scholarly journals Connections between Potential Vorticity Intrusions and Convection in the Eastern Tropical Pacific

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 987-1002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beatriz M. Funatsu ◽  
Darryn W. Waugh
Keyword(s):  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Mesoscale Model ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Upward Motion ◽  
Tropical Eastern Pacific ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract The connections between intrusions of stratospheric air into the upper troposphere and deep convection in the tropical eastern Pacific are examined using a combination of data analysis, potential vorticity (PV) inversion, and numerical simulations. Analysis of NCEP–NCAR reanalyses and satellite measurements of outgoing longwave radiation during intrusion events shows increased cloudiness, lower static stability, upward motion, and a buildup of convective available potential energy (CAPE) at the leading edge of the intruding tongue of high PV. Potential inversion inversion calculations show that the upper-level PV makes the dominant contribution to the changes in the quantities that characterize convection. This supports the hypothesis that upper-level PV anomalies initiate and support convection by destabilizing the lower troposphere and causing upward motion ahead on the PV tongue. The dominant role of the upper-level PV is confirmed by simulations using the fifth-generation Pennsylvania State University–NCAR Mesoscale Model (MM5). Convection only occurs when the upper-level PV anomaly is present in the simulations, and the relative contribution of the upper-level PV to changes in the quantities that characterize convection is similar to that inferred from the PV inversion calculations.

scholarly journals Invigoration and Capping of a Convective Rainband ahead of a Potential Vorticity Anomaly

2017 ◽  
Vol 145 (6) ◽  
pp. 2093-2117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Geraint Vaughan ◽  
Bogdan Antonescu ◽  
David M. Schultz ◽  
Christopher Dearden
Keyword(s):  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Causal Link ◽  
Minor Role ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
A Minor

Abstract Deep convection frequently occurs on the eastern side of upper-level troughs, or potential vorticity (PV) anomalies. This is consistent with uplift ahead of a cyclonic PV anomaly, and consequent reduction in static stability and increase of convective available potential energy (CAPE). Nevertheless, the causal link between upper-level PV and deep convection has not been proven, and given that lift, moisture, and instability must all be present for deep convection to occur it is not clear that upper-level forcing is sufficient. In this paper a convective rainband that intensified ahead of a cyclonic PV anomaly in an environment with little CAPE (~10 J kg−1) is examined to determine the factors responsible for its intensification. The key feature was a low-level convergence line, arising from the remnants of an occluded front embedded in the low-level cyclonic flow. The rainband’s intensity and morphology was influenced by the remnants of a tropopause fold that capped convection at midlevels in the southern part of the band, and by a reduction in upper-level static stability in the northern part of the band that allowed the convection to reach the tropopause. Ascent ahead of the trough appears to have played only a minor role in conditioning the atmosphere to convection: in most cases the ascending airstream had previously descended in the flow west of the trough axis. Thus, simple “PV thinking” is not capable of describing the development of the rainband, and it is concluded that preexisting low-level wind and humidity features played the dominant role.

Response of Humidity and Clouds to Tropical Deep Convection

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 2389-2404 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark D. Zelinka ◽  
Dennis L. Hartmann
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Upward Motion ◽  
Temporal Separation ◽  
Convective Event ◽  
Clear Sky ◽  
Intense Precipitation ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Precipitation Events

Abstract Currently available satellite data can be used to track the response of clouds and humidity to intense precipitation events. A compositing technique centered in space and time on locations experiencing high rain rates is used to detail the characteristic evolution of several quantities measured from a suite of satellite instruments. Intense precipitation events in the convective tropics are preceded by an increase in low-level humidity. Optically thick cold clouds accompany the precipitation burst, which is followed by the development of spreading upper-level anvil clouds and an increase in upper-tropospheric humidity over a broader region than that occupied by the precipitation anomalies. The temporal separation between the convective event and the development of anvil clouds is about 3 h. The humidity increase at upper levels and the associated decrease in clear-sky longwave emission persist for many hours after the convective event. Large-scale vertical motions from reanalysis show a coherent evolution associated with precipitation events identified in an independent dataset: precipitation events begin with stronger upward motion anomalies in the lower troposphere, which then evolve toward stronger upward motion anomalies in the upper troposphere, in conjunction with the development of anvil clouds. Greater upper-tropospheric moistening and cloudiness are associated with larger-scale and better-organized convective systems, but even weaker, more isolated systems produce sustained upper-level humidity and clear-sky outgoing longwave radiation anomalies.

