Diagnosis of the Kinetic Energy of the“21·7”Extreme Torrential Rainfall Event in Henan Province,China

An extreme torrential rain(ETR)event occurred in Henan Province,China,during 18-21 July 2021.Based on hourly rain-gauge observations and ERA5 reanalysis data,the ETR was studied from the perspective of kinetic energy(K),which can be divided into rotational wind(V_(R))kinetic energy(K_(R)),divergent wind kinetic energy(K_(D)),and the kinetic energy of the interaction between the divergent and rotational winds(K_(RD)).According to the hourly precipitation intensity variability,the ETR process was divided into an initial stage,a rapid increase stage,and maintenance stage.Results showed that the intensification and maintenance of ETR were closely related to the upper-level K,and most closely related to the upperlevel K_(R),with a correlation coefficient of up to 0.9.In particular,the peak value of hourly rainfall intensity lagged behind the K_(R) by 8 h.Furthermore,diagnosis showed that K transformation from unresolvable to resolvable scales made the ETR increase slowly.The meridional rotational wind(u_(R))and meridional gradient of the geopotential(φ)jointly determined the conversion of available potential energy(APE)to K_(R) through the barotropic process,which dominated the rapid enhancement of K_(R) and then caused the rapid increase in ETR.The transportation of K by rotational wind consumed K_(R),and basically offset the K_(R) produced by the barotropic process,which basically kept K_(R) stable at a high value,thus maintaining the ETR.

Social Education and Information Technology in China Meteorological Field

This study attempts to characterize the China meteorological administration training hosted by China Meteorological Administration Training Centre （CMATC） and relates it to the current international settings. As a higher education ＆ training organization previously, CMATC has been serving as the national base for higher continued education and on-the-job training in the meteorological field. The main tasks of CMATC are to pro- mote the training for the administrative staff at middle or higher levels in Chinese meteorological departments, such as the novel and high-level tech- nicians, operational backbones and instructors, and compile the meteorological training materials. On the other hand, a remote education ＆ training system of the meteorological division has been formed and largely improved. Additionally, we concluded that it should be a long-term development process for Chinese social education in meteorological field to entirely integrate into the current international settings.

A Review of Recent Advances in Research on Asian Monsoon in China

This paper reviews briefly advances in recent research on monsoon by Chinese scholars, including primarily： （1） the establishment of various monsoon indices. In particular, the standardized dynamic seasonal variability index of the monsoon can delimit the geographical distribution of global monsoon systems and determine quantitatively the date of abrupt change in circulation. （2） The provision of three driving forces for the generation of monsoon. （3） The revelation of the heating-pump action of the Tibetan Plateau, which strengthens southerlies in the southern and southeastern periphery of the Plateau and results in a strong rainfall center from the northern Bay of Bengal （BOB） to the Plateau itself. （4） Clarification of the initial onset of the Asian Summer Monsoon （ASM） in the BOB east of 90°E, Indochina Peninsula （ICP） and the South China Sea, of which the rapid northward progression of tropical convection in the Sumatra and the rapid westward movement of the South Asia High to the Indochina Peninsula are the earliest signs. （5） The provision of an integrated mechanism for the onset of the East Asian Summer Monsoon （EASM）, which emphasizes the integrated impact of sensible heat over Indian Peninsula, the warm advection of the Tibetan Plateau and the sensible heat and latent heat over the Indochina Peninsula on the one hand, and the seasonal phase-lock effect of the northward propagation of low frequency oscillation on the other. （6） The revelation of the ＂planetary-scale moisture transport large-value band＂ from the Southern Hemisphere through to the Asian monsoon region and into the North Pacific, which is converged by several large-scale moisture transport belts in the Asian-Australian monsoon regions and whose variation influences directly the temporal and spatial distribution of summer rainfall in China. （7） Presenting the features of the seasonal advance of the EASM, the propagation of intraseasonal oscillation, and their relationship with rainfall in China; indicating that the intraseasonal oscillation of the EASM propagates in the form of a wave-train along the coast and behaves as monsoon surge propagating northward. （8） Describing the interannual and interdecadal variation of Asian monsoon, revealing the factors affecting it, and possible mechanisms of the variation of Asian monsoon. An elementary outlook on the existing problems and future direction of monsoon research is also provided.

