scholarly journals A Hierarchy of Idealized Monsoons in an Intermediate GCM

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (22) ◽  
pp. 9021-9036 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wenyu Zhou ◽  
Shang-Ping Xie
Keyword(s):  
Monsoon Rainfall ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Solar Insolation ◽  
Westerly Jet ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Additional Control ◽  
Basic Understanding ◽  
General Guide ◽  
Zonal Asymmetry ◽  
Linearized Model

A hierarchy of idealized monsoons with increased degrees of complexity is built using an intermediate model with simplified physics and idealized land–sea geometry. This monsoon hierarchy helps formulate a basic understanding about the distribution of the surface equivalent potential temperature θ e, which proves to provide a general guide on the monsoon rainfall. The zonally uniform monsoon in the simplest aquaplanet simulations is explained by a linearized model of the meridional distribution of θ e, which is driven by the seasonally varying solar insolation and damped by both the monsoon overturning circulation and the local negative feedback. The heat capacities of the surface and the atmosphere give rise to an intrinsic time scale that causes the monsoon migration to lag behind the sun and reduces the monsoon extent and intensity. Monsoons with a zonally confined continent can be understood based on the zonally uniform monsoon by considering the ocean influence on the land through the westerly jet advection, which reduces the monsoon extent and induces zonal asymmetry. Monsoon responses to more realistic factors such as land geometry, albedo, and ocean heat flux are consistently predicted by their impacts on the surface θ e distribution. The soil moisture effect, however, does not fully fit into the surface θ e argument and provides additional control on monsoon rainfall by inducing regional circulation and rainfall patterns.

Evaluating the eastward propagation of the MJO in CMIP5 and CMIP6 models based on a variety of diagnostics

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-68
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Moisture Convergence ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Regression Relationship ◽  
Zonal Advection ◽  
Zonal Asymmetry ◽  
Meridional Advection ◽  
The Western Pacific ◽  
East West

Abstract Given the climatic importance of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO), this study evaluates the capability of CMIP6 models in simulating MJO eastward propagation in comparison with their CMIP5 counterparts. To understand the representation of MJO simulation in models, a set of diagnostics in respect of MJO-associated dynamic and thermodynamic structures are applied, including large-scale zonal circulation, vertical structures of diabatic heating and equivalent potential temperature, moisture convergence at planetary boundary layer (PBL), and the east-west asymmetry of moisture tendency relative to the MJO convection. The simulated propagation of the MJO in CMIP6 models shows an overall improvement on realistic speed and longer distance, which displays robust linear regression relationship against above-mentioned dynamic and thermodynamic structures. The improved MJO propagation in CMIP6 largely benefits from better representation of pre-moistening processes that is primarily contributed by improved PBL moisture convergence. In addition, the convergence of moisture and meridional advection of moisture prior to the MJO convection are enhanced in CMIP6, while the zonal advection of moisture is as weak as that in CMIP5. The increased convergence of moisture is a result of enhanced lower-tropospheric moisture and divergence, and the enhanced meridional advection of moisture can be caused by sharpened meridional gradient of mean low-tropospheric moisture in the western Pacific. Further examinations on lower-tropospheric moisture budget reveals that the enhanced zonal asymmetry of the moisture tendency in CMIP6 is driven by the drying process to the west of the MJO convection, which is accredited to the negative vertical and zonal advections of moisture.

Rotating Shallow-Water Models with Moist Convection

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vladimir Zeitlin
Keyword(s):  
Baroclinic Instability ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Moist Convection ◽  
Mathematical Properties ◽  
Vertical Fluxes ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Shallow Water Models ◽  
Wave Emission ◽  
Rotating Shallow Water ◽  
Convective Fluxes

It is shown how the standard RSW can be ’augmented’ to include phase transitions of water. This chapter explains how to incorporate extra (convective) vertical fluxes in the model. By using Lagrangian conservation of equivalent potential temperature condensation of the water vapour, which is otherwise a passive tracer, is included in the model and linked to convective fluxes. Simple relaxational parameterisation of condensation permits the closure of the system, and surface evaporation can be easily included. Physical and mathematical properties of thus obtained model are explained, and illustrated on the example of wave scattering on the moisture front. The model is applied to ’moist’ baroclinic instability of jets and vortices. Condensation is shown to produce a transient increase of the growth rate. Special attention is paid to the moist instabilities of hurricane-like vortices, which are shown to enhance intensification of the hurricane, increase gravity wave emission, and generate convection-coupled waves.

