A quasi-synoptic interpretation of water mass distribution and circulation in the western North Pacific:I.Water mass distribution

With high-resolution conductivity-temperature-depth （CTD） observations conducted in Oct.-Nov. 2005, this study provides a detailed quasi-synoptic description of the North Pacific Tropic Water （NPTW）, North Pacific Intermediate Water （NPIW） and Antarctic Intermediate Water （AAIW） in the western North Pacific. Some novel features are found. NPTW enters the western ocean with highest-salinity core off shore at 15°-18°N, and then splits to flow northward and southward along the western boundary. Its salinity decreases and density increases outside the core region. NPIW spreads westward north of 15°N with lowest salinity off shore at 21°N, but mainly hugs the Mindanao coast south of 12°N. It shoals and thins toward the south, with salinity increasing and density decreasing. AAIW extends to higher latitude off shore than that in shore, and it is traced as a salinity minimum to only 10°N at 130°E. Most of the South Pacific waters turn northeastward rather than directly flow northward upon reaching to the Mindanao coast, indicating the eastward shift of the Mindanao Undercurrent （MUC）.

Seesaw Pattern of Rainfall Anomalies between the Tropical Western North Pacific and Central Southern China during Late Summer

It is well known that suppressed convection in the tropical western North Pacific(WNP) induces an anticyclonic anomaly,and this anticyclonic anomaly results in more rainfall along the East Asian rain band through more water vapor transport during summer, as well as early and middle summer. However, the present results indicate that during late summer(from mid-August to the beginning of September), the anomalous anticyclone leads to more rainfall over central southern China(CSC), a region quite different from preceding periods. The uniqueness of late summer is found to be related to the dramatic change in climatological monsoon flows: southerlies over southern China during early and middle summer but easterlies during late summer. Therefore, the anomalous anticyclone, which shows a southerly anomaly over southern China, enhances monsoonal southerlies and induces more rainfall along the rain band during early and middle summer. During late summer,however, the anomalous anticyclone reflects a complicated change in monsoon flows: it changes the path, rather than the intensity, of monsoon flows. Specifically, during late summers of suppressed convection in the tropical WNP, southerlies dominate from the South China Sea to southern China, and during late summers of enhanced convection, northeasterlies dominate from the East China Sea to southern China, causing more and less rainfall in CSC, respectively.

Increased summer electric power demand in Beijing driven by preceding spring tropical North Atlantic warming

By using electric power data,observational station temperature data in Beijing,CN05.1 temperature data,ERA5 atmospheric reanalysis data,and ERSST.v3 b sea surface temperature(SST) data,it is found that summer(JulyAugust) electric power demand in Beijing is remarkably positively correlated with the previous spring(MarchApril) tropical North Atlantic(TNA) SST anomaly(SSTA).The possible physical mechanism of the TNA SSTA affecting summer electric power in Beijing is also revealed.When a positive SSTA occurs in the TNA during spring,anomalous easterlies prevail over the tropical central Pacific,which can persist to the following summer.Trade winds are thus enhanced over the northern Pacific,which favors a strengthening of upwelling cold water in the tropical central-eastern Pacific.As a result,a negative SSTA appears in the central-eastern Pacific in summer,which means a La Nina event is triggered by the previous TNA SSTA through the Bjerknes feedback.During the La Nina event,an anomalous anticyclonic circulation occupies the northwestern Pacific.The southerly anomalies at the western edge of this anomalous anticyclone strengthen the transportation of warm and humid airflow from the low latitudes to North China,where Beijing is located,causing higher summer temperatures and increased electricity usage for air conditioning,and vice versa.The results of this study might provide a new scientific basis and dues for the seasonal prediction of summer electric power demand in Beijing.

