Search Results
You are looking at 1 - 10 of 39 items for
- Author or Editor: Renhe Zhang x
- Refine by Access: All Content x
Abstract
The quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) of the tropical convection around Sumatra and its relation to the low-level circulation over the tropical Indian Ocean in boreal spring is investigated. From March to May, the convection over northern Sumatra increases continuously and oscillates with a pronounced period of 10–20 days. Time-lag cross correlations among the QBWOs of the convection, the apparent heat source, and winds in the lower troposphere reveal a possible mechanism of QBWO maintenance. In the strongest phase of the QBWO of the convection around Sumatra, there is an anomalous convective heating symmetric about the equator. The atmospheric Rossby wave response to the heating produces twin cyclones straddling the equator in the west of the convection area. The development of the twin cyclones induces an anomalous southerly north of the equator and a northerly south of the equator at 850 hPa, giving rise to the divergence of the low-level wind field, which weakens the convection around Sumatra. The weakening of the convection leads to the negative phase of convection. In the weakest phase, the Rossby wave response to the anomalous convective cooling produces twin anticyclones symmetric about the equator, resulting in the convergence of the low-level winds and, in turn, enhancing the convection around Sumatra. Consequently, the feedbacks among convection, the Rossby wave response, and the associated wind field at the lower troposphere may be important maintenance mechanisms of the tropical QBWO. The appearance of a tropical westerly is a crucial index of the Asian summer monsoon onset. In the northern equatorial region, the westerly first occurs just to the west of Sumatra, and then extends westward in boreal spring. The westerly around the equator associated with the Rossby wave response to the convective heating of the QBWO of the convection around Sumatra displays a notable intraseasonal feature, which may play an important role in modulating the process of the Asian summer monsoon onset.
Abstract
The quasi-biweekly oscillation (QBWO) of the tropical convection around Sumatra and its relation to the low-level circulation over the tropical Indian Ocean in boreal spring is investigated. From March to May, the convection over northern Sumatra increases continuously and oscillates with a pronounced period of 10–20 days. Time-lag cross correlations among the QBWOs of the convection, the apparent heat source, and winds in the lower troposphere reveal a possible mechanism of QBWO maintenance. In the strongest phase of the QBWO of the convection around Sumatra, there is an anomalous convective heating symmetric about the equator. The atmospheric Rossby wave response to the heating produces twin cyclones straddling the equator in the west of the convection area. The development of the twin cyclones induces an anomalous southerly north of the equator and a northerly south of the equator at 850 hPa, giving rise to the divergence of the low-level wind field, which weakens the convection around Sumatra. The weakening of the convection leads to the negative phase of convection. In the weakest phase, the Rossby wave response to the anomalous convective cooling produces twin anticyclones symmetric about the equator, resulting in the convergence of the low-level winds and, in turn, enhancing the convection around Sumatra. Consequently, the feedbacks among convection, the Rossby wave response, and the associated wind field at the lower troposphere may be important maintenance mechanisms of the tropical QBWO. The appearance of a tropical westerly is a crucial index of the Asian summer monsoon onset. In the northern equatorial region, the westerly first occurs just to the west of Sumatra, and then extends westward in boreal spring. The westerly around the equator associated with the Rossby wave response to the convective heating of the QBWO of the convection around Sumatra displays a notable intraseasonal feature, which may play an important role in modulating the process of the Asian summer monsoon onset.
Abstract
Despite the fact that great efforts have been made to improve the prediction of El Niño events, it remains challenging because of limited understanding of El Niño and its precursors. This research focuses on the influence of South Pacific atmospheric variability on the development of the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the tropical Pacific. It is found that as early as in the boreal spring of El Niño years, the sea level pressure anomaly (SLPA) shows a configuration characterized by two significant negative anomaly centers in the north and a positive anomaly center in the south between the subtropics and high latitudes in South Pacific. Such an anomalous SLPA pattern becomes stronger in the following late boreal spring and summer associated with the strengthening of westerly anomalies in the tropical Pacific, weakening the southeasterly trade winds and promoting the warming of tropical eastern Pacific, which is conducive to the development of El Niño events. It is demonstrated that the SLPA pattern in boreal spring revealed in this study is closely associated with boreal summer South Pacific Oscillation (SPO) and South Pacific meridional mode (SPMM). As a precursor in boreal spring, the prediction skill of the South Pacific SLPA in boreal spring for the SSTA in the eastern equatorial Pacific is better than that of the SPMM. This study is helpful to deepen our understanding of the contribution of South Pacific extratropical atmospheric variability to El Niño occurrence.
