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- Author or Editor: Johnny C. L. Chan x
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Abstract
A unified index for both the summer and winter monsoons over south China (SC) is proposed for the purpose of studying their interannual variability. By examining the monthly distribution of the meridional flow υ over the Asia–Pacific region from 20 yr (1976–95) of the reanalysis data of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the area of the South China Sea (SCS) is identified as an important segment of the planetary-scale east Asia monsoon circulation. The monthly υ fields at 1000 and 200 hPa over the SCS show the most significant reversal in direction between summer and winter. The summer rainfall over SC is found to correlate well with these two fields as well as their differences averaged over the northern part of the SCS (7.5°–20°N, 107.5°–120°E). Winter temperatures over SC are, however, only related to the υ field at 1000 hPa within the same region. It is therefore proposed to define a unified monsoon index for SC as the value of υ at 1000 hPa averaged over this region within the period of June through August for summer and November through February for winter.
Abstract
A unified index for both the summer and winter monsoons over south China (SC) is proposed for the purpose of studying their interannual variability. By examining the monthly distribution of the meridional flow υ over the Asia–Pacific region from 20 yr (1976–95) of the reanalysis data of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction, the area of the South China Sea (SCS) is identified as an important segment of the planetary-scale east Asia monsoon circulation. The monthly υ fields at 1000 and 200 hPa over the SCS show the most significant reversal in direction between summer and winter. The summer rainfall over SC is found to correlate well with these two fields as well as their differences averaged over the northern part of the SCS (7.5°–20°N, 107.5°–120°E). Winter temperatures over SC are, however, only related to the υ field at 1000 hPa within the same region. It is therefore proposed to define a unified monsoon index for SC as the value of υ at 1000 hPa averaged over this region within the period of June through August for summer and November through February for winter.
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore, based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis data, the intraseasonal variability of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon (SM) in terms of its structure and propagation, as well as interannual variations. A possible mechanism that is responsible for the origin of the 10–20-day oscillation of the SCS SM is also proposed.
The 30–60-day (hereafter the 3/6 mode) and 10–20-day (hereafter the 1/2 mode) oscillations are found to be the two intraseasonal modes that control the behavior of the SCSSM activities for most of the years. Both the 3/6 and 1/2 modes are distinct, but may not always exist simultaneously in a particular year, and their contributions to the overall variations differ among different years. Thus, the interannual variability in the intraseasonal oscillation activity of the SCS SM may be categorized as follows: the 3/6 category, in which the 3/6 mode is more significant (in terms of the percentage of variance explained) than the 1/2 mode; the 1/2 category, in which the 1/2 mode is dominant; and the dual category, in which both the 3/6 and 1/2 modes are pronounced.
Composite analyses of the 3/6 category cases indicate that the 30–60-day oscillation of the SCS SM exhibits a trough–ridge seesaw in which the monsoon trough and subtropical ridge exist alternatively over the SCS, with anomalous cyclones (anticyclones), along with enhanced (suppressed) convection, migrating northward from the equator to the midlatitudes. The northward-migrating 3/6-mode monsoon trough–ridge in the lower troposphere is coupled with the eastward-propagating 3/6-mode divergence–convergence in the upper troposphere. It is also found that, for the years in the dual category, the SCS SM activities are basically controlled by the 3/6 mode, but modified by the 1/2 mode.
Composite results of the 1/2-mode category cases show that the 10–20-day oscillation is manifest as an anticyclone–cyclone system over the western tropical Pacific, propagating northwestward into the SCS. A close coupling also exists between the upper-level convergence (divergence) and the low-level anticyclone (cyclone). It is found that the 1/2 mode of the SCS SM mainly originates from the equatorial central Pacific, although a disturbance from the northeast of the SCS also contributes to this mode. The flow patterns from an inactive to an active period resemble those associated with a mixed Rossby–gravity wave observed in previous studies.
Abstract
The objective of this study is to explore, based on the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis data, the intraseasonal variability of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon (SM) in terms of its structure and propagation, as well as interannual variations. A possible mechanism that is responsible for the origin of the 10–20-day oscillation of the SCS SM is also proposed.
