The vertical structure of diabatic heating associated with the Madden-Julian oscillation simulated by the Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres climate model

1993 ◽  
Vol 98 (D5) ◽  
pp. 8801-8813 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tsing-Chang Chen ◽  
Ming-Cheng Yen ◽  
James Pfaendtner ◽  
Y. C. Sud
2015 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 4690-4717 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas P. Klingaman ◽  
Steven J. Woolnough ◽  
Xianan Jiang ◽  
Duane Waliser ◽  
Prince K. Xavier ◽  
...  

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (9) ◽  
pp. 2796-2811 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Zhu ◽  
Harry Hendon ◽  
Christian Jakob

Abstract The behavior of convection and the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is compared in two simulations from the same global climate model but with two very different treatments of convection: one has a conventional parameterization of moist processes and the other replaces the parameterization with a two-dimensional cloud-resolving model, the so-called superparameterization. The different behavior of local convection and the MJO in the two model simulations reveals that the accurate representation of the following characteristics in the modes of convection might contribute to the improvement of the MJO simulations: (i) precipitation should be an exponentially increasing function of the column saturation fraction, (ii) heavy precipitation should be associated with a stratiform diabatic heating profile, and (iii) there should be a positive relationship between precipitation and surface latent heat flux.


2015 ◽  
Vol 120 (10) ◽  
pp. 4718-4748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianan Jiang ◽  
Duane E. Waliser ◽  
Prince K. Xavier ◽  
Jon Petch ◽  
Nicholas P. Klingaman ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 673-684
Author(s):  
Dongmin Lee ◽  
Lazaros Oreopoulos ◽  
Nayeong Cho

Abstract. We revisit the concept of the cloud vertical structure (CVS) classes we have previously employed to classify the planet's cloudiness (Oreopoulos et al., 2017). The CVS classification reflects simple combinations of simultaneous cloud occurrence in the three standard layers traditionally used to separate low, middle, and high clouds and was applied to a dataset derived from active lidar and cloud radar observations. This classification is now introduced in an atmospheric global climate model, specifically a version of NASA's GEOS-5, in order to evaluate the realism of its cloudiness and of the radiative effects associated with the various CVS classes. Such classes can be defined in GEOS-5 thanks to a subcolumn cloud generator paired with the model's radiative transfer algorithm, and their associated radiative effects can be evaluated against observations. We find that the model produces 50 % more clear skies than observations in relative terms and produces isolated high clouds that are slightly less frequent than in observations, but optically thicker, yielding excessive planetary and surface cooling. Low clouds are also brighter than in observations, but underestimates of the frequency of occurrence (by ∼20 % in relative terms) help restore radiative agreement with observations. Overall the model better reproduces the longwave radiative effects of the various CVS classes because cloud vertical location is substantially constrained in the CVS framework.


2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (7) ◽  
pp. 2627-2644
Author(s):  
Yongkun Xie ◽  
Guoxiong Wu ◽  
Yimin Liu ◽  
Jianping Huang

AbstractThe three-dimensional connections between Eurasian cooling and Arctic warming since 1979 were investigated using potential vorticity (PV) dynamics. We found that Eurasian cooling can be regulated by Arctic warming through PV adaptation and PV advection. Here, PV adaptation refers to the adaptation of PV to forcing and coherent dynamic–thermodynamic adaptation to PV change. In a PV perspective, first, the anticyclonic circulation change over the Arctic is produced by a negative PV change through PV adaptation, in which the change means the linear trend from 1979 to 2017. The negative PV change is directly regulated by Arctic warming because the vertical structure of Arctic warming is stronger at lower levels, which generates a negative PV change through the diabatic heating effect. Second, the circulation change produces a change in horizontal PV advection due to the existence of climatological PV gradients. Thus, as a balanced result, both the circulation change and PV change extend to the midlatitudes through horizontal PV advection and PV adaptation. Eventually, Eurasian cooling at the surface and in the lower troposphere is dominated by PV changes at the surface through PV adaptation. Meanwhile, enhanced Eurasian cooling in the middle troposphere is dominated by top-down influences of upper-level PV change through PV adaptation. Nevertheless, the upper-level PV changes are still contributed to by horizontal PV advection associated with Arctic warming. Overall, the general dynamics connecting Eurasian cooling with Arctic warming are demonstrated in a PV view.