scholarly journals Initiation and Maintenance Mechanisms for Heavy Precipitation System over a Mountainous Island under a Prevailing Monsoon Current

2016 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 90
Author(s):  
Y.-L. Lin ◽  
K.-Y. Lee ◽  
C.-S. Chen ◽  
F.-Y. Cheng ◽  
P.-L. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heavy Rainfall ◽  
Mesoscale Model ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Western Slope ◽  
Mountain Range ◽  
Unstable Flow ◽  
Near Surface ◽  
Precipitation System ◽  
Early Afternoon

In this study, the initiation and maintenance mechanisms of two long-lived, summer heavy rainfall systems over Taiwan are investigated by performing observational data analyses and numerical simulations using a mesoscale model. For both cases of 9-10 July 2008 (Case A) and 18-19 August 2006 (Case B), the heavy rainfall system developed over the western slope of the Central Mountain Range (CMR) under low-level prevailing southwesterly and westerly flows in early afternoon, respectively. These heavy rainfall systems were moving westward toward Taiwan Strait from CMR, while the embedded individual cells were moving in the opposite direction, behaving like a multicell storm. It was also found these individual cells were initiated, enhanced, and then maintained at the leading edge of the near-surface cool outflow and merged with the heavy rainfall systems which became long-lived. These heavy rainfall systems were classified as an upstream propagating precipitation system in a low Froude-number, conditionally unstable flow with high convective available potential energy (CAPE) or Regime I as proposed in a previous study.

scholarly journals An Initiation Process of Tropical Depression-type Disturbances under the Influence of Upper-level Troughs

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuya Hamaguchi ◽  
Yukari N. Takayabu
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Dimensional Structure ◽  
Convective Heating ◽  
Upper Troposphere ◽  
Tropical Depression ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
Extratropical Forcing

AbstractIn this study, the statistical relationship between tropical upper-tropospheric troughs (TUTTs) and the initiation of summertime tropical-depression type disturbances (TDDs) over the western and central North Pacific is investigated. By applying a spatiotemporal filter to the 34-year record of brightness temperature and using JRA-55 reanalysis products, TDD-event initiations are detected and classified as trough-related (TR) or non-trough-related (non-TR). The conventional understanding is that TDDs originate primarily in the lower-troposphere; our results refine this view by revealing that approximately 30% of TDDs in the 10°N-20°N latitude ranges are generated under the influence of TUTTs. Lead-lag composite analysis of both TR- and non-TR-TDDs clarifies that TR-TDDs occur under relatively dry and less convergent large-scale conditions in the lower-troposphere. This result suggests that TR-TDDs can form in a relatively unfavorable low-level environment. The three-dimensional structure of the wave activity flux reveals southward and downward propagation of wave energy in the upper troposphere that converges at the mid-troposphere around the region where TR-TDDs occur, suggesting the existence of extratropical forcing. Further, the role of dynamic forcing associated with the TUTT on the TR-TDD-initiation is analyzed using the quasi-geostrophic omega equation. The result reveals that moistening in the mid-to-upper troposphere takes place in association with the sustained dynamical ascent at the southeast side of the TUTT, which precedes the occurrence of deep convective heating. Along with a higher convective available potential energy due to the destabilizing effect of TUTTs, the moistening in the mid-to-upper troposphere also helps to prepare the environment favorable to TDDs initiation.