Influence of October Eurasian Snow on Winter Temperature over Northeast China

This paper addresses the interannual variation of winter air temperature over Northeast China and its connection to preceding Eurasian snow cover. The results show that there is a significant negative correlation between October Eurasian snow cover and following-winter air temperature over Northeast China. The snow cover located in eastern Siberia and to the northeast of Lake Baikal plays an important role in the winter air temperature anomaly. More （less） eastern Siberia snow in October can cause an atmospheric circulation anomaly pattern in which the atmospheric pressure is higher （lower） than normal in the polar region and lower （higher） in the northern mid-high latitudes. Due to the persistence of the eastern Siberia snow from October to the following winter, the winter atmospheric anomaly is favorable （unfavorable） to the widespread movement of cold air masses from the polar region toward the northern mid-high latitudes and, hence, lower （higher） temperature over Northeast China. Simultaneously, when the October snow cover is more （less）, the SST in the northwestern Pacific is continuously lower （higher） as a whole; then, the Aleutian low and the East Asia trough are reinforced （weakened）, favoring the lower （higher） temperature over Northeast China.

Variation Diagnosis and Regional Comparison of Different Intensity of Rainfalls and Their Contribution to Total Rainfall in China in the Context of Global Warming

Using the data of 545 meteorological stations in 1961-2015,according to the rainfall intensity classification standard issued by the China Meteorological Administration,the rainfall events were divided into six intensities: light rain,moderate rain,heavy rain,torrential rain,downpour and heavy downpour. The latter three were recorded as total torrential rain,and all the six were recorded as the total rainfall. In terms of the interannual rainfall and rainy days,the whole China was regarded as an object. Firstly,the annual rainfall and rainy day of different intensity of rainfalls of 545 stations in 1961-2015 were calculated. Then,the variation trend of rainfall and rainy days was calculated. Finally,the variation trend of contribution of different intensity of rainfalls and rainy days to total rainfall and rainy days were diagnosed. It obtained the following results.( i) The light rain in China was declining from 1961 to 2015,and the trend values of light rain and rainy days were-411. 44 mm/yr and-136. 99 d/yr,respectively. Heavy rain and total heavy rainfall showed an increasing trend,with rainfall and rainy day trends of 127. 02 and 463. 94 mm/yr and 7. 93 and 4. 24 d/yr,respectively. The total rainfall showed a ' hockey' phenomenon of ' first rise,then decline',and the trend values of rainfall and rainy days were 204. 29 mm/yr and-95. 81 d/yr,respectively. Except the northern region,the rainfall in most parts of China was dominated by increasing trends and was moving towards extremes.( ii) In terms of rainfall contribution rate,the contribution of light rain to total rainfall showed a declining trend,and the trend values of rainfall and rainy day contribution were both-0. 11%/yr. The contribution of other intensity rainfalls to total rainfall showed an increasing trend. The contribution of torrential rain to the total torrential rain showed a declining trend. The contribution trends of rainfall and rainy days were-0. 06% and-0. 03%/yr,respectively. The contribution of downpour and heavy downpour to total torrential rain showed an increasing trend,indicating the intensity of torrential rain in China is increasing. Although the contribution rate of different intensity of rainfalls to total rainfall was different in different areas of China,the contribution rate of heavy rainfall to total rainfall in most areas showed an increasing trend.( iii) Through comparing the rainfall and rainy days of six different intensity of rainfalls,it can be found that China’s heavy rainfall events are increasing and the rainfall intensity is developing towards extremes.

AN ANALYSIS OF THE APPLICABILITY OF FUZZY CLUSTERING IN ESTABLISHING AN INDEX FOR THE EVALUATION OF METEOROLOGICAL SERVICE SATISFACTION

An evaluation index is a prerequisite for the scientific evaluation of a public meteorological service.This paper aims to explore a technical method for determining and screening evaluation indicators.Based on public satisfaction survey data obtained in Wafangdian,China in 2010,this study investigates the suitability of fuzzy clustering analysis method in establishing an evaluation index.Through quantitative analysis of multilayer fuzzy clustering of various evaluation indicators,correlation analysis indicates that if the results of clustering were identical for two evaluation indicators in the same sub-evaluation layer,then one indicator could be removed,or the two indicators merged.For evaluation indicators in different sub-evaluation layers,although clustering reveals attribute correlations,these indicators may not be substituted for one another.Analysis of the applicability of the fuzzy clustering method shows that it plays a certain role in the establishment and correction of an evaluation index.

