Persistence of Snow Cover Anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau and the Implications for Forecasting Summer Precipitation over the Meiyu-Baiu Region

The present reported study investigated the persistence of snow anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau(TP) from the preceding seasons to summer and the relationship between the previous snow cover anomaly and summer precipitation over East Asia. The results showed that, relative to other snow indices, such as the station observational snow depth(SOSD) index and the snow water equivalent(SWE) index, the snow cover area proportion(SCAP) index calculated from the SWE and the percentage of visible snow of the Equal-Area Scalable Earth Grids(EASE-grids) dataset has a higher persistence in interannual anomalies, particularly from May to summer. As such, the May SCAP index is significantly related to summer precipitation over the Meiyu-Baiu region. The persistence of the SCAP index can partly explain the season-delayed effect of snow cover over the TP on summer rainfall over the Meiyu-Baiu region besides the contribution of the soil moisture bridge. The preceding SST anomaly in the tropical Indian Ocean and ENSO can persist through the summer and affect the summer precipitation over the Meiyu-Baiu region. However, the May SCAP index is mostly independent of the simultaneous SSTs in the tropical Indian Ocean and the preceding ENSO and may affect the summer precipitation over the Meiyu-Baiu region independent of the effects of the SST anomalies. Therefore, the May SCAP over the TP could be regarded as an important supplementary factor in the forecasting of summer precipitation over the Meiyu-Baiu region.

Numerical Simulations of Intense Meiyu Rainfall in 1991 over the Changjiang and Huaihe River Valleys by a Regional Climate Model with p-σ Incorporated Coordinate System

Based on the primitive equation model with p- σ incorporated coordinate system originally developed by Qian et al., a one-way nested fine mesh limited area model is developed. This model is nested with ECMWF T42 data to simulate the extra-intensive rainfall event occurring in the Changjiang and Huaihe River valleys in summer of 1991. The results show that the model has certain capacity to fairly reproduce the regional distribution and the movement of the main rainfall belts. Therefore it can be used as a regional climate model to simulate and predict the short-range regional climate changes.

THE NORTH-SOUTH ANTI-PHASE DISTRIBUTION OF RAINFALL IN MEIYU PERIODS AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH QUASI-BIWEEKLY OSCILLATION IN THE ATMOSPHERE

Based on the daily rainfall datasets from 740 stations in China from 1954 to 2005 and the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, the relationship between the north-south anti-phase distribution(APD) of rainfall during Meiyu periods and the Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation(QBWO) in the atmosphere was analyzed. Diagnostic results are as follows:(1) there was significant north-south oscillation of Meiyu rainfall during the 16 years from 1954 to 2005. Since the 1990 s, the APD enhanced significantly and showed 2- and 4-6-year period. In the region with more rainfall, the QBWO was always more active.(2) The APD of Meiyu and north-south movements of precipitation in eastern China belong to the same phase.(3) The 10-25 day filtered water vapor flux could spread to the area north of 30°N in 1991. The divergence of the water vapor flux which propagated from middle- and higher- latitudes to the of Yangtze-Huaihe River Basins(YHRB) was significant in 1991, but the latitudes that the water vapor flux could reach were further southward and there was no southward propagation of divergence in 1993.(4) The locations of Western Pacific Subtropical High(WPSH) and 10-25 day anti-cyclone, which modulated WPSH's advancement in and out of the South China Sea, were relatively northward in 1991. Furthermore, the vertical circulation showed north-south deviation between 1991 and 1993, just as other elements of the circulation did.

Some Analyses and Numerical Simulations of Meiyu in East Asia in 1983

In this paper the differences between Meiyu and Baiu front in 1983 have firstly been analysed, the trajectories of air on and to the north side of Meiyu and Baiu fronts during the Meiyu period have then been traced, and the forecasting and simulating of 4 sets of Meiyu onset of the year have finally been run utilizing the global model at UK Me-leorological Office. The results show: 1) Meiyu fronts are different from Baiu ones in temperature, humidity and stratification fields in lower atmosphere; and the possibly reasons for it are explained. 2) The Bay of Bengal is the main moisture source for Meiyu front, the South China Sea and the Pacific, for Baiu ones; and some existed arguments on it are also discussed. 3) The onset of Meiyu and its rainfall and rain belts are sensitive to the Tibetan Plateau, and the water vapour conditions over the Bay of Bengal and the South China Sea, but not sensitive to the SST over the equatorial area or to the East of Japan.

