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- Author or Editor: Yuan Wang x
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Abstract
The nonlinear collision of two western boundary currents (WBCs) of Munk thickness L M colliding near a gap of width 2a is studied using a 1.5-layer, reduced-gravity, quasigeostrophic ocean model. The work is a continuation of our recent study on nonlinear collision of two equal-strength WBCs at a wide gap. It is found that, for narrow gaps, a < 5.7L M , and both of the WBCs fail to penetrate into the western basin due to the restriction of friction; for intermediate size gaps, 5.7L M ≤ a < 9.6L M , and multiple equilibrium states exist for the colliding WBCs: the penetrating state, the choking state, and the eddy-shedding state. The current system transits between them through a hysteresis procedure, with transitions at different Reynolds numbers from those in the equal-transport case. The stronger WBC tends to intrude more deeply into the western basin than the weaker WBC; for wide gaps, a > 9.6L M , and only penetrating and eddy-shedding states exist. No choking state is identified for either WBC. It is found that the critical gap width for the disappearance of the choking state decreases with the asymmetry of the WBC system. The theory is used to explain some of the circulation features at the entrance of the Indonesian Throughflow in the western Pacific Ocean recently observed with satellite-tracked surface drifters.
Abstract
The nonlinear collision of two western boundary currents (WBCs) of Munk thickness L M colliding near a gap of width 2a is studied using a 1.5-layer, reduced-gravity, quasigeostrophic ocean model. The work is a continuation of our recent study on nonlinear collision of two equal-strength WBCs at a wide gap. It is found that, for narrow gaps, a < 5.7L M , and both of the WBCs fail to penetrate into the western basin due to the restriction of friction; for intermediate size gaps, 5.7L M ≤ a < 9.6L M , and multiple equilibrium states exist for the colliding WBCs: the penetrating state, the choking state, and the eddy-shedding state. The current system transits between them through a hysteresis procedure, with transitions at different Reynolds numbers from those in the equal-transport case. The stronger WBC tends to intrude more deeply into the western basin than the weaker WBC; for wide gaps, a > 9.6L M , and only penetrating and eddy-shedding states exist. No choking state is identified for either WBC. It is found that the critical gap width for the disappearance of the choking state decreases with the asymmetry of the WBC system. The theory is used to explain some of the circulation features at the entrance of the Indonesian Throughflow in the western Pacific Ocean recently observed with satellite-tracked surface drifters.
Abstract
The nonlinear collision of two western boundary currents (WBCs) of equal transport at a gap of the western boundary is studied using a 1.5-layer reduced-gravity quasigeostrophic ocean model. It is found that, when the gap (of width 2a) is narrow, a ≤ 7.3LM (LM the Munk thickness), neither of the WBCs can penetrate into the western basin because of the restriction of the viscous force. When 7.3LM < a < 9.0LM , both WBCs penetrate into the western basin for small transport and choke for large transport. When 9.0LM ≤ a ≤ 9.6LM , the two WBCs penetrate for small transport, choke for intermediate transport, and shed eddies periodically for large transport. When a > 9.6LM , no steady choking state is found. Instead, the WBCs have only two equilibrium states: the penetrating and the periodic eddy shedding states. A Hopf bifurcation is found for a > 9.0LM . The Reynolds number (Re) of the Hopf bifurcation is sensitive to the magnitude of γ(a/LM ) and the baroclinic deformation radius, being small for larger γ or deformation radius. In addition, a reverse Hopf bifurcations is identified in the decreased Re experiments, occurring at a smaller Re than that of the Hopf bifurcation. The Re of the reverse Hopf bifurcation is not sensitive to the magnitude of the baroclinic deformation radius.
Hysteresis behavior of the WBCs is found for a > 9.0LM , because of the existence of the Hopf and reverse Hopf bifurcations. In between them, steady penetrating or choking states coexist with eddy-shedding states. The steady states are found to be sensitive to perturbations of relative vorticity and can transit to periodic eddy-shedding states at the forcing of a mesoscale eddy.