Progress in Climate Prediction and Weather Forecast Operations in China

The current status of weather forecasting and climate prediction, and the main progress China has made in recent years, are summarized in this paper. The characteristics and requirements of modern weather forecast operations are described briefly, and the significance of Numerical Weather Prediction （NWP） for future development is emphasized. Tile objectives and critical tasks for seamless short-term climate predic- tion that covers the extended-range （15 30 days）, monthly, seasonal, annual, interannual and interdecadal timescales, are proposed.

Does Rapid Urbanization Trigger Significant Increase of Cumulative Heavy Rains in China?

Severe disasters caused by extreme precipitation events have attracted more and more attention. The relationship between climate change and extreme precipitation has become the hottest scientific frontier issue. The study of daily torrential rain observations from 659 meteorological stations in China from 1951 to 2010 shows that rapid urbanization may have triggered a significant increase in heavy rains in China. It reached following conclusions: China’s interdecadal heavy rainfall amount,rainy days and rain intensity increased significantly,with an increase of 68. 71%,60. 15% and 11. 52%,respectively. The increase in the number of stations was 84. 22%,84. 22% and 54. 48%,respectively. It showed time change of " rapid-slow-rapid increase" and spatial change of gradual increase from southeastern coast to central China,southwest,north China,and northeastern regions. Rapid urbanization factors,including secondary industry output( GDP2),urban population ratio( UP),annual average haze days( HD),are likely to be the main causes of the increase in heavy rains in China. Their explanations of the variance of heavy rainfall amount( HRA),rainy day( RD) and rain intensity( RI) in China reached 61. 54%,58. 48% and 65. 54%,respectively,of which only the explanation of variance of heavy rainfall amount,rainy days and rain intensity was as high as 25. 93%,22. 98%and 26. 64%,respectively. However,explanation of variance of climatic factors including WPSH( West Pacific Subtropical High),ENSO( El Ni1 o-Southern Oscillation) AMO( Atlantic Interdecadal Oscillation),and AAO( Antarctic Oscillation) was only 24. 30%,26. 23%,and 21. 92%,respectively. Compared with the rapid urbanization forcing factor,the impact of these climatic factors was only one third of the former. The panel data of China’s county-level total population and annual average of visibility days were significantly correlated with China’s interdecadal heavy rainfall amount,rainy days and rain intensity. Their spatial correlation coefficient increased gradually from 1951-1960 to 2001-2010,that is,the total population of the county level increased from 0. 35,0. 36,and 0. 40 to 0. 54,0. 55,and 0. 58,respectively.The annual average of visibility days increased from 0. 36,0. 38,and 0. 48 to 0. 55. 0. 57,0. 58,further indicating that rapid urbanization triggered a significant increase in interdecadal large-area heavy rains in China.

Characteristics of an Explosive Cyclone over Northeast China Revealed by Satellite Water Vapor Imagery

In this paper,an explosive cyclone(EC)that occurred over Northeast China in the spring of 2016 is studied by using 6.7μm FY satellite water vapor(WV)imagery and NCEP(1°×1°)reanalysis data.Moreover,the evolutions of the upper-level jet stream(ULJ),the vertical motions,and the potential vorticity(PV)are analyzed in detail.Results show that different shapes of the WV image dark zones could reflect different stages of the EC.At the pre-explosion stage,a small dark zone and an S-shaped baroclinic leaf cloud can be found on the WV imagery.Then the dark zone expands and the leaf cloud grows into a comma-shaped cloud at the explosively developing stage.At the post-explosion stage,the dark zone brightens,and the spiral cloud forms.The whole process can be well described by the WV imagery.The dynamic dry band associated with the sinking motion and the ULJ can develop into the dry intrusion later,which is an important signal in forecasting the EC and should be paid attention to when analyzing the WV imagery.Furthermore,the mechanism is also analyzed in detail in this article.EC usually occurs in the left-exit region of the 200-h Pa jet and the region ahead of the 500-h Pa trough where there is significant positive vorticity advection(PVA).When the EC moves onto the sea surface,the decreased friction would favour the development of the EC.The upper-level PVA,the strong convergence at low level,and the divergence at high levels can maintain the strong updraft.Meanwhile,the high PV zone from the upper levels extends downward,approaching the cyclone.Together,they keep the cyclone deepening continuously.

