Resolution Dependence and Rossby Wave Modulation of Atmospheric Rivers in an Aquaplanet Model
Abstract
Abstract Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are examined in a set of aquaplanet simulations using the Model for Prediction Across Scales dynamical core run at multiple horizontal resolutions, namely, 240, 120, and 60 km. As the resolution is increased, there is an increase in the occurrence of long‐lasting ARs. At the same time there is also an increase in the local finite‐amplitude wave activity (LWA) of upper‐tropospheric absolute vorticity, a measure for Rossby wave phase and amplitude that is closely linked with wave breaking. Consistent with the notion that changes in ARs are driven by midlatitude dynamics, a strong relationship is identified between ARs and the equatorward component of LWA. A logistic regression model is used to quantify the probability of AR occurrence based solely on LWA and explains most of the change in AR frequency with resolution. LWA is a diagnostic that may be easily applied to the broadly available output of phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison project and other model simulations, thus enabling scientists to infer AR and Rossby wave characteristics. AR characteristics, in particular, require higher‐resolution moisture and winds at multiple levels that are not always easily available.
- Authors:
-
[1];
[2];
[1]
- George Mason Univ., Fairfax, VA (United States)
- Pacific Northwest National Lab. (PNNL), Richland, WA (United States)
- Publication Date:
- Research Org.:
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), Berkeley, CA (United States). National Energy Research Scientific Computing Center (NERSC)
- Sponsoring Org.:
- USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)
- OSTI Identifier:
- 1544262
- Alternate Identifier(s):
- OSTI ID: 1454625
- Grant/Contract Number:
- SC0012599; AGS-1338427; NA14OAR4310160; NNX14AM19G
- Resource Type:
- Accepted Manuscript
- Journal Name:
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres
- Additional Journal Information:
- Journal Volume: 123; Journal Issue: 12; Journal ID: ISSN 2169-897X
- Publisher:
- American Geophysical Union
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; atmospheric rivers; resolution; Rossby waves
Citation Formats
Swenson, Erik T., Lu, Jian, and Straus, David M. Resolution Dependence and Rossby Wave Modulation of Atmospheric Rivers in an Aquaplanet Model. United States: N. p., 2018.
Web. doi:10.1029/2017JD027899.
Swenson, Erik T., Lu, Jian, & Straus, David M. Resolution Dependence and Rossby Wave Modulation of Atmospheric Rivers in an Aquaplanet Model. United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JD027899
Swenson, Erik T., Lu, Jian, and Straus, David M. Wed .
"Resolution Dependence and Rossby Wave Modulation of Atmospheric Rivers in an Aquaplanet Model". United States. https://doi.org/10.1029/2017JD027899. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1544262.
@article{osti_1544262,
title = {Resolution Dependence and Rossby Wave Modulation of Atmospheric Rivers in an Aquaplanet Model},
author = {Swenson, Erik T. and Lu, Jian and Straus, David M.},
abstractNote = {Abstract Atmospheric rivers (ARs) are examined in a set of aquaplanet simulations using the Model for Prediction Across Scales dynamical core run at multiple horizontal resolutions, namely, 240, 120, and 60 km. As the resolution is increased, there is an increase in the occurrence of long‐lasting ARs. At the same time there is also an increase in the local finite‐amplitude wave activity (LWA) of upper‐tropospheric absolute vorticity, a measure for Rossby wave phase and amplitude that is closely linked with wave breaking. Consistent with the notion that changes in ARs are driven by midlatitude dynamics, a strong relationship is identified between ARs and the equatorward component of LWA. A logistic regression model is used to quantify the probability of AR occurrence based solely on LWA and explains most of the change in AR frequency with resolution. LWA is a diagnostic that may be easily applied to the broadly available output of phase 6 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison project and other model simulations, thus enabling scientists to infer AR and Rossby wave characteristics. AR characteristics, in particular, require higher‐resolution moisture and winds at multiple levels that are not always easily available.},
doi = {10.1029/2017JD027899},
journal = {Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres},
number = 12,
volume = 123,
place = {United States},
year = {Wed May 16 00:00:00 EDT 2018},
month = {Wed May 16 00:00:00 EDT 2018}
}
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Works referencing / citing this record:
Sensitivity of Atmospheric Rivers to Damping of Midlatitude Subseasonal Variability
journal, September 2019
- Swenson, Erik T.; Stan, Cristiana
- Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, Vol. 124, Issue 17-18