Intensified Impact of Northern Tropical Atlantic SST on Tropical Cyclogenesis Frequency over the Western North Pacific after the Late 1980s

Previous studies suggest that spring SST anomalies over the northern tropical Atlantic（NTA） affect the tropical cyclone（TC） activity over the western North Pacific（WNP） in the following summer and fall. The present study reveals that the connection between spring NTA SST and following summer–fall WNP TC genesis frequency is not stationary. The influence of spring NTA SST on following summer–fall WNP TC genesis frequency is weak and insignificant before, but strong and significant after, the late 1980 s. Before the late 1980 s, the NTA SST anomaly-induced SST anomalies in the tropical central Pacific are weak, and the response of atmospheric circulation over the WNP is not strong. As a result, the connection between spring NTA SST and following summer–fall WNP TC genesis frequency is insignificant in the former period. In contrast,after the late 1980 s, NTA SST anomalies induce pronounced tropical central Pacific SST anomalies through an Atlantic–Pacific teleconnection. Tropical central Pacific SST anomalies further induce favorable conditions for WNP TC genesis,including vertical motion, mid-level relative humidity, and vertical zonal wind shear. Hence, the connection between NTA SST and WNP TC genesis frequency is significant in the recent period. Further analysis shows that the interdecadal change in the connection between spring NTA SST and following summer–fall WNP TC genesis frequency may be related to the climatological SST change over the NTA region.

N2 fixation rate and diazotroph community structure in the western tropical North Pacific Ocean

In the present study, we report N2 fixation rate(15N isotope tracer assay) and the diazotroph community structure(using the molecular method) in the western tropical North Pacific Ocean(WTNP)(13°–20°N, 120°–160°E). Our independent evidence on the basis of both in situ N2 fixation activity and diazotroph community structure showed the dominance of unicellular N2 fixation over majority of the WTNP surface waters during the sampling periods.Moreover, a shift in the diazotrophic composition from unicellular cyanobacteria group B-dominated to Trichodesmium spp.-dominated toward the western boundary current(Kuroshio) was also observed in 2013. We hypothesize that nutrient availability may have played a major role in regulating the biogeography of N2 fixation.In surface waters, volumetric N2 fixation rate(calculated by nitrogen) ranged between 0.6 and 2.6 nmol/(L·d) and averaged(1.2±0.5) nmol/(L·d), with <10 μm size fraction contributed predominantly(88%±6%) to the total rate between 135°E and 160°E. Depth-integrated N2 fixation rate over the upper 200 m ranged between 150 μmol/(m^2·d)and 480 μmol/(m^2·d)average(225±105) μmol/(m^2·d). N2 fixation can account for 6.2%±3.7% of the depthintegrated primary production, suggesting that N2 fixation is a significant N source sustaining new and export production in the WTNP. The role of N2 fixation in biogeochemical cycling in this climate change-vulnerable region calls for further investigations.

Associations between the Western North Pacific Monsoon and the South China Sea Monsoon

Based on the interannual variability of convection over the tropical western North Pacific (WNP), a region of 130°—160°E, 10°—20°N, a composite analysis is performed on the fields of surface temperature, outgoing longwave radiation and 850 hPa zonal wind. The composite results show that the weaker (stronger) WNP convection is related to the El Nino (La Nina)—pattern sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the preceding winter and in spring. A comparison with previous results indicates that a similar spatial and temporal distribution of SST anomalies is also associated with the onsets of both the WNP and South China Sea (SCS) monsoons. The composite results also show that the weaker (stronger) convection over the WNP corresponds to the easterly (westerly) anomalies that extend westward from the WNP into the Bay of Bengal. A numerical experiment by an atmospheric general circulation model shows a similar result. In addition, during weaker (stronger) convection summer, the convection over the WNP and lower-level zonal winds over the SCS exhibit a small (large) extent of seasonal evolution.

Impact of Atmospheric and Oceanic Conditions on the Frequency and Genesis Location of Tropical Cyclones over the Western North Pacific in 2004 and 2010

