The Influence of Meridional Variation in North Pacific Sea Surface Temperature Anomalies on the Arctic Stratospheric Polar Vortex

This study examines the dependence of Arctic stratospheric polar vortex(SPV)variations on the meridional positions of the sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies associated with the first leading mode of North Pacific SST.The principal component 1(PC1)of the first leading mode is obtained by empirical orthogonal function decomposition.Reanalysis data,numerical experiments,and CMIP5 model outputs all suggest that the PC1 events(positive-minus-negative PC1 events),located relatively northward(i.e.,North PC1 events),more easily weaken the Arctic SPV compared to the PC1 events located relatively southward(i.e.,South PC1 events).The analysis indicates that the North PC1-related Aleutian low anomaly is located over the northern North Pacific and thus enhances the climatological trough,which strengthens the planetary-scale wave 1 at mid-to-high latitudes and thereby weakens the SPV.The weakened stratospheric circulation further extends into the troposphere and favors negative surface temperature anomalies over Eurasia.By contrast,the South PC1-related Aleutian low anomaly is located relatively southward,and its constructive interference with the climatological trough is less efficient at high latitudes.Thus,the South PC1 events could not induce an evident enhancement of the planetary-scale waves at high latitudes and thereby a weakening of the SPV on average.The Eurasian cooling associated with South PC1 events(positive-minus-negative PC1 events)is also not prominent.The results of this study suggest that the meridional positions of the PC1 events may be useful for predicting the Arctic SPV and Eurasian surface temperature variations.

Link between Arctic ozone and the stratospheric polar vortex

利用1980-2020年MERRA-2资料,分析了平流层极涡(Stratospheric polar vortex,SPV)和北极臭氧(Arctic strato-spheric ozone,ASO)的关系,评估了与SPV相关的化学,动力过程在其中的相对作用,结果表明,3月份ASO与同期SPV强度反相关最大.SPV-ASO二者反相关与平流层剩余环流(Brewer-Dobson circulation,BDC)变化密切相关.强SPV伴随的北极平流层低温条件和行星波向上传播减弱,导致BDC减弱,减弱的BDC下沉支将低纬度平流层上层臭氧含量较低的空气输送到北极平流层低层,从而导致ASO减少.BDC垂直速度在其中起主导作用.

Subseasonal predictability of the transition of the stratospheric polar vortex:A case study in winter 1987/88

平流层极涡作为冬季次季节尺度上一个重要的可预测性来源,其强度在1987/88年冬季表现为1979-2019年最显著的转折,即在前(后)冬极端偏弱(强),因此在本文中选取这一个例研究了该年冬季平流层极涡在次季节尺度上的可预测性,结果表明弱极涡和强极涡事件的预测与模式能否准确预测上传行星波的强度紧密相关,同时,发现前期对流层欧亚遥相关波列可能是弱极涡事件发生的关键预兆信号.此外,模式对平流层极涡强度和北大西洋涛动预测误差之间存在显著正相关关系,表明模式减少平流层极涡的预测误差可能可以提高北大西洋涛动及相关对流层气候预测.

Sub seasonal variations of weak stratospheric polar vortex in December and its impact on Eurasian air temperature

Weak stratospheric polar vortex(WPV)events during winter months were investigated.WPV events were identified as being weakest in December,accompanied by the most dramatic increase in geopotential height over the polar region.After the onset of a December WPV event,the dynamic processes influencing Eurasian temperature can be split into two separate periods.Period I(lag of 0-25 days)is referred to as the stratosphere-troposphere interactions period,as it is mainly characterized by stratospheric signals propagating downwards.In Period I,a stratospheric negative Northern Annular Mode(NAM)pattern associated with the WPV propagates downwards,inducing a negative NAM in the troposphere.The anomalous low centers over the Mediterranean and North Pacific bring cold advection to northern Eurasia,resulting in a north-cold-south-warm dipole pattern over Eurasia.The zero line between negative and positive temperature anomalies moves southwards during days 5-20.Stratospheric cold anomalies at midlatitudes propagate downwards to high latitudes in the troposphere and contribute to the dipole structure.During PeriodⅡ(lag of 25-40 days),as downward signals from the stratosphere have vanished,the dynamic processes mainly take place within the troposphere.Specifically,a wave train is initiated from the North Atlantic region to northern Europe.The propagation of wave activity flux intensifies a cyclonic anomaly over northern Europe,which brings cold advection to Scandinavia and warm advection to central Asia.Therefore,a northwest-cold-southeast-warm dipole structure occupies Eurasia and migrates southeastwards during this period.

