties to explain many weather phenomena such as the meaning and direction of the horizontal winds that take place around the low atmospheric pressures. The biggest challenge that faces the public who is interested in information disseminated by meteorologists is to know exactly what means the geostrophic wind. Besides the literal definitions scattered in very little scientific work, there is unfortunately no book which gives importance to the algebraic definition of the geostrophic wind. Our work shows that to better understand the behavior of natural phenomena, it is essential to combine the theories with based observations. Obviously, observations cannot be relevant without a theory that guides the observers. Conversely, no theory can be validated without experimental verification. Synoptic observations show that in the “free atmosphere!” the wind vectors are very nearly parallel to isobars, and the flow is perpendicular to the horizontal pressure gradient force, at least at any given instant. This kind of information recommends great caution when making geostrophic approximations. Our work also shows that for tornadoes, there is no need to move away from the surface of the oceans to observe the geostrophic balance. Undoubtedly, identification and interpretation of earth’s atmosphere dynamics’ and thermodynamics’ similarities between rogue waves and oceans’ surface geostrophic wind will be an easy exercise to researchers who will give importance to result provided by this paper.

Dynamical Framework of IAP Nine-Level Atmospheric General Circulation Model

The dynamical framework of the nine-level version of the IAP AGCM is presented in this paper. The emphasis of the model's description is put on the following two aspects:(1) A model's standard atmosphere, which is a satisfactory approximation to the observed troposphere and lower stratosphere standard atmosphere, is introduced into the equations of the model to permit a more accurate calculation of the vertical transport terms, especially near the tropopause; (2) The vertical levels of the model are carefully selected to guarantee a smooth dependence of layer thickness upon pressure in order to reduce the truncation error involved in the unequal interval vertical finite-differencing. For testing the model, two kinds of linear baroclinic Rossby-Haurwitz waves, one of which has a dynamically stable vertical structure and the other has a relatively unstable one, are constructed to provide initial conditions for numerical experiments. The two waves have been integrated for more than 300 days and 100 days respectively by using the model and both of them are propagating westward with almost identical phase-speed during the time period of the integrations. No obvious change of the wave patterns is found at the levels in the model's troposphere. The amplitudes of both two waves at the uppermost level, however, exhibit rather significant oscillation with time, of which the periods are exactly 20 days and 25 days espectively.The explanation of this interesting phenomena is still under investigation.

Atmospheric Circulation and Dynamic Mechanism for Persistent Haze Events in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei Region

In this study, regional persistent haze events（RPHEs） in the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei（BTH） region were identified based on the Objective Identification Technique for Regional Extreme Events for the period 1980–2013. The formation mechanisms of the severe RPHEs were investigated with focus on the atmospheric circulation and dynamic mechanisms. Results indicated that：（1） 49 RPHEs occurred during the past 34 years.（2） The severe RPHEs could be categorized into two types according to the large-scale circulation, i.e. the zonal westerly airflow（ZWA） type and the high-pressure ridge（HPR） type. When the ZWA-type RPHEs occurred, the BTH region was controlled by near zonal westerly airflow in the mid–upper troposphere.Southwesterly winds prevailed in the lower troposphere, and near-surface wind speeds were only 1–2 ms^-1. Warm and humid air originating from the northwestern Pacific was transported into the region, where the relative humidity was 70% to 80%, creating favorable moisture conditions. When the HPR-type RPHEs appeared, northwesterly airflow in the mid–upper troposphere controlled the region. Westerly winds prevailed in the lower troposphere and the moisture conditions were relatively weak.（3） Descending motion in the mid-lower troposphere caused by the above two circulation types provided a crucial dynamic mechanism for the formation of the two types of RPHEs. The descending motion contributed to a reduction in the height of the planetary boundary layer（PBL）, which generated an inversion in the lower troposphere. This inversion trapped the abundant pollution and moisture in the lower PBL, leading to high concentrations of pollutants.

Progress in the Study of Nonlinear Atmospheric Dynamics and Predictability of Weather and Climate in China (2007-2011)

Recent progress in the study of nonlinear atmospheric dynamics and related predictability of weather and climate in China （2007-2011） are briefly introduced in this article. Major achievements in the study of nonlinear atmospheric dynamics have been classified into two types： （1） progress based on the analysis of solutions of simplified control equations, such as the dynamics of NAO, the optimal precursors for blocking onset, and the behavior of nonlinear waves, and （2） progress based on data analyses, such as the nonlinear analyses of fluctuations and recording-breaking temperature events, the long-range correlation of extreme events, and new methods of detecting abrupt dynamical change. Major achievements in the study of predictability include the following： （1） the application of nonlinear local Lyapunov exponents （NLLE） to weather and climate predictability; （2） the application of condition nonlinear optimal perturbation （CNOP） to the studies of E1 Nifio-Southern Oscillation （ENSO） predictions, ensemble forecasting, targeted observation, and sensitivity analysis of the ecosystem; and （3） new strategies proposed for predictability studies. The results of these studies have provided greater understanding of the dynamics and nonlinear mecha- nisms of atmospheric motion, and they represent new ideas for developing numerical models and improving the forecast skill of weather and climate events.

