CHINA’S FOUR MAJOR METEOROLOGICAL SCIENTIFIC EXPERIMENTS

China lies in East-Asian monsoon region,which is one of the well-known active monsoon zones around the world.Monsoon anomaly results in frequent natural disasters,such as drought,torrential rain and flood.In 1998,joint intensified observations for 4 major meteorological scientific experiments have been carried out over Chinese major monsoon affected areas.A number of valuable data have been obtained and some observational facts have come out after initial analysis.The present paper is to give an introduction to the 4 major meteorological scientific experiments conducted in 1998 in China.including its origin and scientific goals,implementation and planning,equipment and progress,and initial findings from the important observational facts.It aims to provide a comprehensive report on the progress of the above experiments for those who are interested in.     

An overview of tropical cyclone and tropical meteorology research progress

There has been much progress in the study of tropical cyclones and tropical meteorology in China in the past few years. A new atmospheric field experiment of tropical cyclone landfall with the acronym of CLATEX (China Landfalling Typhoon Experiment) was implemented in July-August 2002. The boundary layer characteristics of the target typhoon Vongfong and the mesoscale structural features of other landfalling typhoons were studied. In addition, typhoon track operational forecasting errors in the last decade have been reduced because the operational monitoring equipment and forecast techniques were improved.Some results from the research program on tropical cyclone landfall, structure and intensity change, intensification near coastal waters, interaction between tropical cyclone and mid-latitude circulation, and the interaction among different scales of motion are described in this paper. Four major meteorological scientific experiments in China with international cooperation were implemented in 1998: the South China Sea monsoon field experiment (SCSMEX), the Tibetan Plateau field experiment (TIPEX), the Huaihe River basin energy and water cycle experiment (HUBEX), and the South China heavy rain scientific experiment(HUAMEX). Although these field experiments have different scientific objectives, they commonly relate to monsoon activities and they interact with each other. The valuable intensive observation data that were obtained have already been shared internationally. Some new findings have been published recently.Other research work in China, such as the tropical air-sea interaction, tropical atmospheric circulation,and weather systems, axe reviewed in this paper as well. Some research results have shown that the rainfall anomalies for different regions in China were closely related to the stages of E1 Nifio events.     

South China Sea Monsoon Experiment （SCSMEX） and the East Asian Monsoon

The SCSMEX is a joint atmospheric and oceanic experiment by international efforts, aiming at studying the onset, maintenance, and variability of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon, thus improving the monsoon prediction in Southeast and East Asian regions. The field experiment carried out in May-August 1998 was fully successful, with a large amount of meteorological and oceanographic data acquired that have been used in four dimensional data assimilations by several countries, in order to improve their numerical simulations and prediction. These datasets are also widely used in the follow-up SCS and East Asian monsoon study. The present paper has summarized the main research results obtained by Chinese meteorologists which cover six aspects: (1) onset processes and mechanism of the SCS summer monsoon; (2) development of convection and mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) during the onset phase and their interaction with large-scale circulation; (3) low-frequency oscillation and teleconnection effect; (4) measurements of surface fluxes over the SCS and their relationship with the monsoon activity; (5) oceanic thermodynamic structures, circulation, and mesoscale eddies in the SCS during the summer monsoon and their relationship with ENSO events; and (6) numerical simulations of the SCS and East Asian monsoon.     

南海季风试验与东亚夏季风

南海季风试验是一次国际性大气与海洋的联合试验 ,旨在更好地了解南海季风的爆发、维持与变化 ,以改进东亚和东南亚地区的季风预报。 1998年 5～ 8月进行的外场试验取得了圆满成功 ,获得了大量气象与海洋资料。不少国家对这些资料进行四维资料同化 ,并改进数值模拟和预报 ;同时也为东亚与南海地区季风的研究提供了必要的资料集。文中总结了中国科学家在这方面的主要研究成果 ,共包括 6个方面 :(1)南海夏季风的爆发过程与机理 ;(2 )南海季风爆发过程中对流与中尺度系统的发展及其与大尺度环流的相互作用 ;(3)低频振荡与遥相关作用 ;(4 )南海海 气通量的测量及其与季风活动的关系 ;(5 )夏季风时期南海海洋的热力结构、环流和中尺度涡旋及其与ENSO事件的关系 ;(6 )南海与东亚季风的数值模拟。     

