In this work, the meridional variation of the thermal tropopause layer is investigated using high vertical resolution radiosonde measurements over China. A tropopause-based mean method is used to characterize the dept...In this work, the meridional variation of the thermal tropopause layer is investigated using high vertical resolution radiosonde measurements over China. A tropopause-based mean method is used to characterize the depth of the tropopause inversion layer （TIL）, and a curve-fitting method to profiles of Brunt-Vaisala frequency is applied to identify the transition sharpness of the static stability in the tropopause transition layer （TTL）.The eight radiosonde stations are grouped into four latitudinal bands at intervals of 7°. Analyses show that the tropopause at higher latitudes is much more likely to be sharp and have a strong TIL, while that at lower latitudes is dominated by a thick TTL.展开更多
High resolution radiosonde data from Beijing, China in 2002 are used to study the strong tropopause inversion layer （TIL） in the extratropical regions in eastern Asia. The analysis, based on the tropopause- based me...High resolution radiosonde data from Beijing, China in 2002 are used to study the strong tropopause inversion layer （TIL） in the extratropical regions in eastern Asia. The analysis, based on the tropopause- based mean （TB-mean） method, shows that the TIL over Beijing has similar features as over other sites in the same latitude in Northern America. The reduced values of buoyancy frequency in 13-17 km altitude in winter-spring are attributed to the higher occurrence frequency of the secondary tropopause in this season. In the monthly mean temperature profile relative to the secondary tropopause, there also exists a TIL with somewhat enhanced static stability directly over the secondary sharp thermal tropopause, and a 4 km thickness layer with reduced values of buoyancy frequency just below the tropopause, which corresponds to the 13-17 km layer in the first TB-mean thermal profile. In the monthly mean temperature profile relative to the secondary tropopause, a TIL also exists but it is not as strong. For individual cases, a modified definition of the TIL, focusing on the super stability and the small distance from the tropopause, is introduced. The analysis shows that the lower boundary of the newly defined TIL is about 0.42 km above the tropopause, and that it is higher in winter and lower in summer; the thickness of the TIL is larger in winter-spring.展开更多
Tropopause folds are one of the key mechanisms of stratosphere-troposphere exchange （STE） in extratropical regions, transporting ozone-rich stratospheric air into the middle and lower troposphere. Although there hav...Tropopause folds are one of the key mechanisms of stratosphere-troposphere exchange （STE） in extratropical regions, transporting ozone-rich stratospheric air into the middle and lower troposphere. Although there have been many studies of tropopause folds that have occurred over Europe and North America, a very limited amount of work has been carried out over northeastern Asia. Ozonesondes produced by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics were launched in Changchun （43.9°N, 125.2° E）, Northeast China, in June 2013, and observed an ozone-enriched layer with thickness of 3 km and an ozone peak of 180 ppbv at 6 km in the troposphere. The circulation field from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis （ERA-Interim） dataset shows that this ozone peak was caused by a tropopause fold associated with a jet stream at the eastern flank of the East Asian trough. By analyzing the ozone data from the ozone monitoring instrument and Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry （WRF-Chem） simulations, it was found that a high ozone concentration tongue originating from the lower stratosphere at high latitude （near central Siberia） intruded into the middle troposphere over Changchun between 5 and 8 km on 12 June 2013. The high-resolution WRF-Chem simulation was capable of describing events such as the tropopause fold that occurred on the cyclonic shear side of the jet stream. In addition, the TRAJ3D trajectory model was used to trace the origin of measured secondary ozone peaks in the middle troposphere back, for example, to stratospheric intrusion through the tropopause fold.展开更多
A springtime tropopause fold event, found to be related to a cold trough intrusion from the north, was detected in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau （TP） based on various observations. A nested high-resolution mesosc...A springtime tropopause fold event, found to be related to a cold trough intrusion from the north, was detected in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau （TP） based on various observations. A nested high-resolution mesoscale model was employed to investigate the effect of orography on the stratosphere-troposphere exchange. The model was found to be able to capture plausible tropopause fold properties. The propagation of the tropopause fold changed significantly when the terrain height in the model was altered. However, decreasing the terrain height had no significant effect on the morphology of folds. When a fold passed over an elevated surface, a leeside jet stream and a layer of humid air in the middle troposphere tended to develop. This strong leeside descent of air masses and high mid-level potential instability （PI） could give rise to deep upward motions in the leeside and inject tropospheric air into the lower stratosphere. Besides, when the flow encounters an elevated surface, forced lifting together with mid-level PI can trigger deep convective motions on the windward slope. The troposphere to stratosphere transport was found to be persistent and almost stationary over the windward slope of the TP during the evolution of the fold.展开更多
The distribution characteristics of cloud-top and tropopause height in the tropics and subtropics in boreal summer are analyzed based on CALIPSO data for the period 2008-2012.The maximum values of cloud-top vertical c...The distribution characteristics of cloud-top and tropopause height in the tropics and subtropics in boreal summer are analyzed based on CALIPSO data for the period 2008-2012.The maximum values of cloud-top vertical cumulative frequency above the tropopause （CTAT） are concentrated in three tropical regions：the Asian summer monsoon region,Central America,and western Africa.The contributions to the area-weighted CTAT frequency in the three regions from the Northern Hemisphere are 49.0%,13.5%,and 12.4%,respectively.Moreover,the contribution of troposphere-to-stratosphere transport （TST） in the Asian monsoon region to global TST can be far greater than 50%,according to analysis of the continuous equation,velocity potential,and divergent wind from ERA-Interim data.Furthermore,the Asian summer monsoon circulation system controls the distribution of the cloud top.On the south side of the Tibetan Plateau,the maximum frequency of the cloud top,more than 10% per 500 m vertically,is most likely to appear in the core of the high-level easterlyjet near the tropopause height （16.5 km）.Over the Tibetan Plateau,the maximum frequency of the cloud top,greater than 3% per 500 m vertically,is suppressed below 11 km,far away from the thermodynamic tropopause height but close to the dynamic tropopause height of 2 PVU （potential vorticity units）.展开更多