Summer Extreme Precipitation in the Key Region of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway

The Sichuan-Tibet Railway,mainly located in the southeastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,is affected by summertime extreme precipitation(SEP).Using daily rain-gauge observations and ERA5 reanalysis data for the summers of 1979-2020,the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of SEP in the key region of the Sichuan-Tibet Railway(28°-33°N,90°-105°E,hereafter KR)are revealed,and the mechanism for SEP amount(SEPA)variation in the KR is investigated.The results show that SEPA in the KR contributes nearly 30%to the total summer precipitation.Regional differences are evident in SEP,justifying thresholds higher in the plateau-dominated central-western KR(CWKR)and lower in the basindominated eastern KR(EKR).In addition,SEP in the CWKR is less intense but more frequent than SEP in the EKR.During 1979-2020,the SEPA in the KR increased slightly while the SEPA in the CWKR increased significantly and peaked in the last decade.When anticyclonic circulation(AC)anomalies dominate the 500 hPa pattern over the Bay of Bengal and Mongolia,the southerly flow and cyclonic shear over the southeastern plateau will be strengthened,favoring more SEPA in the CWKR.When an AC anomaly dominates the 500 hPa pattern over the Bohai Sea,the low-level easterly wind over the basin will be strengthened,favoring more SEPA in the EKR.The strengthening of the ascent,water vapor convergence,and convective instability is conducive to more SEPA in the KR.Our results deepen the understanding of the characteristics and the physical mechanisms responsible for extreme precipitation in the KR.

Evaluation of Performance of Polar WRF Model in Simulating Precipitation over Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Considering the complex topographic forcing and large cryosphere concentration,the present study utilized the polar-optimized WRF model(Polar WRF)to conduct downscaling simulations over the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau(TP)and its surrounding regions.Multi-group experiments with the 10 km horizontal resolution are used to evaluate the modeling of precipitation.Firstly,on the basis of the model ground surface properties upgrade and the optimized Noah-MP,the“better-performing”configuration suite for modeling precipitation is comprehensively examined.Various model parameters such as nudging options,five cumulus parameterization schemes,two planetary boundary layer schemes,and six microphysics schemes are investigated to further refine the Polar WRF configuration.Moreover,the precipitation simulation for a full calendar year is compared with multiple reanalyses and observations.The simulations demonstrate that the Polar WRF model successfully captures the general features of precipitation over this region and is sensitive to model parameters.Based on the results,it is recommended to use grid nudging with q intensity coefficient of 0.0002,the multi-scale kain-fritsch cumulus parameterization,the Yonsei University boundary layer scheme,and the Morrison 2-mom microphysics with reduced default droplet concentration value of 100 cm-3.Overall,the model performance is better than the ERA-interim and TRMM 3b42.It is comparable to,and in some cases slightly better than,the CRA-Land,especially in the prediction for the western part of the plateau where in situ observations are limited,and the cryosphere-atmosphere interaction is more pronounced.

Compound extreme inundation risk of coastal wetlands caused by climate change and anthropogenic activities in the Yellow River Delta,China

