Accessibility navigation


Synoptic-scale controls of persistent low temperature and icy weather over southern China in January 2008

Zhou, W., Chan, J. C. L., Chen, W., Ling, J., Pinto, J. G. and Shao, Y. (2009) Synoptic-scale controls of persistent low temperature and icy weather over southern China in January 2008. Monthly Weather Review, 137 (11). pp. 3978-3991. ISSN 0027-0644

[img]
Preview
Text - Published Version
· Please see our End User Agreement before downloading.

4MB

It is advisable to refer to the publisher's version if you intend to cite from this work. See Guidance on citing.

To link to this item DOI: 10.1175/2009MWR2952.1

Abstract/Summary

In January 2008, central and southern China experienced persistent low temperatures, freezing rain, and snow. The large-scale conditions associated with the occurrence and development of these snowstorms are examined in order to identify the key synoptic controls leading to this event. Three main factors are identified: 1) the persistent blocking high over Siberia, which remained quasi-stationary around 65°E for 3 weeks, led to advection of dry and cold Siberian air down to central and southern China; 2) a strong persistent southwesterly flow associated with the western Pacific subtropical high led to enhanced moisture advection from the Bay of Bengal into central and southern China; and 3) the deep inversion layer in the lower troposphere associated with the extended snow cover over most of central and southern China. The combination of these three factors is likely responsible for the unusual severity of the event, and hence a long return period

Item Type:Article
Refereed:Yes
Divisions:No Reading authors. Back catalogue items
Science > School of Mathematical, Physical and Computational Sciences > Department of Meteorology
ID Code:32777
Uncontrolled Keywords:Synoptic-scale processes, Asia, Freezing precipitation, Snow, Extreme events
Publisher:American Meteorological Society

Downloads

Downloads per month over past year

University Staff: Request a correction | Centaur Editors: Update this record

Page navigation