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The zonal propagating characteristics of low-frequency oscillation over the Eurasian mid-high latitude in boreal summer

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Abstract

Using 32-yr National Centers for Environment Prediction-National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP-NCAR) reanalysis data, we investigated zonal propagation and circulation characteristics of the low-frequency circulation for the prevailing period over Eurasian mid-high latitude in boreal summer (May-August) in terms of empirical orthogonal function (EOF), linear regression, and phase analysis and so on. We found that the dominant periods of the low-frequency circulation are 10–30 days and it clearly shows meridional (southward) and zonal (westward) propagation features at the middle troposphere (500 hPa). The average zonal speed of the 10–30 days low-frequency oscillation (LFO) is about 9–10 longitudes per day. Further analysis shows that the southernmost part of the polar vortex in the northern hemisphere exhibits westward clockwise rotation in the eastern hemisphere in boreal summer. Also, the southernmost tips of 5400 and 5500 gpm contours, which indicate the site of the major trough in the eastern hemisphere, obviously move westwards. The southernmost tip of 5500 gpm contour line propagates westwards at the speed of about 9–10 longitudes per day, which is consistent with the mean zonal speed of the westward propagation of the low-frequency circulation. Moreover, the 10–30-day LFO-related cold air also shows west propagation feature with respect to LFO phases. The westward propagation of the LFO is the low-frequency-scale embodiment of the clockwise rotation of polar vortex. The cold air activities closely related to polar vortex or to ridge-trough system activities is the essential circulation of 10–30 days LFO circulation over the Eurasian mid-high latitude in boreal summer.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China

    ShuangYan Yang, BingYi Wu & RenHe Zhang

  2. Nanjing University of Information Science and Technology, Nanjing, 210044, China

    ShuangYan Yang & ShunWu Zhou

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  1. ShuangYan Yang
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  2. BingYi Wu
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  3. RenHe Zhang
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  4. ShunWu Zhou
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Correspondence to BingYi Wu.

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Yang, S., Wu, B., Zhang, R. et al. The zonal propagating characteristics of low-frequency oscillation over the Eurasian mid-high latitude in boreal summer. Sci. China Earth Sci. 56, 1566–1575 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4576-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11430-012-4576-z

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