Interannual Variability of the Winter Stratospheric Polar Vortex in the Northern Hemisphere and Their Relations to QBO and ENSO

We investigated the interannual variations of the winter stratospheric polar vortex in this paper. EOF analysis shows that two modes of variability dominate the stratospheric polar vortex on interannual timescales The leading mode （EOF1） reflects the intensity variation of the polar vortex and is characterized by a geopotential height seesaw between the polar region and the mid-latitudes. The second one （EOF2） exhibits variation in the zonal asymmetric part of the polar vortex, which mainly describes the stationary planetary wave activity. As the strongest interannual variation signal in the atmosphere, the QBO has been shown to influence mainly the strength of the polar vortex. On the other hand, the ENSO cycle, as the strongest interannual variation signal in the ocean, has been shown to be mainly associated with the variation of stationary planetary wave activity in the stratosphere. Possible influences of the stratospheric polar vortex on the tropospheric circulation are also discussed in this paper.

Polar Vortex Oscillation Viewed in an Isentropic Potential Vorticity Coordinate

The stratospheric polar vortex oscillation （PVO） in the Northern Hemisphere is examined in a semiLagrangian θ-PVLAT coordinate constructed by using daily isentropic potential vorticity maps derived from NCEP/NCAR reanalysis Ⅱdataset covering the period from 1979 to 2003. In the semi-Lagrangian θ-PVLAT coordinate, the variability of the polar vortex is solely attributed to its intensity change because the changes in its location and shape would be naturally absent by following potential vorticity contours on isentropic surfaces. The EOF and regression analyses indicate that the PVO can be described by a pair of poleward and downward propagating modes. These two modes together account for about 82% variance of the daily potential vorticity anomalies over the entire Northern Hemisphere. The power spectral analysis reveals a dominant time scale of about 107 days in the time series of these two modes, representing a complete PVO cycle accompanied with poleward propagating heating anomalies of both positive and negative signs from the equator to the pole. The strong polar vortex corresponds to the arrival of cold anomalies over the polar circle and vice versa. Accompanied with the poleward propagation is a simultaneous downward propagation. The downward propagation time scale is about 20 days in high and low latitudes and about 30 days in mid-latitudes. The zonal wind anomalies lag the poleward and downward propagating temperature anomalies of the opposite sign by 10 days in low and high latitudes and by 20 days in mid-latitudes. The time series of the leading EOF modes also exhibit dominant time scales of 8.7, 16.9, and 33.8 months. They approximately follow a double-periodicity sequence and correspond to the 3-peak extratropical Quasi-Biennial Oscillation （QBO） signal.

Impacts of Polar Vortex,NPO,and SST Configurations on Unusually Cool Summers in Northeast China.Part I:Analysis and Diagnosis

This study unveils the evolution of two major early signals in the North Pacific atmosphere-ocean system that heralded abnormal high-pressure blockings and cold-vortex activities across Northeast China, based on an analysis of the configurations of major modes including the polar vortex, the North Pacific Oscillation （NPO）, and SST in the preceding winter and spring and atmospheric low-frequency disturbances in Northeast China. We analyzed these aspects to understand the atmosphere ocean physical coupling processes characterized by the two early signals, and here we explain the possible mechanisms through which dipole circulation anomalies affect the summer low-temperature processes in Northeast China. We further analyzed the interdecadal variation background and associated physical processes of the two early signals.