Abstract
The nonlinear collision of two western boundary currents (WBCs) of equal transport at a gap of the western boundary is studied using a 1.5-layer reduced-gravity quasigeostrophic ocean model. It is found that, when the gap (of width 2a) is narrow, a ≤ 7.3LM (LM the Munk thickness), neither of the WBCs can penetrate into the western basin because of the restriction of the viscous force. When 7.3LM < a < 9.0LM , both WBCs penetrate into the western basin for small transport and choke for large transport. When 9.0LM ≤ a ≤ 9.6LM , the two WBCs penetrate for small transport, choke for intermediate transport, and shed eddies periodically for large transport. When a > 9.6LM , no steady choking state is found. Instead, the WBCs have only two equilibrium states: the penetrating and the periodic eddy shedding states. A Hopf bifurcation is found for a > 9.0LM . The Reynolds number (Re) of the Hopf bifurcation is sensitive to the magnitude of γ(a/LM ) and the baroclinic deformation radius, being small for larger γ or deformation radius. In addition, a reverse Hopf bifurcations is identified in the decreased Re experiments, occurring at a smaller Re than that of the Hopf bifurcation. The Re of the reverse Hopf bifurcation is not sensitive to the magnitude of the baroclinic deformation radius.
Hysteresis behavior of the WBCs is found for a > 9.0LM , because of the existence of the Hopf and reverse Hopf bifurcations. In between them, steady penetrating or choking states coexist with eddy-shedding states. The steady states are found to be sensitive to perturbations of relative vorticity and can transit to periodic eddy-shedding states at the forcing of a mesoscale eddy.
Abstract
Hysteresis of a western boundary current (WBC) flowing by a wide gap of a western boundary and the dynamics of the WBC variations associated with the impingement of mesoscale eddies from the eastern side of the gap are studied using a 1.5-layer reduced-gravity quasigeostrophic ocean model. The study focuses on two issues not covered by existing studies: the effects of finite baroclinic deformation radii and time dependence perturbed by mesoscale eddies. The results of the study show that the hysteresis of the WBC of finite baroclinic deformation radii is not controlled by multiple steady-state balances of the quasigeostrophic vorticity equation. Instead, the hysteresis is controlled by the periodic penetrating and the leaping regimes of the vorticity balance. The regime of the vorticity balance inside the gap is dependent on the history of the WBC evolution, which gives rise to the hysteresis of the WBC path. Numerical experiments have shown that the parameter domain of the hysteresis is not sensitive to the baroclinic deformation radius. However, the domain of the periodic solution, which is determined by the lower Hopf bifurcation of the nonlinear system, is found to be sensitive to the magnitude of the baroclinic deformation radius. The lower Hopf bifurcation from steady penetration to periodic penetration is found to occur at lower Reynolds numbers for larger deformation radii. In general, the lower Hopf bifurcation stays outside the hysteresis domain of the Reynolds number. However, for very small deformation radii, the lower Hopf bifurcation falls inside the hysteresis domain, which results in the transition from the leaping to the penetrating regimes of the WBC to skip the periodic regime and hence the disappearance of the upper Hopf bifurcation.
Mesoscale eddies approaching the gap from the eastern basin are found to have significant impact on the WBC path inside the gap when the WBC is at a critical state along the hysteresis loop. Cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddies play the role of reducing (enhancing) the inertial advection of vorticity in the vicinity of the gap so that transitions of the WBC path from the leaping (periodic penetrating) to the periodic penetrating (leaping) regimes are induced. In addition, cyclonic eddies are able to induce transitions of the WBC from the periodic penetrating to the leaping regimes through enhancing the meridional advection by its right fling. The transitions are irreversible because of the nonlinear hysteresis and are found to be sensitive to the strength, size, and approaching path of the eddy.