What are the Best Thermodynamic Quantity and Function to Define a Front in Gridded Model Output?

2019 ◽  
Vol 100 (5) ◽  
pp. 873-895 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl M. Thomas ◽  
David M. Schultz
Keyword(s):  
Real Time ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Thermodynamic Quantity ◽  
Kinematics And Dynamics ◽  
Horizontal Gradient ◽  
Model Output ◽  
Equivalent Potential Temperature ◽  
Thermal Front ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Definition Of

AbstractFronts can be computed from gridded datasets such as numerical model output and reanalyses, resulting in automated surface frontal charts and climatologies. Defining automated fronts requires quantities (e.g., potential temperature, equivalent potential temperature, wind shifts) and kinematic functions (e.g., gradient, thermal front parameter, and frontogenesis). Which are the most appropriate to use in different applications remains an open question. This question is investigated using two quantities (potential temperature and equivalent potential temperature) and three functions (magnitude of the horizontal gradient, thermal front parameter, and frontogenesis) from both the context of real-time surface analysis and climatologies from 38 years of reanalyses. The strengths of potential temperature to identify fronts are that it represents the thermal gradients and its direct association with the kinematics and dynamics of fronts. Although climatologies using potential temperature show features associated with extratropical cyclones in the storm tracks, climatologies using equivalent potential temperature include moisture gradients within air masses, most notably at low latitudes that are unrelated to the traditional definition of a front, but may be representative of a broader definition of an airmass boundary. These results help to explain previously published frontal climatologies featuring maxima of fronts in the subtropics and tropics. The best function depends upon the purpose of the analysis, but Petterssen frontogenesis is attractive, both for real-time analysis and long-term climatologies, in part because of its link to the kinematics and dynamics of fronts. Finally, this study challenges the conventional definition of a front as an airmass boundary and suggests that a new, dynamically based definition would be useful for some applications.

scholarly journals Radar Kinematic Information as a Surrogate for Isentropes in Stratiform Precipitation Systems

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (9) ◽  
pp. 3763-3774 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bart Geerts ◽  
Jordan I. Christian
Keyword(s):  
Wind Shear ◽  
Doppler Radar ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Vertical Gradient ◽  
Horizontal Wind ◽  
Model Output ◽  
Vertical Resolution ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Stratiform Precipitation ◽  
Kinematic Information

Abstract This study illustrates that dual-Doppler-derived wind shear (vertical gradient of the horizontal wind) in stratiform, nonturbulent flow is structured in long, thin striations. The reason this has not been documented before is that scanning ground-based radars have inadequate vertical resolution, deteriorating with range. Here data from an airborne radar with a fine, range-independent vertical resolution are used. A comparison of the radar-derived wind shear with model output of isentropes in vertical transects in the comma head of two frontal disturbances suggests that the wind shear layers describe material surfaces. Model output itself further confirms the alignment of isentropes with wind shear in vertical transects. Thus, Doppler-radar-derived wind shear (a kinematic conserved variable) may serve as a suitable proxy for thermodynamic conserved variables such as equivalent potential temperature in stratiform precipitation. Furthermore, the presence of shear striations in vertical transects can be used as a marker for nonturbulent flow, and their persistence as an indicator of limited dispersion in such flow.