This study presents a 44-year climatology of potential vorticity （PV） streamers in the Northern Hemisphere based upon analyses of the ERA-40 reanalysis data set. A comparison to an existing 15-year climatology yield...This study presents a 44-year climatology of potential vorticity （PV） streamers in the Northern Hemisphere based upon analyses of the ERA-40 reanalysis data set. A comparison to an existing 15-year climatology yields very good agreement in the locations of PV streamer frequency maxima, but some differences are found in the amplitude of frequencies. The climatology is assessed with the focus on links between PV streamer frequencies and the synoptic- and planetary-scale variability of the dynamical tropopause. A comprehensive overview is provided on where （zonally） and when （seasonally） short-term variability throughout the extra-tropical and sub-tropical tropopause is enhanced or reduced. Several key processes that influence this variability are discussed. Baroclinic processes, for example, determine the variability in the storm-track areas in winter, whereas the Asian summer monsoon significantly influences the variability over Asia. The paper also describes links between the frequency of PV streamers in the extra-tropical and subtropical tropopause and three major northern hemisphere teleconnection patterns. The observed changes in the PV streamer frequencies are closely related to concomitant variations of PV and its gradient within the tropopause region. During opposite phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation the location of the streamer frequency maxima shifts significantly in the Atlantic and European region in both the extra-tropics and subtropics. The influence of ENSO on the streamer frequencies is most pronounced in the subtropical Pacific.展开更多
Using the measurements from the Halogen Occultation Experiment(HALOE)and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)Interim reanalysis data for the period 1994-2005,we analyzed the relationship betwe...Using the measurements from the Halogen Occultation Experiment(HALOE)and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)Interim reanalysis data for the period 1994-2005,we analyzed the relationship between tropical tropopause temperature anomalies and stratospheric water vapor anomalies.It is found that tropical tropopause temperature is correlated with stratospheric water vapor,i.e.,an anomalously high(low)tropical tropopause temperature corresponds to anomalously high(low)stratospheric water vapor during the period 1994-2005,except for 1996.The occurrence frequency and strength of deep convective activity during the‘mismatched'months is less and weaker than that during the‘matched'months in 1996.However,the instantaneous intensity of four short periods of deep convective activity,caused by strong surface cyclones and high sea surface temperatures,are greater during the‘mismatched'months than during the‘matched'months.Water vapor is transported from the lower troposphere to the lower stratosphere through a strong tropical upwelling,leading to an increase in stratospheric water vapor.On the other hand,deep convective activity can lift the tropopause and cool its temperature.In short,the key factor responsible for the poor correlation between tropical tropopause temperature and stratospheric water vapor in1996 is the instantaneous strong deep convective activity.In addition,an anomalously strong Brewer-Dobson circulation brings more water vapor into the stratosphere during the‘mismatched'months in 1996,and this exacerbates the poor correlation between tropical tropopause temperature and stratospheric water vapor.展开更多
The spatio-temporal variation of the tropopause height (TH) over the Indian region (5°N-35°N, 70°E-95°E) has been studied using monthly mean TH data, for 22-year period, 1965 to 1986. The study rev...The spatio-temporal variation of the tropopause height (TH) over the Indian region (5°N-35°N, 70°E-95°E) has been studied using monthly mean TH data, for 22-year period, 1965 to 1986. The study revealed that the stations south of 20° showed maximum TH in April / May and minimum in September. This variation in TH has been attributed to the corresponding variation of average sea surface temperature (SST) over ± 20° latitudinal belt over Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Further the stations north of 20°N showed maximum in June and minimum in October/ November. This maximum in TH has primarily been attributed to the increased insolation and convection. Furthermore it is noticed that the anomaly of TH moved northwards during the period April to July.The interannual variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon Activity (ISMA) has been studied in relation to all India mean TH (at 12 GMT) for six months April through September. The composites of mean TH for good and bad monsoon years showed that all India mean TH is statistically higher in good monsoon years than in bad monsoon years. The relationship between ISMA and all India mean May TH has been studied using the contingency table. The study suggested that the forecast of ISMA could be prepared using mean May TH.展开更多
The 10-year climatological features related to midlatitude double tropopause events （DTs） are examined using ERA- Interim data from 2003 to 2012. The analysis is based on tropopauses defined by lapse rate. Results s...The 10-year climatological features related to midlatitude double tropopause events （DTs） are examined using ERA- Interim data from 2003 to 2012. The analysis is based on tropopauses defined by lapse rate. Results show that DTs are permanent or semi-permanent in the midlatitudes, and high DT frequency bands move poleward in winter and equatorward in summer, which is consistent with the seasonal movement of the subtropical jet. Based on our statistics, the second tropopause is found at about 100 hPa in the subtropics and at slightly lower altitudes in sub-polar regions. The thickness between the first and second tropopause is smaller in the subtropics and increases with latitude. Next, the origin of air sandwiched between the first and second tropopause of DTs is studied with a revised version of the UK Universities Global Atmospheric Modelling Programme Offline Trajectory Code （Version 3） diabatic trajectory model. The results show that, in the lower or middle troposphere, air is transported into the DTs from lower latitudes, mainly in the tropics. The dominant source regions are mainly areas of deep convection and steep orography, e.g., the western Pacific and Himalayan Mountains, and they show strong seasonality following the seasonal shift of these strong upwelling regions.展开更多
The tropopause has a complex structure and some interference information may exist in high-resolution global positioning system （GPS）/low earth-orbiting （LEO） radio occultation （RO） data. The position of the tro...The tropopause has a complex structure and some interference information may exist in high-resolution global positioning system （GPS）/low earth-orbiting （LEO） radio occultation （RO） data. The position of the tropopause cannot be accurately determined using traditional cold point tropopause （CPT） and lapse rate tropopause （LRT） algorithms. In this paper, an integrative algorithm is developed to determinate tropopause parameters. The algorithm is applied to GPS/COSMIC RO data to obtain a global distribution of the height and temperature of the tropopause. This algorithm improves the utilization rate of GPS/LEO RO data by 30% compared with that from the traditional CPT method. The rationality and reliability of GPS/LEO RO data in probing the Earth＇s atmosphere are verified by our study of the tropopause using COSMIC data.展开更多
Using the monthly mean data from NCEP-NCAR reanalysis, through building tropopause pressure index, we investigated the mechanisms of anomalous variations of tropopause pressure over the Tibetan Plateau during summer i...Using the monthly mean data from NCEP-NCAR reanalysis, through building tropopause pressure index, we investigated the mechanisms of anomalous variations of tropopause pressure over the Tibetan Plateau during summer in Northem Hemisphere. For comparative analysis we selected representative years of 1992 and 1998 to study, and they were respectively the highest and the lowest year oftropopause pressure anomaly over the Tibetan Plateau. The results are summarized as follows： （1） Over the Tibetan Plateau, the variations of tropopause pressure are well correlated respectively with anomalous temperature and geopotential height in both troposphere and stratosphere. Besides, the anomalous tropopause pressure has also close relation with anomalous surface temperature in the Tibetan Plateau. In 1992, the surface temperature was anomalously low, correspondingly, the tropopause pressure over the Tibetan Plateau was anomalously high; but in 1998, the opposite was the case. （2） Over the Tibetan Plateau, the correlation of tropopause pressure and OLR （Outgoing Longwave Radiation） is found to be positive. Furthermore, by further diagnosing the circulation fields between 850 hPa and 200 hPa levels and the whole troposphere vapour field, we found out that the anomalously high tropopause pressure in 1992 corresponded to the anticyclonic divergence of low level wind fields and the cyclonic convergence of high level wind fields, and coupled with divergence of the whole troposphere vapour fields along with the South Asian High weakened at the same time. While in 1998, the case was opposite to that in 1992. These facts indicated that the anomalous convection resulted in the significant difference oftropopause pressure in 1992 and 1998 over the Tibetan Plateau. （3） The vertically integrated heat budget anomalies were responsible for explaining tropopause pressure anomalies in 1992 and 1998 over the Tibetan Plateau.展开更多
