Extratropical–Tropical Interaction during Onset of the Australian Monsoon: Reanalysis Diagnostics and Idealized Dry Simulations

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (10) ◽  
pp. 3475-3498 ◽  
Author(s):  
Noel E. Davidson ◽  
Kevin J. Tory ◽  
Michael J. Reeder ◽  
Wasyl L. Drosdowsky
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Monsoon Trough ◽  
Background Flow ◽  
Australian Monsoon ◽  
Subtropical Jet ◽  
Westerly Winds ◽  
Rossby Wave Propagation ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract The onset of the Australian monsoon is examined using (i) reanalysis data for seasons when enhanced observational networks were available and (ii) a 15-yr onset composite. Similar to previous findings, onset is characterized by a sudden strengthening and deepening in tropical westerly winds, which are overlain with upper-tropospheric easterlies. All onsets are preceded by up to a 7-day preconditioning period of enhanced vertical motion and moistening. During the transition season, the 6 weeks prior to onset, a number of moist westerly events occur. Generally they are only sustained for short periods and overlain by upper-level westerly winds, suggesting an association with midlatitude troughs, which protrude into the deep Tropics. For individual years and for a 15-yr composite, monsoon onset is associated with major cyclogenesis events over the southwest Indian Ocean in the presence of a subtropical jet over the eastern Indian Ocean. The proposed mechanism for extratropical–tropical interaction is northeastward Rossby wave propagation from the cyclogenesis region toward the Tropics at upper levels. At these levels, westerly winds extend to nearly 10°S and provide a favorable background flow for such propagation. The process eventually results in the amplification of an equatorward-extending midlatitude upper trough and tropical ridge, which appears to trigger the development of the underlying monsoon trough. To test the hypothesis, the influence of high-latitude cyclogenesis on the tropical circulation is investigated with the aid of an idealized, dry, three-dimensional, baroclinic wave channel model. The initial state consists of (i) a zonally constant baroclinic region centered on 40°S, from which the high-latitude cyclogenesis develops, (ii) a weak monsoon trough at 15°S, and (iii) a subtropical jet at 25°S. The major findings from the simulations are as follows: 1) There is evidence of northeastward Rossby wave propagation from the cyclogenesis region toward low latitudes. 2) Consistent with theoretical studies, the subtropical jet plays a key role by providing a favorable westerly background flow for group propagation into the Tropics. 3) High-latitude cyclogenesis in the presence of a subtropical jet can influence the meridional location, zonal structure, vorticity, and divergence in the monsoon trough. 4) Vorticity and divergence changes are consistent with enhancement of the monsoon trough (increases in low-level cyclonic vorticity) and the potential for triggering a large-scale convective outbreak (changes in upper-level divergence).

scholarly journals Rossby Wave Ray Tracing in a Barotropic Divergent Atmosphere

2008 ◽  
Vol 65 (5) ◽  
pp. 1679-1691 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chungu Lu ◽  
John P. Boyd
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Ray Tracing ◽  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Level Structure ◽  
Low Frequency ◽  
Present Theory ◽  
Wave Ray ◽  
Divergent Wind ◽  
Rossby Wave Propagation ◽  
Upper Level

Abstract The effects of divergence on low-frequency Rossby wave propagation are examined by using the two-dimensional Wentzel–Kramers–Brillouin (WKB) method and ray tracing in the framework of a linear barotropic dynamic system. The WKB analysis shows that the divergent wind decreases Rossby wave frequency (for wave propagation northward in the Northern Hemisphere). Ray tracing shows that the divergent wind increases the zonal group velocity and thus accelerates the zonal propagation of Rossby waves. It also appears that divergence tends to feed energy into relatively high wavenumber waves, so that these waves can propagate farther downstream. The present theory also provides an estimate of a phase angle between the vorticity and divergence centers. In a fully developed Rossby wave, vorticity and divergence display a π/2 phase difference, which is consistent with the observed upper-level structure of a mature extratropical cyclone. It is shown that these theoretical results compare well with observations.

