Transition from Fog to Stratus over the Northwest Pacific Ocean: Large-eddy Simulation

Over the midlatitude northwest Pacific Ocean, summer fog frequents the Kuroshio-Oyashio front as a result of the warm advection by the prevailing southerly to southwesterly winds, and stratus clouds are prevalent downstream of the fog regime in the subpolar northwest Pacific. The present study tracks a boundary-layer air column along a typical northeastward trajectory along which fog on the sea surface temperature (SST) front makes its transition to stratus clouds. A turbulence-closure large-eddy simulation model can capture the evolution of the air column forced by the time-varying SST along the trajectory. Results show that the surface cooling effects across the SST front and the longwave radiative cooling (LRC) at the cloud top dominate the evolution of the boundary layer and the related turbulent processes. The sharp SST decrease across the SST front cools the surface layer, leading to condensation through shear-induced turbulence. Once the fog forms, the LRC at the fog top cools the boundary layer strongly through thermal turbulent mixing. The buoyancy-induced turbulence near the fog top entrains the warm and dry air from the free atmosphere into the boundary layer, reducing surface humidity and ultimately lifting the cloud base away from the sea surface to form stratus clouds. Sensitivity simulations also suggest that neither the latent heat flux from ocean nor and the diurnal solar variation is essential for the summer fog-to-stratus transition over the northwestern Pacific.

Atmospheric response to Gulf Stream front shifting:impact of horizontal resolution in an ensemble of global climate models

<p>Western boundary currents transport a large amount of heat from the Tropics toward higher latitudes; furthermore they are characterized by a strong sea surface temperature (SST) gradient. For such reasons they have been shown to be fundamental in influencing the climate of the Northern Hemisphere and its variability, and a  potentially relevant source of atmospheric predictability. General circulation models show deficiencies in simulating the observed atmospheric response to SST front variability. The atmospheric horizontal resolution has been recently proposed as a key element in understanding such differences. However, a multi-model analysis to systematically investigate differences between low-resolution and high-resolution atmospheric response to oceanic forcing is still lacking. The present work has the objective to fill this gap, analysing the atmospheric response to Gulf Stream SST front (GSF) shifting using data from recent High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP). Ensembles of historical simulations performed with three atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) have been analysed, each conducted with a low-resolution (LR, about 1°) and a high-resolution (HR, about 0.25°) configuration. AGCMs have been forced with observed SSTs (HadISST2 dataset), available at daily frequency on a 0.25° grid, during 1950–2014. Results show atmospheric responses to the SST-induced diabatic heating anomalies that are strongly resolution dependent. In LR simulations a low-pressure anomaly is present downstream of the SST anomaly, while the diabatic heating anomaly is mainly balanced by meridional advection of air coming from higher latitudes, as expected for an extra-tropical shallow heat source. In contrast, HR simulations generate a high-pressure anomaly downstream of the SST anomaly, thus driving positive temperature advection from lower latitudes (not balancing diabatic heating). Along the vertical direction, both in LR and HR simulation, the diabatic heating in the interior of the atmosphere is balanced by upward motion south of GS SST front and downward motion north and further south of the Gulf Stream. Finally, LR simulations show a reduction in storm-track activity over the North Atlantic, whereas HR simulations show a meridional displacement of the storm-track considerably larger (yet in the same direction) than that of the SST front. HR simulations reproduce the atmospheric response obtained from observations, albeit weaker. This is a hint for the existence of a positive feedback between ocean and atmosphere, as proposed in previous studies. These findings are qualitatively consistent with previous results in literature and, leveraging on recent coordinated modelling efforts, shed light on the effective role of atmospheric horizontal resolution in modelling the atmospheric response to extra-tropical oceanic forcing.</p>