Mesoscale Dynamics and Its Application in Torrential Rainfall Systems in China

Progress over the past decade in understanding moisture-driven dynamics and torrential rain storms in China is reviewed in this paper. First, advances in incorporating moisture effects more realistically into theory are described, including the development of a new parameter, generalized moist potential vorticity（GMPV） and an improved moist ageostrophic Q vector（Qum）. Advances in vorticity dynamics are also described, including the adoption of a ＂parcel dynamic＂ approach to investigate the development of the vertical vorticity of an air parcel; a novel theory of slantwise vorticity development, proposed because vorticity develops easily near steep isentropic surfaces; and the development of the convective vorticity vector（CVV）as an effective new tool. The significant progress in both frontal dynamics and wave dynamics is also summarized, including the geostrophic adjustment of initial unbalanced flow and the dual role of boundary layer friction in frontogenesis, as well as the interaction between topography and fronts, which indicate that topographic perturbations alter both frontogenesis and frontal structure. For atmospheric vortices, mixed wave/vortex dynamics has been extended to explain the propagation of spiral rainbands and the development of dynamical instability in tropical cyclones. Finally, we review wave and basic flow interaction in torrential rainfall, for which it was necessary to extend existing theory from large-scale flows to mesoscale fields, enriching our knowledge of mesoscale atmospheric dynamics.

New Developments on Existence and Uniqueness of Solutions to Some Models in Atmospheric Dynamics

This survey is concerned with the new developments on existence and uniqueness of solutions of some basic models in atmospheric dynamics, such as two-and three-dimensional quasi-geostrophic models and three-dimensional balanced model. The main aim of this paper is to introduce some results about the global and local (with respect to time) existence of solutions given by the authors in recent years, but others' important contributions and the literature on this subject are also quoted. We discuss briefly the relationships among the existence and uniqueness, physical instability and computational instability. In the appendixes, some key mathematical techniques in obtaining our results are presented, which are of vital importance to other problems in geophysical fluid dynamics as well.

Dynamic Responses of Atmospheric Carbon Dioxide Concentration to Global Temperature Changes between 1850 and 2010

Changes in Earth＇s temperature have significant impacts on the global carbon cycle that vary at different time scales, yet to quantify such impacts with a simple scheme is traditionally deemed difficult. Here, we show that, by incorporating a tem- perature sensitivity parameter （1.64 ppm yr-1 ℃-1） into a simple linear carbon-cycle model, we can accurately characterize the dynamic responses of atmospheric carbon dioxide （CO2） concentration to anthropogenic carbon emissions and global temperature changes between 1850 and 2010 （r2 〉 0.96 and the root-mean-square error 〈 1 ppm for the period from 1960 onward）. Analytical analysis also indicates that the multiplication of the parameter with the response time of the atmospheric carbon reservoir （-12 year） approximates the long-term temperature sensitivity of global atmospheric CO2 concentration （-15 ppm ℃ 1）, generally consistent with previous estimates based on reconstructed CO2 and climate records over the Little Ice Age. Our results suggest that recent increases in global surface temperatures, which accelerate the release of carbon from the surface reservoirs into the atmosphere, have partially offset surface carbon uptakes enhanced by the elevated atmo- spheric CO2 concentration and slowed the net rate of atmospheric CO2 sequestration by global land and oceans by -30% since the 1960s. The linear modeling framework outlined in this paper thus provides a useful tool to diagnose the observed atmospheric CO2 dynamics and monitor their future changes.

The State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modelling for Atmospheric Science and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

The State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modelling for Atmospheric Science and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (LASG) was established in 1985. It was considered an Excellent Opening Laboratory in the national assessment organized by the former State Science and Technology Committee (now the Ministry of Science and Technology) in 1988. Because of this, LASG was upgraded to a State Key Laboratory in 1989. It won the honor of "Excellent

State Key Lab of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Science and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics

The State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Science and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics (LASG) was set up as early as in 1985. It has been appraised as an Excellent State Key Lab in each of the three national assessments organized by State Economic Planning Commission, National Natural Science Foundation (NSFC) and the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST) in 1991, 1996 and 2000, respectively.