Numerical Experiments of Meiyu(Baiu) Rainfall by Quasi-Lagrangian Limited Area Model with Terrain

In this paper, a 10-level Quasi-Lagrangian Limited Area Model is used to simulate the process of Meiyu(Baiu) front of 1979. Some physical processes, such as large-scale condensation and cumulus convection, are included in the model. The simulation results are encouraging. 24-h numerical simulation shows that the invading of cold air from North China and rapidly northward moving of warm air from South China can be successfully reproduced. The terrain with a maximum of 4175 m is incorporated in the model. Three different kinds of terrain schemes are tested and the dynamic effect of the Plateau on the process of heavy rainfall is found to be very important.

The Analysis on the Temporal and Spatial Variation of Strong Precipitation Caused Flood and Agricultural Disaster Loss in Huaihe River Basin of Anhui Province during Meiyu Period of 2007

[Objective] The research aimed to analyze temporal and spatial variation of strong precipitation caused flood and agricultural disaster loss in Huaihe River basin of Anhui Province during Meiyu period of 2007.[Method] On the basis of rainfalls of each station in Huaihe River basin of Anhui,rainfall data during Meiyu period of 2007 and flood disaster data in the same period,the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of strong precipitation caused flood during Meiyu period of 2007 and its harm on agriculture were analyzed.The variation rule,distribution characteristics of strong precipitation during Meiyu period in Huaihe River basin of Anhui and its relationship with agricultural disaster loss were discussed.[Result] During Meiyu period of 2007 in Huaihe River basin of Anhui,the rainstorm was more,and the rainfall was large.The precipitation variation showed 'three-peak' trend.Rainfall in Huaihe River basin during Meiyu period of 2007 was greatly more than that homochronously in Yangtze River basin.The rain area over 400.0 mm during Meiyu period mainly located in Huaihe River basin,and the rain area over 600.0 mm mainly located from area along Huaihe River to central Huaibei.The rainfall during Meiyu period gradually decreased toward south and north by the north bank of Huaihe River as the symmetry axis.The rainfall in area along Huaihe River showed wavy distribution in east-west direction.The flood disaster loss index and disaster area of crops in Huaihe River basin of Anhui both increased as rainfall in Meiyu period.[Conclusion] The research provided theoretical basis for flood prevention,disaster reduction and agricultural flood-avoiding development in Huaihe River basin.

Physical Mechanism of Phased Variation of 2020 Extremely Heavy Meiyu in Middle and Lower Reaches of Yangtze River

The extremely heavy Meiyu in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River in 2020 features early beginning,extremely late retreat,long duration,and a dramatic north-south swing rain belt.It can be divided into three phases.The key point of the extremely heavy Meiyu is the long duration of precipitation.The physical mechanism of the phased variation is researched here by analyzing the phased evolution of atmospheric circulation,the thermal effect of Tibetan Plateau,the sea surface temperature anomalies(SSTA),and tropical convection.The results show that:(1)Throughout the whole Meiyu season,the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH)is stronger and westward,the South Asian high(SAH)is stronger and eastward,and blocking highs are very active with different patterns at different stages;they all form flat mid-latitude westerlies with fluctuation interacting with WPSH and SAH,causing their ridges and the rain belt to swing drastically from north to south or vice versa.(2)The higher temperatures in the upper and middle atmosphere in the eastern and southern Tibetan Plateau and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River,which are produced by the warm advection transport,the heat sources in Tibetan Plateau,and the latent heat of condensation of Meiyu,contribute greatly to the stronger and westward WPSH and the stronger and eastward SAH.The dry-cold air brought by the fluctuating westerlies converges with the warm-humid air over Tibetan Plateau,resulting in precipitation,which in turn enhances the heat source of Tibetan Plateau and regulates the swings of WPSH and SAH.(3)Different from climatological analysis,real-time SSTA in the Indian Ocean has no obviously direct effect on WPSH and Meiyu.The anomalous distribution and phased evolution process of real-time SSTA in South China Sea and the tropical western Pacific affect WPSH and Meiyu significantly through tropical convection and heat sources.The maintenance of strong positive SSTA in the western equatorial Pacific is a critical reason for the prolonged Meiyu season.Both the onset and the retreat of Meiyu in 2020 are closely related to the intensified positive SSTA and corresponding typhoons on the ocean east of the Philippines.

