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.
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.
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.
Charney, J. G., and J. G. DeVore, 1979: Multiple flow equilibria in the atmosphere and blocking.J. Atmos. Sci.,36, 1205–1216.
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.
Farrell, B. F., 1990: Small error dynamics and the predictability of atmospheric flows.J. Atmos. Sci.,47, 2409–2416.
Frederiksen, J. S., 1997: Adjoint sensitivity and finite-time normal mode disturbances during blocking.J. Atmos. Sci,654, 1144–1165.
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.
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.
Luo Dehai, 1999:Envelope Rossby Solitions in the Large-Scale Atmosphere and Blocking Circulations. China Meteorological Press, Beijing, 113pp. (in Chinese)
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.
Luo Dehai, 2005a: A barotropic envelope Rossby soliton model for block-eddy interaction. Part I: Effect of topography.J. Atmos. Sci.,62, 5–22
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.
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.
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.
McWilliams, J., 1980: An application of equivalent modons to atmospheric blocking.Dyn. Atmos. Oceans,5, 219–238.
Michelangeli, P. A., and R. Vautard, 1998: The dynamics of Euro-Atlantic blocking onset.Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc.,124, 1045–1070.
Mu Mu, 2000: Nonlinear singular vectors and nonlinear singular values.Sciences in China (D),43, 375–385.
Mu Mu, and Wang Jiacheng, 2001: Nonlinear fastest growing perturbation and the first kind of predictability.Science in China (D),44, 1128–1139.
Mu Mu, and Duan Wansuo, 2003: A new approach to studying ENSO predictability: Conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation.Chinese Science Bulletin,48, 747–749.
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.
Mu Mu, Duan Wansuo, and Wang Bin, 2003: Conditional nonlinear optimal perturbation and its application.Nonlinear Processes in Geophysics,10, 493–501.
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.
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.
Oortwijn, J., and J. Barkmeijer, 1995: Perturbations that optimally trigger weather regimes.J. Atmos. Sci.,52, 3932–3944.
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.
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.
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.
Tibaldi, S., and F. Molteni, 1990: On the operational predictability of blocking.Tellus,42A, 343–365.
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.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights 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
Received:
Revised:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02918754