• Atmosphere
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2014

A characteristic of snowfall and minimum temperature variability in South Korea with respect to the variability of Arctic Oscillation (AO) was investigated. The climatic snowfall regions of South Korea based on daily new fresh snowfall data of 59 Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) stations data corresponding to the sign of AO index during December to February 1979~2011 were classified. Especially, the differences between snowfalls of eastern regions and that of western regions in South Korea were seen by each mean 1000hPa geopotential height fields, which is one of physical structure, for the selected cases over the East Asia including the Korean Peninsula. Daily minimum temperature variability of 59 KMA station data and daily AO index during the same period were investigated using Cyclo-stationary empirical orthogonal function (CSEOF) analysis. The first CSEOF of wintertime daily AO index and that of minimum temperature of 59 KMA stations explain 33% and 66% of total variability, respectively. Correlation between principal component time series corresponding to the first CSEOF of AO index and that of temperature at the period of 1990s is over about -0.7 when that of AO index leads about 40 days.

• Journal of Wetlands Research
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.105-115
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• 2018

The frequency analysis of hydrometeorological data is one of the most important factors in response to natural disaster damage, and design standards for a disaster prevention facilities. In case of frequency analysis of hydrometeorological data, it assumes that observation data have statistical stationarity, and a parametric method considering the parameter of probability distribution is applied. For a parametric method, it is necessary to sufficiently collect reliable data; however, snowfall observations are needed to compensate for insufficient data in Korea, because of reducing the number of days for snowfall observations and mean maximum daily snowfall depth due to climate change. In this study, we conducted the frequency analysis for snowfall using the Bootstrap method and SIR algorithm which are the resampling methods that can overcome the problems of insufficient data. For the 58 meteorological stations distributed evenly in Korea, the probability of snowfall depth was estimated by non-parametric frequency analysis using the maximum daily snowfall depth data. The results of frequency based snowfall depth show that most stations representing the rate of change were found to be consistent in both parametric and non-parametric frequency analysis. According to the results, observed data and Bootstrap method showed a difference of -19.2% to 3.9%, and the Bootstrap method and SIR(Sampling Importance Resampling) algorithm showed a difference of -7.7 to 137.8%. This study shows that the resampling methods can do the frequency analysis of the snowfall depth that has insufficient observed samples, which can be applied to interpretation of other natural disasters such as summer typhoons with seasonal characteristics.

• Atmosphere
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.343-364
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• 2014

This study presents local and synoptic conditions associated with extreme heavy snowfall events in the Yeongdong region, as well as the temporal and spatial variability of these conditions. During the last 12 years (2001~2012), 3 extreme snowfall events occurred in the Yeongdong region, which recorded daily snowfall greater than 50 cm, respectively. In these events, one of the noticeable features is the occurrence of heavy hourly snowfall greater than 10 cm. It was reported from satellite analysis that these heavy snowfall may be closely related to mesoscale convective clouds. In this paper the 3 extreme events are examined on their synoptic environments associated with the developments of mesoscale convective system using numerical model output. These 3 events all occurred in strongly forced synoptic environments where 500 and 300 hPa troughs and 500 hPa thermal troughs were evident. From the analysis of diagnostic variables, it was found in all 3 events that absolute vorticity and cold air advection were dominant in the Yeongdong region and its surrounding sea at upper levels, especially at around 500 hPa (absolute vorticity: $20{\sim}60{\times}10^{-5}s^{-1}$, cold air advection: $-10{\sim}-20^{\circ}C$ $12hr^{-1}$). Moreover, the spatial distributions of cold advection showed mostly the shape of a narrow band along the eastern coast of Korea. These features of absolute vorticity and cold advection at 500 hPa were sustained for about 10 hours before the occurrence of maximum hourly snowfall.

