Structures and Mechanisms of Heatwaves Related to Quasi-Biweekly Variability over Southern China

Abstract

Abstract In the present study, the structures and mechanisms of the heatwaves (HWs) associated with the quasi-biweekly (QBW; 10–20-day period) variability (QBW-HW) over southern China (SC; 106°–120°E, 21°–30°N) are investigated by using observation data from surface stations in China and the related gridded dataset (CN05.1), and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis. We found that the strongest anticyclonic anomaly and subsidence appear over SC during the developing phase of QBW-HW, and then induced excess solar radiation at surface and significant diabatic heating lead to a positive surface air temperature change, thus favoring occurrence of QBW-HW over SC. In addition, we found a wet near-surface atmosphere in the QBW-HW events over SC, and further confirmed that near-surface moisture should play an important role in the occurrence of QBW-HW, via absorptions of longwave and shortwave radiation. This result is quite different from previous studies since they did not pay attention to the near-surface moisture. On the other hand, warmer SAT favors more water vapor evaporated from the moist soil when considering the Clausius–Clapeyron relationship. Then, the positive feedback processes promote the occurrence of QBW-HW over SC. In contrast, during the developing and warm phases of QBW-HW over SC, except for the near-surface level, the troposphere is in a dry condition, even at 850 and 700 hPa. In the QBW-HW events over SC, the factor responsible for the wet near-surface atmosphere is the enhanced surface evaporation, which is attributed to strengthened surface wind speed and background moist soil. Significance Statement Under the background of global warming, heatwaves over Southern China are experiencing an increasing trend. In this study, we want to understand the structures and mechanisms of the heatwaves related to 10–20-day (quasi-biweekly) variability. We that found some structures of heatwaves (e.g., anticyclonic anomalies along with subsidence) are consistent with previous studies. In addition, we also show that the moist soil and increased induced near-surface moisture play a key role in the occurrence of heatwaves over Southern China, via enhanced absorptions of longwave and shortwave radiation. This study is helpful for understanding the processes and prediction of heatwaves over Southern China. Future work should examine the findings by some numerical experiments with a climate model.