Teleconnections from Tropics to Northern Extratropics through a Southerly Conveyor

2005 ◽  
Vol 62 (11) ◽  
pp. 4057-4070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhuo Wang ◽  
C-P. Chang ◽  
Bin Wang ◽  
Fei-Fei Jin
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Rossby Waves ◽  
Propagation Theory ◽  
Wave Source ◽  
Tropical Forcing ◽  
Rossby Wave Source ◽  
Rossby Wave Response ◽  
Rossby Wave Propagation ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract Rossby wave propagation theory predicts that Rossby waves in a tropical easterly flow cannot escape from the Tropics to the extratropics. Here the authors show that a southerly flow component in the basic state (a southerly conveyor) may transfer a Rossby wave source northward; thus, a forcing embedded in the deep tropical easterlies may excite a Rossby wave response in the extratropical westerlies. It is shown that the southerly conveyor determines the location of the effective Rossby wave source and that the extratropical response is relatively insensitive to the location of the tropical forcing, provided that the tropical response can reach the southerly conveyor. A stronger southerly flow favors a stronger extratropical response, and the spatial structure of the extratropical response is determined by the extratropical westerly basic flows.

A Mechanism for the Poleward Propagation of Zonal Mean Flow Anomalies

2007 ◽  
Vol 64 (3) ◽  
pp. 849-868 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sukyoung Lee ◽  
Seok-Woo Son ◽  
Kevin Grise ◽  
Steven B. Feldstein
Keyword(s):  
Wave Propagation ◽  
Zonal Wind ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Mean Flow ◽  
Radiative Relaxation ◽  
Meridional Overturning ◽  
Rossby Wave Propagation ◽  
The Tropics ◽  
Pv Gradient

Abstract Observational studies have shown that tropospheric zonal mean flow anomalies frequently undergo quasi-periodic poleward propagation. A set of idealized numerical model runs is examined to investigate the physical mechanism behind this poleward propagation. This study finds that the initiation of the poleward propagation is marked by the formation of negative zonal wind anomalies in the Tropics. These negative anomalies arise from meridional overturning/breaking of waves that originate in midlatitudes. This wave breaking homogenizes the potential vorticity (PV) within the region of negative zonal wind anomalies, and also leads to the formation of positive zonal wind anomalies in the subtropics. Subsequent equatorward radiation of midlatitude waves is halted, which results in wave breaking at the poleward end of the homogenized PV region. This in turn generates new positive and negative zonal wind anomalies, which enables a continuation of the poleward propagation. The shielding of the homogenized PV region from equatorward wave propagation allows the model’s radiative relaxation to reestablish undisturbed westerlies in the Tropics, while extratropical westerly anomalies arise from eddy vorticity fluxes. The above process indicates that the poleward zonal mean anomaly propagation is caused by an orchestrated combination of linear Rossby wave propagation, nonlinear wave breaking, and radiative relaxation. The importance of the meridional wave propagation and breaking is consistent with the fact that the poleward propagation occurs only in the parameter space of the model where the PV gradient is of moderate strength. Implications for predictability are briefly discussed.

Tropical Plumes over Eastern North Africa as a Source of Rain in the Middle East

2007 ◽  
Vol 135 (12) ◽  
pp. 4135-4148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shira Rubin ◽  
Baruch Ziv ◽  
Nathan Paldor
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
North Africa ◽  
Satellite Images ◽  
Eastern Mediterranean ◽  
Phase Locking ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Precipitation Regime ◽  
Subtropical Jet ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract Tropical plumes (TPs) reflect tropical–extratropical interaction associated with the transport of moisture from the Tropics to extratropical latitudes. They are observed in satellite images as continuous narrow cloud bands ahead of upper-level subtropical troughs at times when the subtropical jet is highly perturbed. Rainstorms usually develop in the exit regions of TPs, so their presence over northern Africa has an impact on the precipitation regime in the southeastern Mediterranean. Based on satellite images and rainfall measurements from Israel, 10 TPs over eastern North Africa between 1988 and 2005 in which considerable rain was recorded were selected. Using the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data, the structure and evolution of these TPs were characterized and their regional canonical features were identified. A typical TP that occurred in March 1991 is described in detail. The main canonical characteristics are as follows: the TP development is preceded by an incubation period, expressed either as a stationary upper-level trough, persisting 2–6 days, or as two consecutive TP pulses; the preferred location for TP origin is 5°–15°N, 5°W–15°E; the TP is separated from the underlying dry Saharan PBL; the subtropical trough undergoes a phase locking with the lower tropical trough; the cloudiness in the TP-induced rainstorm is mostly stratified with continuous moderate rain, originating from midlevel moisture; and the TP tends to be followed by a midlatitude cyclogenesis over the eastern Mediterranean. This analysis proposes several explanations for the efficiency of the TPs in transporting moisture over a 2000-km distance.

