On the vorticity and energy budgets of the cold vortex in Northeast China: a case study

Abstract

This study examines the vorticity budgets, turbulent extended exergy and kinetic energy evolution equations to investigate the major dynamical and energy conversion processes contributing to the initiation and intensification of the cold vortex over Northeast China that occurred during June 19–22, 2009. The results show that the cyclonic vorticity was initiated in the lower troposphere due to the intense convergence of horizontal winds. The growth of cyclonic vorticity in the middle troposphere is mainly due to the vertical transportation of the vorticity, yet the increase of cyclonic vorticity in the upper troposphere primarily results from the horizontal advection of vorticity. Of special interest in this study is the evaluation of the role of thermal advections in the baroclinic development of the cold vortex. The results indicate that the rising of the air over relatively warm areas and the sinking of the air in relatively cold regions are favorable for releasing turbulent extended exergy \( \left( {e_{\text{t}} } \right) \), which is later converted to turbulent kinetic energy \( \left( {k_{\text{t}} } \right) \), and this process occurs during the initiation and intensification of the cold vortex. In addition, barotropic energy conversion is another important process that contributes to the growth of kt, and it strengthens gradually after the initiation of the cold vortex. Other than frictional consumption, the flux of kt in the vertical direction also depletes some of kt. The fluxes of et, baroclinic energy conversions and diabatic generations are favorable factors for the growth of et, whereas it decreases with time as a result of a large amount of et that is released. Most of the energy conversion processes, including the baroclinic and the barotropic energy transformations and the energy conversions from et to kt, as well as the fluxes of et, are stronger in the lower troposphere than the other areas during the formation of the cold vortex. This accounts for the initiation of the cyclonic vorticity in the lower troposphere. Finally, the fact that the turbulent extended exergy releases primarily in the middle troposphere through the vertical thermal circulation is consistent with our understanding based on the vorticity budget analyses.