SIMULATED FINE STRUCTURES OF SPIRAL RAINBANDS IN TYPHOON CHANCHU (2006)

In this study, fine structures of spiral rainbands in super Typhoon Chanchu (2006) are examined using an Advanced Research Weather Research and Forecast (WRF-ARW) model simulation with the finest grid size of 2 km. Results show that the simulation reproduces well Typhoon Chanchu’s track, intensity and basic structures. According to their locations and features, spiral rainbands are classified into principal, secondary, inner and distant rainbands, and their dynamic and thermodynamic features are investigated. The principal rainbands remain quasi-stationary with respect to Chanchu’s center and exhibit a wavenumber-1 feature with their outer edges separated by dry air. The secondary rainbands that occur on the radially inward side of the principal rainbands move around Chanchu''s center. The inner rainbands are closest to the center. They propagate both radially outward and azimuthally with time. The distant rainbands are located outside the inner-core region, and have stronger and continuous updrafts compared to the other rainbands. Distant rainbands are inward-sloping with height along the radial direction and have a cold pool in the low layers, whereas the principal and secondary rainbands lean radially outward with height. The inner rainbands do not show tilting with height along the radial direction. However, there are few vertical tilting cells along the azimuthal orientation among the four types of rainbands. The simulated radar reflectivity cores in all rainbands are collocated with the maxima of updrafts and equivalent potential temperatures in the low layer, indicating the important roles of energy supply in the boundary layer in determining the development of the rainband convection.     

A Numerical Investigation of the Eyewall Evolution of a Tropical Cyclone

In this study, a high-resolution numerical simulation is conducted to investigate the eyewall evolution of Typhoon Imbudo (2003). The eyewall contraction, breakdown, and reformation are successfully simulated by the model. The eyewall accordantly shrinks throughout the whole troposphere prior to landfall, while it exhibits di erent variations after landfall in the lower and upper troposphere, respectively. It is found that the dry air advected into the storm inner core through a low-θe channel, the reduced surface latent heat transfer, and the increased in ows in the coastal region are associated with the eyewall contraction.Accompanied with the high-to-low wavenumber change in the vortex Rossby waves, the initial polygonal eyewall transforms to an elliptical one. Such a wavenumber change is likely associated with the change of interaction between the rainbands and the eyewall. The corresponding features of the time-averaged and vertical dynamic and thermodynamic structures are also examined during the storm passage. A tangential wind budget analysis indicates that a strong acceleration due to the contributions of both the eddy and the mean circulation is located in the lower layer in the eyewall during pre-landfall, and the mean circulation contribution to the change in the tendency of the azimuthally averaged tangential wind counteracts the eddy contribution.     

SATELLITE-BASED ANALYSIS ON THE CONCENTRIC EYEWALL REPLACEMENT CYCLES OF SUPER TYPHOON MUIFA (1109)

Multisatellite data is used to analyze the characteristics of three eyewall replacement cycles (ERCs) during the lifetime of Typhoon Muifa (1109). Spiral rainbands evolutions, concentric eyewall (CE) structure modes, CE durations, and intensity changes are discussed in detail. In addition, an ERC evolution model of Typhoon Muifa is given. There are four main findings. (1) The outer spiral rainband joins end to end to form the outer eyewall after it disconnects from the original (inner) eyewall. The inner eyewall weakens as the outer eyewall becomes axisymmetric and is intensified. The contraction of the outer eyewall causes the inner eyewall to dissipate rapidly. Finally, the ERC ends with an annular eyewall or spiral rainbands. (2) Although the CE duration times of Typhoon Muifa’s three ERCs covered a large range, the CE structures were all maintained for approximately 5 h from the formation of the axisymmetric outer eyewall to the end of the cycle. (3) There is no obvious precipitation reflectivity in the eye or moat region for the subsidence flow. The convection within the two eyewalls is organized as a radially outward slope with increasing height. (4) Typhoon intensity estimation results based on ADT may not explain the intensity variations associated with ERC correctly, while the typhoon’s warm core data retrieved from AMSU-A works well.     