Abstract
Despite the fact that great efforts have been made to improve the prediction of El Niño events, it remains challenging because of limited understanding of El Niño and its precursors. This research focuses on the influence of South Pacific atmospheric variability on the development of the sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the tropical Pacific. It is found that as early as in the boreal spring of El Niño years, the sea level pressure anomaly (SLPA) shows a configuration characterized by two significant negative anomaly centers in the north and a positive anomaly center in the south between the subtropics and high latitudes in South Pacific. Such an anomalous SLPA pattern becomes stronger in the following late boreal spring and summer associated with the strengthening of westerly anomalies in the tropical Pacific, weakening the southeasterly trade winds and promoting the warming of tropical eastern Pacific, which is conducive to the development of El Niño events. It is demonstrated that the SLPA pattern in boreal spring revealed in this study is closely associated with boreal summer South Pacific Oscillation (SPO) and South Pacific meridional mode (SPMM). As a precursor in boreal spring, the prediction skill of the South Pacific SLPA in boreal spring for the SSTA in the eastern equatorial Pacific is better than that of the SPMM. This study is helpful to deepen our understanding of the contribution of South Pacific extratropical atmospheric variability to El Niño occurrence.
Abstract
Numerous studies have been conducted on the impact of soil moisture on the climate, but few studies have attempted to diagnose the linkage between soil moisture and climate variability using observational data. Here, using both observed and reanalysis data, the spring (April–May) soil moisture is found to have a significant impact on the summer (June–August) monsoon circulation over East Asia and precipitation in east China by changing surface thermal conditions. In particular, the spring soil moisture over a vast region from the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley to north China (the YRNC region) is significantly correlated to the summer precipitation in east China. When the YRNC region has a wetter soil in spring, northeast China and the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley would have abnormally higher precipitation in summer, while the region south of the Yangtze River valley would have abnormally lower precipitation. An analysis of the physical processes linking the spring soil moisture to the summer precipitation indicates that the soil moisture anomaly across the YRNC region has a major impact on the surface energy balance. Abnormally wet soil would increase surface evaporation and hence decrease surface air temperature (Ta ). The reduced Ta in late spring would narrow the land–sea temperature difference, resulting in the weakened East Asian monsoon in an abnormally strengthened western Pacific subtropical high that is also located farther south than its normal position. This would then enhance precipitation in the Yangtze River valley. Conversely, the abnormally weakened East Asian summer monsoon allows the western Pacific subtropical high to wander to south of the Yangtze River Valley, resulting in an abnormally reduced precipitation in the southern part of the country in east China.
Abstract
Numerous studies have been conducted on the impact of soil moisture on the climate, but few studies have attempted to diagnose the linkage between soil moisture and climate variability using observational data. Here, using both observed and reanalysis data, the spring (April–May) soil moisture is found to have a significant impact on the summer (June–August) monsoon circulation over East Asia and precipitation in east China by changing surface thermal conditions. In particular, the spring soil moisture over a vast region from the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley to north China (the YRNC region) is significantly correlated to the summer precipitation in east China. When the YRNC region has a wetter soil in spring, northeast China and the lower and middle reaches of the Yangtze River valley would have abnormally higher precipitation in summer, while the region south of the Yangtze River valley would have abnormally lower precipitation. An analysis of the physical processes linking the spring soil moisture to the summer precipitation indicates that the soil moisture anomaly across the YRNC region has a major impact on the surface energy balance. Abnormally wet soil would increase surface evaporation and hence decrease surface air temperature (Ta ). The reduced Ta in late spring would narrow the land–sea temperature difference, resulting in the weakened East Asian monsoon in an abnormally strengthened western Pacific subtropical high that is also located farther south than its normal position. This would then enhance precipitation in the Yangtze River valley. Conversely, the abnormally weakened East Asian summer monsoon allows the western Pacific subtropical high to wander to south of the Yangtze River Valley, resulting in an abnormally reduced precipitation in the southern part of the country in east China.