scholarly journals A Cumulus Parameterization with State-Dependent Entrainment Rate. Part I: Description and Sensitivity to Temperature and Humidity Profiles

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (7) ◽  
pp. 2171-2193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Minoru Chikira ◽  
Masahiro Sugiyama
Keyword(s):  
General Circulation ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
South Pacific Convergence Zone ◽  
Cumulus Parameterization ◽  
Cloud Base ◽  
Convergence Zone ◽  
Entrainment Rate ◽  
Surrounding Environment

Abstract A new cumulus parameterization is developed for which an entraining plume model is adopted. The lateral entrainment rate varies vertically depending on the surrounding environment. Two different formulations are examined for the rate. The cumulus ensemble is spectrally represented according to the updraft velocity at cloud base. Cloud-base mass flux is determined with prognostic convective kinetic energy closure. The entrainment rate tends to be large near cloud base because of the small updraft velocity near that level. Deep convection tends to be suppressed when convective available potential energy is small because of upward reduction of in-cloud moist static energy. Dry environmental air significantly reduces in-cloud humidity mainly because of the large entrainment rate in the lower troposphere, which leads to suppression of deep convection, consistent with observations and previous results of cloud-resolving models. The change in entrainment rate has the potential to influence cumulus convection through many feedbacks. The results of an atmospheric general circulation model are improved in both climatology and variability. A representation of the South Pacific convergence zone and the double intertropical convergence zone is improved. The moist Kelvin waves are represented without empirical triggering schemes with a reasonable equivalent depth. A spectral analysis shows a strong signal of the Madden–Julian oscillation. The scheme provides new insights and better understanding of the interaction between cumuli and the surrounding environment.

scholarly journals Wildfire Pyroconvection and CAPE: Buoyancy’s Drying and Atmospheric Intensification—Fort McMurray

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (7) ◽  
pp. 763
Author(s):  
Atoossa Bakhshaii ◽  
Edward A. Johnson ◽  
Kiana Nayebi
Keyword(s):  
Weather Prediction ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Cumulus Cell ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Dew Point ◽  
Fire Plume ◽  
Fort Mcmurray ◽  
Dry Air ◽  
Short Period ◽  
Upper Level

The accurate prediction of wildfire behavior and spread is possible only when fire and atmosphere simulations are coupled. In this work, we present a mechanism that causes a small fire to intensify by altering the atmosphere. These alterations are caused by fire-related fluxes at the surface. The fire plume and fluxes increase the convective available potential energy (CAPE) and the chance of the development of a strong pyroconvection system. To study this possible mechanism, we used WRF-Fire to capture fire line propagation as the result of interactions between heat and moisture fluxes, pressure perturbations, wind shear development and dry air downdraft. The wind patterns and dynamics of the pyroconvection system are simulated for the Horse River wildfire at Fort McMurray, Canada. The results revealed that the updraft speed reached up to 12 m/s. The entrainment mixed the mid and upper-level dry air and lowered the atmospheric moisture. The mid-level and upper-level dew point temperature changed by 5–10 ∘ C in a short period of time. The buoyant air strengthened the ascent as soon as the nocturnal inversion was eliminated by daytime heating. The 887 J/kg total increase of CAPE in less than 5 h and the high bulk Richardson number (BRN) of 93 were indicators of the growing pyro-cumulus cell. The presented simulation has not improved the original model or supported leading-edge numerical weather prediction (NWP) achievements, except for adapting WRF-Fire for Canadian biomass fuel. However, we were able to present a great deal of improvements in wildfire nowcasting and short-term forecasting to save lives and costs associated with wildfires. The simulation is sufficiently fast and efficient to be considered for a real-time operational model. While the project was designed and succeeded as an NWP application, we are still searching for a solution for the intractable problems associated with political borders and the current liable authorities for the further development of a new generation of national atmosphere–wildfire forecasting systems.

scholarly journals Targeting Studies for the Extratropical Transition of Hurricane Fabian: Signal Propagation, the Interaction between Fabian and Midlatitude Flow, and an Observation Strategy