Characteristics and Possible Formation Mechanisms of Severe Storms in the Outer Rainbands of Typhoon Mujigae(1522)

To better understand how severe storms form and evolve in the outer rainbands of typhoons, in this study, we investigate the evolutionary characteristics and possible formation mechanisms for severe storms in the rainbands of Typhoon Mujigae, which occurred during 2–5 October 2015, based on the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, conventional observations, and Doppler radar data. For the rainbands far from the inner core(eye and eyewall) of Mujigae(distance of approximately 70–800 km), wind speed first increased with the radius expanding from the inner core, and then decreased as the radius continued to expand. The Rankine Vortex Model was used to explore such variations in wind speed. The areas of strong stormy rainbands were mainly located in the northeast quadrant of Mujigae, and overlapped with the areas of high winds within approximately 300–550 km away from the inner core, where the strong winds were conducive to the development of strong storms. A severe convective cell in the rainbands developed into waterspout at approximately 500 km to the northeast of the inner core, when Mujigae was strengthening before it made landfall. Two severe convective cells in the rainbands developed into two tornadoes at approximately350 km to the northeast of the inner core after Mujigae made landfall. The radar echo bands enhanced to 60 d BZ when mesocyclones occurred in the rainbands and induced tornadoes. The radar echoes gradually weakened after the mesocyclones weakened. The tops of parent clouds of the mesocyclones elevated at first, and then suddenly dropped about 20 min before the tornadoes appeared. Thereby, the cloud top variation has the potential to be used as an early warning of tornado occurrence.     

Numerical simulation of the sudden rainstorm associated with the remnants of Typhoon Meranti (2010)

The Advanced Research Weather Forecasting (ARW) model was used to simulate the sudden heavy rainstorm associated with the remnants of Typhoon Meranti in September 2010. The results showed that the heavy rainfall was produced when the remnant clouds redeveloped suddenly, and the redevelopment was caused by rapid growth of micro/mesoscale convective systems (MCSs). As cold air intruded into the warm remnant clouds, the atmosphere became convectively unstable and frontogenesis happened due to strong wind shear between weak northerly flow and strong southwesterly flow in the lower levels. Under frontogenesis-forcing and warm-air advection stimulation in updrafts, vertical convection developed intensely inside the remnant clouds, with MCSs forming and maturing along the front. The genesis and development of MCSs was due to the great progress vertical vorticity made. The moist isentropic surface became slantwise as atmospheric baroclinity intensified when cold air intruded, which reduced the convective instability of the air.Meanwhile, vertical wind shear increased because the north cold air caused the wind direction to turn from south to north with height. In accordance with slantwise vorticity development (SVD), vertical vorticity would develop vigorously and contribute greatly to MCSs. Buoyancy, the pressure gradient, and the lifting of cold air were collectively the source of kinetic energy for rainfall. The low-level southwesterly jet from the western margin of the Western Pacific Subtropical High transported water and heat to remnant clouds. Energy bursts and continuous water vapor transportation played a major role in producing intense rainfall in a very short period of time.     

DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS OF ASYMMETRIC SPIRAL RAINBANDS AROUND THE LANDING OF TYPHOON HAITANG (2005)

By using WRF mesoscale model, this paper carries out a numerical simulation and diagnostic analysis of the structural characteristics of the asymmetric spiral rain bands around the landing of Typhoon Haitang during the period of July 19 to 20, 2005. The result indicated that the two rainbands associated with the precipitation centre was mainly located northeast of the typhoon centre. The movement and intensity of the southern rainband corresponded well with the 850-hPa positive vorticity band from 0200 to 1800 UTC July 19, 2005. Under the effect of cyclonic circulation, the positive vorticity band at 850 hPa connected with a southern rain band, leading to the intensification of rainfall in the southern centre of the precipitation. The southward rainband gradually moved toward and then merges with the northward one, strengthening the rainfall in the northern centre of the precipitation. Besides, the relationship between the heavy rainfall and the divergence field of vertical shear wind in the high altitude is analyzed. Finally, the relationship is revealed between the development of the vertical component of convective vorticity vector and the rainfall near the two centres of precipitation in the low altitude.     