2011 ◽  
Vol 139 (9) ◽  
pp. 2723-2734 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carl J. Schreck ◽  
John Molinari

The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) influences tropical cyclone formation around the globe. Convectively coupled Kelvin waves are often embedded within the MJO, but their role in tropical cyclogenesis remains uncertain. This case study identifies the influences of the MJO and a series of Kelvin waves on the formation of two tropical cyclones. Typhoons Rammasun and Chataan developed in the western North Pacific on 28 June 2002. Two weeks earlier, conditions had been unfavorable for tropical cyclogenesis because of uniform trade easterlies and a lack of organized convection. The easterlies gave way to equatorial westerlies as the convective envelope of the Madden–Julian oscillation moved into the region. A series of three Kelvin waves modulated the development of the westerlies. Cyclonic potential vorticity (PV) developed in a strip between the growing equatorial westerlies and the persistent trade easterlies farther poleward. Rammasun and Chataan emerged from the apparent breakdown of this strip. The cyclonic PV developed in association with diabatic heating from both the MJO and the Kelvin waves. The tropical cyclones also developed during the largest superposition of equatorial westerlies from the MJO and the Kelvin waves. This chain of events suggests that the MJO and the Kelvin waves each played a role in the development of Rammasun and Chataan.


2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 65-78 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chidong Zhang ◽  
Jian Ling

Abstract This study explores the extent to which the dynamical structure of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), its evolution, and its connection to diabatic heating can be described in terms of potential vorticity (PV). The signature PV structure of the MJO is an equatorial quadrupole of cyclonic and anticyclonic PV that tilts westward and poleward. This PV quadrupole is closely related to positive and negative anomalies in precipitation that are in a swallowtail pattern extending eastward along the equator and splitting into off-equatorial branches westward. Two processes dominate the generation of MJO PV. One is linear, involving MJO diabatic heating alone. The other is nonlinear, involving diabatic heating and relative vorticity of perturbations spectrally outside the MJO domain but spatially constrained to the MJO convective envelope. The MJO is thus partially a self-sustaining system and partially a consequence of scale interaction of MJO-constrained stochastic processes. Convective initiation of the MJO over the Indian Ocean features a swallowtail pattern of negative anomalous precipitation and associated anticyclonic PV anomalies at the early stage, and increasing cyclonic PV generation straddling the equator in the midtroposphere due to increasing positive anomalies in precipitation. These lead to the swallowtail pattern in positive anomalous precipitation and the associated PV quadrupole that signifies the fully developed MJO. The equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves bear PV structures distinct from that of the MJO. They contribute insignificantly to the structure and generation of MJO PV. Solely based on the PV analysis, a hypothesis is proposed that the fundamental dynamics of the MJO depends on neither Kelvin nor Rossby waves.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dongmin Lee ◽  
Lazaros Oreopoulos ◽  
Nayeong Cho

Abstract. We revisit Cloud Vertical Structure (CVS) classes we have previously employed to classify the planet’s cloudiness. The CVS classification reflects simple combinations of simultaneous cloud occurrence in the three standard layers traditionally used to separate low, middle, and high clouds and was applied to a dataset derived from active lidar and cloud radar observations. This classification is now introduced in an Atmospheric Global Climate Model (AGCM), specifically NASA’s GEOS-5, in order to evaluate the realism of its cloudiness and of the radiative effects associated with the various CVS classes. Determination of CVS and associated radiation in the model is possible thanks to the implementation of a subcolumn cloud generator which is paired with the model’s radiative transfer algorithm. We assess GEOS-5 cloudiness in terms of the statistics and geographical distributions of the CVS classes, as well as features of their associated Cloud Radiative Effect (CRE). We decompose the model’s CVS-specific CRE errors into component errors stemming from biases in the frequency of occurrence of the CVSs, and biases in their internal radiative characteristics. Our framework sheds additional light into the verisimilitude of cloudiness in large scale models and can be used to complement cloud evaluations that take advantage of satellite simulator implementations.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongkun Xie ◽  
Guoxiong Wu ◽  
Yimin Liu

<p>The three-dimensional connections between Eurasian cooling and Arctic warming since 1979 were investigated using potential vorticity (PV) dynamics. We found that Eurasian cooling can be regulated by Arctic warming through PV adaptation and PV advection. Here, PV adaptation refers to the adaptation of PV to forcing and coherent dynamic/thermodynamic adaptation to PV change. In a PV perspective, first, the anticyclonic circulation change over the Arctic is produced by a negative PV change through PV adaptation, in which the change means the linear trend from 1979~2017. The negative PV change is directly regulated by Arctic warming because the vertical structure of Arctic warming is stronger at lower levels, which generates a negative PV change through the diabatic heating effect. Second, the circulation change produces a change in horizontal PV advection due to the existence of climatological PV gradients. Thus, as a balanced result, both the circulation change and PV change extend to mid-latitude through horizontal PV advection and PV adaptation. Eventually, Eurasian cooling at the surface and in the lower troposphere is dominated by PV changes at the surface through PV adaptation. Meanwhile, enhanced Eurasian cooling in the middle troposphere is dominated by top-down influences of upper-level PV change through PV adaptation. Nevertheless, the upper-level PV changes are still contributed by horizontal PV advection associated with Arctic warming. Overall, the general dynamics connecting Eurasian cooling with Arctic warming is demonstrated in a PV view.</p>


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