Vorticity Gradient Research Articles

A moderator of tropical impacts on climate in Canadian Arctic Archipelago during boreal summer

The Canadian Arctic Archipelago consists of important international trade routes, and local surface air temperatures (SAT) greatly control sea ice melting in situ during boreal summer (June-July-August-September). However, the drivers of the Arctic Archipelago summer SAT variability have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we find that the impact of tropical Indo-Pacific convection on the Arctic Archipelago SAT through induced poleward-propagating Rossby wave train is strongly modulated by Russian Arctic sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA). Negative Russian Arctic SSTA lead to a weakened East Asia westerly jet via equatorward Rossby wave activity. The weakened westerly jet enhances the meridional gradient of the potential vorticity over the North Pacific, guiding the poleward-propagating Rossby wave to the Arctic Archipelago and therefore affecting the local SAT. Conversely, positive Russian Arctic SSTA impede the northward-propagating Rossby wave via enhancing the East Asia westerly jet, resulting in a weakened relationship between the tropical Indo-Pacific convection and Arctic Archipelago SAT. The present study proposes a mechanism whereby changes in the Tropical-Arctic connection stem from thermal conditions elsewhere in the Arctic, through shaping poleward-propagating Rossby waves by changing the background mean flow.

Quasi-geostrophic monopoles in sheared zonal jets and multiple-jet flows

This work continues our earlier studies of the interaction between a monopolar vortex and a sheared zonal flow in the framework of a 1.5-layer quasi-geostrophic model, based on numerical experiments with singular vortices. Earlier examination of flows with shears of fixed sign showed that the interaction depends strongly on the latitudinal distribution of the gradient of background potential vorticity b(y) (y being the latitude). The latitude y0 at which b(y) changes sign turns out to be of particular importance. In the vicinity of y0, under certain conditions, there arises the zonal-strip region, which attracts (repels) prograde (retrograde) vortices. This effect is examined here for the zonal flows in the form of individual jets as well as for the systems of alternating zonal jets; in all these cases, the background-flow velocity shear and the parameter b(y) can change sign depending on y. It is shown that the vortex drifts to the nearest latitude y0 on the prograde side of the zonal flow, and the meridional speed of the trapped vortex almost vanishes, but its zonal speed is directed westward and approaches the Rossby-wave drift velocity.

Distinct Impacts of Topographic versus Planetary PV Gradients on Baroclinic Turbulence

Abstract The impacts of topographic versus planetary potential vorticity (PV) gradients on fully developed geostrophic turbulence are often treated as dynamically equivalent in theoretical understanding and parameterizations of ocean mesoscale turbulence. Using a suite of homogeneous, two-layer quasigeostrophic (QG) turbulence simulations, we identify similarities and distinctions of topographic versus planetary PV gradients in modulating turbulent eddy energy and fluxes. We show that, while an elevated background PV gradient can suppress geostrophic turbulence, a positive (negative) bottom slope with respect to the orientation of isopycnal slope barotropizes (debarotropizes) the turbulent energy at large scales, which contrasts with a dynamically inert planetary PV gradient in the modewise energy transfer. Then, in the presence of weak bottom drag, a positive slope energizes large-scale along-slope jets and limits small-scale barotropic eddies, both of which yield stronger eddy suppression effects than from a planetary PV gradient; by contrast, a negative slope hinders along-slope jet formation by enhancing the dual-energy cascade cycling, which alleviates the topographic suppression on eddies. In the presence of strong bottom drag, a positive slope elevates barotropic eddy energy, which further enhances the eddy-driven fluxes; by contrast, a negative slope confines turbulent energy to the baroclinic mode, which is strongly damped, causing further weakened turbulent energy and eddy fluxes. A flow regime captured by linear QG theories also emerges as the turbulent energy cascade is jointly suppressed by negative slopes and strong bottom drag. This study provides insights into parameterizing mesoscale eddy effects across sloping bathymetry in predictive ocean models.