Typhoon Winnie （1997） with a Very Large Eye： High Resolution Numerical Simulation

Typhoon Winnie (1997) was one of the hurricanes that had extremely large eyewall ever recorded with a diameter of eyewall reaching 370 km. Using the Penn State University/National Center for Atmospheric Research mesoscale model MM5 with 3-km grid horizontal spacing on the finest nested mesh, Winnie was successfully simulated in terms of track, intensity, eye and concentric eyewalls. The dynamic and thermal structures of concentric eyewalls were studied based on the model output. It was found that the concentric eyewalls and their surrounding wind fields were asymmetric in observation as well as in simulation. Winnie's outer eyewall was associated with a maximum wind ring, a warm moist ring, and a high vorticity ring. The inner eyewall was associated with a secondary maximum wind ring and a warm moist ring. Upward motion dominated the whole layer of inner eyewall and the area above 2-km altitude of the outer eyewall. Downward motion was found inside the eye and the moat. Radial inflow happened in the boundary layer of the outer eyewall and the moat, but radial outflow dominated the middle and upper levels of the outer eyewall.     

Diagnosis of the Secondary Circulation of Tropical Storm Bilis (2006) and the Effects of Convective Systems on Its Track

We diagnose characteristics of the quasi-balanced flow and secondary circulation（SC） of tropical storm Bilis（2006） using the potential vorticity（PV）-ω inversion method.We further analyze how secondary steering flows associated with mesoscale convective systems affected the track of tropical storm Bilis after it made landfall.The quasi-balanced asymmetric and axisymmetric circulation structures of tropical storm Bilis are represented well by the PV-w inversion.The magnitude of the nonlinear quasi-balanced vertical velocity is approximately 75%of the magnitude simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting（WRF） model.The SC of Bilis（2006） contained two strong regions of ascending motion,both of which were located in the southwest quadrant of the storm.The first（150-200 km southwest of the storm center） corresponded to the eyewall region,while the second（approximately 400 km southwest of the storm center） corresponded to latent heat release associated with strong precipitation in major spiral rainbands.The SC was very weak in the northeast quadrant（the upshear direction）.Dynamical processes related to the environmental vertical wind shear produced an SC that partially offset the destructive effects of the environmental vertical wind shear（by 20%-25%）.This SC consisted of upward motion in the southwest quadrant and subsidence in the northeast quadrant,with airflow oriented from southwest to northeast at high altitudes and from northeast to southwest at lower levels.The inverted secondary zonal and meridional steering flows associated with continuous asymmetric mesoscale convective systems were about-2.14 and-0.7 m s~（-1）,respectively.These steering flows contributed substantially to the zonal（66.15%） and meridional（33.98%） motion of the storm at 0000 UTC15 July 2006.The secondary steering flow had a significant influence on changing the track of Bilis from southward to northward.The direction of the large-scale meridional steering flow（3.02 m s~（-1）） was     

Diagnosis of the Secondary Circulation of Tropical Storm Bilis(2006) and the Effects of Convective Systems on Its Track

We diagnose characteristics of the quasi-balanced flow and secondary circulation(SC) of tropical storm Bilis(2006) using the potential vorticity(PV)-ω inversion method.We further analyze how secondary steering flows associated with mesoscale convective systems affected the track of tropical storm Bilis after it made landfall.The quasi-balanced asymmetric and axisymmetric circulation structures of tropical storm Bilis are represented well by the PV-w inversion.The magnitude of the nonlinear quasi-balanced vertical velocity is approximately 75%of the magnitude simulated using the Weather Research and Forecasting(WRF) model.The SC of Bilis(2006) contained two strong regions of ascending motion,both of which were located in the southwest quadrant of the storm.The first(150-200 km southwest of the storm center) corresponded to the eyewall region,while the second(approximately 400 km southwest of the storm center) corresponded to latent heat release associated with strong precipitation in major spiral rainbands.The SC was very weak in the northeast quadrant(the upshear direction).Dynamical processes related to the environmental vertical wind shear produced an SC that partially offset the destructive effects of the environmental vertical wind shear(by 20%-25%).This SC consisted of upward motion in the southwest quadrant and subsidence in the northeast quadrant,with airflow oriented from southwest to northeast at high altitudes and from northeast to southwest at lower levels.The inverted secondary zonal and meridional steering flows associated with continuous asymmetric mesoscale convective systems were about-2.14 and-0.7 m s~(-1),respectively.These steering flows contributed substantially to the zonal(66.15%) and meridional(33.98%) motion of the storm at 0000 UTC15 July 2006.The secondary steering flow had a significant influence on changing the track of Bilis from southward to northward.The direction of the large-scale meridional steering flow(3.02 m s~(-1)) was opposite to the actual meridional motion(-2.06 m s~(-1)).     