The 30–60-day (hereafter the 3/6 mode) and 10–20-day (hereafter the 1/2 mode) oscillations are found to be the two intraseasonal modes that control the behavior of the SCSSM activities for most of the years. Both the 3/6 and 1/2 modes are distinct, but may not always exist simultaneously in a particular year, and their contributions to the overall variations differ among different years. Thus, the interannual variability in the intraseasonal oscillation activity of the SCS SM may be categorized as follows: the 3/6 category, in which the 3/6 mode is more significant (in terms of the percentage of variance explained) than the 1/2 mode; the 1/2 category, in which the 1/2 mode is dominant; and the dual category, in which both the 3/6 and 1/2 modes are pronounced.
Composite analyses of the 3/6 category cases indicate that the 30–60-day oscillation of the SCS SM exhibits a trough–ridge seesaw in which the monsoon trough and subtropical ridge exist alternatively over the SCS, with anomalous cyclones (anticyclones), along with enhanced (suppressed) convection, migrating northward from the equator to the midlatitudes. The northward-migrating 3/6-mode monsoon trough–ridge in the lower troposphere is coupled with the eastward-propagating 3/6-mode divergence–convergence in the upper troposphere. It is also found that, for the years in the dual category, the SCS SM activities are basically controlled by the 3/6 mode, but modified by the 1/2 mode.
Composite results of the 1/2-mode category cases show that the 10–20-day oscillation is manifest as an anticyclone–cyclone system over the western tropical Pacific, propagating northwestward into the SCS. A close coupling also exists between the upper-level convergence (divergence) and the low-level anticyclone (cyclone). It is found that the 1/2 mode of the SCS SM mainly originates from the equatorial central Pacific, although a disturbance from the northeast of the SCS also contributes to this mode. The flow patterns from an inactive to an active period resemble those associated with a mixed Rossby–gravity wave observed in previous studies.
Abstract
The flow patterns at various levels in the atmosphere around northwest Pacific tropical cyclones are studied using objectively-analyzed wind fields produced by the United States Navy. The results show large differences in the flow fields among groups of cyclones moving in different directions. Appreciable baroclinity is found in cyclones moving northward or northeastward. The results also demonstrate the impotence of stratifying cyclones by their characteristics and synoptic environment in the study and prediction of tropical cyclone motion
The relationships between tropical cyclone motion and the midtropospheric flow averaged around the 5–7° latitude radial band are also investigated using both the composite and individual cases. The composite results are generally consistent with those obtained from individual cases. In most cases, these relationships also agree with those derived in previous studies from rawinsonde composites and objectively-analyzed height fields. Since the objectively-analyzed wind fields used in this study are available for individual cases, the results suggest possible application of these fields to additional research studies of tropical cyclone motion as well as to development of short-term prediction techniques.
Abstract
The flow patterns at various levels in the atmosphere around northwest Pacific tropical cyclones are studied using objectively-analyzed wind fields produced by the United States Navy. The results show large differences in the flow fields among groups of cyclones moving in different directions. Appreciable baroclinity is found in cyclones moving northward or northeastward. The results also demonstrate the impotence of stratifying cyclones by their characteristics and synoptic environment in the study and prediction of tropical cyclone motion
The relationships between tropical cyclone motion and the midtropospheric flow averaged around the 5–7° latitude radial band are also investigated using both the composite and individual cases. The composite results are generally consistent with those obtained from individual cases. In most cases, these relationships also agree with those derived in previous studies from rawinsonde composites and objectively-analyzed height fields. Since the objectively-analyzed wind fields used in this study are available for individual cases, the results suggest possible application of these fields to additional research studies of tropical cyclone motion as well as to development of short-term prediction techniques.
Abstract
No abstract available.
Abstract
No abstract available.
Abstract
The interannual variations in tropical cyclone activity in the northwest Pacific (NWPAC) and their relationships with the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon were studied using the method of spectral analyses. Time series of a Southern Oscillation Index (SOI, defined as the sea-level pressure difference between Easter Island and Darwin) and tropical cyclone activity in the entire (NWPAC) ocean basin as well as in different regions of the NWPAC were analyzed. Two spectral peaks are apparent in all these time series. One corresponds to the generally accepted Southern Oscillation with a period of ∼3 to 3.5 years and another at the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) frequency. Cross-spectral analyses between the SOI and tropical cyclone activity show significant coherence in these two spectral peaks. The dominant peak is at the Southern Oscillation frequency with the SOI leading typhoon activity by almost a year. At the QBO frequency, the two series are almost in phase. Cyclone activity in the eastern part of NWPAC, however, is ∼180° out of phase with the SOI series at the Southern Oscillation frequency.