• Atmosphere
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.33-48
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• 2006

A classification of snowfall type based on development mechanism is proposed using previous snowfall studies, operational experiences, etc. Five types are proposed: snowfall caused by 1) airmass transformation (AT type), 2) terrain effects in a situation of expanding Siberian High (TE type), 3) precipitation systems associated with extratropical cyclones (EC type), 4) indirect effects of extratropical cyclones passing over the sea to the south of the Korean peninsula (ECS type), and 5) combined effects of TE and ECS types (COM type). Snowfall events during 1981-2001 are classified according to the 5 types mentioned above. For this, 118 events, with at least one station with daily snowfall depth greater than 20 cm, are selected. For the classification, synoptic weather charts, satellite images, and precipitation data are used. For TE and COM types, local sea-level pressure chart is also used to confirm the presence of condition for TE type (this is done for events in 1990 and thereafter). The classification shows that 109 out of 118 events can be classified as one of the 5 types. In the remaining 8 events, heavy snowfall occurred only in Ullung Island. Its occurrence may be due to one or more of the following mechanism: airmass transformation, mesoscale cyclones and/or mesoscale convergence over the East Sea, etc. Each type shows different characteristics in location of snowfall and composition of precipitation (i.e., dry snow, rain, and mixed precipitation). The AT-type snowfall occurs mostly in the west coast, Jeju and Ullung Islands whereas the TE-type snowfall occurs in the East coast especially over the Young Dong area. The ECS-type snowfall occurs mostly over the southern part of the peninsula and some east cost area (sometimes, whole south Korea depending on the location of cyclones). The EC- and COM-type snowfalls occur in wider area, often whole south Korea. Precipitation composition also varies with the type. The AT-type has a snow ratio (SR) higher than the mean value. The TE- and EC-type have SR similar to the mean. The ECS- and COM-type have SR values smaller than the mean. Generally the SR values at high latitude and mountainous areas are higher than those at the other areas. The SR value informs the characteristics of the precipitation composition. An SR value larger than 10 means that all precipitation is composed of snow whereas a zero SR value means that all precipitation is composed of rain.

• Journal of Climate Change Research
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.109-123
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• 2017

The effects of recent climate change on hydrological systems could affect the Winter Olympic Games (WOG) because the event is dependent on suitable snow and ice conditions to support elite-level competitions. We investigate the long-term variability and change in winter total precipitation (P), snowfall water equivalent (SFE), and ratios of SFE to P during the period 1973/74~2015/16 in Gangwon province. The climatological percentages of SFE relative to winter total precipitation were 71%, 28%, and 44% in Daegwallyeong, Chuncheon, and Gangneung, respectively. The winter total P, SFE, and SFE/P has decreased (but not significantly), although significant increases of winter maximum and minimum temperature were detected at a 95% confidence level. Notably, a significant negative trend of SFE/P at Daegwallyeong in February, the month of the WOG, was attributable to a larger decrease in SFE related to the increases in maximum and minimum temperature. Winter wet-day minimum temperatures were warmer than climatological minimum temperatures averaged over the study period. The 20-year return values of daily maximum P and SFE decreased in Yongdong area. Since the SFE/P decrease with increasing temperature, the probability of rainfall rather than snowfall can increase if global warming continues.

• Proceedings of the KIEE Conference
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• 2004.07c
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• pp.1802-1804
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• 2004

In seashore, outdoor insulators are polluted due to salty wind and the pollution causes the flashover and failure of electric equipments. As well known, the pollution has a close relation with meteorological factors such as wind velocity, precipitation, wind direction, relative humidity, dew point, etc. In this paper we statistically analyzed the correlation between the pollution and the meteorological factors including snowfall and freezing. The multiple regression analysis was used for the statistical analysis; daily measured equivalent salt deposit density(dependent variable) and the meteorological data(independent variable) were used. From the results of this investigation, we verified the influence of snowfall and freezing on the ESDD, which has been overlooked in the preceding investigation.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.258-275
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to investigate diurnal variations of snowstorm occurred along the East Coast of the Korean Peninsula. The snowstorm which occurred on 5${\sim}$7 January 1997 have been analyzed. The pressure patterns were analyzed through surface and upper-air chart(850hPa). Diurnal variations of four areas, i. e. Youngdong, Mt. Taebaek, Youngseo and Kyungbuk regions were analyzed through wind direction and speed, cloud amounts, surface temperature, dewpoint temperature, relative humidity and sea level pressure. And snowfall amounts over four areas were analyzed through regional distribution, daily and temporal variations. The snowfall which occurred on January 5 was caused by the weak low pressure which is located in Kyusu region of Japan. The snowfall of January 6 occurred due to the Siberian high's expansion and instability. And northeasterly wind is one factor of the snowstorm which occurred in Mt. Taebaek region on 7 January. Heavy snowfall was caused by westerly wind but easterly wind occurred weak snowfall in Youngdong area. The precipitation of Kyungbuk region(eapecially, Pohang) was less than that of Youngdong region because the air mass which was not modified had influence on Kyungbuk region on 6${\sim}$7 January, 1997.