On the onset of the south china sea summer monsoon in 1998

1.IntroductionChinesescientistshavepointedoutsincethe1980sthattheAsiansummermonsooniscomposedoftheSouthAsian(Indian)monsoonsystemandtheEastAsianmonsoonsystem,whichhavetheirparticularcharacteristicsrespectivelybutalsointeractoneachother;andtheAsiansummermonsoonbreaksoutintheSouthChinaSea(SCS)regionatfirst,thenspreadsnorthwestwardandnorthwardrespectively,finallytheSouthAsiansummermonsoonandtheEastAsiansummermonsoonaresetup(TaoandChen,1987;JinandChen,1985;Zhuetal.,1986).Muchattentionhasbe…     

南海夏季风爆发的数值模拟

利用高分辨率的区域气候模式 (RegCM_NCC) 对南海夏季风爆发进行模拟研究。研究表明:该模式对积云对流参数化方案的选择十分敏感, 其中以Kuo积云参数化方案为最好, 可以比较成功地模拟出南海夏季风的爆发时间、爆发前后高、低层风场的剧烈变化以及季风与季风雨带的向北推进。然而该方案对于雨量和副热带高压位置的模拟, 与观测相比尚存在一定的偏差, 主要表现为副热带高压位置模拟偏北、偏东; 南海地区的降水量模拟偏少、降水范围偏小。此外, 采用4种参数化方案 (Kuo, Grell, MFS, Betts-Miller) 集成的结果在某种程度上要优于单个方案的结果, 这种改善主要体现在对南海地区季风爆发后降水的模拟上。     

Overview of the South China sea monsoon experiment

The present paper gives an overview of the key project “ South China Sea Monsoon Experiment(SCSMEX)” operated by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China during the period of 1996-2001. The SCSMEX is a joint atmospheric and oceanic field experiment which aims to better understandthe onset, maintenance, and variability of the summer monsoon over the South China Sea (SCS). It is a large-scale international effort with many participating countries and regions cooperatively involved in this experiment. With the field observation in May-August 1998, a large amount of meteorological and oceanic data was acquired, which provides excellent datasets for the study of the SCS monsoon and the East Asian monsoon and their interaction with the ocean. The preliminary research achievements are as follows. (1) The earliest onset of the Asian monsoon over the SCS and Indo-China Peninsula has been well documented. From the viewpoint of the synoptic process, its onset is closely related to the early rapid development of a twin cyclone to the east of Sri Lanka. The conceptual model of the SCS monsoon onset in 1998 was put forward. The 50-year time series of the SCS monsoon onset date was also made. (2) Two major modes, namely the 30-60-day and 10-20-day oscillations were ascertained. The influences of the abnormal SCS monsoon on the precipitation over eastern China and its modes were identified. A strong(weak) monsoon over the SCS usually leads to less (more) precipitation over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin, and more (less) precipitation in North China. (3) During the monsoon onset over the SCS, a wide variety of organized mesoscale convective systems (MCSs) were observed by a Doppler radar array deployed over the northern SCS. The relationship between large-scale circulations and MCSs during the monsoon onset process in 1998 was clearly revealed. It was suggested that there is a kind of positive feedback mechanism between large-scale circulations and MCSs. (4) The SST over the SCS during the early period influences the timing of the monsoon onset date and the monsoon‘s intensity. During the monsoon onset, the ocean undergoes a process of energy release through air-sea interaction. During the break phase of the SCS monsoon, the ocean demonstrates the process of energy re-accumulation. Obvious differences in the air-sea turbulent flux exchange between the southern and northern parts of the SCS due to different characteristic features of the atmosphere and sea structure were observed in those regions.(5) The verification of impact of intensive observations on the predictive performance is made by the use of regional models. The air-sea coupled regional climate model (CRCM) was also developed under the SCSMEX Project . The simulation of the oceanic circulation in 1998 produced with the model was well compared with the observations.     