Effects of Stratification on Wind‐Driven Upwelling Over a Coastal Valley

AbstractIn‐situ observations indicate variations in stratified conditions over the coastal valley off the Sansha Bay in the northwestern Taiwan Strait across different years. However, dynamic processes and mechanisms governing the upwelling process over the valley, as influenced by stratification, are still unknown. By employing idealized numerical simulations, we demonstrate that compared to the unstratified case, the surface offshore flow intensifies, upwelling flux and net cross‐shore transport are enhanced, upwelling area expands, and the cross‐shore velocity structure is modified over the valley under stratified conditions. The primary factor controlling the vertical velocity within the valley is the relative vorticity change along a streamline (RVC). Further decomposition of the RVC reveals that the depth‐averaged alongshore velocity () and the depth‐averaged alongshore gradient of vorticity () primarily modulate the magnitude and spatial distribution of the vertical velocity. The negative zone of the expands in the valley, resulting in a larger upwelling area. The magnitude of the in the upper layer is slightly enhanced. The combined influence of these two factors leads to increased upwelling flux in the valley under stratified conditions. The net upslope motion over the valley is intensified under stratified conditions. The augmented advection of relative potential vorticity, originating from the increased amplitude of coastal trapped lee waves, primarily contributes to the enhanced net cross‐shore transport in the valley.

Motivating Mechanisms of the South Asian Jet Wave Train by Disturbances over the North Atlantic in Winter

Abstract This study investigated the motivation of the South Asian jet wave train (SAJW) and its underlying mechanism, by distinguishing different evolutions of disturbance sources over the North Atlantic. The disturbance sources propagate along the SAJW toward the western North Pacific in the propagating cases, while they are constrained over the North Atlantic and Europe in the interrupted cases. The possible motivating mechanisms are disclosed in the perspectives of energy dispersion and background potential vorticity gradient (PVG) affecting energy attraction. In the propagating cases, wave energy propagates eastward over the North Atlantic and converges into the Mediterranean Sea and Middle East, leading to the amplification and development of the wave train. The enhancement of PVG over south Europe–Mediterranean Sea is a key factor attracting such eastward propagation, which is associated with the positive PV anomaly over north Europe driven by the diabatic heating of precipitation. In the interrupted cases, energy dispersion is more divergent over the North Atlantic because of the weaker PVG, resulting in the failure of the SAJW excitement. The impacts of the SAJW on the temperature and precipitation along its path are evident, with the modulated snow depth agreeing more with temperature rather than precipitation except over the Tibetan Plateau. Hence, understanding the motivating mechanism of the SAJW is essential for improving weather forecasts over subtropical Eurasia by using the disturbances over the North Atlantic.

The structural compactness of a tropical cyclone seed affects its persistence

Abstract Tropical cyclones (TC) are often generated from pre-existing “seed” vortices. Seeds with higher persistence might have a higher chance to undergo TC genesis. What controls seed persistence remains unclear. This study proposes that planetary Rossby wave drag is a key factor that affects seed persistence. Using recently developed theory for the response of a vortex to the planetary vorticity gradient, a new parameter given by the ratio of the maximum wind speed (Vmax) to the Rhines speed at the radius of maximum wind (Rmax), here termed “vortex compactness” (Cv), is introduced to characterize the vortex weakening by planetary Rossby wave drag. The relationship between vortex compactness and weakening rate is tested via barotropic β-plane experiments. The vortex’s initial Cv is varied by systematically varying their initial Vmax and Rmax in idealized wind profile models. Experiments are also conducted with real-world seed vortices from reanalysis data, which possess natural compactness variability. The weakening rate depends strongly on the vortex’s initial Cv across both idealized and real-world experiments, and the initial axis-asymmetry introduces minor differences. Experiments doubling the size of seed vortices cause them to weaken more rapidly, in line with other experiment sets. The dependence of the weakening rate on initial compactness can be predicted from a simple theory, which is more robust for more compact vortices. Our results suggest that a seed’s structure strongly modulates how long it can persist in the presence of a planetary vorticity gradient. Connections to real seeds on Earth are discussed.

Effects of Horizontal Resolution on Long‐Range Equatorward Radiation of Near‐Inertial Internal Waves in Ocean General Circulation Models

AbstractWind‐generated near‐inertial internal waves (NIWs) are characterized by dominant long‐range equatorward radiation due to the gradient of the planetary vorticity, known as the β‐refraction effect. In this study, we analyze the effects of horizontal model resolution on the long‐range equatorward radiation of NIWs. In a high‐resolution Community Earth System Model (CESM‐HR) with a 0.1° oceanic resolution, about 25% (15%) of NIW energy flux injected downward the surface boundary layer base poleward of 30°N (30°S) radiates into the lower‐latitude region. This ratio decreases to about 15% (8%) in a low‐resolution CESM (CESM‐LR) with a 1° oceanic resolution. The higher long‐range equatorward radiation efficiency in the CESM‐HR than the CESM‐LR is directly attributed to the faster equatorward group velocity of the NIWs of the first three vertical modes, which reflects the better representation of equatorward propagation and beta‐refraction of smaller scale NIWs in the CESM‐HR. The enhancement of equatorward wavenumber induced by the β‐refraction is inhibited in the CESM‐LR, which underrepresent the long‐range equatorward radiation of NIWs. These results underscore the necessity of high‐resolution ocean models in accurately simulating the spatial variabilities of NIWs and their induced turbulent diapycnal mixing in the global ocean.