On the Differences and Climate Impacts of Early and Late Stratospheric Polar Vortex Breakup

The stratospheric polar vortex breakup （SPVB） is an important phenomenon closely related to the seasonal transition of stratospheric circulation. In this paper, 62-year NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data were employed to investigate the distinction between early and late SPVB. The results showed that the anomalous circulation signals extending from the stratosphere to the troposphere were reversed before and after early SPVB, while the stratospheric signals were consistent before and after the onset of late SPVB. Arctic Oscillation （AO） evolution during the life cycle of SPVB also demonstrated that the negative AO signal can propagate downward after early SPVB. Such downward AO signals could be identified in both geopotential height and temperature anomalies. After the AO signal reached the lower troposphere, it influenced the Aleutian Low and Siberian High in the troposphere, leading to a weak winter monsoon and large-scale warming at mid latitudes in Asia. Compared to early SPVB, downward propagation was not evident in late SPVB. The high-latitude tropospheric circulation in the Northern Hemisphere was affected by early SPVB, causing it to enter a summer circulation pattern earlier than in late SPVB years.

A Comparison of Polar Vortex Response to Pacific and Indian Ocean Warming

During recent decades, the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean has become increasingly warmer. Meanwhile, both the northern and southern hemispheric polar vortices （NPV and SPV） have exhibited a deepening trend in boreal winter. Although previous studies have revealed that the tropical Indian Ocean warming （IOW） favors an intensifying NPV and a weakening SPV, how the tropical Pacific Ocean warming （POW） influences the NPV and SPV remains unclear. In this study, a comparative analysis has been conducted through ensemble atmospheric general circulation model （AGCM） experiments. The results show that, for the Northern Hemisphere, the two warmings exerted opposite impacts in boreal winter, in that the IOW intensified the NPV while the POW weakened the NPV. For the Southern Hemisphere, both the IOW and POW warmed the southern polar atmosphere and weakened the SPV. A diagnostic analysis based on the vorticity budget revealed that such an interhemispheric difference in influences from the IOW and POW in boreal winter was associated with different roles of transient eddy momentum flux convergence between the hemispheres. Furthermore, this difference may have been linked to different strengths of stationary wave activity between the hemispheres in boreal winter.

The Role of Stationary and Transient Planetary Waves in the Maintenance of Stratospheric Polar Vortex Regimes in Northern Hemisphere Winter

Using 1958-2002 NCEPNCAR reanalysis data, we investigate stationary and transient planetary wave propagation and its role in wave-mean flow interaction which influences the state of the polar vortex （PV） in the stratosphere in Northern Hemisphere （NH） winter. This is done by analyzing the Eliassen-Palm （E-P） flux and its divergence. We find that the stationary and transient waves propagate upward and equatorward in NH winter, with stronger upward propagation of stationary waves from the troposphere to the stratosphere, and stronger equatorward propagation of transient waves from mid-latitudes to the subtropics in the troposphere. Stationary waves exhibit more upward propagation in the polar stratosphere during the weak polar vortex regime （WVR） than during the strong polar vortex regime （SVR）. On the other hand, transient waves have more upward propagation during SVR than during WVR in the subpolar stratosphere, with a domain of low frequency waves. With different paths of upward propagation, both stationary and transient waves contribute to the maintenance of the observed stratospheric PV regimes in NH winter.

Seasonality of the Lagged Relationship between ENSO and the Northern Hemispheric Polar Vortex Variability

<Abstract>This paper reports the seasonal feature of the relationship between ENSO and the stratospheric Polar Vortex Oscillation (PVO) variability in the Northern Hemisphere.It is shown that the lagged ENSO-PVO coupling relationship exhibits distinct seasonal feature,due to the strong seasonality of PVO and ENSO.Specifically,the PVO variability not only during winter,but also in autumn and spring months,is significantly correlated with ENSO anomalies leading by seasons;however,no significant effect of ENSO is found on the PVO variability in winter months of November and February.Although a significant ENSO effect is primarily observed when ENSO leads PVO by about one year,a significant correlation is also found between PVO in the following spring months (M +1 A +1) and ENSO anomalies in the previous autumn (A-1 S-1 O- 1 N -1) when ENSO anomalies lead by about 18 months.The significant correlation between PVO in various seasons and the corresponding ENSO anomalies leading by seasons could be explicitly verified in most of the individual years,confirming that the lagged ENSO effect can largely modulate the seasonal timescale variability of PVO.Moreover,the composite spatial patterns of the zonal-mean temperature anomalies further show that the ENSO effect on the PVO in various seasons is related to the interannual variability of the seasonal timescale PVO events.