1998年南海西南季风活动的初步分析

利用NCEP再分析资料和OLR、SST观测数据,分析了1998年南海西南季风的建立日期、强度的多时间尺度变化特征、与海面温度的相互作用以及对广东降水的影响.得出南海西南季风建立的日期为5月17日(5月4候).1998年为弱季风年,OLR具有1个月左右的振荡周期,西南风具有半个月左右的振荡周期.孟加拉湾地区季风和105°E越赤道气流是南海季风低频变化的重要策源地.1998年南海季风弱,主要是由于初春赤道东太平洋海温正距平,并导致南海-阿拉伯海海温正距平的结果.     

ABRUPT CHANGE IN ELEMENTS AROUND 1998 SCS SUMMER MONSOON ESTABLISHMENT WITH ANALYSIS OF ITS CHARACTERISTIC PROCESS

The latest dataset from the SCS(South China Sea)Monsoon Experiment is used to investigatethe features of abrupt change in some meteorological elements before,during and after the summermonsoon's establishment in 1998 and explore its onset characteristic process.We have arrived at apreliminary conclusion that the 1998 Asian summer monsoon is established first in the SCS as earlyas May 23,which is representative of the earliest indicator of the conversion from a winter into asummer monsoon situation in Asia;the continued retreat eastward of the western Pacificsubtropical high from the SCS region has direct effect on the SCS summer monsoon establishmentbecause the withdrawal favors the release of unstable energy,responsible for the sudden onset ofthe monsoon.Our tentative investigation indicates that the eastward extension of the westerly andrainfall band from the equatorial Indian Ocean into the Indo-China Peninsula and the southwardspreading of an active South-China stationary front,acting as the interaction between mid and lowlatitude systems,are likely to be the characteristic events contributing to the subtropical high'seastward retreating and the summer monsoon's onset over the SCS.     

ABRUPT CHANGE IN ELEMENTS AROUND 1998 SCS SUMMER MONSOON ESTABLISHMENT WITH ANALYSIS OF ITS CHARACTERISTIC PROCESS*

The latest dataset from the SCS(South China Sea) Monsoon Experiment is used to investigate the features of abrupt change in some meteorological elements before,during and after the summer monsoon's establishment in 1998 and explore its onset characteristic process.We have arrived at a preliminary conclusion that the 1998 Asian summer monsoon is established first in the SCS as early as May 23,which is representative of the earliest indicator of the conversion from a winter into a summer monsoon situation in Asia;the continued retreat eastward of the western Pacific subtropical high from the SCS region has direct effect on the SCS summer monsoon establishment because the withdrawal favors the release of unstable energy,responsible for the sudden onset of the monsoon.Our tentative investigation indicates that the eastward extension of the westerly and rainfall band from the equatorial Indian Ocean into the Indo-China Peninsula and the southward spreading of an active South-China stationary front,acting as the interaction between mid and low latitude systems,are likely to be the characteristic events contributing to the subtropical high's eastward retreating and the summer monsoon's onset over the SCS.     

DIAGNOSES OF THE SEVERE DROUGHT OVER YUNNAN AREA IN THE EARLY SUMMER OF 2005

High temperature and drought occurred in Yunnan province during the late spring and early summer in 2005, which was the most severe event in this region since 1950’s. Based on the observational data and relevant diagnoses, this extreme weather event was studied and discussed. The results show that the occurrence of this event could be due to the following observational facts that happened in 2005. (1) The seasonal adjustment of middle-high-leveled atmospheric circulation was delayed. (2) The cold air activity center was deviated north. (3) The onset of summer monsoon over South China Sea was delayed. (4) The tropical convection activity was much weaker than usual. (5) The subtropical high over the western Pacific was located southwestwards and relatively strong.     