Multi-field coupling in the scrape-off layer of tokamak plasma

Abstract We study a reduced electrostatic fluid model for the tokamak scrape-off layer (SOL), which incorporates temperature gradient and vorticity gradient as two free energy fields. Two scenarios of field coupling are addressed: (1) sheath condition; (2) vortex wave coupling. For the sheath condition induced field coupling, the poloidal E×B flow shear is coupled with the temperature gradient. Combining an eigenmode analysis and the nonlinear phase dynamics approach, our findings indicate that in the absence of a vorticity gradient, the overall effect of the sheath condition induced flow shear can either stabilize or destabilize the interchange mode, depending on the competition between the flow shear suppression and the temperature gradient driving. This is different from the case where the gradient drive and shear damping are decoupled. When the field coupling is mediated by wave interactions, by setting an idealized step-like temperature and vorticity profiles, a joint mode forms through resonant interaction between the interfacial waves driven by the temperature and vorticity gradients, respectively. Near the phase locking condition, the joint mode can be more unstable than pure temperature gradient driven mode.

The role of time-varying external factors in the intensification of tropical cyclones

Abstract. The role of time-varying external parameters in tropical cyclone (TC) dynamics is explored through a low-order conceptual box model. Specifically, we look at stable-to-stable state transitions which may be linked to tropical cyclone intensification, dissipation, or eyewall replacement cycles (ERCs). To this end, we identify two parameters of interest: the exponent of radial decline and sea-surface temperature. We examine how variations in these parameters affect the stable states of the model and consider the behaviour of the system under different time-dependent forcing profiles for the parameters. By externally forcing the exponent of radial decline and sea-surface temperature, we show the existence of rate-dependent behaviour in the model. These findings are brought together in a case study of Hurricane Irma (2017). The results highlight the role of the radial vorticity gradient in behaviour such as rate-induced tipping and overshoot recovery. They also show that a simple model can be used to explore relatively complex tropical cyclone dynamics.

Formation of Eastern Boundary Undercurrents via Mesoscale Eddy Rectification

Abstract Eastern boundary upwelling systems (EBUSs) host equatorward wind-driven near-surface currents overlying poleward subsurface undercurrents. Various previous theories for these undercurrents have emphasized the role of poleward alongshore pressure gradient forces (APFs). Energetic mesoscale variability may also serve to accelerate undercurrents via mesoscale stirring of the potential vorticity gradient imposed by the continental slope. However, it remains unclear whether this eddy rectification mechanism contributes substantially to driving poleward undercurrents in EBUS. This study isolates the influence of eddy rectification on undercurrents via a suite of idealized simulations forced either by alongshore winds, with or without an APF, or by randomly generated mesoscale eddies. It is found that the simulations develop undercurrents with strengths comparable to those found in nature in both wind-forced and randomly forced experiments. Analysis of the momentum budget reveals that the along-isobath undercurrent flow is accelerated by isopycnal advective eddy momentum fluxes and the APF and retarded by frictional drag. The undercurrent acceleration may manifest as eddy momentum fluxes or as topographic form stress depending on the coordinate system used to compute the momentum budget, which reconciles these findings with previous work that linked eddy acceleration of the undercurrent to topographic form stress. The leading-order momentum balance motivates a scaling for the strength of the undercurrent that explains most of the variance across the simulations. These findings indicate that eddy rectification is of comparable importance to the APF in driving poleward undercurrents in EBUSs and motivate further work to diagnose this effect in high-resolution models and observations and to parameterize it in coarse-resolution ocean/climate models.

Orientational order and topological defects in a dilute solutions of rodlike polymers at low Reynolds number.

The relationship between the polymer orientation and the chaotic flow, in a dilute solution of rigid rodlike polymers at low Reynolds number, is investigated by means of direct numerical simulations. It is found that the rods tend to align with the velocity field in order to minimize the friction with the solvent fluid, while regions of rotational disorder are related to strong vorticity gradients, and therefore to the chaotic flow. The "turbulent-like" behavior of the system is therefore associated with the emergence and interaction of topological defects of the mean director field, similarly to active nematic turbulence. The analysis has been carried out in both two and three spatial dimensions.