It appears that fluctuations of cyclone activity at the dominant Southern Oscillation frequency may be explained in terms of the change in the horizontal and vertical circulations in the atmosphere during periods of low SOI. The establishment of an anomalous Walker Circulation shifts areas of enhanced or suppressed convection, leading to the observed variations in cyclone activity.
Abstract
The interannual variations in tropical cyclone activity in the northwest Pacific (NWPAC) and their relationships with the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon were studied using the method of spectral analyses. Time series of a Southern Oscillation Index (SOI, defined as the sea-level pressure difference between Easter Island and Darwin) and tropical cyclone activity in the entire (NWPAC) ocean basin as well as in different regions of the NWPAC were analyzed. Two spectral peaks are apparent in all these time series. One corresponds to the generally accepted Southern Oscillation with a period of ∼3 to 3.5 years and another at the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) frequency. Cross-spectral analyses between the SOI and tropical cyclone activity show significant coherence in these two spectral peaks. The dominant peak is at the Southern Oscillation frequency with the SOI leading typhoon activity by almost a year. At the QBO frequency, the two series are almost in phase. Cyclone activity in the eastern part of NWPAC, however, is ∼180° out of phase with the SOI series at the Southern Oscillation frequency.
It appears that fluctuations of cyclone activity at the dominant Southern Oscillation frequency may be explained in terms of the change in the horizontal and vertical circulations in the atmosphere during periods of low SOI. The establishment of an anomalous Walker Circulation shifts areas of enhanced or suppressed convection, leading to the observed variations in cyclone activity.
Abstract
In 1991, Typhoon Nat over the western North Pacific made four directional reversals due to its interactions with two other tropical cyclones (TCs), Luke and Mireille. This paper analyzes the performance of three global and two regional models in predicting the movement of Nat to determine the extent to which each of the models was capable of correctly simulating such binary interactions. The global models include those of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the U.K. Meteorological Office (UKMO) and the U.S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS). The regional models studied are the Typhoon Model (TYM) of the Japan Meteorological Agency and the One-Way Tropical Cyclone Model (OTCM) of the U.S. Navy.
It was found that in general the global models made better predictions than the regional ones, especially when the large-scale flow was well defined. During the interaction periods, the UKMO model and the TYM were the best. The ECMWF model was also quite good in capturing the latter part of the Nat-Mireille interaction when Mireille had a large circulation. Although NOGAPS had a bogus vortex in the model, it did not predict the interactions very well. The OTCM was the worst of the models, possibly because of the steering flow imposed onto the model vortex.
The main conclusions from this study are that a bogus vortex representative of the actual TC appears to be necessary for properly simulating the interaction between TCs. An increase in resolution may also help in this respect. However, imposing a persistence vector into a model to simulate steering may prove detrimental in predicting binary interactions.
Abstract
In 1991, Typhoon Nat over the western North Pacific made four directional reversals due to its interactions with two other tropical cyclones (TCs), Luke and Mireille. This paper analyzes the performance of three global and two regional models in predicting the movement of Nat to determine the extent to which each of the models was capable of correctly simulating such binary interactions. The global models include those of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) and the U.K. Meteorological Office (UKMO) and the U.S. Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS). The regional models studied are the Typhoon Model (TYM) of the Japan Meteorological Agency and the One-Way Tropical Cyclone Model (OTCM) of the U.S. Navy.
It was found that in general the global models made better predictions than the regional ones, especially when the large-scale flow was well defined. During the interaction periods, the UKMO model and the TYM were the best. The ECMWF model was also quite good in capturing the latter part of the Nat-Mireille interaction when Mireille had a large circulation. Although NOGAPS had a bogus vortex in the model, it did not predict the interactions very well. The OTCM was the worst of the models, possibly because of the steering flow imposed onto the model vortex.