The coastal wetlands of the Yellow River Delta(YRD)in China are crucial for their valuable resources,environmental significance,and economic contributions.However,these wetlands are also vulnerable to the dual threats of climate change and human disturbances.Despite substantial attention to the historical shifts in YRD's coastal wetlands,uncertainties remain regarding their future trajectory in the face of compound risks from climate change and anthropogenic activities.Based on a range of remote sensing data sources,this study undertakes a comprehensive investigation into the evolution of YRD's coastal wetlands between 2000 and 2020.Subsequently,the potential fate of coastal wetlands is thoroughly analyzed through the Land Use/Cover Change(LUCC)simulation using System Dynamic-Future Land Use Simulation(SD-FLUS)model and the extreme water levels projection integrated future sea-level rise,storm surge,and astronomical high tide in 2030,2050,and 2100 under scenarios of SSP1-2.6,SSP2-4.5,and SSP5-8.5.Results revealed that YRD's coastal wetlands underwent a marked reduction,shrinking by 1688.72 km²from 2000 to 2020.This decline was mostly attributed to the substantial expansion in the areas of artificial wetlands(increasing by 823.78 km2),construction land(increasing by 767.71 km²),and shallow water(increasing by 274.58 km²).Looking ahead to 2030-2100,the fate of coastal wetlands appears to diverge based on different scenarios.Under the SSP1-2.6 scenario,the area of coastal wetland is projected to experience considerable growth.In contrast,the SSP5-8.5 scenario anticipates a notable decrease in coastal wetlands.Relative to the inundated area suffered from the current extreme water levels,the study projects a decrease of 6.8%-10.6%in submerged coastal wetlands by 2030 and 9.4%-18.2%by 2050 across all scenarios.In 2100,these percentages are projected to decrease by 0.4%(SSP2-4.5)and 27.1%(SSP5-8.5),but increase by 35.7%(SSP1-2.6).Results suggest that coastal wetlands in the YRD will face a serious compound risk from climate change and intensified human activities in the future,with climate change being the dominant factor.More effcient and forward-looking measures must be implemented to prioritize the conservation and management of coastal wetland ecosystems to address the challenges,especially those posed by climate change.

Spatiotemporal variability of precipitation during 1961-2014 across the Mongolian Plateau

Precipitation is the dominant factor that controls vegetation growth and land-use practices in the arid and semiarid Mongolian Plateau(MP), so the spatiotemporal heterogeneity of precipitation change has been an important scientific question in the region. This study investigated the spatiotemporal characteristics of annual and seasonal precipitation across the entire MP based on monthly precipitation data from 136 meteorological stations during 1961–2014 by using a modified Mann–Kendall test, Sen's slope, Morlet Wavelet Transform, and geostatistical methods. Results show the following: 1) Annual precipitation decreased slightly from 1961 to 2014.Stations with positive and negative trends were 41.9%and 58.1%, respectively. Significant positive trends were mainly in the southwestern and northeastern regions of the plateau, whereas significant negative trends were in the northern and southeastern regions.2) Precipitation decreased at rates of-5.65 and-0.41 mm/decade in summer and autumn, respectively, but increased at 1.91 and 0.51 mm/decade in spring and winter. The contribution of spring and winter precipitation to the annual amount increased significantly, but that of summer precipitation decreased significantly. 3) A large majority of stations(80.2%) showed decreasing trends in summer,whereas 89.7% and 83.1% of stations showed increasing trends in spring and winter. The spatial distribution of trend magnitude in seasonal precipitation amount was strongly heterogeneous. 4)By climatic zones, precipitation increased in humid and arid zones, but decreased in a semiarid zone. On the whole, the MP experienced a drying trend, with significant regional differentiation and seasonal variations.

Enhancement of the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation Influence on Northern Hemisphere Air Temperature

This study investigates the relationship between the summer North Atlantic Oscillation （SNAO） and the simultaneous Northern Hemisphere （NH） land surface air temperature （SAT） by using the Climate Research Unit （CRU） data. The results show that the SNAO is related to NH land SAT, but this linkage has varied on decadal timescales over the last 52 years, with a strong connection appearing after the late 1970s, but a weak connection before. The mechanism governing the relationship between the SNAO and NH land SAT is discussed based on the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. The results indicate that such a variable relationship may result from changes of the SNAO mode around the late 1970s. The SNAO pattern was centered mainly over the North Atlantic before the late 1970s, and thus had a weak influence on the NH land SAT. But after the late 1970s, the SNAO pattern shifted eastward and its southern center was enhanced in magnitude and extent, which transported the SNAO signal to the North Atlantic surrounding continents and even to central East Asia via an upper level wave train along the Asian jet.