Abstract
Hysteresis of a western boundary current (WBC) flowing by a wide gap of a western boundary and the dynamics of the WBC variations associated with the impingement of mesoscale eddies from the eastern side of the gap are studied using a 1.5-layer reduced-gravity quasigeostrophic ocean model. The study focuses on two issues not covered by existing studies: the effects of finite baroclinic deformation radii and time dependence perturbed by mesoscale eddies. The results of the study show that the hysteresis of the WBC of finite baroclinic deformation radii is not controlled by multiple steady-state balances of the quasigeostrophic vorticity equation. Instead, the hysteresis is controlled by the periodic penetrating and the leaping regimes of the vorticity balance. The regime of the vorticity balance inside the gap is dependent on the history of the WBC evolution, which gives rise to the hysteresis of the WBC path. Numerical experiments have shown that the parameter domain of the hysteresis is not sensitive to the baroclinic deformation radius. However, the domain of the periodic solution, which is determined by the lower Hopf bifurcation of the nonlinear system, is found to be sensitive to the magnitude of the baroclinic deformation radius. The lower Hopf bifurcation from steady penetration to periodic penetration is found to occur at lower Reynolds numbers for larger deformation radii. In general, the lower Hopf bifurcation stays outside the hysteresis domain of the Reynolds number. However, for very small deformation radii, the lower Hopf bifurcation falls inside the hysteresis domain, which results in the transition from the leaping to the penetrating regimes of the WBC to skip the periodic regime and hence the disappearance of the upper Hopf bifurcation.
Mesoscale eddies approaching the gap from the eastern basin are found to have significant impact on the WBC path inside the gap when the WBC is at a critical state along the hysteresis loop. Cyclonic (anticyclonic) eddies play the role of reducing (enhancing) the inertial advection of vorticity in the vicinity of the gap so that transitions of the WBC path from the leaping (periodic penetrating) to the periodic penetrating (leaping) regimes are induced. In addition, cyclonic eddies are able to induce transitions of the WBC from the periodic penetrating to the leaping regimes through enhancing the meridional advection by its right fling. The transitions are irreversible because of the nonlinear hysteresis and are found to be sensitive to the strength, size, and approaching path of the eddy.
Abstract
The equatorial wave dynamics of sea level variations during negative Indian Ocean dipole (nIOD) events are investigated using the LICOM ocean general circulation model forced with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast reanalysis wind stress and heat flux from 1990 to 2001. The work is a continuation of the study by Yuan and Liu, in which the equatorial wave dynamics during positive IOD events are investigated. The model has reproduced the sea level anomalies of satellite altimeter data well. Long equatorial waves extracted from the model output suggest two kinds of negative feedback during nIOD events: the western boundary reflection and the easterly wind bursts. During the strong 1998–99 nIOD event, the downwelling anomalies in the eastern Indian Ocean are terminated by persistent and strong upwelling Kelvin waves from the western boundary, which are reflected from the wind-forced equatorial Rossby waves over the southern central Indian Ocean. During the 1996–97 nIOD, however, the reflection of upwelling anomalies at the western boundary is terminated by the arrival of downwelling equatorial Rossby waves from the eastern boundary reflection in early 1997. Therefore, the negative feedback of this nIOD event is not provided by the western boundary reflection. The downwelling anomalies in the eastern basin during the 1996–97 nIOD event are terminated by easterly wind anomalies over the equatorial Indian Ocean in early 1997. The disclosed equatorial wave dynamics are important to the simulation and prediction of IOD evolution.
