Skip to main content
Log in

Study of the optimal precursors for blocking events

  • Published:
Advances in Atmospheric Sciences Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The precursors of dipole blocking are obtained by a numerical approach based upon a quasi-geostrophic barotropic planetary-to synoptic-scale interaction model without topography and with a localized synopticscale wave-maker. The optimization problem related to the precursors of blocking is formulated and the nonlinear optimization method is used to examine the optimal synoptic-scale initial field successfully. The results show that the prominent characteristics of the optimal synoptic-scale initial field are that the synoptic-scale wave train structures exist upstream of the incipient blocking. In addition, the large-scale low/high eddy-forcing pattern upstream of the incipient blocking is an essential precondition for the onset of dipole blocking.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Buizza, R., and F. Molteni, 1996: The role of finite-time barotropic instability during the transition to blocking.J. Atmos. Sci.,53, 1675–1697.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Butchart, N., K. Haines, and J. C. Marshall, 1989: A theoretical and diagnostic study of solitary waves and atmospheric blocking.J. Atmos. Sci.,46, 2063–2078.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Charney, J. G., and J. G. DeVore, 1979: Multiple flow equilibria in the atmosphere and blocking.J. Atmos. Sci.,36, 1205–1216.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duan Wansuo, Mu Mu, and Wang Bin, 2004: Conditional nonlinear optimal perturbations as the optimal precursors for ENSO events.J. Geophys. Res.,109, 4756–4768.

    Google Scholar 

  • Farrell, B. F., 1990: Small error dynamics and the predictability of atmospheric flows.J. Atmos. Sci.,47, 2409–2416.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Frederiksen, J. S., 1997: Adjoint sensitivity and finite-time normal mode disturbances during blocking.J. Atmos. Sci,654, 1144–1165.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jiang Zhina, Luo Dehai, and Diao Yina, 2005: Numerical simulation of interaction between planetary-scale waves and synoptic-scale waves.Journal of Ocean University of China, (in press). (in Chinese)

  • Lacarra, R., and O. Talagrand, 1988: Short-range evolution of small perturbations in a barotropic model.Tellus,40A, 81–95.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Li Zhijin, A. Barcilon, and I. M. Navon, 1999: Study of block onset using sensitivity perturbation in climatological flows.Mon. Wea. Rev.,127(3), 879–900.

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo Dehai, 1999:Envelope Rossby Solitions in the Large-Scale Atmosphere and Blocking Circulations. China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 113pp. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Luo Dehai, 2000: Planetary-scale baroclinic envelope Rossby solitions in a two-layer model and their interaction with synoptic-scale eddies.Dyn. Atmos. Oceans,32, 27–74.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo Dehai, 2005a: A barotropic envelope Rossby soliton model for block-eddy interaction. Part I: Effect of topography.J. Atmos. Sci.,62, 5–22

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo Dehai, 2005b: A barotropic envelope Rossby soliton model for block-eddy interaction. Part II: Role of westward traveling planetary waves.J. Atmos. Sci.,62, 22–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Luo Dehai, Huang Fei, and Diao Yina, 2001: Interaction between antecedent planetary-scale envelope soliton blocking anticyclone and synoptic-scale eddies: Observations and theory.J. Geophys. Res.,106(23), 31795–31816.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Malguzzi, P., and P. Malanotte-Rizzoli, 1984: Nonlinear stationary Rossby waves on nonuniform zonal winds and atmospheric blocking, Part I: The analytical theory.J. Atmos. Sci.,41, 2620–2628.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McWilliams, J., 1980: An application of equivalent modons to atmospheric blocking.Dyn. Atmos. Oceans,5, 219–238.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Michelangeli, P. A., and R. Vautard, 1998: The dynamics of Euro-Atlantic blocking onset.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,124, 1045–1070.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mu Mu, 2000: Nonlinear singular vectors and nonlinear singular values.Sciences in China (D),43, 375–385.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu Mu, and Wang Jiacheng, 2001: Nonlinear fastest growing perturbation and the first kind of predictability.Science in China (D),44, 1128–1139.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu Mu, and Duan Wansuo, 2003: A new approach to studying ENSO predictability: Conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation.Chinese Science Bulletin,48, 747–749.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu Mu, Duan Wansuo, and Wang Jiafeng, 2002: Nonlinear optimization problems in atmospheric and oceanic sciences.East-West Journal of Mathematics, Special volume on Computational Mathematics and Modeling,155, 169–178.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu Mu, Duan Wansuo, and Wang Bin, 2003: Conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation and its application.Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics,10, 493–501.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mu Mu, Sun Liang, and H. A. Dijkstra, 2004: The sensitivity and stability of the ocean’s thermohaline circulation to finite amplitude perturbations.Journal of Physical Oceanography,34(10), 2305–2315.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Nakamura, H., Nakamura, M., and J. L. Anderson, 1997: The role of high- and low-frequency dynamics in blocking formation.Mon. Wea. Rev.,125, 2074–2093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oortwijn, J., and J. Barkmeijer, 1995: Perturbations that optimally trigger weather regimes.J. Atmos. Sci.,52, 3932–3944.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Rex, D. F., 1950a: Blocking action in the middle troposphere and its effects on regional climate. 1. An aerological study of blocking.Tellus,2, 196–211.

    Google Scholar 

  • Rex, D. F., 1950b: Blocking action in the middle troposphere and its effects on regional climate. 2. The climatology of blocking action.Tellus,2, 275–301.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Shutts, G. J., 1983: The propagation of eddies in diffluent jet streams: Eddy vorticity forcing of blocking flow fields.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,109, 737–761.

    Google Scholar 

  • Tibaldi, S., and F. Molteni, 1990: On the operational predictability of blocking.Tellus,42A, 343–365.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu Hui, Mu Mu, and Luo Dehai, 2004: Application of nonlinear optimization method to sensitivity analysis of numerical model.Progress in Natural Science,14(6), 546–549.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Zhina, J., Dehai, L. Study of the optimal precursors for blocking events. Adv. Atmos. Sci. 22, 408–414 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918754

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918754

Key words

Navigation