Definition and analysis of the circulation indices of polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Northern Hemisphere

A set of circulation indices are defined and calculated to characterize monthly mean polar vortex at 10 hPa geopotential height chart in the Northern Hemisphere,including area–(S),intensity–(P) and center position (λc,φc)–indices by use of 1948–2007 NCEP/NCAR 10 hPa monthly height data.These indices series are used to investigate the seasonal variation and interannual anomaly of polar vortex,along with the relations with global warming,ozone anomaly and Arctic Oscillation (AO).The results show that (1) there is anticyclonic (cyclonic) from Jun.to Aug.(from Sep.to Mar.).The change of spring circulation pattern is slower than that of autumn.(2) S can be replaced by P due to the interannual synchronal variations of the intensity and area for polar vortex.The interannual (interdecadal) variations of P are significant in Jan.(Jul.).(3) The anomalies of system center position in Jan.are more evident than that in Jul.(4) The variations of mean temperature at mid-stratosphere in the vicinity of pole zone in Jan.are different from that in Jul.,but they are synchronal with the corresponding P and not significant correlation with the trend of global warming.However,the relationship between P and total O3 in Jul.are obvious.(5) There is so notable correlation between P and AO that P can represent AO.

Polar Vortex Response to Pacific Ocean Warming and Its Additive Nonlinearity with the Indian Ocean

A previous modeling study about Pacific Ocean warming derived polar vortex response signals, by subtracting those in the Indian Ocean warming experiments from those in the Indo-Pacific. This approach questions the resemblance of such an indirectly derived response to one directly forced by Pacific Ocean warming. This is relevant to the additive nonlinearity of atmospheric responses to separated Indian and Pacific Ocean forcing. In the present study, an additional set of ensemble experiments are performed by prescribing isolated SST forcing in the tropical Pacific Ocean to address this issue. The results suggest a qualitative resemblance between responses in the derived and additional experiments. Thus, previous findings about the impact of Indian and Pacific Ocean wanning are robust. This study has important implications for future climate change projections, considering the non-unanimous warming rates in tropical oceans in the 21st century. Nevertheless, a comparison of present direct-forced experiments with previous indirect-forced experiments suggests a significant additive nonlinearity between the Indian and Pacific Ocean warmings. Further diagnosis suggests that the nonlinearity may originate from the thermodynamic processes over the tropics.

Multi-scale variation characteristics of polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere

By use of 1948-2007 NCEP/NCAR reanalysis monthly geopotential data, a set of circulation indices are defined to characterize the polar vortex at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere, including area-（S）, intensity-（P） and centre position-（λc , φc） indices. Sea-sonal variation, interannual anomalies and their possible causes of 10 hPa polar vortex in the Southern Hemisphere are analyzed by using these indices, the relationship between 10 hPa polar vortex strength and the Antarctic Oscillation are analyzed as well. The results show that： （1） the polar region at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere is controlled by anticyclone （cyclone） from Dec. to Jan. （from Mar. to Oct.）, Feb. and Nov. are circulation transition seasons. （2） Intensity index （P） and area index （S） of anticy-clone （cyclone） in Jan. （Jul.） show a significant spike in the late 1970s, the anticyclone （cyclone） enhances （weakens） from ex-tremely weak （strong） oscillation to near the climatic mean before a spike, anticyclone tends to the mean state from very strong oscillation and cyclone oscillates in the weaker state after the spike. （3） There is significant interdecadal change for the anticyclone center in Jan., while markedly interannual variation for cyclone center in July. （4） The ozone anomalies can cause the interannual anomaly of the polar anticyclone at 10 hPa in the Southern Hemisphere in Jan. （positive correlation between them）, but it is not related to the polar cyclone anomalies. （5） There is notable negative correlation between the polar vortex intensity index P and the Antarctic Oscillation index （AAOI）, thus AAOI can be represented by P.

