Primary productivity in the western tropical Pacific and equatorial warm waters

Primary productivity in the western tropical Pacific and equatorial warm waters was studied in the WOCE cruise in November of 1991 and the TOGA-COARE cruise from November of 1992 to February of 1993.It is shown that the total amount of integrated chlorophyll a(chloro a)was 19 79 mg/m 2 in depthof0～150 m and the average daily primary productivity was 171 mg/(m 2·d)(C)appeared in the western tropical Pacific while a higher chloro a(21 68 mg/m 2)and primary productivity [228 mg/(m 2·d)(C)]were observed in the equatorial warm waters.The highest chloro a was found at the coastal stations of Philippines and Irian while the lowest chloro a was at the offshore areas bounded by 2°～4°N.The distribution pattern of chloro a biomass was related to different physical processes.Upwelling,which may have led to a high biomass, was a critical factor changing the distributions of temperature,salinity and nutrient in these areas.

Influence of climatic warming in the Southern and Northern Hemi-sphere on the tropical cyclone over the western North Pacific Ocean

Based on analyzing the surface air temperature series in the Southern and Northern Hemisphere and the tropical cyclone (TC) over the western North Pacific Ocean, the relationships between climatic warming and the frequency and intensity of tropical cyclone are investigated. The results showed that with the climatic warming in both hemispheres, the frequency of the tropical cyclone over the western North Pacific Ocean reduces and its intensity weakens simultaneously. A possible explanation might be that the cold air invasion from the Southern Hemisphere weakens due to global warming.

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.

The Heat Balance in the Western Equatorial Pacific Warm Pool during the Westerly Wind Bursts: A Case Study

The responses of sea surface temperature (SST) in the western equatorial Pacific warm pool to the westerly wind bursts (WWBs) play an important role in the relationship between WWB and ENSO. By using data collected from eight buoys of TOGA (Tropical Ocean-Global Atmosphere)- COARE (Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Response Experiment), the heat balances of the upper ocean in the western equatorial Pacific around 0 degrees, 156 degreesE during two WWB events were calculated according to Stevenson and Niiler's (1983) method. In both events, SST increased before and after the WWBs, while decreased within the WWBs. The SST amplitudes approximated to 1 degreesC. Although sometimes the horizontal heat advections may become the biggest term in the heat balance, the variation of SST was dominated by the surface heat flux. On the other aspect, some different features of the two events are also revealed. The two cases have different variation of mixed layer depth. The depth of mixed layer is almost double in the first case (35 in to 70 m), which is caused by Ekman convergence, while only 10m increments due to entrainment in the second one, There are also differences in the currents structure. The different variations of thermal and currents structure in the mixing layers accounted for the different variation of the heat balance during the two events, especially the advection and residue terms. The seasonal variation of SST in this area is also investigated simply. The first WWB event happened just during the seasonal transition. So we considered that it is a normal season transition rather than a so-called anomaly. That also suggested that the seasonal distinction of the WWB is worthy of more attention in the researches of its relationship to ENSO.

Research on the Propagation Acting of the Equatorial Planetary Waves on the Western Equatorial Pacific Warm Pool Heat

Based on the long-term buoy data from the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean ( TAO ) —array during the TOGA ( Tropical Ocean and Global Atmosphere ) Program (19801996), the propagation acting of the Equatorial planetary waves on the Western Equatorial Pacific warm pool heat is analyzed. Results show that the zonal heat transmission in the Western Equatorial Pacific takes palace mainly in the subsurface water and spreads eastwards along the thermocline; while the seasonal westward-spreading heat change structure occurs in the mixed layers in the middle and western Pacific. The standing-form transmission in the western Pacific appears in the thermocline layer, while in the eastern pacific, it exists in the mixed layer as well as in the thermocline layer. The standing-form and eastward-spreading sign of zonal heat transmitting in the upper water is predominant and strong, and the westward sign is weak.The component force of Kelvin Equatorial wave pressure runs through the western and eastern Equatorial pacific, and transmits heat energy eastwards. And the heat transmitted by zonal current component occurs mostly in the western Pacific; The heat transmitted by the component force of Rossby wave pressure mainly appears in the eastern and middle areas of the Pacific, while the zonal current component transmitting occurs mainly in the western Pacific; Mixed-Rossby gravity wave’s action on the zonal current is stronger than that of the thermocline layer. In the mean state, the standing wave model of Equatorial Pacific up layer ocean temperature confines the transport of western Pacific warm pool heat to the eastern Pacific. Under abnormal conditions, the standing wave model of Equatorial Pacific up layer ocean temperature weakens, the eastwardly transmitting model enhances, and subsequently n^the El Ni o event occurs.