Rapid summer Russian Arctic sea-ice loss enhances the risk of recent Eastern Siberian wildfires

In recent decades boreal wildfires have occurred frequently over eastern Siberia, leading to increased emissions of carbon dioxide and pollutants. However, it is unclear what factors have contributed to recent increases in these wildfires. Here, using the data we show that background eastern Siberian Arctic warming (BAW) related to summer Russian Arctic sea-ice decline accounts for ~79% of the increase in summer vapor pressure deficit (VPD) that controls wildfires over eastern Siberia over 2004-2021 with the remaining ~21% related to internal atmospheric variability associated with changes in Siberian blocking events. We further demonstrate that Siberian blocking events are occurring at higher latitudes, are more persistent and have larger zonal scales and slower decay due to smaller meridional potential vorticity gradients caused by stronger BAW under lower sea-ice. These changes lead to more persistent, widespread and intense high-latitude warming and VPD, thus contributing to recent increases in eastern Siberian high-latitude wildfires.

Rough solutions of the relativistic Euler equations

We prove that the time of classical existence of smooth solutions to the relativistic Euler equations can be bounded from below in terms of norms that measure the “(sound) wave-part” of the data in Sobolev space and “transport-part” in higher regularity Sobolev space and Hölder spaces. The solutions are allowed to have nontrivial vorticity and entropy. We use the geometric framework from [M. M. Disconzi and J. Speck, The relativistic Euler equations: Remarkable null structures and regularity properties, Ann. Henri Poincaré 20(7) (2019) 2173–2270], where the relativistic Euler flow is decomposed into a “wave-part”, that is, geometric wave equations for the velocity components, density and enthalpy, and a “transport-part”, that is, transport-div-curl systems for the vorticity and entropy gradient. Our main result is that the Sobolev norm [Formula: see text] of the variables in the “wave-part” and the Hölder norm [Formula: see text] of the variables in the “transport-part” can be controlled in terms of initial data for short times. We note that the Sobolev norm assumption [Formula: see text] is the optimal result for the variables in the “wave-part”. Compared to low-regularity results for quasilinear wave equations and the three-dimensional (3D) non-relativistic compressible Euler equations, the main new challenge of the paper is that when controlling the acoustic geometry and bounding the wave equation energies, we must deal with the difficulty that the vorticity and entropy gradient are four-dimensional space-time vectors satisfying a space-time div-curl-transport system, where the space-time div-curl part is not elliptic. Due to lack of ellipticity, one cannot immediately rely on the approach taken in [M. M. Disconzi and J. Speck, The relativistic Euler equations: Remarkable null structures and regularity properties, Ann. Henri Poincaré 20(7) (2019) 2173–2270] to control these terms. To overcome this difficulty, we show that the space-time div-curl systems imply elliptic div-curl-transport systems on constant-time hypersurfaces plus error terms that involve favorable differentiations and contractions with respect to the four-velocity. By using these structures, we are able to adequately control the vorticity and entropy gradient with the help of energy estimates for transport equations, elliptic estimates, Schauder estimates and Littlewood–Paley theory.

Suppression of Mesoscale Eddy Mixing by Topographic PV Gradients

Abstract Oceanic mesoscale eddy mixing plays a crucial role in Earth’s climate system by redistributing heat, salt, and carbon. For many ocean and climate models, mesoscale eddies still need to be parameterized. This is often done via an eddy diffusivity , which sets the strength of turbulent downgradient tracer fluxes. A well-known effect is the modulation of in the presence of background potential vorticity (PV) gradients, which suppresses cross-PV gradient mixing. Topographic slopes can induce such suppression through topographic PV gradients. However, this effect has received little attention, and topographic effects are often not included in parameterizations for . In this study, we show that it is possible to describe the effect of topography on analytically in a barotropic framework, using a simple stochastic representation of eddy–eddy interactions. We obtain an analytical expression for the depth-averaged as a function of the bottom slope, which we validate against diagnosed eddy diffusivities from a numerical model. The obtained analytical expression can be generalized to any constant barotropic PV gradient. Moreover, the expression is consistent with empirical parameterizations for eddy diffusivity over topography from previous studies and provides a physical rationalization for these parameterizations. The new expression helps to understand how eddy diffusivities vary across the ocean, and thus how mesoscale eddies impact ocean mixing processes. Significance Statement Large oceanic “whirls,” called eddies, can mix and transport ocean properties such as heat, salt, carbon, and nutrients. Mixing plays an important role for oceanic ecosystems and the climate system. In numerical simulations of Earth’s climate, eddy mixing is typically represented using a simplified expression. However, an effect that is often not included is that eddy mixing is weaker over a sloping seafloor. In most areas of the ocean the bottom slope is steep enough for this effect to be significant. In this study we derive an expression for eddy mixing that accounts for oceanic bottom slopes. The present effort provides a physical basis for eddy mixing over oceanic bottom slopes, justifying their use in climate models.