The tropopause is a transitional layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The exchange of chemical constituents of the atmosphere (namely masses of air, water vapor, trace gases etc.) and energy between the...The tropopause is a transitional layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The exchange of chemical constituents of the atmosphere (namely masses of air, water vapor, trace gases etc.) and energy between the troposphere and the stratosphere occurs through this layer. We suppose that just exchanges that are taking place at the tropopause heights are strongly influenced by the Global Change forcing. For this reason it is particularly urgent to accumulate temporal data the most accurate possible and with a certain continuity series to understand comprehensively what is happening to our climate. It is well known that Radio Occultation technique applied using Global Navigations Satellite Systems (GNSS-RO) is a powerful tool to detect the tropopause heights. It can be done working on the level 2 data provided by GNSS-RO payload: i.e. atmospheric profiles of pressure and temperature. We propose to measure tropopause using GNSS-RO level 1 data;i.e. the bending angles (BA) of the GNSS signal through the atmosphere. We fit the BA profiles applying in the integral relationship of BA as refractivity profile of background the Hopfield dry model of atmosphere which depends on the fourth degree of the height above the Earth. Through the layers in which tropopause is contained, the residuals between the background model and the observed BA have an anomalous trend. The residuals in this zone form anomalous non-gaussian bumps that we have exploited just to determine the relevant parameters of the tropopause. Such bumps are due to the wrong theoretical assumption made by Hopfield for the re-construction of the dry refractivity that the temperature lapse rate of the atmosphere is constant. But we know that the definition of tropopause according the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is just the height where a sudden change of the temperature lapse rate usually occurs. Thus in the present work we have determined tropopause heights with new algorithms which exploit the bumps occurring along the BA profiles achieved by GNSS-RO. We have used the huge amount of data provided by several space missions devoted to GNSS-RO (namely COSMIC, METOP, etc.) for tuning the algorithms, performed a validation and provided a robust statistical soundness. The same GNSS-RO observations are helpful also to reconstruct the Mapping Function commonly applied in geodetic applications. Global mapping functions built with GNSS-RO and their evolution in time can be an interesting parameter helpful for climate investigations as well.展开更多
The tropopause chemical structure(TCS)is influenced by stratosphere-troposphere exchange(STE)and plays a role in the Earth’s climate.However,this role is still not fully understood in East Asia,where active STE and h...The tropopause chemical structure(TCS)is influenced by stratosphere-troposphere exchange(STE)and plays a role in the Earth’s climate.However,this role is still not fully understood in East Asia,where active STE and high anthropogenic emissions coexist.Using airborne measurements of trace gases,including O_(3),CO,and H_(2)O,we reveal the variations in TCS during two consecutive cut-off lows(COLs),an important trigger of STE.We demonstrate the important roles of two-way STE and long-range transport processes in delivering natural and anthropogenic signatures in the TCS.The former COL case shows a normal pattern of TCS,consisting of stratospheric and tropospheric air and a mixture of them.The latter,as a novel type of STE,exhibits an anomalous and complex structure due to deep convective injection into stratospheric intrusions and advection of remote marine air.The distinct mixture of stratospheric air and anthropogenic pollution alters the TCS,with horizontal and vertical scales estimated to be 200 and 1 km,respectively.Moreover,air of maritime origin,which is convectively transported and strongly dehydrated during long-range transport,is also identified.Such a complex TCS can produce unique chemical environments that modulate cloud physics and atmospheric radiation.From a climatological perspective,events of these anomalous airmasses are nonnegligible in terms of their frequency and chemical impact,as revealed by multiyear observations.These new insights advance our understanding of the mixing of natural and anthropogenic species that shape the TCS in East Asia and have implications for climate change.展开更多
The global characteristics and trends of the tropopause physical parameters,height and temperature,obtained from the GPS/CHAMP radio occultation(RO) data in the period from Jul.2001 to Oct.2008,were modeled and analyz...The global characteristics and trends of the tropopause physical parameters,height and temperature,obtained from the GPS/CHAMP radio occultation(RO) data in the period from Jul.2001 to Oct.2008,were modeled and analyzed in this work.The global distribution and variation of these parameters with latitude were estimated and analyzed using the Empirical Orthogonal Function(EOF),which was introduced to reveal the possible relationship between the tropopause variations and global climate change.The tropopause height and temperature varied with latitude.The results obtained by using the Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis suggested a recent rise in tropopause height and decrease in tropopause temperature;and also partly supported the argument that the global rise in the tropopause is consistent with global climate change.These results also revealed that the tropopause height increased mainly in the Polar regions,particularly in the South Polar region,as well as the regions where human activity is relatively significant,and decreased in the areas that are sparsely populated or have less human activity,such as the tropic region and south hemisphere.This paper also confirms that the GPS/LEO RO data are more reliable and can be effectively used to analyze the tropopause physical parameters.展开更多
The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratrosphere, and it is significant in atmospheric environments. Usually there exists a large error of temperature retrieval of satellite remote sensing....The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratrosphere, and it is significant in atmospheric environments. Usually there exists a large error of temperature retrieval of satellite remote sensing. In order to improve the accuracy of remote sensing of the tropopause height, a new method of TIROS-N TOVS interpretation has been developed. Its availability has been verified in practical test. The optimum seeking method was used展开更多