Abstract
The relationship between the seasonal Antarctic sea-ice concentration (SIC) variability and the extratropical southern Indian Ocean (SIO) sea surface temperature (SST) is explored in this study. It is found that the Antarctic SIC in a wide band of the SIO, Ross Sea and Weddell Sea is significantly related to a SIO dipole (SIOD) SST anomaly on the interannual time scale during austral spring. This relationship is linearly independent of the effects of El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean dipole and Southern Hemisphere annular mode. The positive phase of the SIOD, with warm SST anomalies off the western Australia and cold SST anomalies centered around 60°E in high latitudes, stimulates a downstream wave train that induces large-scale cyclonic circulations over the SIO, Ross and Weddell Seas. Subsequently, anomalous horizontal moisture advection causes water vapor divergence, changes the surface energy budget, and cools the underlying ocean, which leads to the increased SIC over the region in the SIO, Ross Sea and Weddell Sea. This SIOD SST anomaly reached a record low during the austral spring of 2016 and promoted the prominent wave pattern at high latitudes, contributing to the dramatic decline of sea ice in the 2016 spring. In addition, the proportion of the SIC trend that is linearly congruent with the SIOD SST trend during austral spring is quantified. The results indicate that the trend in the SIOD SST may account for a significant component of the 1979–2014 SIC trend in the Ross Sea with the congruency peaking at 60%.
Abstract
The relationship between the seasonal Antarctic sea-ice concentration (SIC) variability and the extratropical southern Indian Ocean (SIO) sea surface temperature (SST) is explored in this study. It is found that the Antarctic SIC in a wide band of the SIO, Ross Sea and Weddell Sea is significantly related to a SIO dipole (SIOD) SST anomaly on the interannual time scale during austral spring. This relationship is linearly independent of the effects of El Niño–Southern Oscillation, Indian Ocean dipole and Southern Hemisphere annular mode. The positive phase of the SIOD, with warm SST anomalies off the western Australia and cold SST anomalies centered around 60°E in high latitudes, stimulates a downstream wave train that induces large-scale cyclonic circulations over the SIO, Ross and Weddell Seas. Subsequently, anomalous horizontal moisture advection causes water vapor divergence, changes the surface energy budget, and cools the underlying ocean, which leads to the increased SIC over the region in the SIO, Ross Sea and Weddell Sea. This SIOD SST anomaly reached a record low during the austral spring of 2016 and promoted the prominent wave pattern at high latitudes, contributing to the dramatic decline of sea ice in the 2016 spring. In addition, the proportion of the SIC trend that is linearly congruent with the SIOD SST trend during austral spring is quantified. The results indicate that the trend in the SIOD SST may account for a significant component of the 1979–2014 SIC trend in the Ross Sea with the congruency peaking at 60%.
Abstract
In this study, the relationship between Eurasian spring snow decrement (SSD) and East Asian summer precipitation and related mechanisms were investigated using observational data and the Community Atmospheric Model, version 3.1 (CAM3.1). The results show that a west–east dipole pattern in Eurasian SSD anomalies, with a negative center located in the region between eastern Europe and the West Siberia Plain (EEWSP) and a positive center located around Baikal Lake (BL), is significantly associated with East Asian summer precipitation via triggering an anomalous midlatitude Eurasian wave train. Reduced SSD over EEWSP corresponds to anomalously dry local soil conditions from spring to the following summer, thereby increasing surface heat flux and near-surface temperatures. Similarly, the increase in SSD over BL is accompanied by anomalously low near-surface temperatures. The near-surface thermal anomalies cause an anomalous meridional temperature gradient, which intensifies the lower-level baroclinicity and causes an acceleration of the subtropical westerly jet stream, leading to an enhanced and maintained Eurasian wave train. Additionally, the atmospheric response to changed surface thermal conditions tends to simultaneously increase the local 1000–500-hPa thickness, which further enhances the Eurasian wave train. Consequently, significant wave activity flux anomalies spread from eastern Europe eastward to East Asia and significantly influence the summer precipitation over China, with more rainfall over northeastern China and the Yellow River valley and less rainfall over Inner Mongolia and southern China.
Abstract
In this study, the relationship between Eurasian spring snow decrement (SSD) and East Asian summer precipitation and related mechanisms were investigated using observational data and the Community Atmospheric Model, version 3.1 (CAM3.1). The results show that a west–east dipole pattern in Eurasian SSD anomalies, with a negative center located in the region between eastern Europe and the West Siberia Plain (EEWSP) and a positive center located around Baikal Lake (BL), is significantly associated with East Asian summer precipitation via triggering an anomalous midlatitude Eurasian wave train. Reduced SSD over EEWSP corresponds to anomalously dry local soil conditions from spring to the following summer, thereby increasing surface heat flux and near-surface temperatures. Similarly, the increase in SSD over BL is accompanied by anomalously low near-surface temperatures. The near-surface thermal anomalies cause an anomalous meridional temperature gradient, which intensifies the lower-level baroclinicity and causes an acceleration of the subtropical westerly jet stream, leading to an enhanced and maintained Eurasian wave train. Additionally, the atmospheric response to changed surface thermal conditions tends to simultaneously increase the local 1000–500-hPa thickness, which further enhances the Eurasian wave train. Consequently, significant wave activity flux anomalies spread from eastern Europe eastward to East Asia and significantly influence the summer precipitation over China, with more rainfall over northeastern China and the Yellow River valley and less rainfall over Inner Mongolia and southern China.