Surface Characteristics of Observed Cold Pools

2008 ◽  
Vol 136 (12) ◽  
pp. 4839-4849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. Engerer ◽  
David J. Stensrud ◽  
Michael C. Coniglio
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Surface Characteristics ◽  
Life Cycle Stage ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Cold Pools ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Life Cycle Stages ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Cold pools are a key element in the organization of precipitating convective systems, yet knowledge of their typical surface characteristics is largely anecdotal. To help to alleviate this situation, cold pools from 39 mesoscale convective system (MCS) events are sampled using Oklahoma Mesonet surface observations. In total, 1389 time series of surface observations are used to determine typical rises in surface pressure and decreases in temperature, potential temperature, and equivalent potential temperature associated with the cold pool, and the maximum wind speeds in the cold pool. The data are separated into one of four convective system life cycle stages: first storms, MCS initiation, mature MCS, and MCS dissipation. Results indicate that the mean surface pressure rises associated with cold pools increase from 3.2 hPa for the first storms’ life cycle stage to 4.5 hPa for the mature MCS stage before dropping to 3.3 hPa for the dissipation stage. In contrast, the mean temperature (potential temperature) deficits associated with cold pools decrease from 9.5 (9.8) to 5.4 K (5.6 K) from the first storms to the dissipation stage, with a decrease of approximately 1 K associated with each advance in the life cycle stage. However, the daytime and early evening observations show mean temperature deficits over 11 K. A comparison of these observed cold pool characteristics with results from idealized numerical simulations of MCSs suggests that observed cold pools likely are stronger than those found in model simulations, particularly when ice processes are neglected in the microphysics parameterization. The mean deficits in equivalent potential temperature also decrease with the MCS life cycle stage, starting at 21.6 K for first storms and dropping to 13.9 K for dissipation. Mean wind gusts are above 15 m s−1 for all life cycle stages. These results should help numerical modelers to determine whether the cold pools in high-resolution models are in reasonable agreement with the observed characteristics found herein. Thunderstorm simulations and forecasts with thin model layers near the surface are also needed to obtain better representations of cold pool surface characteristics that can be compared with observations.

scholarly journals MSE Minus CAPE is the True Conserved Variable for an Adiabatically Lifted Parcel

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (9) ◽  
pp. 3639-3646 ◽  
Author(s):  
David M. Romps
Keyword(s):  
Potential Energy ◽  
Thermodynamic Equilibrium ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Equivalent Potential Temperature ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Neutral Buoyancy ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Nonhydrostatic Pressure ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract For an adiabatic parcel convecting up or down through the atmosphere, it is often assumed that its moist static energy (MSE) is conserved. Here, it is shown that the true conserved variable for this process is MSE minus convective available potential energy (CAPE) calculated as the integral of buoyancy from the parcel’s height to its level of neutral buoyancy and that this variable is conserved even when accounting for full moist thermodynamics and nonhydrostatic pressure forces. In the calculation of a dry convecting parcel, conservation of MSE minus CAPE gives the same answer as conservation of entropy and potential temperature, while the use of MSE alone can generate large errors. For a moist parcel, entropy and equivalent potential temperature give the same answer as MSE minus CAPE only if the parcel ascends in thermodynamic equilibrium. If the parcel ascends with a nonisothermal mixed-phase stage, these methods can give significantly different answers for the parcel buoyancy because MSE minus CAPE is conserved, while entropy and equivalent potential temperature are not.

scholarly journals Thermodynamic Analysis of Supercell Rear-Flank Downdrafts from Project ANSWERS

2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (1) ◽  
pp. 240-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew L. Grzych ◽  
Bruce D. Lee ◽  
Catherine A. Finley
Keyword(s):  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Surface Wind ◽  
Thermodynamic Characteristics ◽  
General Concept ◽  
Equivalent Potential Temperature ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Project Analysis ◽  
Equivalent Potential ◽  
Virtual Potential Temperature ◽  
Convective Inhibition

Abstract Data collected during Project Analysis of the Near-Surface Wind and Environment along the Rear-flank of Supercells (ANSWERS) provided an opportunity to test recently published associations between rear-flank downdraft (RFD) thermodynamic characteristics and supercell tornadic activity on a set of 10 events from the northern plains. On average, RFDs associated with tornadic supercells had surface equivalent potential temperature and virtual potential temperature values only slightly lower than storm inflow values. RFDs associated with nontornadic supercells had mean group equivalent potential temperature and virtual potential temperature values that were colder relative to storm inflow values than their respective tornadic counterparts. Additionally, the analysis revealed that RFDs associated with tornadic supercells had higher CAPE and lower convective inhibition than the RFDs of nontornadic supercells, on average. The results of this study provide further support for the general concept that a thermodynamic delineation generally exists between the RFDs of tornadic and nontornadic supercells.

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