The Relationship Between Abnormal Meiyu and Medium-Term Scale Wave Perturbation Energy Propagation Along the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet

The East Asian subtropical westerly jet(EASWJ)is one of the most important factors modulating the Meiyu rainfall in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin,China.This article analyzed periods of the medium-term EASWJ variation,wave packet distribution and energy propagation of Rossby waves along the EASWJ during Meiyu season,and investigated their possible influence on abnormal Meiyu rain.The results showed that during the medium-term scale atmospheric dynamic process,the evolution of the EASWJ in Meiyu season was mainly characterized by the changes of3-8 d synoptic-scale and 10-15 d low-frequency Rossby waves.The strong perturbation wave packet and energy propagation of the 3-8 d synoptic-scale and 10-15 d low-frequency Rossby waves are mostly concentrated in the East Asian region of 90°-150°E,where the two wave trains of perturbation wave packets and wave-activity flux divergence coexist in zonal and meridional directions,and converge on the EASWJ.Besides,the wave trains of perturbation wave packet and wave-activity flux divergence in wet Meiyu years are more systematically westward than those in dry Meiyu years,and they are shown in the inverse phases between each other.In wet(dry)Meiyu year,the perturbation wave packet high-value area of the 10-15 d low-frequency variability is located between the Aral Sea and the Lake Balkhash(in the northeastern part of China),while over eastern China the wave-activity flux is convergent and strong(divergent and weak),and the high-level jets are strong and southward(weak and northward).Because of the coupling of high and low level atmosphere and high-level strong(weak)divergence on the south side of the jet over the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin,the low-level southwest wind and vertically ascending motion are strengthened(weakened),which is(is not)conducive to precipitation increase in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin.These findings would help to better understand the impact mechanisms of the EASWJ activities on abnormal Meiyu from the perspective of medium-term scale Rossby wave energy propagation.

The Use of Dual-Doppler Radar Data in the Study of 1998 Meiyu Frontal Precipitationin Huaihe River Basin

During the Meiyu period in June and July of 1998, intensified field observations have been carried out for the project “Huaihe River Basin Energy and Water Cycle Experiment (HUBEX)”. For studying Meiyu front and its precipitation in Huaihe River basin, the present paper has performed analysis on the middle and lower level wind fields in the troposphere by using the radar data obtained from the two Doppler radars located at Fengtai district and Shouxian County. From June 29 to July 3 in 1998, the continuous heavy precipitation occurred in Huaihe River basin around Meiyu front. The precipitation process on July 2 occurred within the observation range of the two Doppler radar in Fengtai district and Shouxian County. The maximum rainfall of the Meiyu front was over 100 mm in 24 h, so it can be regarded as a typical mesoscale heavy precipitation process related to Meiyu front. Based on the wind field retrieved from the dual Doppler radar, we find that there are meso-γ scale vertical circulations in the vertical cross-section perpendicular to Meiyu front, the strong upward motion of which corresponds to the position of the heavy rainfall area. Furthermore, other results obtained by this study are identical with the results by analyzing the conventional synoptic data years ago. For example: in the vicinity of 3 km level height ahead of Meiyu front there exists a southwest low-level jet; the rainstorm caused by Meiyu front mainly occurs at the left side of the southwest low-level jet; and the Meiyu front causes the intensification of the low-level convergence in front of it. Key words Dual Doppler radar - Meiyu front - Meso—γ scale vertical circulation This research was supported by Project HUBEX (Project Number: 49794030) which is funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (NSFC).

Recent strong inter-decadal change of Meiyu in 121-year variations

The strongest change in Meiyu periods in the mid-lower Yangtze Basin （MLY） since 1885 occurred in the late 1970s： a stage of weak Meiyu from 1958 to 1978 abruptly transformed into a stage of plentiful Meiyu from 1979 to 1999. The average Meiyu amount of the latter 21 years increased by 66% compared with that of the former 21 years, accompanied by a significant increase in the occurrence of summer floods in the MLY. This change was closely related with the frequent phenomenon of postponed Meiyu ending dates （MED） and later onset dates of high summer （ODHS） in the MLY. To a considerable degree, this reflects an abrupt change of the summer climate in East China. Further analysis showed that the preceding factors contributing to inter-annual changes in Meiyu in the two 21-year stages delimited above were also very different from each other. The causes of change were associated with the following： China’s industrialization has greatly accelerated since the 1970s, accompanied by an increase in atmospheric pollution and a reduction of the solar radiation reaching the ground. The sand area of North China has also expanded due to overgrazing. The enhanced greenhouse effect is manifested in warm winters （especially in February）. Meanwhile, the January precipitation of the MLY has for the most part increased, and El Ni？o events have occurred more frequently since the late 1970s. A correlative scatter diagram consisting of these five factors mentioned above clearly shows that the two stages with opposite Meiyu characteristics are grouped in two contrasting locations with very different environmental （land-atmosphere） conditions. It is quite possible that we are now entering a new stage of lesser Meiyu, beginning in 2000.