南海强夏季风(1994年)和弱夏季风(1998年)建立的机理分析

用NCEP／NCAR的再分析资料和局地纬向平均Hadley环流(反Hadley环流)诊断方程，探讨南海强夏季风年(1994年)建立初期(5月1～5日)和弱夏季风年(1998年)建立初期(5月21～25日)的物理机理。数值诊断结果表明：强南海夏季风年(1994年)建立初期候平均气压梯度力(地转风)作用相对较小，而弱夏季风年(1998年)则相对较大。1994年5月第1候候平均非地转南风比1998年5月第5候候平均非地转南风强的主要原因是1994年南海地区稳定度较小。对1994年5月第1候南海地区近地面候平均最大非地转南风起正贡献的主要因子为：潜热加热，纬向温度平流，垂直温度对流，边界效应；对1998年5月第5候南海地区近地面候平均最大非地转起主要贡献因子为：潜热加热，边界效应，垂直温度对流。     

The Present Status and Future of Research of the East Asian Monsoon

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PRELIMINARY ANALYSES OF THE ACTIVITIES OF SOUTH CHINA SEA SUMMER MONSOON IN 1998

The NCEP reanalyzed data, OLR and SST observations are used to study the onset time and the multi-time scales features of the South China Sea (SCS) summer monsoon in 1998 and its interaction with the sea surface temperature and the effect on the precipitation in Guangdong province. It is found that the 1998 SCS summer monsoon set in on May 17 (in the fourth pentad of the month). The year witnesses a weak monsoon with the OLR oscillating at cycles of about 1 month and the Southwest Monsoon of about 1/2 month. The mon-soon over the Bay of Bengal and the cross-equatorial current near 105°are two driving forces for low-frequency variations of the SCS monsoon. The weak activity in the year was resulted from positive anomalies of SST in the equatorial eastern Pacific in early spring and subsequent formation of positive anomalies of SST in the SCS through the Arabian Sea.     

南海西南季风多时间尺度变化及其与海温的相互作用

利用NCEP再分析资料和OLR、SST观测数据, 研究了南海地区西南季风的多时间尺度变化特征, 对比分析了强弱西南季风年大气环流的差异. 南海西南季风的强弱变化与海表面温度 (SST) 之间存在显著的相互作用, 年际或以上时间层次变化主要表现为南海西南季风强弱与东太平洋海温、南海-阿拉伯海海温存在显著负相关.对月季时间层次, 东太平洋海温变化对西南季风强度变化的影响仍起重要作用, 南海-阿拉伯海海温与西南季风之间相互作用不但表现为西南季风对海温的作用 (西南季风强 (弱) 导致后期海温降低 (升高)), 同时海温变化对西南季风也起相当重要的作用, 前期海温正 (负) 距平有利于西南季风增强 (减弱).     

Diagnostic study of apparent heat sources and moisture sinks in the south china sea and its adjacent areas during the onset of 1998 SCS monsoon

1.IntroductionItiswellknownthattheSouthChinaSea(SCS)monsoonisnotonlyamajormemberoftheEastAsianmonsoon,butalsohasanimportantfunctionontheweatherandclimateintheSouthChinaSea,theneighboringareasandtheworld.Manyscholarsathomeandabroadhavedonevariousresearchesaboutit.Jinngetal.(1993a,1993b)foundthatthetroposphericheatingincreasesabruptly,andtheheatsourcesandthemoisturesinksbecomestrongobviouslyinthesoutheasternTibetanPlateauandtheeastplainofChinawhentheSouthChinaSeamonsoononsets.Additionally…     