Contribution of the Sea Surface Temperature over the Mediterranean-Black Sea to the Decadal Shift of the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation

Recent observational study has shown that the southern center of the summer North Atlantic Oscillation （SNAO） was located farther eastward after the late 1970s compared to before. In this study, the cause for this phenomenon is explored. The result shows that the eastward shift of the SNAO southern center after the late 1970s is related to the variability of the Mediterranean-Black Sea （MBS） SST. A warm MBS SST can heat and moisten its overlying atmosphere, consequently producing a negative sea level pressure （SLP） departure over the MBS region. Because the MBS SST is negatively correlated with the SNAO, the negative SLP departure can enhance the eastern part of the negative-phase of the SNAO southern center, consequently producing an eastward SNAO southern center shift. Similarly, a cold MBS SST produces an eastward positive-phase SNAO southern center shift. The reason for why the MBS SST has an impact on the SNAO after the late 1970s but why it is not the case beforehand is also discussed. It is found that this instable relationship is likely to be attributed to the change of the variability of the MBS SST on the decadal time-scale. In 1951 1975, the variability of the MBS SST is quite weak, but in 1978 2002, it becomes more active. The active SST can enhance the interaction between the sea and its overlying atmosphere, thus strengthening the connection between the MBS SST and the SNAO after the late 1970s. The above observational analysis results are further confirmed by sensitivity experiments.

CHARACTERISTICS OF THE MERIDIONALLY ORIENTED SHEAR LINES OVER THE TIBETAN PLATEAU AND ITS RELATIONSHIP WITH RAINSTORMS IN THE BOREAL SUMMER HALF-YEAR

In this paper,European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)Reanalysis-Interim(ERAInterim)data and daily precipitation data in China from May to October during 1981-2016 are used to study the climatic characteristics of the meridionally oriented shear lines(MSLs)over the Tibetan Plateau(TP).The relationship between the MSL and rainstorms in the eastern TP and neighboring areas of the TP during the boreal summer half-year is also investigated.An objective method,which uses a combination of three parameters,i.e.the zonal shear of the meridional wind,the relative vorticity and the zero line of meridional wind,is adopted to identify the shear line.The results show that there are two high-occurrence centers of MSL.One is over the central TP(near 90°E)and the other is over the steep slope area of the eastern TP.Fewer MSLs are found along the Yarlung Zangbo River over the western TP and the southern Tibet.There are averagely 42.2 MSL days in each boreal summer half-year.The number of MSL days reaches the maximum of 62 in 2014 and the minimum of 22 in 2006.July and October witness the maximum of 10.2 MSL days/year and the minimum of 4.2 MSL days/year,respectively.The annual number of the MSL days shows periodicities of 2-4 and 4-6 years,which is quite similar to those of the MSL rainstorm days.In the neighboring areas of the TP,nearly56%of the MSLs lead to rainstorms,and nearly 40%of rainstorms are caused by the MSLs,indicating a close relationship between the MSLs and rainstorms in this region.

Intensity Evolution of Zonal Shear Line over the Tibetan Plateau in Summer:A Perspective of Divergent and Rotational Kinetic Energies

Based on the ERA5 reanalysis datasets during 1980-2019,a total of eleven zonal shear lines(ZSLs)that caused heavy precipitation and lasted more than 60 hours over the Tibetan Plateau in summer are selected for composite analysis.By decomposing the kinetic energy(K)near the ZSL into divergent and rotational kinetic energies(K_(D)and K_(R))and the kinetic energy of interaction between the divergent wind and the rotational wind(K_(R)D),the influence of the rotational and divergent winds on the evolution of the ZSL intensity is investigated from the perspective of K_(D)and K_(R).The main results are as follows.The ZSL is a comprehensive reflection of rotation and convergence.The intensity evolution of ZSL is essentially synchronized with those of K,K_(R),and K_(RD)but lags behind K_(D)by about three hours.The enhancement of K is mainly contributed by K_(R),which is governed by the conversion from K_(D)to K_(R).Furthermore,the increase in the conversion from K_(D)to K_(R)is controlled by the geostrophic effect term Af,which is determined by the joint enhancement of the zonal rotational and meridional divergent wind components(u_(R)and v_(D)).Therefore,the joint enhancement of u_(R)and v_(D)controls the increase of the ZSL intensity,leading to increased precipitation.

