Feimin Zhang, Kaixuan Bi, Sentao Wei, Chenghai Wang
{"title":"The Response of Precipitation to Initial Soil Moisture over the Tibetan Plateau: Respective Effects of Boundary Layer Vertical Heat and Vapor Diffusions","authors":"Feimin Zhang, Kaixuan Bi, Sentao Wei, Chenghai Wang","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-23-0025.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-23-0025.1","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000This study investigates the influences of initial soil moisture over the Tibetan Plateau (TP) on precipitation simulation, and the respective effects of boundary layer vertical diffusion for heat (Kh) and vapor (Kq). Results indicate that the responses of boundary layer vertical diffusion to soil moisture are obvious mainly in the daytime. Wetter land surface corresponds to weaker vertical diffusion, which could strengthen thermal forcing and dynamic lifting in the lower atmosphere, and encourage water vapor saturation near the top of boundary layer to prevent the environmental dry air entrainment/invasion, these would be beneficial to more convection and precipitation. Wetter land surface over the TP could enhance the contrast between the cold in the northwestern TP and the warm in the southeastern TP, which would be conducive to the southeastward propagation of precipitation.\u0000The simulation of heat and moisture in the boundary layer could be improved by perturbing the relative intensity of Kh and Kq. From the perspective of heat and moisture, Kh affects atmospheric stability, while Kq affects moisture and its vertical transport in the boundary layer. The Kh and Kq have competitive effects on precipitation intensity by influencing relative importance of moisture and atmospheric stability conditions in the boundary layer. Adjusting the relative intensity of Kh and Kq would deactivate the competitive effects. Stronger Kh but weaker Kq would alleviate the overestimated precipitation by inhibiting vertical transport of moisture to the top of boundary layer and attenuating convective instability in the boundary layer.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-03","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139389295","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Evaluation of Parametric Tropical Cyclone Surface Winds over the Eastern Australian Region","authors":"Julian O’Grady, Hamish Ramsay, Kathy McInnes, Rebecca Gregory","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-23-0063.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-23-0063.1","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Hazard studies based on thousands of synthetic tropical cyclone (TC) events require a validated model representation of the surface wind field. Here, we assess three different TC parametric vortex models with input from four along-track parameter studies of the TC size and shape, based on statistical formulation of the relationships to observed TC intensity, geographic location, and forward transition speed. The 12 model combinations are compared to in situ 10-min observed surface mean wind speeds for 10 TCs that made landfall over Queensland, Australia, which occurred over the period 2006–17. Empirical wind reduction factors to reduce gradient winds to the surface are recalculated for the more recent TCs at both offshore (ocean, small islands, reefs, and moorings) and onshore (land) locations. To improve the wind comparisons over ocean and land, a secondary reduction factor was developed based on an inland decay function. Pearson correlations for the unadjusted modeled peak wind speed from 118 instances of a TC passing a weather station sit between a range of 0.57 and 0.65 for the 12 model combinations. Using the secondary reduction factor based on the inland decay function increases the range of correlation to 0.74–0.81. Based on the assessment of the instances of peak surface wind speed correlations, bias, and root-mean-square error, along with the correlation 48 h around the peak, the top-ranked performing model combination for the region was an along-track parameter study with a double-vortex model, both previously tested for the South Pacific basin.\u0000\u0000\u0000When assessing tropical cyclone hazards, users are presented with several simplified parametric models to describe the surface wind field of tropical cyclones. These parametric models are used routinely for risk assessment of cyclonic winds, as well as for input to surge and wave models used in coastal hazard assessments. Differences between the models include the formulation of the parametric cyclone model, the way winds above the boundary layer are specified at the surface and along-track parameters that describe the cyclones’ size and shape. Of the 12 model combinations investigated in this study, the top-ranked performing model combination for the region was an along-track parameter equation with a double-vortex model, which were both tested previously for the South Pacific basin. Analysis is performed to show unadjusted modeled winds overestimate observed 10-min surface winds over the ocean by around 13% (median) and over land by around 73.9% (median), which is resolved in this study with a secondary empirical wind reduction factor. These findings will support future modeling of tropical cyclone winds for multiple applications, including regional risk assessment and coastal hazard studies.