A two-dimensional,semi-geostrophic numerical model incorporating the tropopause and stratosphere is used to investigate the effects of a positive potential vorticity anomaly and latent heat release on the frontogeneti...A two-dimensional,semi-geostrophic numerical model incorporating the tropopause and stratosphere is used to investigate the effects of a positive potential vorticity anomaly and latent heat release on the frontogenetic process and the structure of the resulting frontal zone.It is demonstrated that(1)the inclusion of tropopause and stratosphere significantly changes the frontal structure only in the upper levels;(2)a clearly defined quasi-equivalent barotropic structure and a region of upward motion of finite width appear when a positive potential vorticity anomaly exists on the warm side of the maximum baroclinity in the lower troposphere,especially when it is located on the south edge of the baroclinic zone;(3)the above mentioned structure deteriorates as the frontogenesis proceeds in a dry atmosphere but can be maintained in a moist frontogenetic process with condensational heating;(4)the combination of a positive potential vorticity anomaly and the latent heat release is able to accelerate the frontogenesis significantly with the time needed to form an intense frontal zone reduced to less than 15 h.The results have significant theoretical importance in understanding the complex nature of frontal structure and frontogenesis,especially in understanding the dynamic structure of the subtropical frontal zone observed during early summer over East Asia.展开更多
Potential vorticity(PV)streamers are elongated filaments of high PV intrusions that generally exhibit three distinct shapes:ordinarily southwestward,hook,and treble-clef,each with significant influences on weather.The...Potential vorticity(PV)streamers are elongated filaments of high PV intrusions that generally exhibit three distinct shapes:ordinarily southwestward,hook,and treble-clef,each with significant influences on weather.These PV streamers are most frequent over arid and semi-arid Central Asia in the mid–high latitudes.This study applied the Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network algorithm(Mask R-CNN)to PV streamers on the dynamical tropopause during the warm season(May to September)over the years 2000–04 to train a weighted variational model capable of identifying these different shapes.The trained model demonstrated a strong ability to distinguish between the three shapes.A climatological analysis of PV streamers over Central Asia spanning 2000 to 2021 revealed an increasingly deep and pronounced reversal of circulation from ordinary to treble-clef shapes.The treble-clef shape featured a PV tower and distinct cut-off low in the troposphere,but the associated upward motions and precipitation were confined within approximately 1200 km to the east of the PV tower.Although the hook-shape PV streamers were linked to a weaker cut-off low,the extent of upward motion and precipitation was nearly double that of the treble-clef category.In contrast,the ordinary PV streamer was primarily associated with tropopause Rossby wave breaking and exhibited relatively shallow characteristics,which resulted in moderate upward motion and precipitation to 500 km to its east.展开更多
The synoptic process of a super Arctic cyclone in August 2016(AC16)is investigated based on the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model,and the key factors affecting the rapid intensification(RI)of AC16 and their r...The synoptic process of a super Arctic cyclone in August 2016(AC16)is investigated based on the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model,and the key factors affecting the rapid intensification(RI)of AC16 and their relative contributions are analyzed by diagnosing a new surface pressure tendency equation(SPTE).The major physical mechanisms behind the two RI stages of AC16 are revealed.The trajectory,intensity changes,and structural characteristics of AC16 are well simulated by the WRF model.A diagnosis based on the SPTE promisingly reproduces the two RI stages of AC16.The leading factor that influenced the intensity of AC16 was identified to be the air-column potential temperature tendency,while the pressure change at the upper boundary had less of an impact.Further analysis reveals that the horizontal potential temperature advection was the decisive factor in a warming of the air column.Specifically,the upper-level warm advection generated by the strong wind field of the upper-level jet played a dominant role in warming the air column,which caused the initial RI of AC16.The AC16 movement into a strong potential temperature gradient generated by tropopause polar vortices increased the upper-level warm advection,which warmed the air column and thereby induced the second RI of AC16.However,the net effect of vertical potential temperature advection and latent heating,as well as radiation processes,caused a cooling of the air column and thereby negatively contributed to the RI of AC16.展开更多
This paper highlights some theoretical aspects of potential vorticity（PV） and discusses some of the insights the PV perspective has given us. The topics covered include the nature of PV, its controlling role in the ...This paper highlights some theoretical aspects of potential vorticity（PV） and discusses some of the insights the PV perspective has given us. The topics covered include the nature of PV, its controlling role in the symmetric stability of the atmosphere, its inversion to give the flow field, Rossby waves and their coupling to give baroclinic instability, PV and midlatitude weather systems and, finally, insights into tropical motions.展开更多
In this study, an east-moving Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV) is analyzed by using the ERA-5 reanalysis and multi-source satellite data, including FengYun-2 E, Aqua/MODIS and CALIPSO. The objective is to demonstrate:(i) t...In this study, an east-moving Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV) is analyzed by using the ERA-5 reanalysis and multi-source satellite data, including FengYun-2 E, Aqua/MODIS and CALIPSO. The objective is to demonstrate:(i) the usefulness of multi-spectral satellite observations in understanding the evolution of a TPV and the associated rainfall, and(ii) the potential significance of cloud-top quantitative information in improving Southwest China weather forecasts. Results in this study show that the heavy rainfall is caused by the coupling of an east-moving TPV and some low-level weather systems [a Plateau shear line and a Southwest Vortex(SWV)], wherein the TPV is a key component. During the TPV's life cycle, the rainfall and vortex intensity maintain a significant positive correlation with the convective cloud-top fraction and height within a 2.5?radius away from its center. Moreover, its growth is found to be quite sensitive to the cloud phases and particle sizes. In the mature stage when the TPV is coupled with an SWV, an increase of small ice crystal particles and appearance of ring-and U/V-shaped cold cloud-top structures can be seen as the signature of a stronger convection and rainfall enhancement within the TPV. A tropopause folding caused by ageostrophic flows at the upper level may be a key factor in the formation of ring-shaped and U/V-shaped cloud-top structures. Based on these results, we believe that the supplementary quantitative information of an east-moving TPV cloud top collected by multi-spectral satellite observations could help to improve Southwest China short-range/nowcasting weather forecasts.展开更多
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[91337214],[41675040]
文摘In this work, the meridional variation of the thermal tropopause layer is investigated using high vertical resolution radiosonde measurements over China. A tropopause-based mean method is used to characterize the depth of the tropopause inversion layer （TIL）, and a curve-fitting method to profiles of Brunt-Vaisala frequency is applied to identify the transition sharpness of the static stability in the tropopause transition layer （TTL）.The eight radiosonde stations are grouped into four latitudinal bands at intervals of 7°. Analyses show that the tropopause at higher latitudes is much more likely to be sharp and have a strong TIL, while that at lower latitudes is dominated by a thick TTL.