The influence of the surface heat fluxes of the Kuroshio key-area on meiyu rainfall in the Changjiang River region

On the basis, of the surface heat fluxes of the Kuroshio key-area (26°-30°N, 125°-30°E)in March andApril, the climatologicai influence of the Kuroshio heat fluxes on meiyu rainfall in the Changjiang River (Yangtse River) region are studied. The results are concluded as follows;the surface heat fluxes of the Kuroshio key-area have certain influence on meiyu rainfall in the Changjiang River region during June and July. The correctness rates for the five stations in the Changjing River region (i. e. Wuhan, Jiujiang, Anqing,Nanjing and Shanghai)are in the range of 9/20-13/20. The surface heat fluxes influence mainly on the homogeneous rainfall pattern,the correctness rates come to 7/10-8/10 for the lower valley of the Changjiang River. The estimation expression of the meiyu rainfall for Shanghai consisting of the surface heat flux and the sea surface temperature anomaly of the Kuroshio key area agrees well with the actual meiyu rainfall condition.

Diagnosis of the Medium-Range Variation of the Subtropical High over the Western Pacific during a Meiyu Process by Three-Dimensional E-P Flux

In this paper, using the daily grid data (2.5 × 2.5) of the ECMWF / WMO, we have computed respectively the three-dimensional wave activity flux in the stages of pre-onset, prevailing and post ending of Meiyu from 1 to 31 July 1982. The potential vorticity field is taken as the physical quantity relating the wave activity flux to the variation of the subtropical high over the Western Pacific. It is found that the three-dimensional wave activity flux is a powerful means for diagnosis of the variation of the subtropical high over the Western Pacific: The region of the subtropical high is just the confluence area of wave energy, whose changes in intensity and range decide the variation of the subtropical high. The confluence of wave energy comes from the monsoon flow in low latitudes, the Meiyu rain belts in middle latitudes and the heating fields on the eastern side of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. The relation between these sources and the subtropical high displays the self-adjusting mechanism among members of East-Asia summer monsoon.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE ATMOSPHERIC HEATING SOURCE/SINK ANOMALIES OF ASIAN MONSOON AND FLOOD/DROUGHT IN THE YANGTZE RIVER BASIN IN THE MEIYU PERIOD

NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and a 30-year precipitation dataset of observed daily rainfall from 109 gauge stations are utilized in this paper.Using the REOF we analyzed the spatial distribution of precipitation in the 109 stations in the Yangtze River Basin in Meiyu periods from 1978 to 2007.The result showed that the spatial distribution of precipitation in the Yangtze River Basin can be divided into the south and north part.As a result,relationships between an atmospheric heating source(hereafter called <Q_1>) over the Asian region and the precipitation on the south and north side of Yangtze River in Meiyu periods were separately studied in this paper.The results are shown as follows.The flood/drought to the north of Yangtze River(NYR) was mainly related to the <Q_1> over the East Asia summer monsoon region:when the <Q_1> over the Philippines through Western Pacific and the south China was weakened(strengthened),it would probably result in the flood(drought) in NYR;and the precipitation on the south side of Yangtze River(SYR)was related to the <Q_1> over the east Asia and Indian summer monsoon region:when the <Q_1> over the areas from south China to the northern East China Sea and Yellow Sea and south-eastern Japan was strengthened(weakened),and the <Q_1> over the areas from the Bay of Bengal to south-eastern Tibetan Plateau was weakened(strengthened),it will lead to flood(drought) in SYR.

