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http://dx.doi.org/10.14191/Atmos.2018.28.1.053

Analysis of the West Coast Heavy Snowfall Development Mechanism from 23 to 25 January 2016  

Lee, Jae-Geun (Department of Astronomy and Atmospheric Sciences, School of Earth System Science, Kyungpook National University)
Min, Gi-Hong (Department of Astronomy and Atmospheric Sciences, School of Earth System Science, Kyungpook National University)
Publication Information
Atmosphere / v.28, no.1, 2018 , pp. 53-67 More about this Journal
Abstract
This study examined the lake effect of the Yellow Sea which was induced by the Siberian High pressure system moving over the open waters. The development mechanism of the convective cells over the ocean was studied in detail using the Weather Research and Forecasting model. Numerical experiments consist of the control experiment (CTL) and an experiment changing the yellow sea to dry land (EXP). The CTL simulation result showed distinct high area of relative vorticity, convergence and low-level atmospheric instability than that of the EXP. The result indicates that large surface vorticity and convergence induced vertical motion and low level instability over the ocean when the arctic Siberian air mass moved south over the Yellow Sea. The sensible heat flux at the sea surface gradually decreased while latent heat flux gradually increased. At the beginning stage of air mass modification, sensible heat was the main energy source for convective cell generation. However, in the later stage, latent heat became the main energy source for the development of convective cells. In conclusion, the mechanism of the west coast heavy snowfall caused by modification of the Siberian air mass over the Yellow Sea can be explained by air-sea interaction instability in the following order: (a) cyclonic vorticity caused by diabatic heating induce Ekman pumping and convergence at the surface, (b) sensible heat at the sea surface produce convection, and (c) this leads to latent heat release, and the development of convective cells. The overall process is a manifestation of air-sea interaction and enhancement of convection from positive feedback mechanism.
Keywords
Lake-effect; latent heat flux; atmospheric instability; heavy snowfall;
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