Vortex splitting in two-dimensional fluids and non-neutral electron plasmas with smooth vorticity profiles

Initially, elliptical, quasi-two-dimensional (2D) fluid vortices can split into multiple pieces if the aspect ratio is sufficiently large due to the growth and saturation of perturbations known as Love modes on the vortex edge. Presented here are experiments and numerical simulations, showing that the aspect ratio threshold for vortex splitting is significantly higher for vortices with realistic, smooth edges than that predicted by a simple “vortex patch” model, where the vorticity is treated as piecewise constant inside a deformable boundary. The experiments are conducted by exploiting the E × B drift dynamics of collisionless, pure electron plasmas in a Penning–Malmberg trap, which closely model 2D vortex dynamics due to an isomorphism between the Drift–Poisson equations describing the plasmas and the Euler equations describing ideal fluids. The simulations use a particle-in-cell method to model the evolution of a set of point vortices. The aspect ratio splitting threshold ranges up to about twice as large as the vortex patch prediction and depends on the edge vorticity gradient. This is thought to be due to spatial Landau damping, which decreases the vortex aspect ratio over time and, thus, stabilizes the Love modes. Near the threshold, asymmetric splitting events are observed in which one of the split products contains much less circulation than the other. These results are relevant to a wide range of quasi-2D fluid systems, including geophysical fluids, astrophysical disks, and drift-wave eddies in tokamak plasmas.

Inferring Tracer Diffusivity From Coherent Mesoscale Eddies

AbstractMixing along isopycnals plays an important role in the transport and uptake of oceanic tracers. Isopycnal mixing is commonly quantified by a tracer diffusivity. Previous studies have estimated the tracer diffusivity using the rate of dispersion of surface drifters, subsurface floats, or numerical particles advected by satellite‐derived velocity fields. This study shows that the diffusivity can be more efficiently estimated from the dispersion of coherent mesoscale eddies. Coherent eddies are identified and tracked as the persistent sea surface height extrema in both a two‐layer quasigeostrophic (QG) model and an idealized primitive equation (PE) model. The Lagrangian diffusivity is estimated using the tracks of these coherent eddies and compared to the diagnosed Eulerian diffusivity. It is found that the meridional coherent eddy diffusivity approaches a stable value within about 20–40 days in both models. In the QG model, the coherent eddy diffusivity is a good approximation to the upper‐layer tracer diffusivity in a broad range of flow regimes, except for small values of bottom friction or planetary vorticity gradient, where the motions of same‐sign eddies are correlated over long distances. In the PE model, the tracer diffusivity has a complicated vertical structure and the coherent eddy diffusivity is correlated with the tracer diffusivity at the e‐folding depth of the energy‐containing eddies where the intrinsic speed of the coherent eddies matches the rms eddy velocity. These results suggest that the oceanic tracer diffusivity at depth can be estimated from the movements of coherent mesoscale eddies, which are routinely tracked from satellite observations.

The response of atmospheric blocking and East Asian cold extremes to future Arctic Sea ice loss

The effect of Arctic warming on cold extremes over middle latitude remains a controversial and unresolved issue, particularly considering potential enhanced Arctic amplification in future scenarios. Here we examine the possible responses of winter cold extremes to the projected sea ice loss under 2 °C global warming scenario in four models, based on the atmosphere-only experiments of the Polar Amplification Model Inter-comparison Project (PAMIP). We find agreement with the increased responses of extreme cold days over East Asia (EA), characterized by longer duration or stronger intensity of temperature drop during cold events. Accordingly, most models exhibit a weak response of the Ural blocking in the corresponding composite circulation fields, whereas the westward movement of an anomalous anticyclonic system from eastern Siberia before the maturing of the Ural blocking is notable in four models. We suggest that this westward shifting pattern may prolong the duration of Ural blocking or modulate the strength of the Northeast Asian cold vortex, resulting in longer or stronger cold anomalies in EA. Accordingly, increased blocking frequency with a more pronounced westward response of shipment signals is also found over eastern Siberia, where a reduced meridional potential vorticity gradient (PVy) exists. The background of weak PVy can enhance the atmospheric nonlinearity, resulting in the anticyclonic anomalies less prone to dispersion and presenting a westward characteristic. Our results highlight the impact of the nonlinear response of circulation to Arctic sea ice loss. In contrast to more concerned Ural blocking influence, it is suggested that the downstream impact of eastern Siberia blocking on cold extremes in EA may be more pronounced in an enhanced Arctic amplification climate.