A DYNAMICAL ANALYSIS OF BASIC FACTORS OF LOW-FREQUENCY OSCILLATION IN THE TROPICAL ATMOSPHERE

Based on dynamical characteristics of the tropical atmosphere, a mathematical model of low-frequency oscillation (LFO hereinafter) in low-latitudes has been developed. The analysis shows that the distributive fea- tures (shear of wind speed) of easterlies and westerlies in low-latitudes, the divergence and convergence of meridional and zonal flow, the vertical structure of diabatic heating and the Coriolis parameter f are the basic factors resulting in the LFO, while quasi-periodical baroclinity development or index cycle of westerly waves in middle-latitudes of the Southern Hemisphere is an external forcing to the LFO in the tropical atmos- phere. The resonance on adequate condition makes LFO suddenly enhanced.

Large-Scale Weather Systems: A Future Research Priority

A brief assessment is provided of both the case against and the case for assigning priority to research on large-scale weather systems （LSWS）. The three-fold case against is based upon： the emergence of new overarching themes in environmental science; the fresh emphasis upon other sub-disciplines of the atmospheric science; and the mature state of research and prediction of LSWS. The case for is also supported by three arguments. First is the assertion that LSWS research should not merely be an integral but a major component of future research related to both the new overarching themes and the other sub-disciplines. Second recent major developments in LSWS research, as epitomized by the paradigm shifts in the prediction strategy for LSWS and the emergence of the potential vorticity perspective, testify to the theme＇s on-going vibrancy. Third the field＇s future development, as exemplified by the new international THORPEX （The Observing System Research and Predictability Experiment） programme, embodies a perceptive dovetailing of intellectually challenging fundamental research with directed application（s） of societal and economic benefit. It is thus inferred that LSWS research, far from being in demise, will feature at the forefront of the new relationship between science and society.

The Congo Basin Zonal Overturning Circulation

The Gulf of Guinea in the equatorial Atlantic is characterized by the presence of strong subsidence at certain times of the year. This subsidence appears in June and becomes well established from July to September. Since much of the West African monsoon flow originates over the Gulf, Guinean subsidence is important for determining moisture sources for the monsoon. Using reanalysis products, I contribute to a physical understanding of what causes this seasonal subsidence, and how it relates to precipitation distributions across West Africa. There is a seasonal zonal overturning circulation above the Congo basin and the Gulf of Guinea in the ERA-Interim, ERA-40, NCEP2, and MERRA reanalyses. The up-branch is located in the Congo basin around 20°E. Mid-tropospheric easterly flows constitute the returning-branch and sinking over the Gulf of Guinea forms the down-branch, which diverges at 2°W near the surface, with winds to the east flowing eastward to complete the circulation. This circulation is driven by surface temperature differences between the eastern Gulf and Congo basin. Land temperatures remain almost uniform, around 298 K, throughout a year, but the Guinean temperatures cool rapidly from 294 K in May to about 290 K in August. These temperature changes increase the ocean/land temperature contrast, up to 8 K, and drive the circulation. I hypothesize that when the overturning circulation is anomalously strong, the northward moisture transport and Sahelian precipitation are also strong. This hypothesis is supported by ERA-Interim and PERSIANN-CDR （Precipitation Estimation from Remotely Sensed Information using Artificial Neural Networks-Climate Data Record） data.

The Nippon/Norway Svalbard Meteor Radar: First results of small-scale structure observations

The Nippon/Norway Svalbard Meteor Radar(NSMR), has been in operation since March 2001. While primarily thought of as an instrument for examining mean wind, tidal and gravity wave neutral atmosphere dynamics in the upper mesosphere region, it is also possible to investigate spatial and temporal structure of temperature and windshear. Here, the radar itself is described followed by a presentation of these derived parameters.

A two-dimensional model of He/O_2 atmospheric pressure plasma needle discharge

In this paper, a computational modeling study of stream propagation in the atmospheric-pressure helium plasma in ambient atmosphere（oxygen） is presented. A coupled fluid model between time-dependent plasma dynamics and steady state neutral gas flow is employed to provide a fundamental insight into the evolution of the streamers. The obtained simulation results showing that the sheath forms near the dielectric surface and shields the axial stream propagation. The stream front propagates with axial velocity in a range of 10^4m/s–10^5m/s. And, the increasing accumulated surface charge should be responsible for reducing the propagation velocity of the streamer front in the axial direction. Besides, when the gas flow rate is 1.1 standard liter per minute（SLM）, we find that the concentration of oxygen drastically increases at a larger radial position near a treated surface. Therefore, Penning ionization by helium metastables and oxygen peaks at an off-axis position, corresponding to the ring-shaped emission profile in cylindrical coordinates. In this case, the simulated results show the ring-shaped ground atomic oxygen density profile near the treated surface（z = 0.5 mm） at a large gas flow rate of 1.1 SLM, which is consistent with the observation in a similar experiment.