Abstract
The equatorial wave dynamics of sea level variations during negative Indian Ocean dipole (nIOD) events are investigated using the LICOM ocean general circulation model forced with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecast reanalysis wind stress and heat flux from 1990 to 2001. The work is a continuation of the study by Yuan and Liu, in which the equatorial wave dynamics during positive IOD events are investigated. The model has reproduced the sea level anomalies of satellite altimeter data well. Long equatorial waves extracted from the model output suggest two kinds of negative feedback during nIOD events: the western boundary reflection and the easterly wind bursts. During the strong 1998–99 nIOD event, the downwelling anomalies in the eastern Indian Ocean are terminated by persistent and strong upwelling Kelvin waves from the western boundary, which are reflected from the wind-forced equatorial Rossby waves over the southern central Indian Ocean. During the 1996–97 nIOD, however, the reflection of upwelling anomalies at the western boundary is terminated by the arrival of downwelling equatorial Rossby waves from the eastern boundary reflection in early 1997. Therefore, the negative feedback of this nIOD event is not provided by the western boundary reflection. The downwelling anomalies in the eastern basin during the 1996–97 nIOD event are terminated by easterly wind anomalies over the equatorial Indian Ocean in early 1997. The disclosed equatorial wave dynamics are important to the simulation and prediction of IOD evolution.
Evaluation of Accuracy of Chinese AMDAR Data for 2015Abstract
Two comparative studies have been performed to evaluate the accuracy of Chinese Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) weather reports. The comparison between AMDAR reports and radiosonde observations shows that the root-mean-square differences (RMSDs) in temperature, wind speed, and wind direction are 1.06°C, 1.95 m s−1, and 22°, respectively, within a spatial range of ≤20 km and a temporal window of ≤15 min. The comparison between AMDAR reports collected by different aircraft reveals that observation uncertainties in temperature, wind speed, and wind direction are 0.59°C, 0.90 m s−1, and 12°, respectively. The spatial and temporal representativeness as well as the environmental factors that may affect the evaluation results are also discussed in detail in the two comparative studies. The results of the present study provide valuable information on and high confidence in the application of Chinese AMDAR in numerical weather prediction models.
Abstract
Two comparative studies have been performed to evaluate the accuracy of Chinese Aircraft Meteorological Data Relay (AMDAR) weather reports. The comparison between AMDAR reports and radiosonde observations shows that the root-mean-square differences (RMSDs) in temperature, wind speed, and wind direction are 1.06°C, 1.95 m s−1, and 22°, respectively, within a spatial range of ≤20 km and a temporal window of ≤15 min. The comparison between AMDAR reports collected by different aircraft reveals that observation uncertainties in temperature, wind speed, and wind direction are 0.59°C, 0.90 m s−1, and 12°, respectively. The spatial and temporal representativeness as well as the environmental factors that may affect the evaluation results are also discussed in detail in the two comparative studies. The results of the present study provide valuable information on and high confidence in the application of Chinese AMDAR in numerical weather prediction models.
Abstract
This study investigates a nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) observed during the Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) field campaign. A series of wavelike features were observed ahead of this MCS with extensive convective initiation (CI) taking place in the wake of one of these disturbances. Simulations with the WRF-ARW Model were utilized to understand the dynamics of these disturbances and their impact on the MCS. In these simulations, an “elevated bore” formed within an inversion layer aloft in response to the layer being lifted by air flowing up and over the cold pool. As the bore propagated ahead of the MCS, the lifting created an environment more conducive to deep convection allowing the MCS to discretely propagate due to CI in the bore’s wake. The Scorer parameter was somewhat favorable for trapping of this wave energy, although aspects of the environment evolved to be consistent with the expectations for an n = 2 mode deep tropospheric gravity wave. A bore within an inversion layer aloft is reminiscent of disturbances predicted by two-layer hydraulic theory, contrasting with recent studies that suggest bores are frequently initiated by the interaction between the flow within stable nocturnal boundary layer and convectively generated cold pools. Idealized simulations that expand upon this two-layer approach with orography and a well-mixed layer below the inversion suggest that elevated bores provide a possible mechanism for daytime squall lines to remove the capping inversion often found over the Great Plains, particularly in synoptically disturbed environments where vertical shear could create a favorable trapping of wave energy.