Abstract
Seasonal variations in the occurrence frequency, vertical location, and radar reflectivity factor (dBZ) of hydrometeors covering eastern China and the Indian monsoon region are described using two CloudSat standard products [Geometrical Profiling Product (GEOPROF) and GEOPROF-lidar] during the period July 2006–August 2007. The 14-month averaged hydrometeor occurrence frequency is 80% (for eastern China) and 70% (for Indian region), respectively, to which multilayer (mostly double or triple layers) hydrometeors contribute 37% and 47%. A significant increase in the multilayer hydrometeor amount from winter to summer in the Indian region causes a pronounced seasonal variation in its total hydrometeor amount. The nearly opposite phases in the seasonal variations of single- and multilayer hydrometeor amounts result in little change with season in total hydrometeor amount in eastern China. Although the passive sensor-based satellite cloud product is able to provide the major seasonal features in the hydrometeor occurrence frequency (HOF) as revealed by the CloudSat/Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) product, it generally underestimates the HOF.
The maxima in the amounts of both high-level and thick hydrometeor layers occur during summer in both regions, reflecting the impact of the Asian summer monsoon. The abundance of low-level cloud layers and scarcity of hydrometeors at higher levels in eastern China during autumn to winter reflect the general subsidence motion in the middle and upper troposphere. The hydrometeors are geometrically thin in both regions. Cirrus containing small ice crystals is the most common cloud type in the Indian region over the year, while the eastern China hydrometeors are located lower and distributed more evenly in the dBZ–altitude phase space. Although the Indian region has deeper convection and more anvils than eastern China during summer, the averaged dBZ–altitude distributions of deep convection and anvils are nearly identical between the two regions.
Abstract
Seasonal variations in the occurrence frequency, vertical location, and radar reflectivity factor (dBZ) of hydrometeors covering eastern China and the Indian monsoon region are described using two CloudSat standard products [Geometrical Profiling Product (GEOPROF) and GEOPROF-lidar] during the period July 2006–August 2007. The 14-month averaged hydrometeor occurrence frequency is 80% (for eastern China) and 70% (for Indian region), respectively, to which multilayer (mostly double or triple layers) hydrometeors contribute 37% and 47%. A significant increase in the multilayer hydrometeor amount from winter to summer in the Indian region causes a pronounced seasonal variation in its total hydrometeor amount. The nearly opposite phases in the seasonal variations of single- and multilayer hydrometeor amounts result in little change with season in total hydrometeor amount in eastern China. Although the passive sensor-based satellite cloud product is able to provide the major seasonal features in the hydrometeor occurrence frequency (HOF) as revealed by the CloudSat/Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) product, it generally underestimates the HOF.
The maxima in the amounts of both high-level and thick hydrometeor layers occur during summer in both regions, reflecting the impact of the Asian summer monsoon. The abundance of low-level cloud layers and scarcity of hydrometeors at higher levels in eastern China during autumn to winter reflect the general subsidence motion in the middle and upper troposphere. The hydrometeors are geometrically thin in both regions. Cirrus containing small ice crystals is the most common cloud type in the Indian region over the year, while the eastern China hydrometeors are located lower and distributed more evenly in the dBZ–altitude phase space. Although the Indian region has deeper convection and more anvils than eastern China during summer, the averaged dBZ–altitude distributions of deep convection and anvils are nearly identical between the two regions.
Abstract
El Niño and La Niña exhibit asymmetric evolution characteristics during their decay phases. The decay speed of El Niño is significantly greater than that of La Niña. This study systematically and quantitatively investigates the relative contributions of the equatorial western Pacific (WP) and central-eastern Pacific (CEP) wind stress anomalies to ENSO decay and its asymmetry through data analysis, numerical experiments, and dynamic and thermodynamic diagnoses. It is demonstrated that the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) forced by the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial CEP play a dominant role in ENSO decay and contribute to ENSO decay asymmetry, while the forcing by the equatorial WP wind stress anomalies has a small contribution. Diagnoses of the oceanic mixed layer heat budget indicate that anomalous zonal advection term and vertical advection term forced by the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial CEP are the most important dynamic terms contributed to ENSO decay. Both terms in El Niño decay phase are much larger than in La Niña decay phase, resulting in a larger decay speed in El Niño than in La Niña. The contributions of these two terms do not depend on the equatorial WP wind field, confirming that the equatorial WP wind stress anomalies do not act as a pivotal part in ENSO asymmetric decay. Moreover, it is demonstrated that within the equatorial CEP, dominant contribution comes from the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial central Pacific, in which those in the equatorial southern central Pacific play a major role.