The Effect of Sea Surface Temperature Fronts on Atmospheric Frontogenesis

It is thought that the sensible heat fluxes associated with sea surface temperature (SST) fronts can affect the genesis and evolution of atmospheric fronts. An analytic model is developed and used to explore this idea. The model predictions are compared with climatologies of atmospheric fronts over the North Atlantic Ocean identified in reanalyses. The climatologies are divided into times when fronts are detected at a point and times when they are not, and compared with model results with and without fronts in their initial conditions.In airstreams with fronts, both the climatologies and model show that adiabatic frontogenesis is much more important than diabatic frontogenesis. They also show that there is weak diabatic frontogenesis associated with differential sensible heating over the SST front and frontolysis either side of it. Because of the upstream and downstream frontolysis, the SST front has relatively little net effect on atmospheric fronts in the model. This result holds true as the width and strength of the SST front changes.In airstreams initially without fronts, a combination of adiabatic and diabatic frontogenesis is important for the local genesis of atmospheric fronts over the SST front. The model shows sustained frontogenesis only when the deformation is sufficiently strong or when the translation speed is low, as advection otherwise weakens the potential temperature gradient. This strong localized diabatic frontogenesis, which is amplified by adiabatic frontogenesis, can result in a front, which is consistent with atmospheric fronts in the region being most frequently located along the SST front.

Atmospheric response to Gulf Stream SST front shifting: impact of horizontal resolution in an ensemble of global climate models

<p>Western boundary currents transport a large amount of heat from the Tropics toward higher latitudes; furthermore they are characterized by a strong sea surface temperature (SST) gradient, which anchors zones of intense upward motion extending up to the upper-troposphere and shapes zones of intense baroclinic eddy activity (storm tracks). For such reasons they have been shown to be fundamental in influencing the climate of the Northern Hemisphere and its variability, and a potentially relevant source of atmospheric predictability. </p><p> </p><p>General circulation models show deficiencies in simulating the observed atmospheric response to SST front variability. The atmospheric horizontal resolution has been recently proposed as a key element in understanding such differences. However, the number of studies on this subject is still limited. Furthermore, a multi-model analysis to systematically investigate differences between low-resolution and high-resolution atmospheric response to oceanic forcing is still lacking. </p><p> </p><p>The present work has the objective to fill this gap, analysing the atmospheric response to Gulf Stream SST front shifting using data from recent High Resolution Model Intercomparison Project (HighResMIP). This project was designed with the specific objective of investigating the impact of increased model horizontal resolution on the representation of the observed climate. Ensembles of historical simulations performed with three atmospheric general circulation models (AGCMs) have been analysed, each conducted with a low-resolution (LR, about 1°) and a high-resolution (HR, about 0.25°) configuration. AGCMs have been forced with observed SSTs (HadISST2 dataset), available at daily frequency on a 0.25° grid, during 1950–2014. </p><p><br>Results show atmospheric responses to the SST-induced diabatic heating anomalies that are strongly resolution dependent. In LR simulations a low-pressure anomaly is present downstream of the SST anomaly, while the diabatic heating anomaly is mainly balanced by meridional advection of air coming from higher latitudes, as expected for an extra-tropical shallow heat source. In contrast, HR simulations generate a high-pressure anomaly downstream of the SST anomaly, thus driving positive temperature advection from lower latitudes (not balancing diabatic heating). Along the vertical direction, both in LR and HR simulation, the diabatic heating in the interior of the atmosphere is balanced by upward motion south of GS SST front and downward motion north and further south of the Gulf Stream. Finally, LR simulations show a reduction in storm-track activity over the North Atlantic, whereas HR simulations show a meridional displacement of the storm-track considerably larger (yet in the same direction) than that of the SST front. HR simulations reproduce the atmospheric response obtained from observations, albeit weaker. This is a hint for the existence of a positive feedback between ocean and atmosphere, as proposed in previous studies. These findings are qualitatively consistent with previous results in literature and, leveraging on recent coordinated modelling efforts, shed light on the effective role of atmospheric horizontal resolution in modelling the atmospheric response to extra-tropical oceanic forcing.</p>