2010 ◽  
Vol 138 (8) ◽  
pp. 3224-3242 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hua Chen ◽  
Weiyu Pan
Keyword(s):  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Signal Propagation ◽  
Synoptic Situation ◽  
Energy Dispersion ◽  
Extratropical Transition ◽  
Initial Errors ◽  
Targeted Observations ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This study examines how the impact of targeted observations propagates during the extratropical transition (ET) of Hurricane Fabian. Signal (i.e., the forecast difference between denial experiments and the control experiment) propagation can reveal the interaction between the tropical cyclone (TC) and the midlatitude jet, and the energy dispersion or propagation of the TC undergoing ET also can be determined. The crucial role of an upper-level trough is discussed. Based on this study, a strategy issue regarding targeted observations of ET and several typical problems regarding the numerical prediction of ET are discussed. The results show that the greatest signals along with their propagation are associated closely with various types of instabilities. In general, the signal first appears at the location of the TC, and then it propagates to the midlatitude jet through the interaction between the TC and the jet itself. Thereafter, signals propagate downstream along the jet and downward to the lower troposphere at the same time by way of Rossby wave packets; the jet essentially acts as a waveguide. Through the signal propagation and development in the jet, the impact of targeted observations seems sensitive to the ET process. The interaction between the TC and the jet occurs as high θ (low potential vorticity) air flows out of the TC toward the northeast and into the jet below the tropopause. The interaction may be strengthened by an upstream trough at upper levels. The TC outflow enhances the potential vorticity (PV) gradient and baroclinity in the jet. Therefore, the jet becomes stronger and more baroclinically unstable. The signal propagation also indicates the energy dispersion of a TC undergoing ET. The strong southwesterly flow ahead of the upper-level trough steers Fabian to higher latitudes, and strengthens the advection process of low PV air into the jet. Therefore, the development of the upper-level trough and its proximity to the TC are crucial for the interaction between the TC and the jet, and the resulting signal propagation. Small deviations from this synoptic situation may result in great differences in the signal propagation and the ET forecast. The most suitable region for targeting is likely a region where crucial synoptic processes can magnify initial errors.

scholarly journals Enhanced upward motion through the troposphere over the tropical western Pacific and its implication to transport of trace gases from the troposphere to the stratosphere

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kai Qie ◽  
Wuke Wang ◽  
Wenshou Tian ◽  
Rui Huang ◽  
Mian Xu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Climate Model ◽  
Dominant Role ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Trace Gases ◽  
Walker Circulation ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Upward Motion ◽  
Tropical Tropopause Layer ◽  
Tropical Tropopause ◽  
Tropical Western Pacific

Abstract. The tropical western Pacific (TWP) is a preferential area of air uplifting from the surface to the upper troposphere. A significantly intensified upward motion through the troposphere over the TWP in the boreal wintertime (November to March of the next year) has been detected from 1958 to 2017 using the reanalysis datasets. Model simulations using the Whole Atmosphere Community Climate Model, version 4 (WACCM4) suggest that warming global sea surface temperatures (SSTs), particularly TWP SSTs, play a dominant role in the intensification of the upward motion by strengthening the Pacific Walker circulation and enhancing the deep convection over the TWP. Using CO as a tropospheric tracer, numeric simulations show that more CO could be elevated to the tropical tropopause layer (TTL) by the enhanced upward motion over the TWP and subsequently into the stratosphere by the strengthened Brewer-Dobson (BD) circulation which is also mainly caused by global SST warming. This implies that more tropospheric trace gases and aerosols may enter the stratosphere through the TWP region and affect the stratospheric chemistry and climate.

scholarly journals Supersaturation, buoyancy, and deep convection dynamics

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (18) ◽  
pp. 13997-14018
Author(s):  
Wojciech W. Grabowski ◽  
Hugh Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Cloud Model ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Convective Available Potential Energy ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Latent Heating ◽  
Microphysics Scheme ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Freezing Level ◽  
Double Moment ◽  
Adjustment Scheme