基金the National Natural Science Foundation of China （NSFC） under Grants Nos. 40675021, 40775030, and 40333034.
文摘High resolution radiosonde data from Beijing, China in 2002 are used to study the strong tropopause inversion layer （TIL） in the extratropical regions in eastern Asia. The analysis, based on the tropopause- based mean （TB-mean） method, shows that the TIL over Beijing has similar features as over other sites in the same latitude in Northern America. The reduced values of buoyancy frequency in 13-17 km altitude in winter-spring are attributed to the higher occurrence frequency of the secondary tropopause in this season. In the monthly mean temperature profile relative to the secondary tropopause, there also exists a TIL with somewhat enhanced static stability directly over the secondary sharp thermal tropopause, and a 4 km thickness layer with reduced values of buoyancy frequency just below the tropopause, which corresponds to the 13-17 km layer in the first TB-mean thermal profile. In the monthly mean temperature profile relative to the secondary tropopause, a TIL also exists but it is not as strong. For individual cases, a modified definition of the TIL, focusing on the super stability and the small distance from the tropopause, is introduced. The analysis shows that the lower boundary of the newly defined TIL is about 0.42 km above the tropopause, and that it is higher in winter and lower in summer; the thickness of the TIL is larger in winter-spring.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program of China under Grant No.2010CB428602the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 41175040)
文摘Tropopause folds are one of the key mechanisms of stratosphere-troposphere exchange （STE） in extratropical regions, transporting ozone-rich stratospheric air into the middle and lower troposphere. Although there have been many studies of tropopause folds that have occurred over Europe and North America, a very limited amount of work has been carried out over northeastern Asia. Ozonesondes produced by the Institute of Atmospheric Physics were launched in Changchun （43.9°N, 125.2° E）, Northeast China, in June 2013, and observed an ozone-enriched layer with thickness of 3 km and an ozone peak of 180 ppbv at 6 km in the troposphere. The circulation field from the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts Interim Reanalysis （ERA-Interim） dataset shows that this ozone peak was caused by a tropopause fold associated with a jet stream at the eastern flank of the East Asian trough. By analyzing the ozone data from the ozone monitoring instrument and Weather Research and Forecasting model with Chemistry （WRF-Chem） simulations, it was found that a high ozone concentration tongue originating from the lower stratosphere at high latitude （near central Siberia） intruded into the middle troposphere over Changchun between 5 and 8 km on 12 June 2013. The high-resolution WRF-Chem simulation was capable of describing events such as the tropopause fold that occurred on the cyclonic shear side of the jet stream. In addition, the TRAJ3D trajectory model was used to trace the origin of measured secondary ozone peaks in the middle troposphere back, for example, to stratospheric intrusion through the tropopause fold.
基金provided by the National Natural Sciences Foundation of China (40730949)the National Basic Research Program of China (2010CB428604)the International Cooperation Project (40710059003)
文摘A springtime tropopause fold event, found to be related to a cold trough intrusion from the north, was detected in the northeastern Tibetan Plateau （TP） based on various observations. A nested high-resolution mesoscale model was employed to investigate the effect of orography on the stratosphere-troposphere exchange. The model was found to be able to capture plausible tropopause fold properties. The propagation of the tropopause fold changed significantly when the terrain height in the model was altered. However, decreasing the terrain height had no significant effect on the morphology of folds. When a fold passed over an elevated surface, a leeside jet stream and a layer of humid air in the middle troposphere tended to develop. This strong leeside descent of air masses and high mid-level potential instability （PI） could give rise to deep upward motions in the leeside and inject tropospheric air into the lower stratosphere. Besides, when the flow encounters an elevated surface, forced lifting together with mid-level PI can trigger deep convective motions on the windward slope. The troposphere to stratosphere transport was found to be persistent and almost stationary over the windward slope of the TP during the evolution of the fold.
基金supported by National Key Research and Development Program of China[grant number 2017YFC1501802]the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 41375047],[grant number 91537213],and[grant number 41675039]
文摘The distribution characteristics of cloud-top and tropopause height in the tropics and subtropics in boreal summer are analyzed based on CALIPSO data for the period 2008-2012.The maximum values of cloud-top vertical cumulative frequency above the tropopause （CTAT） are concentrated in three tropical regions：the Asian summer monsoon region,Central America,and western Africa.The contributions to the area-weighted CTAT frequency in the three regions from the Northern Hemisphere are 49.0%,13.5%,and 12.4%,respectively.Moreover,the contribution of troposphere-to-stratosphere transport （TST） in the Asian monsoon region to global TST can be far greater than 50%,according to analysis of the continuous equation,velocity potential,and divergent wind from ERA-Interim data.Furthermore,the Asian summer monsoon circulation system controls the distribution of the cloud top.On the south side of the Tibetan Plateau,the maximum frequency of the cloud top,more than 10% per 500 m vertically,is most likely to appear in the core of the high-level easterlyjet near the tropopause height （16.5 km）.Over the Tibetan Plateau,the maximum frequency of the cloud top,greater than 3% per 500 m vertically,is suppressed below 11 km,far away from the thermodynamic tropopause height but close to the dynamic tropopause height of 2 PVU （potential vorticity units）.