Significance Statement
Previous studies proposed why wind fields in the equatorial western Pacific (WP) or central-eastern Pacific (CEP) are asymmetric and how the asymmetric wind fields affect ENSO decay and decay asymmetry. By using an oceanic general circulation model, we quantitatively estimate the relative contributions of the wind stress anomalies over the equatorial WP and CEP. It is demonstrated that the wind stress anomalies over the equatorial CEP and the associated ocean response play a dominant role in the asymmetric decay. Additionally, it is further illustrated the predominant role comes from the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial southern central Pacific within the equatorial CEP. Our study provides a physical explanation on the ENSO decay and its asymmetry.
Abstract
El Niño and La Niña exhibit asymmetric evolution characteristics during their decay phases. The decay speed of El Niño is significantly greater than that of La Niña. This study systematically and quantitatively investigates the relative contributions of the equatorial western Pacific (WP) and central-eastern Pacific (CEP) wind stress anomalies to ENSO decay and its asymmetry through data analysis, numerical experiments, and dynamic and thermodynamic diagnoses. It is demonstrated that the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) forced by the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial CEP play a dominant role in ENSO decay and contribute to ENSO decay asymmetry, while the forcing by the equatorial WP wind stress anomalies has a small contribution. Diagnoses of the oceanic mixed layer heat budget indicate that anomalous zonal advection term and vertical advection term forced by the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial CEP are the most important dynamic terms contributed to ENSO decay. Both terms in El Niño decay phase are much larger than in La Niña decay phase, resulting in a larger decay speed in El Niño than in La Niña. The contributions of these two terms do not depend on the equatorial WP wind field, confirming that the equatorial WP wind stress anomalies do not act as a pivotal part in ENSO asymmetric decay. Moreover, it is demonstrated that within the equatorial CEP, dominant contribution comes from the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial central Pacific, in which those in the equatorial southern central Pacific play a major role.
Significance Statement
Previous studies proposed why wind fields in the equatorial western Pacific (WP) or central-eastern Pacific (CEP) are asymmetric and how the asymmetric wind fields affect ENSO decay and decay asymmetry. By using an oceanic general circulation model, we quantitatively estimate the relative contributions of the wind stress anomalies over the equatorial WP and CEP. It is demonstrated that the wind stress anomalies over the equatorial CEP and the associated ocean response play a dominant role in the asymmetric decay. Additionally, it is further illustrated the predominant role comes from the wind stress anomalies in the equatorial southern central Pacific within the equatorial CEP. Our study provides a physical explanation on the ENSO decay and its asymmetry.
Abstract
In this study, the relationship between circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) and East Asian summer monsoon rainfall was analyzed by data diagnoses and numerical experiments. It is found that the CGT has high spatial and temporal similarities with the teleconnection pattern incurred by the variation of the South Asian high (SAH), which is collaboratively influenced by both Indian and East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. These two teleconnections have similar spatial distributions, and their indices are strongly correlated in temporal variations. Using the partial correlation method, it is revealed that SAH plays a significant role on the propagation of CGT, especially to the east of 90°E. The numerical experiments indicate that the latent heat release from East Asian summer monsoon rainfall stimulates an upper-tropospheric teleconnection, which shows the same spatial structure with CGT. This study demonstrates that the generation of CGT is not only associated with the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, but also closely with the East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. The CGT is maintained by the latent heat released from the rainfall of both monsoons.
Abstract
In this study, the relationship between circumglobal teleconnection (CGT) and East Asian summer monsoon rainfall was analyzed by data diagnoses and numerical experiments. It is found that the CGT has high spatial and temporal similarities with the teleconnection pattern incurred by the variation of the South Asian high (SAH), which is collaboratively influenced by both Indian and East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. These two teleconnections have similar spatial distributions, and their indices are strongly correlated in temporal variations. Using the partial correlation method, it is revealed that SAH plays a significant role on the propagation of CGT, especially to the east of 90°E. The numerical experiments indicate that the latent heat release from East Asian summer monsoon rainfall stimulates an upper-tropospheric teleconnection, which shows the same spatial structure with CGT. This study demonstrates that the generation of CGT is not only associated with the Indian summer monsoon rainfall, but also closely with the East Asian summer monsoon rainfall. The CGT is maintained by the latent heat released from the rainfall of both monsoons.