THE INFLUENCES OF OROGRAPHY UPON THE FLOW WITHIN EKMAN BOUNDARY LAYER UNDER THE APPROXIMATION OF GEOSTROPHIC MOMENTUM

In this paper, the influences of orography on the boundary layer flow with the approximation of geo strophic momentum are studied. The wind velocity at the lower boundary will not always be zero when the orography exists. So the structure of the boundary layer flow, as well as the vertical velocity at the top of the boundary layer, is affected. There are three factors affecting the vertical motion at the top of the boundary layer: lifting due to orography; divergence due to Ekman flow, and advection of the geostrophic momentum. These effects and the features of the flow within the boundary layer are discussed in detail.     

The Dynamical Characteristics and Wave Structure of Typhoon Rananim （2004）

Typhoon Rananim (2004) was one of the severest typhoons landfalling the Chinese mainland from 1996 to 2004. It brought serious damage and induced prodigious economical loss. Using a new generation of mesoscale model, named the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) modeling system, with 1.667 km grid horizontal spacing on the finest nested mesh, Rananim was successfully simulated in terms of track, intensity, eye, eyewall, and spiral rainbands. We compared the structures of Rananim to those of hurricanes in previous studies and observations to assess the validity of simulation. The three-dimensional (3D) dynamic and thermal structures of eye and eyewall were studied based on the simulated results. The focus was investigation of the characteristics of the vortex Rossby waves in the inner-core region. We found that the Rossby vortex waves propagate azimuthally upwind against the azimuthal mean tangential flow around the eyewall, and their period was longer than that of an air parcel moving within the azimuthal mean tangential flow. They also propagated outward against the boundary layer inflow of the azimuthal mean vortex. Futhermore, we studied the connection between the spiral potential vorticity (PV) bands and spiral rainbands, and found that the vortex Rossby waves played an important role in the formation process of spiral rainbands.     

Vertical structure and microphysical characteristics of Typhoon Kompasu (2010) at landfall

The vertical structure and microphysics of Typhoon Kompasu that caused a lot of damage associated with strong winds and heavy rainfall over the Seoul metropolitan area on 1～2 September 2010 were examined primarily from wind profiler measurements. Four different periods that represent a stratiform, outer rainband, inner rainband, and eyewall region during passage of Typhoon Kompasu from 1200 to 2300 UTC 1 September were selected based on bright band intensities and vertical profiles of radar reflectivities and Doppler velocities. The bright band signatures observed in all of these periods indicated that the structure of Kompasu was basically stratiform in a weakening phase. Maximum rainfall rates up to 50 mm hr^?1 at the surface and mean wind speeds greater than 30 m s^?1 in the 2–4 km layer were observed in the eyewall region. Unlike the other regions that showed nearly zero vertical air motions or weak downdrafts below a melting layer, a mean updraft of ～1 m s^?1 was analyzed only in the eyewall region, which suggests that the updrafts may have enhanced drop growth that led to increasing surface rainfall rates. For each region, the vertical mean characteristics of rainfall parameters retrieved from wind profiler spectra below the melting layer were also examined. The rain properties between the inner and outer rainband were similar although they were apart with a distance of more than 100 km (> 2 hrs in time). The averaged mass-weighted mean diameters within the rainbands were larger than those in the stratiform and eyewall regions. A weaker bright band in the eyewall region suggests the presence of a relatively larger number of rimed particles associated with the updrafts around the melting layer. A stronger bright band was present in the rainbands, which indicates more active aggregation right above the melting layer.     