文摘This study presents a 44-year climatology of potential vorticity （PV） streamers in the Northern Hemisphere based upon analyses of the ERA-40 reanalysis data set. A comparison to an existing 15-year climatology yields very good agreement in the locations of PV streamer frequency maxima, but some differences are found in the amplitude of frequencies. The climatology is assessed with the focus on links between PV streamer frequencies and the synoptic- and planetary-scale variability of the dynamical tropopause. A comprehensive overview is provided on where （zonally） and when （seasonally） short-term variability throughout the extra-tropical and sub-tropical tropopause is enhanced or reduced. Several key processes that influence this variability are discussed. Baroclinic processes, for example, determine the variability in the storm-track areas in winter, whereas the Asian summer monsoon significantly influences the variability over Asia. The paper also describes links between the frequency of PV streamers in the extra-tropical and subtropical tropopause and three major northern hemisphere teleconnection patterns. The observed changes in the PV streamer frequencies are closely related to concomitant variations of PV and its gradient within the tropopause region. During opposite phases of the North Atlantic Oscillation the location of the streamer frequency maxima shifts significantly in the Atlantic and European region in both the extra-tropics and subtropics. The influence of ENSO on the streamer frequencies is most pronounced in the subtropical Pacific.
基金National Natural Science Foundation of China(41575038,41630421)
文摘Using the measurements from the Halogen Occultation Experiment(HALOE)and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts(ECMWF)Interim reanalysis data for the period 1994-2005,we analyzed the relationship between tropical tropopause temperature anomalies and stratospheric water vapor anomalies.It is found that tropical tropopause temperature is correlated with stratospheric water vapor,i.e.,an anomalously high(low)tropical tropopause temperature corresponds to anomalously high(low)stratospheric water vapor during the period 1994-2005,except for 1996.The occurrence frequency and strength of deep convective activity during the‘mismatched'months is less and weaker than that during the‘matched'months in 1996.However,the instantaneous intensity of four short periods of deep convective activity,caused by strong surface cyclones and high sea surface temperatures,are greater during the‘mismatched'months than during the‘matched'months.Water vapor is transported from the lower troposphere to the lower stratosphere through a strong tropical upwelling,leading to an increase in stratospheric water vapor.On the other hand,deep convective activity can lift the tropopause and cool its temperature.In short,the key factor responsible for the poor correlation between tropical tropopause temperature and stratospheric water vapor in1996 is the instantaneous strong deep convective activity.In addition,an anomalously strong Brewer-Dobson circulation brings more water vapor into the stratosphere during the‘mismatched'months in 1996,and this exacerbates the poor correlation between tropical tropopause temperature and stratospheric water vapor.
文摘The spatio-temporal variation of the tropopause height (TH) over the Indian region (5°N-35°N, 70°E-95°E) has been studied using monthly mean TH data, for 22-year period, 1965 to 1986. The study revealed that the stations south of 20° showed maximum TH in April / May and minimum in September. This variation in TH has been attributed to the corresponding variation of average sea surface temperature (SST) over ± 20° latitudinal belt over Indian Ocean, Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. Further the stations north of 20°N showed maximum in June and minimum in October/ November. This maximum in TH has primarily been attributed to the increased insolation and convection. Furthermore it is noticed that the anomaly of TH moved northwards during the period April to July.The interannual variability of the Indian Summer Monsoon Activity (ISMA) has been studied in relation to all India mean TH (at 12 GMT) for six months April through September. The composites of mean TH for good and bad monsoon years showed that all India mean TH is statistically higher in good monsoon years than in bad monsoon years. The relationship between ISMA and all India mean May TH has been studied using the contingency table. The study suggested that the forecast of ISMA could be prepared using mean May TH.
基金supported by the Special Fund for Strategic Pilot Technology of the Chinese Academy of Sciences(Grant No.XDA05040300)
文摘The 10-year climatological features related to midlatitude double tropopause events （DTs） are examined using ERA- Interim data from 2003 to 2012. The analysis is based on tropopauses defined by lapse rate. Results show that DTs are permanent or semi-permanent in the midlatitudes, and high DT frequency bands move poleward in winter and equatorward in summer, which is consistent with the seasonal movement of the subtropical jet. Based on our statistics, the second tropopause is found at about 100 hPa in the subtropics and at slightly lower altitudes in sub-polar regions. The thickness between the first and second tropopause is smaller in the subtropics and increases with latitude. Next, the origin of air sandwiched between the first and second tropopause of DTs is studied with a revised version of the UK Universities Global Atmospheric Modelling Programme Offline Trajectory Code （Version 3） diabatic trajectory model. The results show that, in the lower or middle troposphere, air is transported into the DTs from lower latitudes, mainly in the tropics. The dominant source regions are mainly areas of deep convection and steep orography, e.g., the western Pacific and Himalayan Mountains, and they show strong seasonality following the seasonal shift of these strong upwelling regions.
基金supported by the Chinese Polar Science Strategy Research Fund Project(Grant no.20100204)
文摘The tropopause has a complex structure and some interference information may exist in high-resolution global positioning system （GPS）/low earth-orbiting （LEO） radio occultation （RO） data. The position of the tropopause cannot be accurately determined using traditional cold point tropopause （CPT） and lapse rate tropopause （LRT） algorithms. In this paper, an integrative algorithm is developed to determinate tropopause parameters. The algorithm is applied to GPS/COSMIC RO data to obtain a global distribution of the height and temperature of the tropopause. This algorithm improves the utilization rate of GPS/LEO RO data by 30% compared with that from the traditional CPT method. The rationality and reliability of GPS/LEO RO data in probing the Earth＇s atmosphere are verified by our study of the tropopause using COSMIC data.