Quantifying the Response Strength of the Southern Stratospheric Polar Vortex to Indian Ocean Warming in Austral Summer

A previous multiple-AGCM study suggested that Indian Ocean Warming （IOW） tends to warm and weaken the southern polar vortex.Such an impact is robust because of a qualitative consistency among the five AGCMs used.However,a significant difference exists in the modeled strengths,particularly in the stratosphere,with those in three of the AGCMs （CCM3,CAM3,and GFS） being four to five times as strong as those in the two other models （GFDL AM2,ECHAM5）.As to which case reflects reality is an important issue not only for quantifying the role of tropical ocean warming in the recent modest recovery of the ozone hole over the Antarctic,but also for projecting its future trend.This issue is addressed in the present study through comparing the models＇ climatological mean states and intrinsic variability,particularly those influencing tropospheric signals to propagate upward and reach the stratosphere.The results suggest that differences in intrinsic variability of model atmospheres provide implications for the difference.Based on a comparison with observations,it is speculated that the impact in the real world may be closer to the modest one simulated by GFDL AM2 and ECHAM5,rather than the strong one simulated by the three other models （CCM3,CAM3 and GFS）.In particular,IOW during the past 50 years may have dynamically induced a 1.0℃ warming in the polar lower stratosphere （～100 hPa）,which canceled a fraction of radiative cooling due to ozone depletion.

Three-Year Observations of Ozone Columns over Polar Vortex Edge Area above West Antarctica

Ozone vertical column densities(VCDs)were retrieved by Zenith Scattered Light-Differential Optical Absorption Spectroscopy(ZSL-DOAS)from January 2017 to February 2020 over Fildes Peninsula,West Antarctica(62.22°S,58.96°W).Each year,ozone VCDs started to decline around July with a comparable gradient around 1.4 Dobson Units(DU)per day,then dropped to their lowest levels in September and October,when ozone holes appeared(less than 220 DU).Daily mean values of retrieved ozone VCDs were compared with Ozone Monitoring Instrument(OMI)and Global Ozone Monitoring Experiment 2(GOME-2)satellite observations and the Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications Version 2(MERRA-2)reanalysis dataset,with correlation coefficients(R2)of 0.86,0.94,and 0.90,respectively.To better understand the causes of ozone depletion,the retrieved ozone VCDs,temperature,and potential vorticity(PV)at certain altitudes were analyzed.The profiles of ozone and PV were positively correlated during their fluctuations,which indicates that the polar vortex has a strong influence on stratospheric ozone depletion during Antarctic spring.Located at the edge of polar vortex,the observed data will provide a basis for further analysis and prediction of the inter-annual variations of stratospheric ozone in the future.

The exceptionally strong and persistent Arctic stratospheric polar vortex in the winter of 2019–2020

The Arctic stratospheric polar vortex was exceptional strong,cold and persistent in the winter and spring of 2019–2020.Based on reanalysis data from the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research and ozone observations from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument,the authors investigated the dynamical variation of the stratospheric polar vortex during winter 2019–2020 and its influence on surface weather and ozone depletion.This strong stratospheric polar vortex was affected by the less active upward propagation of planetary waves.The seasonal transition of the stratosphere during the stratospheric final warming event in spring 2020 occurred late due to the persistence of the polar vortex.A positive Northern Annular Mode index propagated from the stratosphere to the surface,where it was consistent with the Arctic Oscillation and North Atlantic Oscillation indices.As a result,the surface temperature in Eurasia and North America was generally warmer than the climatology.In some places of Eurasia,the surface temperature was about 10 K warmer during the period from January to February 2020.The most serious Arctic ozone depletion since 2004 has been observed since February 2020.The mean total column ozone within 60°–90°N from March to 15 April was about 80 DU less than the climatology.

