The Influence of Arctic Sea Ice Concentration Perturbations on Subseasonal Predictions of North Atlantic Oscillation Events

The influence of Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) on the subseasonal prediction of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) event is investigated by utilizing the Community Atmospheric Model version 4. The optimal Arctic SIC perturbations which exert the greatest influence on the onset of an NAO event from a lead of three pentads (15 days) are obtained with a conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation approach. Numerical results show that there are two types of optimal Arctic SIC perturbations for each NAO event, with one weakening event (marked as type-1) and another strengthening event (marked as type-2). For positive NAO events, type-1 optimal SIC perturbations mainly show positive SIC anomalies in the Greenland, Barents, and Okhotsk Seas, while type-2 perturbations mainly feature negative SIC anomalies in these regions. For negative NAO events, the optimal SIC perturbations have almost opposite patterns to those in positive events, although there are some differences among these SIC perturbations due to different atmospheric initial conditions. Further diagnosis reveals that the optimal Arctic SIC perturbations first modify the surface turbulent heat flux and the temperature in the lower troposphere via diabatic processes. Afterward, the temperature in the low troposphere is mainly affected by dynamic advection. Finally, potential vorticity advection plays a crucial role in the 500-hPa geopotential height prediction in the northern North Atlantic sector during pentad 4, which influences NAO event prediction. These results highlight the importance of Arctic SIC on NAO event prediction and the spatial characteristics of the SIC perturbations may provide scientific support for target observations of SIC in improving NAO subseasonal predictions.

Sources of Subseasonal Prediction Skill for Heatwaves over the Yangtze River Basin Revealed from Three S2S Models

Based on the reforecast data(1999–2010)of three operational models[the China Meteorological Administration(CMA),the National Centers for Environmental Prediction of the U.S.(NCEP)and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)]that participated in the Subseasonal to Seasonal Prediction(S2S)project,we identified the major sources of subseasonal prediction skill for heatwaves over the Yangtze River basin(YRB).The three models show limited prediction skills in terms of the fraction of correct predictions for heatwave days in summer;the Heidke Skill Score drops quickly after a 5-day forecast lead and falls down close to zero beyond the lead time of 15 days.The superior skill of the ECMWF model in predicting the intensity and duration of the YRB heatwave is attributable to its fidelity in capturing the phase evolution and amplitude of high-pressure anomalies associated with the intraseasonal oscillation and the dryness of soil moisture induced by less precipitation via the land–atmosphere coupling.The effects of 10–30-day and 30–90-day circulation prediction skills on heatwave predictions are comparable at shorter forecast leads(10 days),while the biases in 30–90-day circulation amplitude prediction show close connection with the degradation of heatwave prediction skill at longer forecast leads(>15–20 days).The biases of intraseasonal circulation anomalies further affect precipitation anomalies and thus land conditions,causing difficulty in capturing extremely hot days and their persistence in the S2S models.

Implications from Subseasonal Prediction Skills of the Prolonged Heavy Snow Event over Southern China in Early 2008

An exceptionally prolonged heavy snow event(PHSE)occurred in southern China from 10 January to 3 February 2008,which caused considerable economic losses and many casualties.To what extent any dynamical model can predict such an extreme event is crucial for disaster prevention and mitigation.Here,we found the three S2S models(ECMWF,CMA1.0 and CMA2.0)can predict the distribution and intensity of precipitation and surface air temperature(SAT)associated with the PHSE at 10-day lead and 10−15-day lead,respectively.The success is attributed to the models’capability in forecasting the evolution of two important low-frequency systems in the tropics and mid-latitudes[the persistent Siberian High and the suppressed phase of the Madden−Julian Oscillation(MJO)],especially in the ECMWF model.However,beyond the 15-day lead,the three models show almost no skill in forecasting this PHSE.The bias in capturing the two critical circulation systems is responsible for the low skill in forecasting the 2008 PHSE beyond the 15-day lead.On one hand,the models cannot reproduce the persistence of the Siberian High,which results in the underestimation of negative SAT anomalies over southern China.On the other hand,the models cannot accurately capture the suppressed convection of the MJO,leading to weak anomalous southerly and moisture transport,and therefore the underestimation of precipitation over southern China.The Singular Value Decomposition(SVD)analyses between the critical circulation systems and SAT/precipitation over southern China shows a robust historical relation,indicating the fidelity of the predictability sources for both regular events and extreme events(e.g.,the 2008 PHSE).

The role of bias correction on subseasonal prediction of Arctic sea ice during summer 2018

Subseasonal Arctic sea ice prediction is highly needed for practical services including icebreakers and commercial ships,while limited by the capability of climate models.A bias correction methodology in this study was proposed and performed on raw products from two climate models,the First Institute Oceanography Earth System Model(FIOESM)and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction(NCEP)Climate Forecast System(CFS),to improve 60 days predictions for Arctic sea ice.Both models were initialized on July 1,August 1,and September 1 in 2018.A 60-day forecast was conducted as a part of the official sea ice service,especially for the ninth Chinese National Arctic Research Expedition(CHINARE)and the China Ocean Shipping(Group)Company(COSCO)Northeast Passage voyages during the summer of 2018.The results indicated that raw products from FIOESM underestimated sea ice concentration(SIC)overall,with a mean bias of SIC up to 30%.Bias correction resulted in a 27%improvement in the Root Mean Square Error(RMSE)of SIC and a 10%improvement in the Integrated Ice Edge Error(IIEE)of sea ice edge(SIE).For the CFS,the SIE overestimation in the marginal ice zone was the dominant features of raw products.Bias correction provided a 7%reduction in the RMSE of SIC and a 17%reduction in the IIEE of SIE.In terms of sea ice extent,FIOESM projected a reasonable minimum time and amount in mid-September;however,CFS failed to project both.Additional comparison with subseasonal to seasonal(S2S)models suggested that the bias correction methodology used in this study was more effective when predictions had larger biases.

Subseasonal prediction of winter precipitation in southern China using the early November snowpack over the Urals

Evolution of the autumn snowpack has been considered as a potential source for the subseasonal predictability of winter surface air temperature,but its linkage to precipitation variability has been less well discussed.This study shows that the snow water equivalent(SWE)over the Urals region in early(1–14)November is positively associated with precipitation in southern China during15–21 November and 6–15 January,based on the study period 1979/80–2016/17.In early November,a decreased Urals SWE warms the air locally via diabatic heating,indicative of significant land–atmosphere coupling over the Urals region.Meanwhile,a stationary Rossby wave train originates from the Urals and propagates along the polar-front jet stream.In mid(15–21)November,this Rossby wave train propagates downstream toward East Asia and,combined with the deepened East Asian trough,reduces the precipitation over southern China by lessening the water vapor transport.Thereafter,during 22 November to 5 January,there are barely any obvious circulation anomalies owing to the weak land–atmosphere coupling over the Urals.In early(6–15)January,the snowpack expands southward to the north of the Mediterranean Sea and cools the overlying atmosphere,suggestive of land–atmosphere coupling occurring over western Europe.A stationary Rossby wave train trapped in the subtropical westerly jet stream appears along with anomalous cyclonic circulation over Europe,and again with a deepened East Asian trough and less precipitation over southern China.The current findings have implications for winter precipitation prediction in southern China on the subseasonal timescale.