The main conclusions from this study are that a bogus vortex representative of the actual TC appears to be necessary for properly simulating the interaction between TCs. An increase in resolution may also help in this respect. However, imposing a persistence vector into a model to simulate steering may prove detrimental in predicting binary interactions.
Abstract
A simple method based on the cumulative number of tropical cyclones (TCs) up to a given month in the early season is proposed to update the seasonal prediction of the annual number of TCs in a given ocean basin. For the western North Pacific, if this number is below normal by July or August, it is very likely that the annual activity will also be below normal. The reverse (for relating above-normal number with above-normal annual activity) is also true although the probability is smaller than for the below-normal category. Similar results are found for TCs in the eastern North Pacific and the North Atlantic, with the latter having the smallest likelihood. These results change only slightly when the samples are separated into dependent and independent subsets.
Abstract
A simple method based on the cumulative number of tropical cyclones (TCs) up to a given month in the early season is proposed to update the seasonal prediction of the annual number of TCs in a given ocean basin. For the western North Pacific, if this number is below normal by July or August, it is very likely that the annual activity will also be below normal. The reverse (for relating above-normal number with above-normal annual activity) is also true although the probability is smaller than for the below-normal category. Similar results are found for TCs in the eastern North Pacific and the North Atlantic, with the latter having the smallest likelihood. These results change only slightly when the samples are separated into dependent and independent subsets.
Abstract
The upper-level features associated with the two kinds of winter monsoon surges over south China are studied: the easterly surge (ES) and the northerly surge (NS). The study is similar to that used by Wu and Chan, except that a broader region (0°–60°N, 70°–160°E) is considered.
The outbreak of an NS is associated with a breakdown of the Siberia–Mongolia high. The upper-level features suggest that the evolution of the Siberia–Mongolia high in an NS can be related to an eastward passage of a short-wave trough and the polar jet based on the quasigeostrophic theory. The intensification of the Siberia–Mongolia high appears likely to be caused mainly by the adiabatic cooling due to rising motion associated with the trough and the polar jet passages. After the passage of the trough and the jet, the Siberia–Mongolia high breaks down in response to the sinking motion upstream of the trough, causing a surge of the northerly winds over the south China coast.
For the ES, the passage of an upper ridge is observed. The zonal index increases in an ES but the subtropical jet weakens. The high pressure center responsible for the ES (the Dahingganling high) is found to be a split cell from the Siberia–Mongolia high, and the splitting is related to the ridge passage. A temperature inversion is only observed when the high is not far from the parent high (i.e., Siberia–Mongolia high). Unlike the NS, an ES is found not to be associated with a strong north–south thermal contrast. Significant differences are observed when comparing the features of the ES and NS. On the whole, the results from this study and those from Wu and Chan suggest that on the synoptic scale a clear distinction exists between the ES and NS on the synoptic scale both at upper levels and the surface.
Abstract
The upper-level features associated with the two kinds of winter monsoon surges over south China are studied: the easterly surge (ES) and the northerly surge (NS). The study is similar to that used by Wu and Chan, except that a broader region (0°–60°N, 70°–160°E) is considered.
The outbreak of an NS is associated with a breakdown of the Siberia–Mongolia high. The upper-level features suggest that the evolution of the Siberia–Mongolia high in an NS can be related to an eastward passage of a short-wave trough and the polar jet based on the quasigeostrophic theory. The intensification of the Siberia–Mongolia high appears likely to be caused mainly by the adiabatic cooling due to rising motion associated with the trough and the polar jet passages. After the passage of the trough and the jet, the Siberia–Mongolia high breaks down in response to the sinking motion upstream of the trough, causing a surge of the northerly winds over the south China coast.
For the ES, the passage of an upper ridge is observed. The zonal index increases in an ES but the subtropical jet weakens. The high pressure center responsible for the ES (the Dahingganling high) is found to be a split cell from the Siberia–Mongolia high, and the splitting is related to the ridge passage. A temperature inversion is only observed when the high is not far from the parent high (i.e., Siberia–Mongolia high). Unlike the NS, an ES is found not to be associated with a strong north–south thermal contrast. Significant differences are observed when comparing the features of the ES and NS. On the whole, the results from this study and those from Wu and Chan suggest that on the synoptic scale a clear distinction exists between the ES and NS on the synoptic scale both at upper levels and the surface.
