HUSCAP logo Hokkaido Univ. logo

Hokkaido University Collection of Scholarly and Academic Papers >
Institute of Low Temperature Science >
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles, etc >

Modeling low-level clouds over the Okhotsk Sea in summer: Cloud formation and its effects on the Okhotsk high

Files in This Item:
jgrd17499.pdf2.36 MBPDFView/Open
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:http://hdl.handle.net/2115/51237

Title: Modeling low-level clouds over the Okhotsk Sea in summer: Cloud formation and its effects on the Okhotsk high
Authors: Koseki, Shunya Browse this author
Nakamura, Tomohiro Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Mitsudera, Humio Browse this author →KAKEN DB
Wang, Yuqing Browse this author
Issue Date: Mar-2012
Publisher: American Geophysical Union
Journal Title: Journal of Geophysical Research, Atmospheres
Volume: 117
Issue: D5
Start Page: D05208
Publisher DOI: 10.1029/2011JD016462
Abstract: In summer the Okhotsk Sea is often covered by low-level clouds, which occasionally co-occur with the Okhotsk high. We investigate the formation of low-level clouds and their effects on the Okhotsk high in July using reanalysis, satellite data, and a regional climate model. Statistical analysis suggests that the amount of low-level clouds over the Okhotsk Sea has a positive relationship with the strength of the Okhotsk high; however, the formation processes of the Okhotsk high and low-level clouds are not dependent on each other. A simulation focusing on July 2003, when the Okhotsk high was the strongest in the past decade, showed low-level cloud formation and resulting strong cooling over most of the Okhotsk Sea, which can be attributed to longwave radiation. Sensitivity experiments with reduced cloud amounts reveal that this radiative flux results in the cooling of the cloud top boundary layer (CBL), thereby reinforcing the Okhotsk high within the CBL. Trajectory analyses show that unsaturated air reaches saturation mainly because of the downward sensible heat flux. After cloud formation, radiative cooling causes an upward sensible heat flux below the clouds. Such cooling and heating roughly balance with the cooling due to evaporation of drizzle and cloud water and the heating due to condensation. Eventually, the CBL achieves a low-temperature steady state over the Okhotsk Sea. Although the latent heat flux is positive over the Okhotsk Sea irrespective of the presence or absence of low-level clouds, associated moisture flux is insignificant for achieving saturation. This positive latent heat flux is enhanced under cloudy conditions and compensates for the loss of water vapor due to condensation.
Rights: Copyright 2012 by the American Geophysical Union.
Type: article
URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2115/51237
Appears in Collections:低温科学研究所 (Institute of Low Temperature Science) > 雑誌発表論文等 (Peer-reviewed Journal Articles, etc)

Submitter: 中村 知裕

Export metadata:

OAI-PMH ( junii2 , jpcoar_1.0 )

MathJax is now OFF:


 

 - Hokkaido University