A theoretical study of the multigrid three-dimensional variational data assimilation scheme using a simple bilinear interpolation algorithm

In order to solve the so-called ＂bull-eye＂ problem caused by using a simple bilinear interpolation as an observational mapping operator in the cost function in the multigrid three-dimensional variational （3DVAR） data assimilation scheme, a smoothing term, equivalent to a penalty term, is introduced into the cost function to serve as a means of troubleshooting. A theoretical analysis is first performed to figure out what on earth results in the issue of ＂bull-eye＂, and then the meaning of such smoothing term is elucidated and the uniqueness of solution of the multigrid 3DVAR with the smoothing term added is discussed through the theoretical deduction for one-dimensional （1D） case, and two idealized data assimilation experiments （one- and two-dimensional （2D） cases）. By exploring the relationship between the smoothing term and the recursive filter theoretically and practically, it is revealed why satisfied analysis results can be achieved by using such proposed solution for the issue of the multigrid 3DVAR.

Satellite derived upper ocean thermal structure and its application to tropical cyclone intensity forecasting in the Indian Ocean

Upper ocean heat content is a factor critical to the intensity change of tropical cyclones(TCs). Because of the inhomogeneity of in situ observations in the North Indian Ocean,gridded temperature/salinity(T/S) profiles were derived from satellite data for 1993–2012 using a linear regression method. The satellite derived T/S dataset covered the region of 10°S–32°N,25°–100°E with daily temporal resolution,0.25°×0.25° spatial resolution,and 26 vertical layers from the sea surface to a depth of 1 000 m at standard layers. Independent Global Temperature Salinity Profile Project data were used to validate the satellite derived T/S fields. The analysis confirmed that the satellite derived temperature field represented the characteristics and vertical structure of the temperature field well. The results demonstrated that the vertically averaged root mean square error of the temperature was 0.83 in the upper 1 000 m and the corresponding correlation coefficient was 0.87,which accounted for 76% of the observed variance. After verification of the satellite derived T/S dataset,the TC heat potential(TCHP) was verified. The results show that the satellite derived values were coherent with observed TCHP data with a correlation coefficient of 0.86 and statistical significance at the 99% confidence level. The intensity change of TC Gonu during a period of rapid intensification was studied using satellite derived TCHP data. A delayed effect of the TCHP was found in relation to the intensity change of Gonu,suggesting a lag feature in the response of the inner core of the TC to the ocean.

Impact of sea spray on upper ocean temperature during typhoon passage:simulation with a 1-D turbulent model

At the interface between the lower atmosphere and sea surface,sea spray might significantly influence air-sea heat fluxes and subsequently,modulate upper ocean temperature during a typhoon passage. The effects of sea spray were introduced into the parameterization of sea surface roughness in a 1-D turbulent model,to investigate the effects of sea spray on upper ocean temperature in the Kuroshio Extension area,for the cases of two real typhoons from 2006,Yagi and Soulik. Model output was compared with data from the Kuroshio Extension Observatory(KEO),and Reynolds and AMSRE satellite remote sensing sea surface temperatures. The results indicate drag coefficients that include the spray effect are closer to observations than those without,and that sea spray can enhance the heat fluxes(especially latent heat flux) considerably during a typhoon passage. Consequently,the model results with heat fluxes enhanced by sea spray simulate better the cooling process of the SST and upper-layer temperature profiles. Additionally,results from the simulation of the passage of typhoon Soulik(that passed KEO quickly),which included the sea spray effect,were better than for the simulated passage of typhoon Yagi(that crossed KEO slowly). These promising 1-D results could provide insight into the application of sea spray in general circulation models for typhoon studies.

A new presentation of the Indian Ocean shallow overturning circulation from a vertical perspective

由于印尼贯穿流干扰了南印度洋经向翻转环流的计算,本文应用垂向翻转流函数来诊断印度洋浅层经向翻转环流.基于海洋环流模拟产品(OFES),本文探讨了垂向流函数相比经向翻转流函数的改进.研究结果表明垂向翻转流函数能平滑连接南北印度洋的翻转环流,包括完整的副热带翻转环流和跨赤道翻转环流.经向翻转流函数低估了印度洋浅层翻转环流;而垂向翻转流函数表示的印度洋浅层翻转环流受印尼贯穿流影响更小,其评估的印度洋浅层翻转环流强度约13 Sv,其中副热带翻转环流强度约8 Sv(1 Sv≡10~6m~3S~(-1)).此外,垂向翻转流函数在印度洋南开边界(30°S~34°S)上600 m层表现为顺时针翻转结构,其强度约-5 Sv,可能对应风驱的副热带流系.因此,垂向翻转流函数提供了一种新方法来评估印度洋浅层翻转环流.