Influences of the 11-yr Sunspot Cycle and Polar Vortex Oscillation on Observed Winter Temperature Variations in China

Using the NCEP-2 reanalysis data in 1979-2015, we analyze variations in the coupled stratosphere-troposphere system and attribute them to the polar vortex oscillation(PVO) and the 11-yr sunspot cycle(SC). Subsequently, influences of PVO and SC on the near-ground temperature and extreme temperatures are diagnosed based on observations at 2419 surface stations in China over the same period. Empirical Orthogonal Function(EOF) analysis of geopotential height(GH) anomalies indicates that the first and second EOF modes together can explain nearly 50% of the total variance and they have different driving sources, active periods, and regions. The first EOF mode mainly represents variation characteristics of the polar vortex, and its active periods appear in late winter. It is found that a weakened polar vortex(larger amplitude in the positive time series of the first mode) corresponds to lower daily mean, minimum, and maximum temperatures and more frequent cold nights and days. This cooling effect mainly occur in northeastern China. The second EOF mode is closely related to the SC, and its major active periods are late autumn and early winter. The results reveal that strong solar activity(larger amplitude in the positive time series of the second mode) leads to cooling effects in northern China through accelerating seasonal transformation of the stratospheric circulation and enhancing intensity of the subtropical westerly jet in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere. The near-ground temperature is lower than usual, especially for daily mean and minimum temperatures. The number of warm nights and days is significantly reduced, and cold nights and days become more frequent. Therefore,the first and second EOF mode time series of GH anomalies can be used as indices of PVO and solar activity, respectively; and can provide indications of winter cooling processes in China.

ANTARCTIC SEA ICE AND THE POLAR VORTEX INDEX:TEMPORAL AND SPATIAL CHARACTERISTICS AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP

The cluster analysis method has been used to divide the Antarctic sea ice variation field into 5 sectors.Then,for each of these sectors,the corresponding indexes of vortex area and vortex intensity on the 500 hPa level have been calcu- lated.These data were used to analyse the temporal and spatial characteristics of both Antarctic sea ice and the vortex index variations and their relationship.Our results show that substantial differences are presented in the climatic pattern and interannual variations of the sea ice data and vortex index in different sectors.The maximum sea ice extent varia- tions appear in sector 1 and sector 4.Oscillation periods of 2—2.5 and 5—7 years exist in the variations of sea ice extent and vortex index in most sectors.A positive trend is only found in sector 1 sea ice extent while the other sectors show negative trends.The average extent of the Antarctic sea ice as a whole has retreated at a rate of 1.6 latitudes per 100 years.The vortex areas for all sectors have decreased.Nevertheless,the vortex intensities in 3 sectors have increased.The relationship between sea ice and vortex characters in each sector is obvious,but a little complex.Sectors 1 and 5,which are located in the Southeast Pacific and South Atlantic,are the most sensitive areas in terms of sea ice/atmosphere interaction.

Continuous Ozone Depletion over Antarctica After 2000 and Its Relationship with the Polar Vortex

Observations have shown highly variable ozone depletion over the Antarctic in the 2000s, which could affect the long-term ozone trend in this region as well as the global ozone recovery. By using the total column ozone data （1979-2011）, interannual variation of the springtime Antarctic ozone tow is investigated, together with its relationship with the polar vortex evolution in the lower stratosphere. The results show that springtime Antarctic ozone depletion has continued in the 2000s, seemingly contradicting the consensus view of a global ozone recovery expected at the beginning of the 21st century. The spring Antarctic polar vortex in the lower stratosphere is much stronger in the 2000s than before, with a larger area, delayed breakup time, and greater longevity during 2000-2011. Fhrther analyses show that the recent continuation of springtime Antarctic ozone depletion could be largely attributed to the abnormal variation of the Antarctic polar vortex.