Parameterizing Mesoscale Eddy Buoyancy Transport Over Sloping Topography

AbstractMost of the ocean's kinetic energy is contained within the mesoscale eddy field. Models that do not resolve these eddies tend to parameterize their impacts such that the parameterized transport of buoyancy and tracers reduces the large‐scale available potential energy and spreads tracers. However, the parameterizations used in the ocean components of current generation Earth System Models rely on an assumption of a flat ocean floor even though observations and high‐resolution modeling show that eddy transport is sensitive to the potential vorticity gradients associated with a sloping seafloor. We show that buoyancy transport coefficient diagnosed from idealized eddy‐resolving simulations is indeed reduced over both prograde and retrograde bottom slopes (topographic wave propagation along or against the mean flow, respectively) and that the reduction can be skilfully captured by a mixing length parameterization by introducing the topographic Rhines scale as a length scale. This modified “GM” parameterization enhances the strength of thermal wind currents over the slopes in coarse‐resolution, non‐eddying, simulations. We find that in realistic global coarse‐resolution simulations the impact of topography is most pronounced at high latitudes, enhancing the mean flow strength and reducing temperature and salinity biases. Reducing the buoyancy transport coefficient further with a mean‐flow dependent eddy efficiency factor, has notable effects also at lower latitudes and leads to reduction of global mean biases.

Summer Russian Heat Waves Linked to Arctic Sea Ice Anomalies in 2010 and 2016

Abstract This study investigates dominant features of the atmospheric circulation evolution associated with extreme heat waves (HWs) in Russia during the summers of 2010 and 2016, respectively, and their possible association with Arctic sea ice loss. Results show that a region of Russia (20°–70°E, 45°–65°N) experienced a lasting 44-day HW event from 4 July to 16 August 2010 and a 26-day HW event from 2 to 27 August 2016. The associated atmospheric circulation anomalies are characterized by the summer Arctic cold anomaly in the mid- to low troposphere and an anticyclonic circulation anomaly over the Ural Mountains. Simulation experiments forced by summer Arctic sea ice anomalies reproduce the major characteristics of observational associations. Observations and numerical simulations indicate that summer Arctic sea ice anomaly is conducive to the formation of the summer Arctic cold anomaly, which is often accompanied by the enhanced baroclinicity in most of the Arctic troposphere and increased and decreased meridional temperature gradient in the high and midlatitudes, respectively. Such a configuration strengthens westerly winds over most of the Arctic and weakens zonal westerly over the southern Ural Mountains. This anomalous zonal wind pattern establishes the background conditions for the sustained positive geopotential height anomaly in the mid- to low troposphere that dynamically facilitates the prevalence of Russian HW events. Moreover, when compared with 2016, the weaker meridional potential vorticity gradient anomaly in the summer of 2010 prolonged the persistence of Ural blocking, which may lead to longer HW events in Russia.

Moist bias in the Pacific upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) in climate models affects regional circulation patterns

Abstract. Water vapour in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere (UTLS) is a key radiative agent and a crucial factor in the Earth's climate system. Here, we investigate a common regional moist bias in the Pacific UTLS during Northern Hemisphere summer in state-of-the-art climate models. We demonstrate, through a combination of climate model experiments and satellite observations, that the Pacific moist bias amplifies local long-wave cooling, which ultimately impacts regional circulation systems in the UTLS. Related impacts involve a strengthening of isentropic potential vorticity gradients, strengthened westerlies in the Pacific westerly duct region, and a zonally displaced anticyclonic monsoon circulation. Furthermore, we show that the regional Pacific moist bias can be significantly reduced by applying a Lagrangian, less-diffusive transport scheme and that such a model improvement could be important for improving the simulation of regional circulation systems, in particular in the Asian monsoon and Pacific region.