Study on the Dynamic Characteristics of an Eastward-offshore Mesoscale Vortex along the Meiyu-Baiu Front

The eastward-moving Meiyu-Baiu frontal mesoscale vortices (MBFMVs) appear frequently and often cause heavy rainfall events along their tracks. A move-off-shore MBFMV was selected to enhance our understanding of this type of vortex. Synoptic analyses indicate that the MBFMV is a type of meso-α vortex and mainly occurs in the lower troposphere. A short wave trough near the coastline is highly favorable for the formation, sustainment, and displacement of the MBFMV. Vorticity budgets indicate that at lower levels of the MBFMV, convergence is the dominant factor for the increase of positive vorticity, and at high levels of the MBFMV, the vertical transportation associated with convective activities is the most important factor. The hori-zontal transportation was the main factor decreasing the positive vorticity. The land and sea environments are crucial to the evolution of the MBFMV. The characteristics of the Meiyu-Baiu Front (MBF) are also vital to the variation of the vortex.

THE DYNAMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE STRUCTURE OF Β MESO-SCALE DOUBLE RAINBANDS IN MEIYU FRONT

In this paper, an idealized perturbation following the "surge-flow conceptual model" for typical Meiyu frontal structure is designed to explain the β meso-scale structure of rainbands in the Meiyu front using a non-hydrostatic, full-compressible storm-scale model including multi-phase microphysical parameterization. In addition, sensitivity numerical experiment on the vertical distribution of the ambient meridional wind is conducted to investigate the generation mechanism of β meso-scale double rainbands. The results of numerical experiments show that the cool and dry downdraft invading strengthened by the environmental aloft northerly wind plays a very important role to the generation and maintenance of the β meso-scale double rainbands. Moreover, the intensity and scale of the dry and cool downdraft invading are related to the intensity of the second circumfluence induced by mass adjustment when the acceleration of the westerly jet aloft occurs.

Re-Discussion on East Asian Meiyu Rainy Season

In this paper,the synoptic-climatology of Meiyu in East Asia is discussed.It is proposed that the location of the rain band of Meiyu is stable from the viewpoint of climatology,even though the active(wet)and break(dry)Meiyu are influenced by synoptic systems.The duration and the onset and retreat dates of Meiyu exhibit tremendous interannual variabilities,and thus,they are almost unpredictable in seasonal climate prediction.The Meiyu has been used as a synoptic concept and applied to the operational forecast for many decades by meteorological agencies in East Asian countries.As a result,the prediction of the onset and retreat dates of Meiyu has become an important operational work for meteorological services.This has also misled the public’s and scientists’attention.The northward propagation of the East Asian summer monsoon(EASM)surge associated with the intraseasonal oscillation is closely related to the active and break Meiyu.The activities and propagation of the EASM surge modulate the active/break Meiyu that cause concentrative severe precipitation processes and floods or droughts;hence,the authors suggest changing the current forecasting methodology of Meiyu.It is more meaningful from the scientific as well as application viewpoints to establish the monitoring and forecasting of the EASM surge to replace the current operational forecast of Meiyu after the seasonal progress enters the climatological Meiyu period in a year.

Impact of Antecedent Soil Moisture Anomalies over the Indo-China Peninsula on the Super Meiyu Event in 2020

In the summer of 2020,a super Meiyu event occurred in the Yangtze River basin(YRB),causing enormous economic losses and human casualties.Recent studies have investigated the possible causes of this super Meiyu event from the perspective of anomalous atmospheric circulation activities and sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies;however,the influence of land surface processes has not garnered considerable attention.This study investigates the possible contributions of land surface processes to this extreme event based on observational analysis and numerical simulations,and shows that antecedent soil moisture(SM)anomalies over the Indo-China Peninsula(ICP)may have had a vital influence on the super Meiyu in 2020.Negative SM anomalies in May over the ICP increased the surface temperature and sensible heat flux.The“memory”of soil allowed the anomalies to persist into the Meiyu period.The heating of the lower atmosphere by the surface strengthened the western Pacific subtropical high,which caused an anomalous anticyclone from the ICP to Northwest Pacific and thus enhanced the southwesterly winds and vertical motion over the YRB.Consequently,the water vapor flux and convergence were strengthened.Sensitivity experiments based on the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model further confirmed the results of observational analysis and indicated that the warm air heated by the ICP surface significantly warmed the lower troposphere from the ICP to Northwest Pacific under the influence of the background wind,thus increasing the geopotential height and inducing an anticyclone.The results of the sensitivity experiments showed that the SM anomalies in May over the ICP increased the precipitation by 10.6%from June to July over the YRB.These findings can improve our understanding of the mechanism of the super Meiyu event in 2020 and facilitate the prediction of extreme Meiyu events.