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2024-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139394955","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Diagnosing flavors of tropospheric Rossby wave breaking and their associated dynamical and sensible weather features","authors":"Grant LaChat, K. Bowley, Melissa Gervais","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-23-0153.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-23-0153.1","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000Rossby wave breaking (RWB) can be manifested by the irreversible overturning of isentropes on constant potential vorticity (PV) surfaces. Traditionally, the type of breaking is categorized as anticyclonic (AWB) or cyclonic (CWB) and can be identified using the orientation of streamers of high potential temperature (θ) and low θ air on a PV surface. However, an examination of the differences in RWB structure and their associated tropospheric impacts within these types remains unexplored. In this study, AWB and CWB are identified from overturning isentropes on the dynamic tropopause (DT), defined as the 2 potential vorticity unit (PVU) surface, in the ERA5 reanalysis dataset during December, January, and February 1979–2019. Self-organizing maps (SOM), a machine learning method, is used to cluster the identified RWB events into archetypal patterns, or “flavors”, for each type. AWB and CWB flavors capture variations in the θ minima/maxima of each streamer and the localized meridional θ gradient (∇θ) flanking the streamers. Variations in the magnitude and position of ∇θ between flavors correspond to a diversity of jet structures leading to differences in vertical motion patterns and troposphere-deep circulations. A subset of flavors of AWB (CWB) events are associated with the development of strong surface high (low) pressure systems and the generation of extreme poleward moisture transport. For CWB, many events occurred in similar geographical regions, but the precipitation and moisture patterns were vastly different between flavors. Our findings suggest that the location, type, and severity of the tropospheric impacts from RWB are strongly dictated by RWB flavor.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-19","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138960588","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Udai Shimada, P. Reasor, Robert F. Rogers, Michael S. Fischer, Frank D. Marks, Jonathan A. Zawislak, Jun A. Zhang
{"title":"Shear-Relative Asymmetric Kinematic Characteristics of Intensifying Hurricanes as Observed by Airborne Doppler Radar","authors":"Udai Shimada, P. Reasor, Robert F. Rogers, Michael S. Fischer, Frank D. Marks, Jonathan A. Zawislak, Jun A. Zhang","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-22-0340.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-22-0340.1","url":null,"abstract":"While recent observational studies of intensifying (IN) versus steady-state (SS) hurricanes have noted several differences in their axisymmetric and asymmetric structures, there remain gaps in the characterization of these differences in a fully three-dimensional framework. To address these limitations, this study investigates differences in the shear-relative asymmetric structure between IN and SS hurricanes using airborne Doppler radar data from a dataset covering an extended period of time. Statistics from individual cases show that IN cases are characterized by peak wavenumber-1 ascent concentrated in the upshear-left (USL) quadrant at ~12-km height, consistent with previous studies. Moderate updrafts (2–6 m s−1) occur more frequently in the downshear eyewall for IN cases than for SS cases, likely leading to a higher frequency of moderate to strong updrafts USL above 9-km height. Composites of IN cases show that low-level outflow from the eye region associated with maximum wavenumber-1 vorticity inside the radius of maximum wind (RMW) in the downshear-left quadrant converges with low-level inflow outside the RMW, forming a stronger local secondary circulation in the downshear eyewall than SS cases. The vigorous eyewall convection of IN cases produces a net vertical mass flux increasing with height up to ~5-km and then is almost constant up to 10 km, whereas the net vertical mass flux of SS cases decreases with height above 4 km. Strong USL upper-level ascent provides greater potential for the vertical development of the hurricane vortex, which is argued to be favorable for continued intensification in shear environments.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139175996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Monika Feldmann, Richard Rotunno, Urs Germann, Alexis Berne
{"title":"Supercell thunderstorms in complex topography - how mountain valleys with lakes can increase occurrence frequency","authors":"Monika Feldmann, Richard Rotunno, Urs Germann, Alexis Berne","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-22-0350.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-22-0350.1","url":null,"abstract":"\u0000This study investigates the effects of lakes in mountainous terrain on the evolution of supercell thunderstorms. With a newly developed radar-based, mesocyclone-detection algorithm, a recent study has characterized the occurrence and evolution of supercell thunderstorms in the Swiss Alpine region. That study highlights the influence of orography on both storm intensity and occurrence frequency. To disentangle the different influential factors, an idealized modeling framework is established here using the mesoscale model CM1. The modeling scenarios are based on a high-CAPE environment with unidirectional shear, where a warm bubble serves to initiate the convection. Mimicking the environment of the southern Prealps in central Europe, scenarios with a high mountain ridge, valleys and lakes are explored. The effect on the supercells of the slopes, high-altitude terrain and moisture sources emphasizes the highly localized nature of terrain effects, leading to a heterogeneous intensity lifecycle with transitory enhancement and weakening of the supercell. The dynamic and thermodynamic impact of mountain valleys with lakes increases the range of atmospheric conditions that supports supercellular development through horizontal vorticity production, increased storm relative helicity and higher moisture content. This influence results in a systematic location dependence of the frequency, intensity and lifetime of supercells, as also found in observations.