Structures and Environment of Explosively Developing Extratropical Cyclones in the Northwestern Pacific Region

Yoshida, Akira; Asuma, Yoshio

doi:10.1175/1520-0493(2004)132<1121:saeoed>2.0.co;2

Cited by 134 publications

(183 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The general features of cyclone activities (geographical locations of major paths, cyclone frequency, and seasonal variations; see supplements) showed good agreement with those described in previous studies (e.g., Asai et al 1988;Chen et al 1991). Although the frequency of explosive cyclones was slightly underestimated (−15%) compared with the results obtained by Yoshida and Asuma (2004), the major path of explosive cyclones and its seasonal variations were quite similar to those found in their study (not shown). As noted by Chen et al (1991) and Asai et al (1988), there are three cyclone tracks around Japan: (1) the Pacific coastal track, (2) the Japan Sea track (~40°N), and (3) the Asian continent track (~50°N).…”

Section: Datasupporting

confidence: 89%

Cyclone Activities in Heavy Rainfall Episodes in Japan during Spring Season

Hayasaki

Kawamura

2012

SOLA

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Characteristics of springtime cyclones with heavy rainfall in Japan are examined. Heavy rain episodes are obtained from the upper five percent of an area-averaged daily rainfall in the mainland Japan for the period 1982−2009. For heavy rain episodes, the cyclogenesis area shifts westward. The primary path of cyclones, locates along the south coast of Japan, displaces northward from the climatological path and that of the moderate rain episodes. Maximum developments of cyclones are frequently observed over the East China Sea and western Japan near the oceanic frontal zone. A composite analysis of heavy rain episodes exhibits that a lower tropospheric ridge covers Japan two days before a heavy rain date (Day −2). The ridge, which locates to the east of the trough, amplifies and extends meridionally with eastward progress until Day 0. As the eastward migration of the trough and ridge, poleward moisture flux is enhanced between the trough and ridge systems. In moderate rain episodes, amplification of trough and ridge systems and associated poleward moisture flux are rather weak for the period around Day 0. Enhanced poleward moisture flux due to the amplification of both trough and ridge may cause early development and northward shift of cyclones. IntroductionRainfall amount and its spatial distribution in Japan show notable seasonal variations. During the cold season, continental cold air outbreaks cause shallow convective cloud streets over the Sea of Japan. These clouds bring heavy snowfall along the coastal area. The northwesterly monsoon surges also affect the behavior of explosively developing cyclones around Japan. Maximum developments of explosive cyclones tend to concentrate in the vicinity of the Kuroshio Current and the Kuroshio Extension for a strong winter monsoon period (Yoshiike and Kawamura 2009). In a warm season, a southwesterly flow prevails over Southeast and East Asia. The intensified southwesterly flow forms a stationary front ('Baiu' front) and causes heavy rainfall along the front. In spring, however, widespread rainfall in Japan is mainly caused by traveling extratropical cyclones.On the basis of a cyclone tracking analysis using weather charts, cyclone frequencies around Japan are largest in spring (Whittaker and Horn 1984;Asai et al. 1988;Chen et al. 1992). General characteristics of synoptic weather conditions for heavy rainfall (snowfall) periods were documented well in previous studies as for summer (e.g., Ninomiya 1984;Takahashi 1993) and winter (e.g., Yoshiike and Kawamura 2009).Comprehensive descriptions of springtime cyclones with heavy rainfall have not been fully documented. Spring cyclones are most frequent and cause disastrous winds and widespread heavy rain episodes in Japan (Uemura 1981;Nishii et al. 2009).The main purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of cyclones with heavy rain in Japan during the spring season. DataThe gridded daily rainfall data in Japan (APHRO_JP) were obtained from the Asian Precipitation Highly-Resolved Observational Data Integr...

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Section: Datasupporting

confidence: 89%

Cyclone Activities in Heavy Rainfall Episodes in Japan during Spring Season

Hayasaki

Kawamura

2012

SOLA

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“…3d). Extratropical cyclones often pass through and around the Japan Islands in winter and sometimes develop explosively (Yoshida and Asuma 2004). The height patterns shown in Figs.…”

Section: Synoptic-scale Structures With the Precipitation Typesmentioning

confidence: 98%

Statistical Analyses of Snowfall Distribution in the Niigata Area and its Relationship to the Wind Distribution

Iwamoto

Nakai

Sato

2008

SOLA

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Analyses of precipitation amounts and surface winds observed at weather stations were conducted to investigate the effect of the topography on the snowfall distribution in Niigata. The topographic effect on the precipitation, particularly in the Niigata plain, has not been well discussed although Akiyama (1981aAkiyama ( , 1981b discussed the relationship between the snowfall distribution in Niigata and the synoptic scale condition. Using an empirical orthogonal function analysis, the winter precipitation distribution from 1988 to 2007 in Niigata was categorized as plain-type (P-type) and mountain-type (M-type). The P-type precipitation occurs under an upper trough over the Sea of Japan. The synoptic westerly wind, brought by the lower trough near the Japan Islands, and the deep convective mixed layer will be responsible for the precipitation in the plains of Niigata and Hokuriku. In addition, the Noto Peninsula and the mountain range to the east of the Hokuriku area seem to play an dynamical role in the precipitation in the Niigata plain. The M-type precipitation occurs under the upper trough over Japan. The synoptic scale condition brings northwesterly wind, which causes a topographic updraft at the mountain slope, resulting in precipitation dominated in the Niigata mountain range.

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“…3 developing cyclones, known as bomb cyclones in Japanese synoptic weather charts (Sanders and Gyakum 1980;Yoshida and Asuma 2004;Yoshiike and Kawamura 2009), are found in these locations and on the east coast of North America, especially in the late autumn and early spring. The stages of cyclones development can be explained by linear baroclinic theory; infinitesimally small eddies develop exponentially under strong vertical wind shear (Charney 1947;Eady 1949), while the mature stage of cyclones is thought to play a significant role in their interaction with the time mean flow through barotropic energy conversion (Hoskins et al 1983;James 1987).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Wintertime extratropical cyclone frequency around Japan

Inatsu

Terakura

2011

Clim Dyn

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Data analysis and regional atmospheric model (RAM) experiments revealed key factors in the control of wintertime cyclone passage routes from Northeast Asia to the western North Pacific. The cyclone routes were independent of the global flow pattern in the interannual variability, while cyclone growth closely agreed with linear baroclinic theory. The RAM experiments with a different lateral boundary condition composed of a combination of monthly mean and transient components also showed that the upstream eddies are important for the track route, but the background states are not. Additionally, the RAM experiments showed that the mean flow controlled the growth rate of cyclones.

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Structures and Environment of Explosively Developing Extratropical Cyclones in the Northwestern Pacific Region

Cited by 134 publications

References 36 publications

Cyclone Activities in Heavy Rainfall Episodes in Japan during Spring Season

Cyclone Activities in Heavy Rainfall Episodes in Japan during Spring Season

Statistical Analyses of Snowfall Distribution in the Niigata Area and its Relationship to the Wind Distribution

Wintertime extratropical cyclone frequency around Japan

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