Abstract
This study investigates a nocturnal mesoscale convective system (MCS) observed during the Plains Elevated Convection At Night (PECAN) field campaign. A series of wavelike features were observed ahead of this MCS with extensive convective initiation (CI) taking place in the wake of one of these disturbances. Simulations with the WRF-ARW Model were utilized to understand the dynamics of these disturbances and their impact on the MCS. In these simulations, an “elevated bore” formed within an inversion layer aloft in response to the layer being lifted by air flowing up and over the cold pool. As the bore propagated ahead of the MCS, the lifting created an environment more conducive to deep convection allowing the MCS to discretely propagate due to CI in the bore’s wake. The Scorer parameter was somewhat favorable for trapping of this wave energy, although aspects of the environment evolved to be consistent with the expectations for an n = 2 mode deep tropospheric gravity wave. A bore within an inversion layer aloft is reminiscent of disturbances predicted by two-layer hydraulic theory, contrasting with recent studies that suggest bores are frequently initiated by the interaction between the flow within stable nocturnal boundary layer and convectively generated cold pools. Idealized simulations that expand upon this two-layer approach with orography and a well-mixed layer below the inversion suggest that elevated bores provide a possible mechanism for daytime squall lines to remove the capping inversion often found over the Great Plains, particularly in synoptically disturbed environments where vertical shear could create a favorable trapping of wave energy.
Abstract
The genesis of two mesovortices (MVs) within a real-data, convection-resolving simulation of the 8 May 2009 central U.S. bow echo system is studied. Both MVs form near the bow apex but differ distinctively in intensity, lifetime, and damage potential. The stronger and longer-lived mesovortex, MVa, stays near the bow apex where the system-scale rear-inflow jet (RIJ) is present. The descending RIJ produces strong downdrafts and surface convergence, which in turn induce strong vertical stretching and intensification of MVa into an intense mesovortex. In contrast, the weaker and shorter-lived mesovortex, MVb, gradually moves away from the bow apex, accompanied by localized convective-scale downdrafts.
Lagrangian circulation and vorticity budget analyses reveal that the vertical vorticity of MVs in general originate from the tilting of near-surface horizontal vorticity, which is mainly created via surface friction. The circulation of the material circuit that ends up to be a horizontal circuit at the foot of the MVs increases as the frictionally generated horizontal vortex tubes pass through the tilted material circuit (tilted following backward trajectories defining the material circuit) surface, especially in the final few minutes prior to mesovortex genesis. The tilted material circuit becomes horizontal at the MV foot, turning associated horizontal vorticity into vertical. The results show at least qualitatively that, in addition to baroclinicity, surface friction can also have significant contributions to the generation of low-level MVs, which was not considered in previous MV studies.
Abstract
The genesis of two mesovortices (MVs) within a real-data, convection-resolving simulation of the 8 May 2009 central U.S. bow echo system is studied. Both MVs form near the bow apex but differ distinctively in intensity, lifetime, and damage potential. The stronger and longer-lived mesovortex, MVa, stays near the bow apex where the system-scale rear-inflow jet (RIJ) is present. The descending RIJ produces strong downdrafts and surface convergence, which in turn induce strong vertical stretching and intensification of MVa into an intense mesovortex. In contrast, the weaker and shorter-lived mesovortex, MVb, gradually moves away from the bow apex, accompanied by localized convective-scale downdrafts.
Lagrangian circulation and vorticity budget analyses reveal that the vertical vorticity of MVs in general originate from the tilting of near-surface horizontal vorticity, which is mainly created via surface friction. The circulation of the material circuit that ends up to be a horizontal circuit at the foot of the MVs increases as the frictionally generated horizontal vortex tubes pass through the tilted material circuit (tilted following backward trajectories defining the material circuit) surface, especially in the final few minutes prior to mesovortex genesis. The tilted material circuit becomes horizontal at the MV foot, turning associated horizontal vorticity into vertical. The results show at least qualitatively that, in addition to baroclinicity, surface friction can also have significant contributions to the generation of low-level MVs, which was not considered in previous MV studies.