CLIMATIC CHARACTERISTICS OF THE ONSET OF SOUTH CHINA SEA SUMMER MONSOON II. INTER-DECADAL VARIATION

By using the 40-year NCEP (1958-1997) grid point reanalysis meteorological data, we analyzed the inter-decadal variation on the climatic characteristics of the onset of South China Sea summer monsoon. The results are as follows. (1) There was great difference on the onset date of the SCS summer monsoon between the first two decades and the last two decades. It was late on the 6th pentad of May for the first two decades and was on the 4th and 5th pentad of May for the next two decades. (2) Except for the third decade (1978-1987), the establishment of the monsoon rainfall was one to two pentads earlier than the onset of the summer monsoon in all other three decades. (3) The onset of the SCS monsoon is the result of the abrupt development and eastward advancement of the southwesterly monsoon over the Bay of Bengal. The four-decade analysis shows that there were abrupt development of the southwesterly monsoon over the Bay of Bengal between the 3rd and 4th pentad of May, but there was great difference between its eastward movement and its onset intensity. These may have important effect to the earlier or later onset of the SCS summer monsoon. (4) During the onset of the SCS summer monsoon, there were great difference in the upper and lower circulation feature between the first two and the next two decades. At the lower troposphere of the first two decades, the Indian-Burma trough was stronger and the center of the subtropical high was located more eastward. At the upper troposphere, the northward movement of the center of subtropical high was large and located more northward after it landed on the Indo-China Peninsula. After comparison, we can see that the circulation feature of the last two decades was favorable to the establishment and development of the SCS summer monsoon.     

长江中下游地区水汽输送的气候特征

通过分析 1973 ～ 1998 年(共 26 年)4 月到 8 月 NCEP/ N CA R 再分析资料, 研究了夏季风期间长江中下游地区水汽输送的气候特征。 分析了旱涝年水汽输送差异, 特别考察了 1998 年长江流域洪涝期间水汽输送的一些特点, 发现长江中下游地区水汽水平输送特征在各月有很大差异。 来自孟加拉湾经中南半岛和来自华南的水汽输入是长江中下游地区水汽的主要来源。 长江中下游的旱涝与南海夏季风爆发的早晚有密切关系。 孟加拉湾地区及南海地区对长江中下游地区水汽输送的长时间维持是造成 1998 年长江流域洪涝的主要原因。     

南海夏季风爆发的数值预报模拟实验

1998年5月21日00时（UTC）,对流层上部200hPa的南亚反气旋中心位于（16oN,94oE）附近,850hPa南海的中南部仍为副热带反气旋控制;到21日12时,200hPa的南亚反气旋中心迅速移到（21oN,94oE）附近,同时850hPa的南海副热带反气旋减弱东撤,南海的中南部由东南风转变为西南风,南海夏季风爆发。本文利用美国国家大气研究中心和宾西法尼亚州大学联合研制的中尺度模式（MM5V2）模拟预报这一过程,同时通过敏感性实验研究了区域边界条件和水平分辨率对季风预报模拟实验的影响。     

Advances in Urban Meteorological Research in China

Over the past decades, a large number of studies have been carried out in the field of urban meteorology in China. This paper summarizes the main progress in urban meteorology research from four aspects: urban meteorological observation network and field campaign, multi-scale model of urban meteorology, interaction between urban meteorology and atmospheric environment, and the impacts of urbanization on weather and climate. Major advances are as follows. China’s major cities have established or are improving comprehensive urban meteorological observation networks characterized by multi-platform, multi-variable, multi-scale, multi-link, and multi-function. Beijing, Nanjing, Shanghai, and other cities carried out urban meteorological field campaigns, which were included in the WMO research demonstration project. Wind tunnel experiments and scale-model outdoor experiments were successfully conducted. Multi-scale urban meteorological and air quality prediction numerical model systems have been developed and put into operational use. The urban heat island effect; urban impacts on precipitation, regional climate, and air quality; urban planning; and interaction between urban meteorology and atmospheric environment are extensively investigated. Finally, efforts to improve observational technology, data assimilation, and urban system modeling, to explore the impacts of urbanization on environment and human health, and to provide integrated urban hydro-meteorological climate and environmental services are planned ahead.