基金supported jointly by the National Basic Research Program of China (2010CB428602)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41005046,40675025)
文摘Using the monthly mean data from NCEP-NCAR reanalysis, through building tropopause pressure index, we investigated the mechanisms of anomalous variations of tropopause pressure over the Tibetan Plateau during summer in Northem Hemisphere. For comparative analysis we selected representative years of 1992 and 1998 to study, and they were respectively the highest and the lowest year oftropopause pressure anomaly over the Tibetan Plateau. The results are summarized as follows： （1） Over the Tibetan Plateau, the variations of tropopause pressure are well correlated respectively with anomalous temperature and geopotential height in both troposphere and stratosphere. Besides, the anomalous tropopause pressure has also close relation with anomalous surface temperature in the Tibetan Plateau. In 1992, the surface temperature was anomalously low, correspondingly, the tropopause pressure over the Tibetan Plateau was anomalously high; but in 1998, the opposite was the case. （2） Over the Tibetan Plateau, the correlation of tropopause pressure and OLR （Outgoing Longwave Radiation） is found to be positive. Furthermore, by further diagnosing the circulation fields between 850 hPa and 200 hPa levels and the whole troposphere vapour field, we found out that the anomalously high tropopause pressure in 1992 corresponded to the anticyclonic divergence of low level wind fields and the cyclonic convergence of high level wind fields, and coupled with divergence of the whole troposphere vapour fields along with the South Asian High weakened at the same time. While in 1998, the case was opposite to that in 1992. These facts indicated that the anomalous convection resulted in the significant difference oftropopause pressure in 1992 and 1998 over the Tibetan Plateau. （3） The vertically integrated heat budget anomalies were responsible for explaining tropopause pressure anomalies in 1992 and 1998 over the Tibetan Plateau.
文摘The tropopause is a transitional layer between the troposphere and the stratosphere. The exchange of chemical constituents of the atmosphere (namely masses of air, water vapor, trace gases etc.) and energy between the troposphere and the stratosphere occurs through this layer. We suppose that just exchanges that are taking place at the tropopause heights are strongly influenced by the Global Change forcing. For this reason it is particularly urgent to accumulate temporal data the most accurate possible and with a certain continuity series to understand comprehensively what is happening to our climate. It is well known that Radio Occultation technique applied using Global Navigations Satellite Systems (GNSS-RO) is a powerful tool to detect the tropopause heights. It can be done working on the level 2 data provided by GNSS-RO payload: i.e. atmospheric profiles of pressure and temperature. We propose to measure tropopause using GNSS-RO level 1 data;i.e. the bending angles (BA) of the GNSS signal through the atmosphere. We fit the BA profiles applying in the integral relationship of BA as refractivity profile of background the Hopfield dry model of atmosphere which depends on the fourth degree of the height above the Earth. Through the layers in which tropopause is contained, the residuals between the background model and the observed BA have an anomalous trend. The residuals in this zone form anomalous non-gaussian bumps that we have exploited just to determine the relevant parameters of the tropopause. Such bumps are due to the wrong theoretical assumption made by Hopfield for the re-construction of the dry refractivity that the temperature lapse rate of the atmosphere is constant. But we know that the definition of tropopause according the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) is just the height where a sudden change of the temperature lapse rate usually occurs. Thus in the present work we have determined tropopause heights with new algorithms which exploit the bumps occurring along the BA profiles achieved by GNSS-RO. We have used the huge amount of data provided by several space missions devoted to GNSS-RO (namely COSMIC, METOP, etc.) for tuning the algorithms, performed a validation and provided a robust statistical soundness. The same GNSS-RO observations are helpful also to reconstruct the Mapping Function commonly applied in geodetic applications. Global mapping functions built with GNSS-RO and their evolution in time can be an interesting parameter helpful for climate investigations as well.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(42105079)Computing resources used in this study were provided by Fujian Normal University High Performance Computation Center(FNU-HPCC).
文摘The tropopause chemical structure(TCS)is influenced by stratosphere-troposphere exchange(STE)and plays a role in the Earth’s climate.However,this role is still not fully understood in East Asia,where active STE and high anthropogenic emissions coexist.Using airborne measurements of trace gases,including O_(3),CO,and H_(2)O,we reveal the variations in TCS during two consecutive cut-off lows(COLs),an important trigger of STE.We demonstrate the important roles of two-way STE and long-range transport processes in delivering natural and anthropogenic signatures in the TCS.The former COL case shows a normal pattern of TCS,consisting of stratospheric and tropospheric air and a mixture of them.The latter,as a novel type of STE,exhibits an anomalous and complex structure due to deep convective injection into stratospheric intrusions and advection of remote marine air.The distinct mixture of stratospheric air and anthropogenic pollution alters the TCS,with horizontal and vertical scales estimated to be 200 and 1 km,respectively.Moreover,air of maritime origin,which is convectively transported and strongly dehydrated during long-range transport,is also identified.Such a complex TCS can produce unique chemical environments that modulate cloud physics and atmospheric radiation.From a climatological perspective,events of these anomalous airmasses are nonnegligible in terms of their frequency and chemical impact,as revealed by multiyear observations.These new insights advance our understanding of the mixing of natural and anthropogenic species that shape the TCS in East Asia and have implications for climate change.
基金supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program (Grant Nos 2008AA12A210, 2009AA122206 and 2009AA12Z319)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No10973031)the Key Research Program of Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No KJCX2-YZ-T13-2)
文摘The global characteristics and trends of the tropopause physical parameters,height and temperature,obtained from the GPS/CHAMP radio occultation(RO) data in the period from Jul.2001 to Oct.2008,were modeled and analyzed in this work.The global distribution and variation of these parameters with latitude were estimated and analyzed using the Empirical Orthogonal Function(EOF),which was introduced to reveal the possible relationship between the tropopause variations and global climate change.The tropopause height and temperature varied with latitude.The results obtained by using the Empirical Orthogonal Function analysis suggested a recent rise in tropopause height and decrease in tropopause temperature;and also partly supported the argument that the global rise in the tropopause is consistent with global climate change.These results also revealed that the tropopause height increased mainly in the Polar regions,particularly in the South Polar region,as well as the regions where human activity is relatively significant,and decreased in the areas that are sparsely populated or have less human activity,such as the tropic region and south hemisphere.This paper also confirms that the GPS/LEO RO data are more reliable and can be effectively used to analyze the tropopause physical parameters.