台风云娜（2004）的高分辨率数值模拟研究:眼壁小尺度对流运动

通过对2004年云娜台风高分辨率模拟结果的分析,发现在环境垂直风切变不是单一方向情况下,中尺度涡旋只在对流层低层的眼壁区域形成.这些涡旋中有的伴随气旋环流是闭合的,有的则为非闭合;并且有的伴随着小尺度对流上升运动,而有的则没有.进一步分析发现当环境入流与涡旋的出流相遇产生辐合时,或者入流受涡旋本身阻挡产生辐合时,小尺度对流上升运动随即发生.中尺度涡旋伴随着对流上升活动在眼壁中沿气旋方向移动,表现出涡旋Rossby波特征,当移动至垂直风切变矢量下风向时对流加强,加强的上升气流通过拉伸涡管使得相麻的涡旋环流也加强,通常对流在移向垂直风切变矢量上风向时逐渐减弱.反观在眼壁区域的对流层中上层,没有明显的中尺度涡旋活动,强对流活动主要集中在眼壁东南侧,并且强上升运动也呈现小尺度特征.眼壁区域中速度大于1 m/s的上升运动仪占14%,大于2 m/s的则小于7%,但速度超过1 m/s的向上的质量通量约占整个上升运动的30%,表明尽管这些小尺度强对流运动所占空间比例较小,却在眼壁质量输送中起着重要作用.另外,这些强上升运动核表现出正的浮力特征,大值浮力分布与上升运动核位置一致的特征也进一步说明眼壁中大量的垂直质量通量输送与只占很小范围的小尺度上升运动有关.     

超强台风韦帕（0713）螺旋雨带中尺度结构双多普勒雷达研究

超强台风＂韦帕＂（Wipha）是2007年登陆中国大陆最强的台风,在浙江省造成了特大暴雨。利用宁波和舟山双多普勒天气雷达同步观测资料,对＂韦帕＂的两条螺旋雨带进行了双雷达三维风场反演;并综合利用组网雷达拼图数据等资料,对螺旋雨带的三维精细结构进行了分析。研究表明：（1）两条螺旋雨带的三维结构有很多相似之处。螺旋雨带内部低层有多个强回波区,水平速度大值区主要分布在强回波带上;强回波带的低层有较强的上升气流,最强上升气流超过4 m/s。在螺旋雨带中存在多个辐合辐散对、上升下沉气流对,这对于螺旋雨带的维持和进一步发展具有重要作用。在沿着台风中心的垂直剖面内,螺旋雨带内部的强回波区向雨带外侧倾斜。雨带外侧2 km高度以下的低层有较强的内流,最大值为5 m/s;雨带内侧有较强的外流,2 km高度以上均受外流控制;内流和外流在雨带中部低层汇合抬升。切向速度的强中心出现在3 km高度,速度值随高度增加而逐渐减小。（2）两个时段的螺旋雨带也存在差异。前一个时段的螺旋雨带对流发展更旺盛,45 dBZ的回波高度为4.8 km,而后一个时段的螺旋雨带45 dBZ的回波高度仅3.2 km。垂直剖面内,前一个时刻螺旋雨带低层辐合更强,最强辐合值超过-15×10^-4s^-1,正是由于低层的强辐合和充足的水汽供应,才使得雨带内部中低层的回波发展旺盛。     

台风“珍珠”(2006)螺旋雨带发展机制的数值模拟研究

基于2 km分辨率的ARW-WRF数值模拟资料,讨论了台风"珍珠"(2006)螺旋雨带中对流单体及内雨带的发展机制。结果表明:模式很好地再现了台风的路径和强度。作为雨带中仅仅存在于眼壁外侧的内雨带,其传播机制与重力波、涡旋Rossby波及混合波没有联系,其可能发展机制仅与低层出流、水平风场和变形场有关。低层出流使得内雨带径向向外运动,而低层的水平风场和变形场使其形成螺旋结构。同时,就螺旋雨带中精细对流单体的发展而言,涡度收支方程定量分析表明,其主要通过两种方式获得垂直涡度:水平涡度倾斜为垂直涡度;上升运动拉伸垂直涡度。随着平流输送,对流单体在眼壁附近合并和汇聚。     