This study examines the impact of atmospheric and oceanic conditions during May–August of 2004 and 2010 on the frequency and genesis location of tropical cyclones over the western North Pacific. Using the WRF model, four numerical experiments were carried out based on different atmospheric conditions and SST forcing. The numerical experiments indicated that changes in atmospheric and oceanic conditions greatly affect tropical cyclone activity, and the roles of atmospheric conditions are slightly greater than oceanic conditions. Specifically, the total number of tropical cyclones was found to be mostly affected by atmospheric conditions, while the distribution of tropical cyclone genesis locations was mainly related to oceanic conditions, especially the distribution of SST. In 2010, a warmer SST occurred west of 140°E, with a colder SST east of 140°E. On the one hand, the easterly flow was enhanced through the effect of the increase in the zonal SST gradient.The strengthened easterly flow led to an anomalous boundary layer divergence over the region to the east of 140°E, which suppressed the formation of tropical cyclones over this region. On the other hand, the colder SST over the region to the east of 140°E led to a colder low-level air temperature, which resulted in decreased CAPE and static instability energy. The decrease in thermodynamic energy restricted the generation of tropical cyclones over the same region.

Sea surface temperature anomaly in the tropical North Atlantic during El Nino decaying years

Based on reanalysis data from 1979 to 2016,this study focuses on the sea surface temperature(SST)anomaly of the tropical North Atlantic(TNA)in El Nino decaying years.The TNA SST exhibits a clear warm trend during this period.The composite result for 10 El Nino events shows that the TNA SST anomaly reaches its maximum in spring after the peak of an El Nino event and persists until summer.In general,the anomaly is associated with three factors-namely,El Nino,the North Atlantic Oscillation(NAO),and a long-term trend,leading to an increase in local SST up to 0.4℃,0.3℃,and 0.35℃,respectively.A comparison between 1983 and 2005 indicates that the TNA SST in spring is affected by El Niño,as well as the local SST in the preceding winter,which may involve a long-term trend signal.In addition,the lead-lag correlation shows that the NAO leads the TNA SST by 2-3 months.By comparing two years with an opposite phase of the NAO in winter(i.e.,1992 and 2010),the authors further demonstrate that the NAO is another important factor in regulating the TNA SST anomaly.A negative phase of the NAO in winter will reinforce the El Nino forcing substantially,and vise versa.In other words,the TNA SST anomaly in the decaying years is more evident if the NAO is negative with El Nino.Therefore,the combined effects of El Nino and the NAO must be considered in order to fully understand the TNA SST variability along with a long-term trend.

Nutrient distributions and nitrogen-anomaly(N^(*))in the tropical North Pacific Ocean

Based upon cruise observations broadly covering the tropical North Pacific during July-November 2017,together with data obtained from the World Ocean Circulation Experiment Hydrographic Program,this study examined the distribution of dissolved inorganic nitrogen(DIN,nitrate(NO_(3)^(-))+nitrite(NO_(2)^(-))),dissolved inorganic phosphorus(DIP)and related N^(*)(nitrogen-anomaly,N^(*)=N-16P+2.9,where N and P are the concentrations of DIN(>1.0μmol/L)and DIP(>0.1μmol/L)),used as an index of N2fixation,in the upper 1000 m of the water column.Nutrient concentrations displayed distinct spatial variability in the upper ocean but became relatively constant at a depth of 1000 m:they were high at low latitudes and in the eastern region,with an obvious nutricline at~150 m(DIN,~32.0μmol/L;DIP,~2.4μmol/L)and then generally increased with depth;they decreased markedly(DIN,~1.2μmol/L;DIP,~0.1μmol/L;at~150 m)at high latitudes and in the western region,where a nutricline was not apparent.The N^(*)index showed significant meridional and zonal variation,with the most negative values located at low latitudes and in the eastern region(~10°N,~150°-170°E),while becoming positive towards the northwest(the north of~18°N,~160°E westward).A N^(*)concentration larger than 2.0μmol/L which often used as an indicator of N2fixation,was observed between 155°E and 165°E;N^(*)values were 2.0μmol/L to6.0μmol/L at~15°-28°N,i.e.,much higher than those in the southern sector(0-2.0μmol/L at~5°-10°N).Zonally,N^(*)decreased gradually from west(-2.0μmol/L to 4.0μmol/L,~145°-165°E)to east(-2.0μmol/L to-8.0μmol/L,~155°W)along~10°N,which was consistent with the distribution of Trichodesmium abundance and N2fixation rates.Furthermore,since such region was also supplied with aeolian deposition,high N^(*)was probably not only induced by N2fixation but also influenced by iron and/or nitrogen deposition.

