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Lookup NU author(s): Dr Xiaofeng Li
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The Northern Hemisphere Annular Mode (NAM) represents the zonally symmetric planetary-scale atmospheric mass fluctuations between middle and high latitudes, whose variations have shown a large impact on other components of the climate system. Previous studies have indicated that the NAM is correlated with the Ferrel cell in their monthly or longer timescale variability. However, there have been few studies investigating their connections at daily timescale, though daily variability of NAM has been suggested to be an important component and has significant implication for weather forecast. The results from this study demonstrate that variability of the Ferrel cell leads that of the NAM by about 1–2 days. This statistically identified temporal phase difference between NAM and Ferrel cell variability can be elucidated by meridional mass redistribution. Intensified (weakened) Ferrel cell causes anomalously smaller (larger) poleward mass transport from the middle to the high latitudes, resulting in an increase (a decrease) in mass in the middle latitudes and a decrease (an increase) in the high latitudes. As a consequence, anomalously higher (lower) poleward pressure gradient forms and the NAM subsequently shifts to a positive (negative) phase at a time lag of 1–2 days. The findings here would augment the existing knowledge for better understanding the connection between the Ferrel Cell and the NAM, and may provide skillful information for improving NAM as well as daily scale weather prediction.
Author(s): Li Xiao-Feng, Li Jianping, Zhang Xiangdong, Sun Cheng
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Chinese Science Bulletin
Year: 2014
Volume: 59
Issue: 27
Pages: 3457-3464
Print publication date: 04/05/2014
Online publication date: 12/06/2014
Acceptance date: 12/02/2014
ISSN (print): 1001-6538
ISSN (electronic): 1861-9541
Publisher: Science China Press
URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11434-014-0477-1
DOI: 10.1007/s11434-014-0477-1
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