文摘The tropopause is the boundary between the troposphere and the stratrosphere, and it is significant in atmospheric environments. Usually there exists a large error of temperature retrieval of satellite remote sensing. In order to improve the accuracy of remote sensing of the tropopause height, a new method of TIROS-N TOVS interpretation has been developed. Its availability has been verified in practical test. The optimum seeking method was used
基金This research is supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China.
文摘A two-dimensional,semi-geostrophic numerical model incorporating the tropopause and stratosphere is used to investigate the effects of a positive potential vorticity anomaly and latent heat release on the frontogenetic process and the structure of the resulting frontal zone.It is demonstrated that(1)the inclusion of tropopause and stratosphere significantly changes the frontal structure only in the upper levels;(2)a clearly defined quasi-equivalent barotropic structure and a region of upward motion of finite width appear when a positive potential vorticity anomaly exists on the warm side of the maximum baroclinity in the lower troposphere,especially when it is located on the south edge of the baroclinic zone;(3)the above mentioned structure deteriorates as the frontogenesis proceeds in a dry atmosphere but can be maintained in a moist frontogenetic process with condensational heating;(4)the combination of a positive potential vorticity anomaly and the latent heat release is able to accelerate the frontogenesis significantly with the time needed to form an intense frontal zone reduced to less than 15 h.The results have significant theoretical importance in understanding the complex nature of frontal structure and frontogenesis,especially in understanding the dynamic structure of the subtropical frontal zone observed during early summer over East Asia.
基金funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42275063 and U20A2097)the Open Grants of the State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather(Grant No.2023LASW-B29)。
文摘Potential vorticity(PV)streamers are elongated filaments of high PV intrusions that generally exhibit three distinct shapes:ordinarily southwestward,hook,and treble-clef,each with significant influences on weather.These PV streamers are most frequent over arid and semi-arid Central Asia in the mid–high latitudes.This study applied the Mask Region-based Convolutional Neural Network algorithm(Mask R-CNN)to PV streamers on the dynamical tropopause during the warm season(May to September)over the years 2000–04 to train a weighted variational model capable of identifying these different shapes.The trained model demonstrated a strong ability to distinguish between the three shapes.A climatological analysis of PV streamers over Central Asia spanning 2000 to 2021 revealed an increasingly deep and pronounced reversal of circulation from ordinary to treble-clef shapes.The treble-clef shape featured a PV tower and distinct cut-off low in the troposphere,but the associated upward motions and precipitation were confined within approximately 1200 km to the east of the PV tower.Although the hook-shape PV streamers were linked to a weaker cut-off low,the extent of upward motion and precipitation was nearly double that of the treble-clef category.In contrast,the ordinary PV streamer was primarily associated with tropopause Rossby wave breaking and exhibited relatively shallow characteristics,which resulted in moderate upward motion and precipitation to 500 km to its east.
基金sponsored by the funding of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant Nos.42075011,42192552,42005025,and 42075035).
文摘The synoptic process of a super Arctic cyclone in August 2016(AC16)is investigated based on the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF)model,and the key factors affecting the rapid intensification(RI)of AC16 and their relative contributions are analyzed by diagnosing a new surface pressure tendency equation(SPTE).The major physical mechanisms behind the two RI stages of AC16 are revealed.The trajectory,intensity changes,and structural characteristics of AC16 are well simulated by the WRF model.A diagnosis based on the SPTE promisingly reproduces the two RI stages of AC16.The leading factor that influenced the intensity of AC16 was identified to be the air-column potential temperature tendency,while the pressure change at the upper boundary had less of an impact.Further analysis reveals that the horizontal potential temperature advection was the decisive factor in a warming of the air column.Specifically,the upper-level warm advection generated by the strong wind field of the upper-level jet played a dominant role in warming the air column,which caused the initial RI of AC16.The AC16 movement into a strong potential temperature gradient generated by tropopause polar vortices increased the upper-level warm advection,which warmed the air column and thereby induced the second RI of AC16.However,the net effect of vertical potential temperature advection and latent heating,as well as radiation processes,caused a cooling of the air column and thereby negatively contributed to the RI of AC16.
文摘This paper highlights some theoretical aspects of potential vorticity（PV） and discusses some of the insights the PV perspective has given us. The topics covered include the nature of PV, its controlling role in the symmetric stability of the atmosphere, its inversion to give the flow field, Rossby waves and their coupling to give baroclinic instability, PV and midlatitude weather systems and, finally, insights into tropical motions.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.41575048 and 91637105)
文摘In this study, an east-moving Tibetan Plateau vortex(TPV) is analyzed by using the ERA-5 reanalysis and multi-source satellite data, including FengYun-2 E, Aqua/MODIS and CALIPSO. The objective is to demonstrate:(i) the usefulness of multi-spectral satellite observations in understanding the evolution of a TPV and the associated rainfall, and(ii) the potential significance of cloud-top quantitative information in improving Southwest China weather forecasts. Results in this study show that the heavy rainfall is caused by the coupling of an east-moving TPV and some low-level weather systems [a Plateau shear line and a Southwest Vortex(SWV)], wherein the TPV is a key component. During the TPV's life cycle, the rainfall and vortex intensity maintain a significant positive correlation with the convective cloud-top fraction and height within a 2.5?radius away from its center. Moreover, its growth is found to be quite sensitive to the cloud phases and particle sizes. In the mature stage when the TPV is coupled with an SWV, an increase of small ice crystal particles and appearance of ring-and U/V-shaped cold cloud-top structures can be seen as the signature of a stronger convection and rainfall enhancement within the TPV. A tropopause folding caused by ageostrophic flows at the upper level may be a key factor in the formation of ring-shaped and U/V-shaped cloud-top structures. Based on these results, we believe that the supplementary quantitative information of an east-moving TPV cloud top collected by multi-spectral satellite observations could help to improve Southwest China short-range/nowcasting weather forecasts.