Different cyclone characteristics along the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio SST front regions

<p>The Northwest Atlantic and the Northwest Pacific are regions of strong temperature gradients and hence favourable locations for wintertime cyclone intensification co‐located with the storm tracks. Although the Gulf Stream and the Kuroshio Extension are both western boundary currents with similar characteristics, the SST gradient is markedly stronger across the Gulf Stream. Further, upper-level flow is stronger and more zonal over the Kuroshio Extension. To estimate the relative contribution of the SST front to the evolution of cyclones and to identify the mechanisms for cyclone intensification in the two regions, we track individual cyclones and categorise them depending on their propagation relative to the SST front. We focus on cyclones staying either on the cold (C1) or warm (C2) side of the SST front, and on cyclones that cross the SST front from the warm to the cold side (C3).  Comparing these categories, we find that low-level baroclinicity, particularly arising from the land–sea contrast, drives the higher intensification of cyclones in C1 and C3 in the Gulf Stream region, with the propagation of those cyclones near the left exit region of the North Atlantic jet contributing to the higher intensification and precipitation. In the Kuroshio region on the other hand, the land–sea contrast plays a less prominent role for the low‐level baroclinicity. Cyclones remaining on the warm side of the Kuroshio SST front (C2), as well as those crossing the SST front from the warm to the cold side (C3) are characterized by higher intensification, associated with a stronger upper-level jet in the Pacific. Comparing the different cyclone categories, there is no direct effect of the SST front on cyclone intensification in both regions. However, the SST front contributes to the climatological low‐level baroclinicity, providing a conducive environment for cyclone intensification for the cyclones crossing the SST front.</p>

Response of Extratropical Cyclones when Crossing a Sea Surface Temperature Front

<p>Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) can influence the development of extratropical cyclones by providing latent and sensible heat through surface fluxes as well as by modifying the environmental low-level baroclinicity. As surface fluxes as well as low-level baroclinicity maximize along the prominent SST fronts associated with the Gulf Stream and Kuroshio, the influence of these mechanisms on cyclone development is anticipated to be strongest along SST fronts. To map the sensitivity to the structure and position of SST fronts during the development of extratropical cyclones, we examine the response of cyclones when they cross an SST front at different directions and speeds. The results are based on idealized numerical simulations with the WRF model, where we prescribe moving SST fronts and a baroclinically unstable environment with an incipient cyclone. Cyclones moving towards the warmer side of the SST front deepen faster and have a faster crossing speed. The diabatic production of eddy available potential energy through latent heating, mainly associated with convection, plays a dominant role in the deepening. Cyclones that move to the colder side of the SST front weaken due to a reduction of available moisture for diabatic processes. However, before these cyclones weaken, they experience a brief period of faster deepening attributable to the enhanced environmental low-level baroclinicity associated with the SST gradient.</p>

SST Warming in Recent Decades in the Gulf Stream Extension Region and Its Impact on Atmospheric Rivers

The sea surface temperature (SST) front in the Gulf Stream (GS) extension region is important to synoptic variations in atmosphere. In winter, large amounts of heat and moisture are released from the SST front, modulating the baroclinicity and humidity of the atmosphere, which is important for extratropical cyclones and atmospheric rivers (ARs). In this study, the variation of SST in the North Atlantic in winters since 1981 is investigated using satellite and reanalysis datasets, and a 23-year (1997 to 2019) warming trend of SST in the GS extension region is detected. The increase of SST is mainly distributed along the SST front, with more than 2 °C warming and a northward shift of the SST gradient from 1997 to 2019. Connected with the SST warming, significant increases in turbulent heat flux and moisture release into the atmosphere were found along the ocean front. As a result, baroclinic instability, upward water vapor flux and AR occurrence frequency increased in recent decades. Meanwhile, there was an increase in extreme rainfall along with the increase in AR landfalling on continental Western Europe (especially in the Iberian Peninsula and on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea).