Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Large-Scale Flow and the Long-Lasting Blocking High over Russia: Summer 2010

Andrea Schneidereit * Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany

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Silke Schubert Meteorological Institute, KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

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Pavel Vargin Central Aerological Observatory, Dolgoprudny, Moscow, Russia

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Frank Lunkeit Meteorological Institute, KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

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Xiuhua Zhu Meteorological Institute, KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

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Dieter H. W. Peters * Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University of Rostock, Kühlungsborn, Germany

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Klaus Fraedrich Meteorological Institute, KlimaCampus, University of Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany

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Print Publication:
01 Sep 2012
Collections:
Predictability and Dynamics of Weather Systems in the Atlantic-European Sector (PANDOWAE)
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/MWR-D-11-00249.1
Page(s):
2967–2981
Restricted access

Abstract

Several studies show that the anomalous long-lasting Russian heat wave during the summer of 2010, linked to a long-persistent blocking high, appears mainly as a result of natural atmospheric variability. This study analyzes the large-scale flow structure based on the ECMWF Re-Analysis Interim (ERA-Interim) data (1989–2010). The anomalous long-lasting blocking high over western Russia including the heat wave occurs as an overlay of a set of anticyclonic contributions on different time scales. (i) A regime change in ENSO toward La Niña modulates the quasi-stationary wave structure in the boreal summer hemisphere supporting the eastern European blocking. The polar Arctic dipole mode is enhanced and shows a projection on the mean blocking high. (ii) Together with the quasi-stationary wave anomaly, the transient eddies maintain the long-lasting blocking. (iii) Three different pathways of wave action are identified on the intermediate time scale (~10–60 days). One pathway commences over the eastern North Pacific and includes the polar Arctic region; another one runs more southward and crossing the North Atlantic, continues to eastern Europe; a third pathway southeast of the blocking high describes the downstream development over South Asia.

Corresponding author address: Andrea Schneidereit, Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University Rostock, Schlossstraße 6, D-18225 Kühlungsborn, Germany. E-mail: schneidereit@iap-kborn.de

This article is included in the Predictability and Dynamics of Weather Systems in the Atlantic-European Sector (PANDOWAE) Special Collection.

Abstract

Several studies show that the anomalous long-lasting Russian heat wave during the summer of 2010, linked to a long-persistent blocking high, appears mainly as a result of natural atmospheric variability. This study analyzes the large-scale flow structure based on the ECMWF Re-Analysis Interim (ERA-Interim) data (1989–2010). The anomalous long-lasting blocking high over western Russia including the heat wave occurs as an overlay of a set of anticyclonic contributions on different time scales. (i) A regime change in ENSO toward La Niña modulates the quasi-stationary wave structure in the boreal summer hemisphere supporting the eastern European blocking. The polar Arctic dipole mode is enhanced and shows a projection on the mean blocking high. (ii) Together with the quasi-stationary wave anomaly, the transient eddies maintain the long-lasting blocking. (iii) Three different pathways of wave action are identified on the intermediate time scale (~10–60 days). One pathway commences over the eastern North Pacific and includes the polar Arctic region; another one runs more southward and crossing the North Atlantic, continues to eastern Europe; a third pathway southeast of the blocking high describes the downstream development over South Asia.

Corresponding author address: Andrea Schneidereit, Leibniz-Institute of Atmospheric Physics, University Rostock, Schlossstraße 6, D-18225 Kühlungsborn, Germany. E-mail: schneidereit@iap-kborn.de

This article is included in the Predictability and Dynamics of Weather Systems in the Atlantic-European Sector (PANDOWAE) Special Collection.

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