The inversion of the Equatorial Undercurrent in the western tropical Pacific during 1986/1987 El Nino event

On the basis of time series measurements of winds, currents, temperature and salinity from equatorial current meter mooring and acoustic Doppler current profiler during the PRC/USA joint air-sea interaction studies in the western tropical Pacifc Ocean and sea level data provided by Prof. Wyrtki, analyses are made of the physical process and mechanism for the exceptionally inverse phenomenon (westward) of the Equatorial Undercurrent (EUC) in the western tropical Pacific after entering the mature stage of 1986/1987 ENSO event, and the numerical simulation is also conducted by 'cross section' model. The results indicate that the inversion of the EUC is related to that of pressure gradient force near the equator under the influence of non-local permanent westerlies.

INFLUENCE OF THE INTERANNUAL VARIATION OF CROSSEQUATORIAL FLOW ON TROPICAL CYCLOGENESIS OVER THE WESTERN NORTH PACIFIC

The influence of the interannual variation of cross-equatorial flow(CEF) on tropical cyclogenesis over the western North Pacific(WNP) is examined in this paper by using the tropical cyclone(TC) best track data from the Joint Typhoon Warning Center and the JRA-25 reanalysis dataset. The results showed that the number of TCs forming to the east of 140°E over the southeastern part of the western North Pacific(WNP) is in highly positive correlation with the variation of the CEF near 125° E and 150° E, i.e., the number of tropical cyclogeneses increases when the cross-equatorial flows are strong. Composite analyses showed that during the years of strong CEF, the variations of OLR, vertical wind shear between 200-850 h Pa, 850 h Pa relative vorticity and 200 h Pa divergence are favorable for tropical cyclogenesis to the east of 140°E over the tropical WNP, and vice versa. Moreover, it is also discussed from the view of barotropic energy conversion that during the years of strong CEF, an eastward-extended monsoon trough leads to the rapid growth of eddy kinetic energy over the eastern part of WNP, which is favorable for tropical cyclogenesis;but during the years of weak CEF, the monsoon trough is located westward in the western part of the WNP, consistent with the growth area of eddy kinetic energy. As a result, there are fewer TC geneses over the eastern part of WNP.Besides, the abrupt strengthening of a close-by CEF 2-4 days before tropical cyclogenesis may be the one of its triggers.

Anomalous Western Pacific Subtropical High during Late Summer in Weak La Nia Years: Contrast between 1981 and 2013

Both 1981 and 2013 were weak La Nifia years with a similar sea surface temperature （SST） anomaly in the tropical Pacific, yet the westem Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） during August exhibited an opposite anomaly in the two years. A comparison indicates that, in the absence of a strong SST anomaly in the tropics, the cold advection from Eurasian high latitudes and the convection of the western Pacific warm pool play important roles in influencing the strength and position of the WPSH in August. In August 1981, the spatial pattern of 500 hPa geopotential height was characterized by a meridional circulation with a strong ridge in the Ural Mountains and a deep trough in Siberia, which provided favorable conditions for cold air invading into the lower latitudes. Accordingly, the geopotential height to the north of the WPSH was reduced by the cold advection anomaly from high latitudes, resulting in an eastward retreat of the WPSH. Moreover, an anomalous cyclonic circulation in the subtropical western Pacific, excited by enhanced warm pool convection, also contributed to the eastward retreat of the WPSH. By contrast, the influence from high latitudes was relatively weak in August 2013 due to a zonal circulation pattern over Eurasia, and the anomalous anticyclonic circulation induced by suppressed warm pool convection also facilitated the westward extension of the WPSH. Therefore, the combined effects of the high latitude and tropical circulations may contribute a persistent anomaly of the WPSH in late summer, despite the tropical SST anomaly being weak.