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-12-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"138588608","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
I-Han Chen, Judith Berner, Christian Keil, Ying-Hwa Kuo, George C. Craig
{"title":"Classification of Warm-Season Precipitation in High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) model forecasts over the Contiguous United States","authors":"I-Han Chen, Judith Berner, Christian Keil, Ying-Hwa Kuo, George C. Craig","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-23-0108.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-23-0108.1","url":null,"abstract":"This study uses the convective adjustment time scale to identify the climatological frequency of equilibrium and non-equilibrium convection in different parts of the Contiguous United States (CONUS) as modeled by the operational convection-allowing High-Resolution Rapid Refresh (HRRR) forecast system. We find a qualitatively different climatology in the northern and southern domains separated by the 40°N parallel. The convective adjustment time scale picks up the fact that convection over the northern domains is governed by synoptic flow (leading to equilibrium) while locally forced, non-equilibrium convection dominates over the southern domains. Using a machine learning algorithm, we demonstrate that the convective adjustment timescale diagnostic provides a sensible classification that agrees with the underlying dynamics of equilibrium and non-equilibrium convection. Furthermore, the convective adjustment time scale can indicate the model quantitative precipitation forecast (QPF) quality, as it correctly reflects the higher QPF skill for precipitation under strong synoptic forcing. This diagnostic based on the strength of forcing for convection will be employed in future studies across different parts of CONUS to objectively distinguish different weather situations and explore the potential connection to warm-season precipitation predictability.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139251528","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nicolas Bruneau, T. Loridan, Nic Hannah, Eugene Dubossarsky, Mathis Joffrain, John Knaff
{"title":"Modelling Variability in Tropical Cyclone Maximum Wind Location and Intensity using InCyc: A Global Database of High-Resolution Tropical Cyclone Simulations","authors":"Nicolas Bruneau, T. Loridan, Nic Hannah, Eugene Dubossarsky, Mathis Joffrain, John Knaff","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-22-0317.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-22-0317.1","url":null,"abstract":"While Tropical Cyclone (TC) risk is a global concern, high regional differences exist in the quality of available data. This paper introduces InCyc, a globally consistent database of high-resolution full-physics simulations of historical cyclones. InCyc is designed to facilitate analysis of TC wind risk across basins and is made available to research institutions. We illustrate the value of this database with a case study focused on key wind risk parameters, namely the location and intensity of peak winds for the North Atlantic and western North Pacific basins. A novel approach based on random forest algorithms is introduced to predict the full distribution of these TC wind risk parameters. Based on a leave-one-storm-out evaluation, the analysis of the predictions shows how this innovative approach compares to other parametric models commonly used for wind risk assessment. We finally discuss why capturing the full distribution of variability is crucial as well as the broader use in the context of TC risk assessment systems (i.e. “catastrophe models”).","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139270216","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Derek R. Stratman, N. Yussouf, Christopher A. Kerr, B. Matilla, John R. Lawson, Yaping Wang
{"title":"Testing stochastic and perturbed parameter methods in an experimental 1-km Warn-on-Forecast system using NSSL’s phased-array radar observations","authors":"Derek R. Stratman, N. Yussouf, Christopher A. Kerr, B. Matilla, John R. Lawson, Yaping Wang","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-23-0095.