Yang Chen

Mechanisms for concurrent low-latitude circulation anomalies responsible for persistent extreme precipitation in the Yangtze River Valley

Concurrent position shifts of the mid-level western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) and the upper-level South Asia high (SAH) are regarded as significant precursors for persistent extreme precipitation events (PEPEs) in the Yangtze River Valley (YRV). By performing composite analyses, accountable vorticity genesis and dissipation are diagnosed based on a potential vorticity–diabatic heating theory. The results indicate that about 1xa0week preceding precipitation onset, a wave-like pattern of anomalous diabatic heating (Q) initiates its northwestward propagation from equatorial central Pacific. Subsequently, this wave-like pattern induces substantial changes in both horizontal and vertical structure of local Q along the propagating route. Forced negative vorticities in key areas result in the zonal approach between the SAH and the WPSH. During PEPEs, two thermal-induced vertical circulation cells take shape, with common strong ascent centered in the YRV. These anomalous cells are capable of self-maintaining for a few days via positive feedback processes. The WPSH and the SAH are therefore anchored in respective favorable positions for PEPEs. Simultaneously, descending motion of these two cells increases local solar radiation and decreases upward latent heat flux from surface, facilitating warmer underlying surface and swift accumulation of lower-level moisture. Correspondingly, enhanced heating to the north and rapid developing cyclone over warmer sea surface to the south combine to terminate above positive feedback processes. Finally, both the WPSH and the SAH retreat to their normal positions, accompanied by a quick decay of PEPEs.

Precursor Circulation Features for Persistent Extreme Precipitation in Central-Eastern China

AbstractUsing a composite analysis, the typical precursor circulation configuration from the lower to the upper troposphere responsible for persistent extreme precipitation events (PEPEs) of double-blocking-high type in central-eastern China is identified. The potential of these precursors is further assessed based on the composites of normalized anomalies. The composite results reveal that at 500 hPa, about 2 weeks prior to the onset of PEPEs, a positive height anomaly progresses toward the Ural Mountains region from 30°E and another positive anomaly extends southwest from high latitudes toward the Sea of Okhotsk. Afterward, these two positive anomalies grow in magnitude in situ. The double blocking highs are finally well established with height anomalies of 2.4 and 1.8 standard deviations above normal, respectively. At 850 hPa, an anomalous anticyclone originating from the equatorial western Pacific migrates northwestward 1 week prior to the event occurrence, resulting in a greatly intensified moisture ...

Simultaneous modulations of precipitation and temperature extremes in Southern parts of China by the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation

The boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation (BSISO), including a 30–60xa0day component (BSISO1) and a quasi-biweekly component (BSISO2), is the most prominent form of subtropical intraseasonal variability. Influences of BSISOs on summertime precipitation and temperature extremes in China are examined. Results indicate that BSISOs can simultaneously facilitate precipitation extremes in central-eastern China and extreme high temperatures in South China-Southeast China. During phase 2–4 of active BSISO1, accompanying precipitation extremes in central-eastern China, there is a fourfold-fivefold increase in probability of extreme high temperatures in Southeast China. About 50% of such simultaneous extremes fall into phase 2–3. BSISO2’s influences are pronounced from phase 6 to the next phase 2, with about 58% simultaneous extremes clustered within phase 7 to the next phase 1. It is the BSISO-induced vertical cell, with ascending motion in the Yangtze-Huai River Valley and descending motion in the south, that contributes to simultaneous extremes. Enhanced low-level southwesterlies convey moist and warm air towards southern parts of China. Strengthened ascending branch loaded by anomalously abundant moisture produces precipitation extremes in the north. Concurrently, combined effects of warm advection and descent-triggered adiabatic heating anchors extreme high temperatures well located in South China. The northeastward propagation of the BSISO1 confines influenced regions to eastern-southeastern parts of China, with gradually narrowing spatial extents. The BSISO2-induced simultaneous extremes sweep much broader areas, from southeast coasts to the central inlands. Above analyses on BSISOs-simultaneous extremes relationship lay a crucial scientific basis for predicting these high-impact events on sub-seasonal to seasonal scales.

Revisiting summertime hot extremes in China during 1961–2015: Overlooked compound extremes and significant changes

Summertime hot extremes in China are categorized into three distinct types, i.e. independent hot days, independent hot nights and compound events, based on differing configurations between daily maximum and minimum temperature. Linear trends for multiple indictors of these subtypes and traditionally-defined hot days/nights exhibited remarkable differences in significance, magnitude, and even sign, especially for events involving daytime extremes. Thus, some significant changes masked in conventional analyses are successfully uncovered. Particularly, the dominance of independent hot days has decayed significantly, accompanied by a rapid boom of compound events and/or independent hot nights in different regions. These nighttime-accentuated hot extremes have exhibited significant increases in duration, intensity and spatial extent, with much stronger trends detected in severest events.

Potential Influence of the East Asia–Pacific Teleconnection Pattern on Persistent Precipitation in South China: Implications of Atypical Yangtze River Valley Cases

AbstractIn this study, cases of the East Asia–Pacific (EAP) teleconnection pattern not responsible for persistent precipitation processes in the Yangtze River valley (YRV) have been investigated. The results suggest that such a type of EAP pattern has some linkage with persistent precipitation processes in south China (SC) with the following properties: 1) in response to the negative SSTAs and anticyclone near the Philippines, the meridional energy propagates from the low latitudes over the north of the Philippines; 2) the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) then intensifies and extends westward; 3) a meridional triple structure of the EAP teleconnection pattern is established; 4) at the same time, the cyclonic circulation over northeastern China introduces cold and dry air to the lower latitudes, merging with the water vapor into SC and leading to heavy precipitation from the fringe of the WPSH, the South China Sea, and the Bay of Bengal and the combination of systems persists for at least 3 days, le...