AN ANALYSIS ON LARGE-SCALE AIR-SEA INTERACTIVE LINKAGES BETWEEN THE TROPICAL INDIAN OCEAN AND THE PACIFIC OCEAN DURING ENSO EVENTS

By utilizing a 3-D atmospheric circulation resolving method, the authors studied the air-sea interactive linkages between the tropical Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean in 1979-2008 E1 Nifio-Southern Oscillation （ENSO） events. Their findings showed that evident 3-D gear-coupling characteristics existed in the 1979-2008 ENSO events. Their resolving analyses also suggested that the general circulation showed stronger and wider sinking motions over the eastern Indian Ocean-western Pacific during the mature phase of 1979-2008 ENSO events, compared with the vertical velocities from the U.S. National Centers for Enviornmental Prediction （NCEP） reanalysis data. With their 3-D analysis method, the vertical velocity was resolved by two components, i.e. zonal and meridional components. It was found that the zonal component of the vertical velocities showed a strong sinking motion while the meridional components showed an upward motion during the prevailing phases of the ENSO events. In the tropics, the zonal component of the vertical velocities was found greater than the meridional component, reflecting the dominant characteristics of the vertical velocity, and the overall outcomes showed a strong sinking motion, although the two components also partially offset each other in the processes. Compared with the vertical velocities from NCEP reanalysis, the vertical motions calculated with the 3-D resolving analysis method demonstrate some advantages.

Interdecadal correlation of solar activity with Tibetan Plateau snow depth and winter atmospheric circulation in East Asia

Studies on the impact of solar activity on climate system are very important in understanding global climate change. Previous studies in this field were mostly focus on temperature, wind and geopotential height. In this paper, interdecadal correlations of solar activity with Winter Snow Depth Index （WSDI） over the Tibetan Plateau, Arctic Oscillation Index （AOI） and the East Asian Winter Monsoon Index （EAWMI） are detected respectively by using Solar Radio Flux （SRF）, Total Solar Irradiance （TSI） and Solar Sunspot Number （SSN） data and statistical methods. Arctic Oscillation and East Asian winter monsoon are typical modes of the East Asian atmospheric circulation. Research results show that on inter-decadal time scale over 11-year solar cycle, the sun modulated changes of winter snow depth over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asian atmospheric circulation. At the fourth lag year, the correlation coefficient of SRF and snow depth is 0.8013 at 0.05 significance level by Monte-Carlo test method. Our study also shows that winter snow depth over the Tibetan Plateau has significant lead and lag correlations with Arctic Oscillation and the East Asian winter monsoon on long time scale. With more snow in winter, the phase of Arctic Oscillation is positive, and East Asian winter monsoon is weak, while with less snow, the parameters are reversed. An example is the winter of 2012/2013, with decreased Tibetan Plateau snow, phase of Arctic Oscillation was negative, and East Asian winter monsoon was strong.

Synoptic-Scale Analysis on Development and Maintenance of the 19–21 July 2021 Extreme Heavy Rainfall in Henan,Central China

In this paper,synoptic-scale analyses of frontogenesis,moisture budget,and tropospheric diabatic heating are performed to reveal the development and maintenance mechanisms for the extreme heavy rainfall in Henan Province of central China from 19 to 21 July 2021,based on station observations and the ECMWF Reanalysis version 5(ERA5)data.The results demonstrate that owing to the blocking effect of local topography,low-level wind convergence in Henan appeared underneath high-level divergence,conducive to development and maintenance of a midtropospheric low-pressure system saddled by the Asian continental high and the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH),during the extreme heavy rainfall.In the lower troposphere,frontogenesis occurred in the θ_(se) intensive region,as a result of the divergence and horizontal deformation(which play equally important roles),generating frontal secondary circulation with strong vertical motion favorable to heavy rainfall.Moisture budget analysis reveals that 1)with the continuous strengthening of the easterly wind from the north side of Typhoon In-Fa(2106),strong wind shear and orographic uplift led to abnormally strong convergence of water vapor flux in the boundary layer in Henan;2)there occurred extremely strong net inflow of moisture in the boundary layer from the east.Horizontally,both the apparent heat source and the moisture sink coincided with the area of heavy rainfall;vertically,however,Q_(1)exhibited a single peak with the heating center in the middle and upper troposphere,while large Q_(2)values evenly resided over 850–400 hPa;and Q_(1)(Q_(2))was dominated by vertical(horizontal)transport of potential temperature(moisture).These indicate that the latent heat release from condensation of initial heavy rainfall provided a positive feedback,leading to increasingly heavy precipitation.All these synoptic settings sustained the extreme rainfall process.