初始外围尺度与加热对台风次眼墙形成的影响北大核心

台风次眼墙位于主眼墙外侧,由次对流环和低层切向风次极大值两个基本结构组成。本文通过一系列理想数值试验讨论了不同初始涡旋外围风场结构对次眼墙形成的影响作用以及关键动力学过程。结果表明,次眼墙形成的时间和位置与初始涡旋外围尺度显著相关:随着外围尺度递减,台风从形成完整双眼墙、伪双眼墙到没有双眼墙逐步过渡,次眼墙形成时间推迟且位置更加靠近台风中心。动力学分析发现,初始外围尺度可控制外雨带分布,雨带的非绝热加热主导了主眼墙外围边界层径向入流和绝对涡度径向输送的分布和大小。绝对涡度径向输送和摩擦耗散的相对大小及位置决定了次眼墙低层切向风次极大值出现的可能性和位置。动量强迫对低层切向风次极大值的大小仍有贡献。     

Characteristics and possible formation mechanisms of severe storms in the outer rainbands of Typhoon Mujiga (1522)

To better understand how severe storms form and evolve in the outer rainbands of typhoons, in this study, we investigate the evolutionary characteristics and possible formation mechanisms for severe storms in the rainbands of Typhoon Mujigae, which occurred during 2–5 October 2015, based on the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, conventional observations, and Doppler radar data. For the rainbands far from the inner core (eye and eyewall) of Mujigae (distance of approximately 70–800 km), wind speed first increased with the radius expanding from the inner core, and then decreased as the radius continued to expand. The Rankine Vortex Model was used to explore such variations in wind speed. The areas of strong stormy rainbands were mainly located in the northeast quadrant of Mujigae, and overlapped with the areas of high winds within approximately 300–550 km away from the inner core, where the strong winds were conducive to the development of strong storms. A severe convective cell in the rainbands developed into waterspout at approximately 500 km to the northeast of the inner core, when Mujigae was strengthening before it made landfall. Two severe convective cells in the rainbands developed into two tornadoes at approximately 350 km to the northeast of the inner core after Mujigae made landfall. The radar echo bands enhanced to 60 dBZ when mesocyclones occurred in the rainbands and induced tornadoes. The radar echoes gradually weakened after the mesocyclones weakened. The tops of parent clouds of the mesocyclones elevated at first, and then suddenly dropped about 20 min before the tornadoes appeared. Thereby, the cloud top variation has the potential to be used as an early warning of tornado occurrence.     

Near-Surface Coherent Structures and The Vertical Momentum Flux in a Large-Eddy Simulation of the Neutrally-Stratified Boundary Layer

The near-surface flow of a well-resolved large-eddy simulation of the neutrally-stratified planetary boundary layer is used to explore the relationships between coherent structures and the vertical momentum flux. The near-surface flow is characterized by transient streaks, which are alternating bands of relatively higher and lower speed flow that form parallel to the mean shear direction in the lower part of the boundary layer. Although individual streaks are transient, the overall flow is in a quasi-equilibrium state in which the streaks form, grow, decay and regenerate over lifetimes on the order of tens of minutes. Coupled with the streaky flow is an overturning circulation with alternating bands of updrafts and downdrafts approximately centered on the streaks. The surface stress is dominated by upward ejections of slower moving near-surface air and downward sweeps of higher speed air from higher in the boundary layer. Conditional sampling of the ejection and sweep events shows that they are compact, coherent structures and are intimately related to the streaks: ejections (sweeps) preferentially form in the updrafts (downdrafts) of the three-dimensional streak flow. Hence, consistent with other recent studies, we propose that the streak motion plays an important role in the maintenance of the surface stress by establishing the preferential conditions for the ejections and sweeps that dominate the surface stress. The velocity fluctuation spectra in the model near the surface have a k ⁻¹ spectral slope over an intermediate range of wavenumbers. This behaviour is consistent with recent theoretical predictions that attempt to evaluate the effects of organized flow, such as near-surface streaks, on the variance spectra.