scholarly journals Climatology of Upper Tropospheric–Lower Stratospheric (UTLS) Jets and Tropopauses in MERRA

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (9) ◽  
pp. 3248-3271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gloria L. Manney ◽  
Michaela I. Hegglin ◽  
William H. Daffer ◽  
Michael J. Schwartz ◽  
Michelle L. Santee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
North Atlantic ◽  
High Latitude ◽  
Thermal Structure ◽  
Australian Monsoon ◽  
The North ◽  
Westerly Jet ◽  
Subtropical Jet ◽  
Cyclonic Flow ◽  
June July ◽  
Modern Era

Abstract A global climatology (1979–2012) from the Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications (MERRA) shows distributions and seasonal evolution of upper tropospheric jets and their relationships to the stratospheric subvortex and multiple tropopauses. The overall climatological patterns of upper tropospheric jets confirm those seen in previous studies, indicating accurate representation of jet stream dynamics in MERRA. The analysis shows a Northern Hemisphere (NH) upper tropospheric jet stretching nearly zonally from the mid-Atlantic across Africa and Asia. In winter–spring, this jet splits over the eastern Pacific, merges again over eastern North America, and then shifts poleward over the North Atlantic. The jets associated with tropical circulations are also captured, with upper tropospheric westerlies demarking cyclonic flow downstream from the Australian and Asian monsoon anticyclones and associated easterly jets. Multiple tropopauses associated with the thermal tropopause “break” commonly extend poleward from the subtropical upper tropospheric jet. In Southern Hemisphere (SH) summer, the tropopause break, along with a poleward-stretching secondary tropopause, often occurs across the tropical westerly jet downstream of the Australian monsoon region. SH high-latitude multiple tropopauses, nearly ubiquitous in June–July, are associated with the unique polar winter thermal structure. High-latitude multiple tropopauses in NH fall–winter are, however, sometimes associated with poleward-shifted upper tropospheric jets. The SH subvortex jet extends down near the level of the subtropical jet core in winter and spring. Most SH subvortex jets merge with an upper tropospheric jet between May and December; although much less persistent than in the SH, merged NH subvortex jets are common between November and April.

scholarly journals Influence of the Background State on Rossby Wave Propagation into the Great Lakes Region Based on Observations and Model Simulations*

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (24) ◽  
pp. 9302-9322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kathleen D. Holman ◽  
David J. Lorenz ◽  
Michael Notaro
Keyword(s):  
Great Lakes ◽  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Rossby Waves ◽  
Lake Superior ◽  
Great Lakes Region ◽  
The Pacific ◽  
Wave Trains ◽  
Rossby Wave Propagation ◽  
Upper Level ◽  
The Tropics

Abstract The authors investigate the relationship between hydrology in the Great Lakes basin—namely, overlake precipitation and transient Rossby waves—using the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis data and historical output from phase 3 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP3). The preferred path of observed Rossby wave trains associated with overlake precipitation on Lake Superior depends strongly on season and appears to be related to the time-mean, upper-level flow. During summer and fall, the Northern Hemisphere extratropical jet is relatively narrow and acts as a waveguide, such that Rossby wave trains traversing the Great Lakes region travel along the extratropical Pacific and Atlantic jets. During other months, the Pacific jet is relatively broad, which allows more wave activity originating in the tropics to penetrate into the midlatitudes and influence Lake Superior precipitation. Analysis is extended to CMIP3 models and is intended to 1) further understanding of how variations in the mean state influence transient Rossby waves and 2) assess models’ ability to capture observed features, such as wave origin and track. Results indicate that Rossby wave train propagation in twentieth-century simulations can significantly differ by model. Unlike observations, some models do not produce a well-defined jet across the Pacific Ocean during summer and autumn. In these models, some Rossby waves affecting the Great Lakes region originate in the tropics. Collectively, observations and model results show the importance of the time-mean upper-level flow on Rossby wave propagation and therefore on the relative influence of the tropics versus the extratropics on the hydroclimate of the Great Lakes region.

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