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-23-0095.1","url":null,"abstract":"The success of the National Severe Storms Laboratory’s (NSSL) experimental Warn-on-Forecast System (WoFS) to provide useful probabilistic guidance of severe and hazardous weather is mostly due to the frequent assimilation of observations, especially radar observations. Phased-array radar (PAR) technology, which is a potential candidate to replace the current U.S. operational radar network, would allow for even more rapid assimilation of radar observations by providing full-volumetric scans of the atmosphere every ~1 min. Based on previous studies, more frequent PAR data assimilation can lead to improved forecasts, but it can also lead to ensemble underdispersion and suboptimal observation assimilation. The use of stochastic and perturbed parameter methods to increase ensemble spread is a potential solution to this problem. In this study, four stochastic and perturbed parameter methods are assessed using a 1-km-scale version of the WoFS and include the stochastic kinetic energy backscatter (SKEB) scheme, the physically-based stochastic perturbation (PSP) scheme, a fixed perturbed parameters (FPP) method, and a novel surface-model scheme blending (SMSB) method. Using NSSL PAR observations from the 9 May 2016 tornado outbreak, experiments are conducted to assess the impact of the methods individually, in different combinations, and with different cycling intervals. The results from these experiments reveal the potential benefits of stochastic and perturbed parameter methods for future versions of the WoFS. Stochastic and perturbed parameter methods can lead to more skillful forecasts during periods of storm development. Moreover, a combination of multiple methods can result in more skillful forecasts than using a single method.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139268167","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
S. Greybush, T. Sikora, George S. Young, Quinlan Mulhern, Richard D. Clark, Michael L. Jurewicz
{"title":"Elevated Mixed Layers during Great Lake Lake-effect Events: An Investigation and Case Study from OWLeS","authors":"S. Greybush, T. Sikora, George S. Young, Quinlan Mulhern, Richard D. Clark, Michael L. Jurewicz","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-22-0344.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-22-0344.1","url":null,"abstract":"Data from rawinsondes launched during intensive observation periods (IOPs) of the Ontario Winter Lake-effect Systems (OWLeS) field project reveal that elevated mixed layers (EMLs) in the lower troposphere were relatively common near Lake Ontario during OWLeS lake-effect events. Conservatively, EMLs exist in 193 of the 290 OWLeS IOP soundings. The distribution of EML base pressure derived from the OWLeS IOP soundings reveals two classes of EML, one that has a relatively low-elevation base (900 – 750 hPa) and one that has a relatively high-elevation base (750 – 500 hPa). It is hypothesized that the former class of EML, which is the focus of this research, is, at times, the result of mesoscale processes related to individual Great Lakes. WRF reanalysis fields from a case study during the OWLeS field project provide evidence of two means by which low-elevation base EMLs can originate from the lake-effect boundary layer convection and associated mesoscale circulations. First, such EMLs can form within the upper-level outflow branches of mesoscale solenoidal circulations. Evacuated Great Lake-modified convective boundary layer air aloft then lies above ambient air of a greater static stability, forming EMLs. Second, such EMLs can form in the absence of a mesoscale solenoidal circulation when Great Lake-modified convective boundary layers overrun ambient air of a greater density. The reanalysis fields show that EMLs and layers of reduced static stability tied to Great Lake-modified convective boundary layers can extend downwind for hundreds of kilometers from their areas of formation. Operational implications and avenues for future research are discussed.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":3.2,"publicationDate":"2023-11-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139266618","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Including the horizontal observation error correlation in the ensemble Kalman filter: idealized experiments with NICAM-LETKF","authors":"Koji Terasaki, Takemasa Miyoshi","doi":"10.1175/mwr-d-23-0053.1","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1175/mwr-d-23-0053.1","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Densely-observed remote sensing data such as radars and satellites generally contain significant spatial error correlations. In data assimilation, the observation error covariance matrix is usually assumed to be diagonal, and the dense data are thinned or spatially averaged to compensate for neglecting the spatial observation error correlation. However, in theory, including the spatial observation error correlation in data assimilation can make better use of the dense data. This study performs perfect model observing system simulation experiments (OSSE) using the non-hydrostatic icosahedral atmospheric model (NICAM) and the local ensemble transform Kalman filter (LETKF) to assess the impact of assimilating horizontally dense and error-correlated observations. The condition number of the observation error covariance matrix, defined as the ratio of the largest to smallest eigenvalues, is important for the numerical stability of the LETKF computation. A large condition number makes it difficult to compute the ensemble transform matrix correctly. Reducing the condition number by reconditioning is found effective for stable computation. The results show that including the horizontal observation error correlation with reconditioning makes the analysis more accurate but requires six times more computations than the case with the diagonal observation error covariance matrix.","PeriodicalId":18824,"journal":{"name":"Monthly Weather Review","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"134901687","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"地球科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}