Equilibria of a charged artificial satellite subject to gravitational and Lorentz torques

The attitude dynamics of a rigid artificial satellite subject to a gravity gradient and Lorentz torques in a circular orbit are considered. Lorentz torque is developed on the basis of the electrodynamic effects of the Lorentz force acting on the charged satellite＇s surface. We assume that the satellite is moving in a Low Earth Orbit in the geomagnetic field, which is considered to be a dipole. Our model of torque due to the Lorentz force is developed for an artificial satellite with a general shape, and the nonlinear differential equations of Euler are used to describe its attitude orientation. All equilibrium positions are determined and conditions for their existence are obtained.The numerical results show that the charge q and radius ρ0of the center of charge for the satellite provide a certain type of semi-passive control for the attitude of the satellite. The technique for this kind of control would be to increase or decrease the electrostatic screening on the satellite. The results obtained confirm that the change in charge can affect the magnitude of the Lorentz torque, which can also affect control of the satellite. Moreover, the relationship between magnitude of the Lorentz torque and inclination of the orbit is investigated.

Electromagnetic effects on the orbital motion of a charged spacecraft

This paper deals with the effects of electromagnetic forces on the orbital motion of a spacecraft. The electrostatic charge which a spacecraft generates on its surface in the Earth＇s magnetic field will be subject to a perturbative Lorentz force. A model incorporating all Lorentz forces as a function of orbital elements has been developed on the basis of magnetic and electric fields. This Lorentz force can be used to modify or perturb the spacecraft＇s orbits. Lagrange＇s planetary equations in the Gauss variational form are derived using the Lorentz force as a perturbation to a Keplerian orbit. Our approach incorporates orbital inclination and the true anomaly. The numer- ical results of Lagrange＇s planetary equations for some operational satellites show that the perturbation in the orbital elements of the spacecraft is a second order perturba- tion for a certain value of charge. The effect of the Lorentz force due to its magnetic component is three times that of the Lorentz force due to its electric component. In addition, the numerical results confirm that the strong effects are due to the Lorentz force in a polar orbit, which is consistent with realistic physical phenomena that occur in polar orbits. The results confirm that the magnitude of the Lorentz force depends on the amount of charge. This means that we can use artificial charging to create a force to control the attitude and orbital motion of a spacecraft.

Nonlinear Ekman Layer Theories and Their Applications

Based on the classical Ekman theory, a series of intermediate boundary layer models, which retain the nonlinear advective process while discard embellishments, have been proposed with the intention to understand the complex nonlinear features of the atmospheric boundary layer and its interaction with the free atmosphere. In this paper, the recent advances in the intermediate boundary-layer dynamic models are reviewed. Several intermediate models such as the boundary-layer models incorporating geostrophic momentum approximation, Ekman momentum approximation, and the weak nonlinear Ekman-layer model are a major theme. With inspection of the theoretical frameworks, the physical meaning and the limitations of each intermediate model axe discussed. It is found that the qualitative descriptions of the nonlinear nature in Ekman layer made by the intermediate models are fairly consistent though the details may be different. As the application of the intermediate models is concerned, the application of the intermediate models to the study of the topographic boundary layer, frontogenesis, low-level frontal structure, and low-level jet are especially summarized in this paper. It is shown that the intermediate boundary-layer models have great potential in illustrating the low-level structures of the weather and climate systems as they are coupled with the free atmospheric models. In addition, the important remaining scientific challenges and a prospectus for future research on the intermediate model are also discussed.

Balanced and Unbalanced Components of Moist Atmospheric Flows with Phase Changes

Atmospheric variables(temperature, velocity, etc.) are often decomposed into balanced and unbalanced components that represent low-frequency and high-frequency waves, respectively. Such decompositions can be defined, for instance, in terms of eigenmodes of a linear operator. Traditionally these decompositions ignore phase changes of water since phase changes create a piecewise-linear operator that differs in different phases(cloudy versus non-cloudy). Here we investigate the following question: How can a balanced–unbalanced decomposition be performed in the presence of phase changes? A method is described here motivated by the case of small Froude and Rossby numbers,in which case the asymptotic limit yields precipitating quasi-geostrophic equations with phase changes. Facilitated by its zero-frequency eigenvalue, the balanced component can be found by potential vorticity(PV) inversion, by solving an elliptic partial differential equation(PDE), which includes Heaviside discontinuities due to phase changes. The method is also compared with two simpler methods: one which neglects phase changes, and one which simply treats the raw pressure data as a streamfunction. Tests are shown for both synthetic, idealized data and data from Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model simulations. In comparisons, the phase-change method and no-phase-change method produce substantial differences within cloudy regions, of approximately 5K in potential temperature, due to the presence of clouds and phase changes in the data. A theoretical justification is also derived in the form of a elliptic PDE for the differences in the two streamfunctions.