Water masses in the far western equatorial Pacific during the winters of 2010 and 2012

Conductivity-temperature-depth（CTD）data obtained during the 2010 La Nina winter and the 2012 normal winter,combined with concurrent Argo profiling float data,provide a quasi-synoptic description of the water mass distributions and their variations in the far western equatorial Pacific Ocean.The water mass connection between the western Pacific and the east Indonesian seas is emphasized.Analysis indicates that the North Pacific Tropical Water（NPTW,S〉34.9）carried by the Mindanao Current southward and the South Pacific Tropical Water（SPTW,S〉35.1）from the southern hemisphere meet in the area.Observations suggest that the southward transport of the NPTW is stronger in 2010 than in 2012 due to enhanced advection of the Mindanao Current.The distribution of SPTW,which crosses the equator in the northwest direction and retroflects back to the interior Pacific Ocean,is found to retreat from 4°–5°N in2012 to 2°–3°N in 2010 La Ni？a peak in the 130°E section.A relatively fresh tropical subsurface water is identified in between the NPTW and the SPTW,moving eastward with the North Equatorial Countercurrent into the equatorial Pacific Ocean.However,the salinity maximum of this subsurface fresh water is found to decrease eastward,suggesting that the salinity maximum is generated either by strong diapycnal mixing or by isopycnal mixing of temporally entrained Indonesian sea water into the area.

Tropical Atlantic Climate Response to Different Freshwater Input in High Latitudes with an Ocean-Only General Circulation Model

Tropical Atlantic climate change is relevant to the variation of Atlantic meridional overturning circulation(AMOC) through different physical processes. Previous coupled climate model simulation suggested a dipole-like SST structure cooling over the North Atlantic and warming over the South Tropical Atlantic in response to the slowdown of the AMOC. Using an ocean-only global ocean model here, an attempt was made to separate the total influence of various AMOC change scenarios into an oceanicinduced component and an atmospheric-induced component. In contrast with previous freshwater-hosing experiments with coupled climate models, the ocean-only modeling presented here shows a surface warming in the whole tropical Atlantic region and the oceanic-induced processes may play an important role in the SST change in the equatorial south Atlantic. Our result shows that the warming is partly governed by oceanic process through the mechanism of oceanic gateway change, which operates in the regime where freshwater forcing is strong, exceeding 0.3 Sv. Strong AMOC change is required for the gateway mechanism to work in our model because only when the AMOC is sufficiently weak, the North Brazil Undercurrent can flow equatorward, carrying warm and salty north Atlantic subtropical gyre water into the equatorial zone. This threshold is likely to be model-dependent. An improved understanding of these issues may have help with abrupt climate change prediction later.

Favorable Environments for the Occurrence of Overshooting Tops in Tropical Cyclones

Based on Multifunctional Transport Satellite data and the infrared window-texture detection algorithm, the level of overshooting top（OT） activity within a tropical cyclone（TC）, which is defined as the hourly mean number of OT occurrence,was statistically investigated in the western North Pacific basin for the period 2005–12. Based on the level of OT activity,the samples were divided into OT and non-OT cases or high-activity-OT（HA-OT） and low-activity-OT（LA-OT） cases. The differences in large-scale environmental variables between OT（HA-OT） and non-OT（LA-OT） cases were examined 12 hours prior to the OT occurrence. Statistical analysis showed that environmental differences did exist between the OT and non-OT cases. The OTs were more skewed towards the early stage of the TC life cycle, and mostly concentrated in low latitudes.Meanwhile, a sufficiently deep warm-water layer, large temperature difference between the upper- and lower-level troposphere, large humidity at the middle and upper levels, and large atmospheric instability, were favorable for OT occurrence.The differences in large-scale environmental characteristics between HA-OTs and LA-OTs were not as significant as those between OTs and non-OTs, but the HA-OT samples tended to occur when the vertical shear was weak and the TC intensity was low. Finally, statistical models were designed to predict the OT and HA-OT. When at least three OT（HA-OT） predictor thresholds were satisfied, the Peirce skill score reached a maximum value of 0.49（0.30）.