• Journal of Korea Water Resources Association
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.259-271
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• 2020

In Korea, snow damage has happened in the region with little snowfalls in history. Also, accidental damage was caused by heavy snow leads and the public interest on heavy snow has been increased. Therefore, policy about the Natural Disaster Reduction Comprehensive Plan has been changed to include the mitigation measures of snow damage. However, since heavy snow damage was not frequent, studies on snowfall have not been conducted on different points. The characteristics of snow data commonly are not the same as the rainfall data. Some southern coastal areas in Korea are snowless during the year. Therefore, a joint probability distribution was suggested to analyze the snow data with many 0s in a previous research and fitness from the joint probability distribution was higher than the conventional methods. In this study, snow frequency analysis was implemented using the joint probability distribution and compared to the design codes. The results were compared to the design codes. The results of this study can be used as the basic data to develop a procedure for the snow frequency analysis in the future.

• The Korean Journal of Quaternary Research
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.45-52
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• 1999

This study examined the spatial distribution of precipitation in Donghae-Shi. The daily, monthly precipitaion on the 2 stations, 3 AWS(Automatic Weather Station) were analyzed by altitudinal distribution, the air pressure type and days of daily precipitation. The results of the study are as follows. 1 Hour greatest precipitation is 62.4mm(1994. 10. 12), Daily greatest precipitation, 200mm(1994. 10. 12), Monthly greatest precipitation, 355.5mm(1994. 10), Maximum depth of snow fall, 35.5cm(1994. 1. 29) in Donghae-Shi, 1993∼1997. Altitudinal distribution of precipitation in Summer tends to have more precipitation at higher altitude, in Winter, high mountains and coast have more precipitation than other sites do. The heavy rainfall in Donghae-Shi is mainly formed by a Typhoon, next is Jangma front. The number of consecutive days of daily precipitation $\geq$20mm is 81days, 44days of those appeared in Summer season. The synoptic environment causes the difference in observed the heavy snowfall amount between high mountains and coast.

• Atmosphere
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.451-461
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• 2019

Medium-range forecast is highly dependent on ensemble forecast data. However, operational weather forecasters have not enough time to digest all of detailed features revealed in ensemble forecast data. To utilize the ensemble data effectively in medium-range forecasting, representative weather patterns in East Asia in this study are defined. The k-means clustering analysis is applied for the objectivity of weather patterns. Input data used daily Mean Sea Level Pressure (MSLP) anomaly of the ECMWF ReAnalysis-Interim (ERA-Interim) during 1981~2010 (30 years) provided by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF). Using the Explained Variance (EV), the optimal study area is defined by 20~60°N, 100~150°E. The number of clusters defined by Explained Cluster Variance (ECV) is thirty (k = 30). 30 representative weather patterns with their frequencies are summarized. Weather pattern #1 occurred all seasons, but it was about 56% in summer (June~September). The relatively rare occurrence of weather pattern (#30) occurred mainly in winter. Additionally, we investigate the relationship between weather patterns and extreme weather events such as heat wave, cold wave, and heavy rainfall as well as snowfall. The weather patterns associated with heavy rainfall exceeding 110 mm day^-1 were #1, #4, and #9 with days (%) of more than 10%. Heavy snowfall events exceeding 24 cm day^-1 mainly occurred in weather pattern #28 (4%) and #29 (6%). High and low temperature events (> 34℃ and < -14℃) were associated with weather pattern #1~4 (14~18%) and #28~29 (27~29%), respectively. These results suggest that the classification of various weather patterns will be used as a reference for grouping all ensemble forecast data, which will be useful for the scenario-based medium-range ensemble forecast in the future.