Changes in the Tropical Cyclone Genesis Potential Index over the Western North Pacific in the SRES A2 Scenario

The Tropical Cyclone Genesis Potential Index （GPI） was employed to investigate possible impacts of global warming on tropical cyclone genesis over the western North Pacific （WNP）. The outputs of 20th century climate simulation by eighteen GCMs were used to evaluate the models＇ ability to reproduce tropical cyclone genesis via the GPI. The GCMs were found in general to reasonably reproduce the observed spatial distribution of genesis. Some of the models also showed ability in capturing observed temporal variation. Based on the evaluation, the models （CGCM3.1-T47 and IPSL-CM4） found to perform best when reproducing both spatial and temporal features were chosen to project future GPI. Results show that both of these models project an upward trend of the GPI under the SRES A2 scenario, however the rate of increase differs between them.

SPATIAL AND TEMPORAL VARIABILITY OF NORTHWEST PACIFIC TROPICAL CYCLONE ACTIVITY IN A GLOBAL WARMING SCENARIO

Utilizing the Joint Typhoon Warning Center(JTWC) and Tokyo-Typhoon Center of the Japan Meteorological Agency(JMA RSMC TOKYO) best-track tropical cyclone(TC) data for the period 1951-2014,variations in spatial and temporal characteristics of Northwest Pacific TC activity for a global warming scenario are discussed.The results suggest that since the early 1960 s,there has been an overall decreasing trend in the frequency of occurrence,intensity,peak intensity,length of movement,and lifetime of TCs.However,global wanning has led to a linearly increasing trend in TC activity in eastern Asia,which indicates that Northwest Pacific TC activity decreases,but the frequency of landfalls and intensity are likely strengthened.Therefore,the threat of TCs towards eastern Asia is enhanced.The increase in TC activity in eastern Asia is likely the result of a strengthened Walker circulation due to an increasing temperature gradient between the northwest Pacific Ocean and the central and eastern Pacific Ocean.The strengthening Walker circulation could increase the magnitude of the vertical wind shear,relative vorticity,and meridional wind shear of low-level easterlies near the equator in the tropical Northwest Pacific,which affects the spatial and temporal variations of TC activity in the Northwest Pacific.

Physical oceanography of the Caroline M4 seamount in the tropical Western Pacific Ocean in summer 2017

Physical oceanography plays an important role in the formation of submarine sediments,and the distribution of nutriments and biocenoses in seamounts.The M4 seamount is located in the Caroline Island Ridge of the Western Pacific Ocean.The physical properties around M4 seamount are preliminarily analyzed based on the in-situ data obtained in summer 2017 in Caroline M4 seamount and open-sourced data.We found that the water in the upper 200 m is controlled by the westward North Equatorial Current(NEC),while the water between 300-1000 m is dominated by the eastward North Equatorial Undercurrent(NEUC).The current direction fluctuates significantly below 300 m at upstream stations.At the same depth of the lee sides,the current direction changes with the distance from seamount.These are likely caused by the obstacle of M4 seamount.The calculation results show that there is an anticyclonic cap above M4 seamount caused by tidal rectification.Tidal currents in M4 seamount are squeezed by the topography and amplified,and the amplified tidal currents play a dominant role in M4 seamount.First,the circulation system generated by the interaction of the amplified tidal current and M4 seamount drives the upward/downward movement of the isotherms.Secondly,the thickness of the surface turbulent layer is changed with the tidal phase.Thirdly,high turbulent diffusivities are found in the bottom of M4 seamount,and these are most likely attributed to the turbulent mixing induced by the mutual effect between semidiurnal tidal currents and steep bathymetry.This article of physical oceanography provides scientific basis for further analysis of the distribution of biological community and deposition mechanism in M4 seamount.

Tropical Cyclone Genesis Potential Index over the Western North Pacific Simulated by CMIP5 Models

Tropical cyclone （TC） genesis over the western North Pacific （WNP） is analyzed using 23 CMIP5 （Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5） models and reanalysis datasets. The models are evaluated according to TC genesis potential index （GPI）. The spatial and temporal variations of the GPI are first calculated using three atmospheric reanalysis datasets （ERA-Interim, NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis- 1, and NCEP/DOE Reanalysis-2）. Spatial distributions of July-October-mean TC frequency based on the GPI from ERA-interim are more consistent with observed ones derived from IBTrACS global TC data. So, the ERA-interim reanalysis dataset is used to examine the CMIP5 models in terms of reproducing GPI during the period 1982-2005. Although most models possess deficiencies in reproducing the spatial distribution of the GPI, their multi- model ensemble （MME） mean shows a reasonable climatological GPI pattern characterized by a high GPI zone along 20°N in the WNP. There was an upward trend of TC genesis frequency during 1982 to 1998, followed by a downward trend. Both MME results and reanalysis data can represent a robust increasing trend during 1982-1998, but the models cannot simulate the downward trend after 2000. Analysis based on future projection experiments shows that the GPI exhibits no significant change in the first half of the 21st century, and then starts to decrease at the end of the 21st century under the representative concentration pathway （RCP） 2.6 scenario. Under the RCP8.5 scenario, the GPI shows an increasing trend in the vicinity of 20°N, indicating more TCs could possibly be expected over the WNP under future global warming.