Abstract
The surface features associated with two kinds of winter monsoon surges over south China are studied: the easterly surge (ES) and the northerly surge (NS). Surface meteorological parameters over the region 15°–50°N, 90°–130°E for the surges that occurred in the three winters (October–March) from 1988 to 1991 are analyzed. For the northerly surge, the surface features found are 1) an abrupt temperature drop and wind direction turning from easterly to northerly, which can be related to the passage of a cold front; 2) an increase in the dewpoint depression; and 3) a large north–south pressure gradient. On the other hand, the easterly surge is found to be associated with strong easterly winds up to approximately 40 km h−1, little temperature or pressure change, and a southeastward motion of a high pressure center from Dahinggangling to the Yellow Sea together with a sharp pressure ridge along the east China coast. Furthermore, an ES and an NS are associated with different perturbations (anomalies) in pressure, wind, temperature, and dewpoint depression when compared with the wintertime normal condition. The results suggest a clear distinction between the two surges on the synoptic scale.
Abstract
The surface features associated with two kinds of winter monsoon surges over south China are studied: the easterly surge (ES) and the northerly surge (NS). Surface meteorological parameters over the region 15°–50°N, 90°–130°E for the surges that occurred in the three winters (October–March) from 1988 to 1991 are analyzed. For the northerly surge, the surface features found are 1) an abrupt temperature drop and wind direction turning from easterly to northerly, which can be related to the passage of a cold front; 2) an increase in the dewpoint depression; and 3) a large north–south pressure gradient. On the other hand, the easterly surge is found to be associated with strong easterly winds up to approximately 40 km h−1, little temperature or pressure change, and a southeastward motion of a high pressure center from Dahinggangling to the Yellow Sea together with a sharp pressure ridge along the east China coast. Furthermore, an ES and an NS are associated with different perturbations (anomalies) in pressure, wind, temperature, and dewpoint depression when compared with the wintertime normal condition. The results suggest a clear distinction between the two surges on the synoptic scale.
Abstract
The sizes of the tropical cyclones (TCs) occurring over the western North Pacific (WNP) and the North Atlantic between 1991 and 1996 are estimated to establish a database for the study of the climatology of TC size and the physical processes responsible for the size changes of TCs. Wind data from the scatterometer onboard the European Remote-Sensing Satellites 1 and 2 (ERS-1 and ERS-2) form the data source for defining the TC size. The size of a TC is defined as the mean radius at which the relative vorticity decreases to 1 × 10−5 s−1. The mean TC size is found to be 3.7° lat for WNP TCs and 3.0° lat for those in the North Atlantic. Such a difference in size between the two basins is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The mean TC size in the WNP is also found to vary seasonally, with a value larger in the late season (October and November) than in midsummer (July and August). These results generally agree with those from previous studies using other measures of size. The size changes (increasing or decreasing) of some TCs are also identified. The high-resolution surface wind data from the ERS satellites are shown to be a valuable tool in the study of TC sizes.
Abstract
The sizes of the tropical cyclones (TCs) occurring over the western North Pacific (WNP) and the North Atlantic between 1991 and 1996 are estimated to establish a database for the study of the climatology of TC size and the physical processes responsible for the size changes of TCs. Wind data from the scatterometer onboard the European Remote-Sensing Satellites 1 and 2 (ERS-1 and ERS-2) form the data source for defining the TC size. The size of a TC is defined as the mean radius at which the relative vorticity decreases to 1 × 10−5 s−1. The mean TC size is found to be 3.7° lat for WNP TCs and 3.0° lat for those in the North Atlantic. Such a difference in size between the two basins is statistically significant at the 95% confidence level. The mean TC size in the WNP is also found to vary seasonally, with a value larger in the late season (October and November) than in midsummer (July and August). These results generally agree with those from previous studies using other measures of size. The size changes (increasing or decreasing) of some TCs are also identified. The high-resolution surface wind data from the ERS satellites are shown to be a valuable tool in the study of TC sizes.