Abstract. Motivated by recent discussions concerning differences of convective dynamics in polluted and pristine environments, the so-called convective invigoration in particular, this paper provides an analysis of factors affecting convective updraft buoyancy, such as the in-cloud supersaturation, condensate and precipitation loading, and entrainment. We use the deep convective period from simulations of daytime convection development over land discussed in our previous publications. An entraining parcel framework is used in the theoretical analysis. We show that for the specific case considered here, finite (positive) supersaturation noticeably reduces pseudo-adiabatic parcel buoyancy and cumulative convective available potential energy (cCAPE) in the lower troposphere. This comes from keeping a small fraction of the water vapor in a supersaturated state and thus reducing the latent heating. Such a lower-tropospheric impact is comparable to the effects of condensate loading and entrainment in the idealized parcel framework. For the entire tropospheric depth, loading and entrainment have a much more significant impact on the total CAPE. For the cloud model results, we compare ensemble simulations applying either a bulk microphysics scheme with saturation adjustment or a more comprehensive double-moment scheme with supersaturation prediction. We compare deep convective updraft velocities, buoyancies, and supersaturations from all ensembles. In agreement with the parcel analysis, the saturation-adjustment scheme provides noticeably stronger updrafts in the lower troposphere. For the simulations predicting supersaturation, there are small differences between pristine and polluted conditions below the freezing level that are difficult to explain by standard analysis of the in-cloud buoyancy components. By applying the piggybacking technique, we show that the lower-tropospheric buoyancy differences between pristine and polluted simulations come from a combination of temperature (i.e., latent heating) and condensate loading differences that work together to make polluted buoyancies and updraft velocities slightly larger when compared to their pristine analogues. Overall, the effects are rather small and contradict previous claims of a significant invigoration of deep convection in polluted environments.

scholarly journals Analysis of the Anomalous Signals near the Tropopause before the Overshooting Convective System Onset over the Tibetan Plateau

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-13
Author(s):  
Hongying Tian ◽  
Xiran Xu ◽  
Hongbao Chen ◽  
Rui Huang ◽  
Shiyan Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Static Stability ◽  
Cold Pool ◽  
Convective System ◽  
Maximum Height ◽  
The Tibetan Plateau ◽  
Tropopause Height ◽  
Upward Motion ◽  
Upper Level

This study investigates the anomalous signals near the tropopause before the overshooting convective system (OCS) onset over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). It is found that the tropopause height is stable at the maximum height for the 7th day and the 5th day before the OCS onset. It then decreases significantly one day before and on the day of the OCS onset. The upward motion in the troposphere is the strongest for the 5th day before the OCS onset. From one day before and after the OCS onset, there are strong ascending motions at 500–300 hPa but weak descending motions near the tropopause. It is proposed that the descending of the tropopause height on the day of the OCS onset is caused by frequent tropopause fold events over the eastern TP associated with frequent cold trough intrusion from the north and the southeastward movement of upper-level westerly jet stream. The decrease of the tropopause height is accompanied by the intrusion of stratospheric air with higher potential vorticity (PV). Positive potential vorticity anomalies on 350 K isentropic surface can be noted in the region where the tropopause height decreases one day before and on the day of the OCS onset. With the deepening of the tropopause fold on the day of the OCS onset, there is not only downward motion near the tropopause in the area behind of the fold but also upward motion in the troposphere beneath the folding region. In addition, the upward displacement of isentropic surfaces leads to an upper-level cold pool, which causes a reduction in static stability beneath the PV anomaly on the day of the OCS onset. The upper-level PV anomalies and their associated strong instability in the middle troposphere can trigger convective activities by the release of potential instability on the day of the OCS onset. The overshooting convection is more likely to occur due to lower tropopause height, although upward motion in the troposphere is not the strongest.

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