Water masses classification of the upper layer in the Equatorial Western Pacific using ISODATA of fuzzy cluster

-In this paper,by using ISODATA of fuzzy cluster,the water masses classification of the upper layer in the E-quatorial Western Pacific is carried out. On the basis of the degree of the membership in the obtained optima) classification matrix, the solid distribution of the detailed structure of water masses is made. The water of the upper layer,consisting of six water masses,may be divided into three layers,i, e. ,the surface,subsurface and intermediate layer. Besides analyzing the features of various water masses,a discussion on their distribution structure and formation mechanism is also made.

The Record-breaking Mei-yu in 2020 and Associated Atmospheric Circulation and Tropical SST Anomalies

The record-breaking mei-yu in the Yangtze-Huaihe River valley(YHRV)in 2020 was characterized by an early onset,a delayed retreat,a long duration,a wide meridional rainbelt,abundant precipitation,and frequent heavy rainstorm processes.It is noted that the East Asian monsoon circulation system presented a significant quasi-biweekly oscillation(QBWO)during the mei-yu season of 2020 that was associated with the onset and retreat of mei-yu,a northward shift and stagnation of the rainbelt,and the occurrence and persistence of heavy rainstorm processes.Correspondingly,during the mei-yu season,the monsoon circulation subsystems,including the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH),the upper-level East Asian westerly jet,and the low-level southwesterly jet,experienced periodic oscillations linked with the QBWO.Most notably,the repeated establishment of a large southerly center,with relatively stable latitude,led to moisture convergence and ascent which was observed to develop repeatedly.This was accompanied by a long-term duration of the mei-yu rainfall in the YHRV and frequent occurrences of rainstorm processes.Moreover,two blocking highs were present in the middle to high latitudes over Eurasia,and a trough along the East Asian coast was also active,which allowed cold air intrusions to move southward through the northwestern and/or northeastern paths.The cold air frequently merged with the warm and moist air from the low latitudes resulting in low-level convergence over the YHRV.The persistent warming in the tropical Indian Ocean is found to be an important external contributor to an EAP/PJ-like teleconnection pattern over East Asia along with an intensified and southerly displaced WPSH,which was observed to be favorable for excessive rainfall over YHRV.

SW Origin of North Pacific’s Wide Warm Surface Current

There is a long and wide continuous trough of deep mixed layers connecting the tropical western North Pacific Ocean with the offshore waters of the coast of California. Relatively warm water that is nearly uniform vertically fills the trough, which is concluded here to be a northeastward flow joining the wide warm surface current at mid-latitudes off California documented earlier. Evi-dence for the trough comes from a North Pacific atlas based on very many indi-vidual mixed layer depth data points, taken over a 27-year period, compiled (av-eraged) in monthly mean charts with contours of constant mixed layer depth dis-played. BTs (bathythermographs) were used to record temperature versus depth continuously from which the mixed layer depths were determined. Centerline curves, connecting the deepest mixed layer depths, which approximate the mid-dle of the troughs, are constructed from the atlas and are presented for all twelve months. In going from west to east, these curves bend counterclockwise, gradu-ally most of the way then more markedly near California. The curves for the summer months come closer to California than any of the other ones do, suggest-ing that the warm current itself is nearest to California in summer. Confirmation of the prediction awaits future efforts.

Uptrend of the Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclone Outflow Height during 1959-2021

Relatively little is known about the impact of global warming on the tropical cyclone(TC)outflow,despite its large contribution to TC intensity.In this study,based on the International Best Track Archive for Climate Stewardship(IBTrACS)dataset and ERA5 reanalysis data,we show that the TC outflow height has risen significantly(48.20±22.18 m decades-1)in the past decades(1959-2021)over the western North Pacific,and the rising trend tends to be sharper for stronger TCs(the uptrend of severe typhoon is 61.09±40.92 m decades-1).This rising trend of the outflow height explains the contradiction between the decrease trend of the TC outflow temperature and the increase trend of the atmospheric troposphere temperature.Moreover,possible contribution of the TC outflow height uptrend to TC intensity has also been investigated.The results show that the rise of outflow height leads to the decrease of outflow temperature,and thus an increased difference between underlying sea surface temperature(SST)and TC outflow temperature,which eventually favors the increase of TC intensity.

Circulation in the western tropical Pacific Ocean and its seasonal variation

An assimilation data set based on the GFDL MOM3 model and the NODC XBT data set is used to examine the circulation in the western tropical Pacific and its seasonal variations. The assimilated and observed velocities and transports of the mean circulation agree well. Transports of the North Equatorial Current (NEC), Mindanao Current (MC), North Equatorial Countercurrent (NECC) west of 140°E and Kuroshio origin estimated with the assimilation data display the seasonal cycles, roughly strong in boreal spring and weak in autumn, with a little phase difference. The NECC transport also has a semi-annual fluctuation resulting from the phase lag between seasonal cycles of two tropical gyres’ recirculations. Strong in summer during the southeast monsoon period, the seasonal cycle of the Indonesian throughflow (ITF) is somewhat different from those of its upstreams, the MC and New Guinea Coastal Current (NGCC), implying the monsoon’s impact on it.

The statistical characteristics of the atmospheric water over tropical western Pacific ' warm pool' during TOGA COARE IOP

THIS note gives the statistical analyses of continuous measurements with high time resolution(5 min)of atmospheric water(including precipitable water vapor,vertically path-integratedcloud liquid water content and rain intensity)over the tropical western Pacific at a fixed point(2°S,158°E)during TOGA COARE IOP(1992-11—1993-02).Some comparisons are madebetween these statistical results and those of the measurments obtained during previous meteo-

Observation of physical oceanography at the Y3 seamount (Yap Arc) in winter 2014

Seamounts aff ect the surrounding physical oceanography and form unique dynamic processes.The infl uences of these processes on biological and sedimentary distributions are quite diff erent in seamount areas at diff erent depths.The Y3 seamount is located in the Yap Arc of the tropical Western Pacifi c Ocean.The water depth of its summit is~280 m.Based on fi eld data obtained in December 2014 and other open-access data,the physical oceanography around the Y3 seamount was preliminarily analyzed.The results show that the upper layer(0-150 m)was under the infl uence of the westward-fl owing North Equatorial Current(NEC),while the eastward-fl owing North Equatorial Undercurrent(NEUC)controlled the water between 200-800 m.The NEC was strong and steady,but the NEUC was disturbed by the Y3 seamount.The cold dome above the Y3 seamount was not caused by a Taylor cap or tidal rectifi cation but probably by upwelling during the survey time.Tidal currents were squeezed against topography and greatly amplifi ed in the Y3 seamount.The thicknesses of the surface turbulent layers were greatly infl uenced by the spring-neap tidal cycle.The turbulent diff usivities in the sea surface layer above the Y3 seamount were much larger than those in the open ocean.Calculations showed that the surface wind stress greatly aff ected the turbulent mixing in the surface layer of the Y3 seamount.The reciprocal action between the amplifi ed tidal currents and topography was the most likely cause of the turbulent mixing near the bottom of the Y3 seamount.This study can provide a scientifi c basis for further study of biological and depositional characteristics at the Y3 seamount.

2023年7月广西持续性高温天气成因及前兆信号分析

利用广西91个国家气象观测站最高气温逐日资料和NCEP/NCAR再分析资料、NOAA向外长波辐射资料,国家气候中心130项气候系统监测指数资料,分析2023年7月广西持续性高温天气的成因,探寻其前兆信号。结果表明,7月9-16日和22-29日,广西出现2次大范围高温天气过程,全区平均高温日数12 d,为1951年以来同期第3多。两个高温天气过程中,广西受台风西侧外围下沉气流控制,副热带高压强度偏强,位置偏北偏西、南亚高压异常东扩。深厚高压系统控制下的异常下沉增温作用导致广西2023年7月高温天气的发生发展。前期3-4月热带西太平洋暖池海温特征量与当年7月广西高温日数呈显著正相关,此因子可作为7月广西高温天气一个可靠的前兆信号。