• Atmosphere
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.229-238
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• 2010

The 1,000~500 hPa thickness and the $0^{\circ}C$ isotherm at 850 hPa have been used as the traditional predictors for wintertime precipitation-type forecasts. New approaches are taking on added significance as preexistence method of determination for wintertime precipitation-type exhibits more or less prevalent false alarms. Moreover thicknesses and thermodynamic profiles from ordinary upper-air observation were not adequate to monitor the atmospheric structure. In this regard, Microwave radiometric profiler microwave radiometer is useful in wintertime precipitation-type forecasts because radiometric measurements provide soundings at high temporal resolution. In this study, the determination and the predictability of wintertime precipitation-type were examined by using the calculated thicknesses, temperature of 850 hPa (T850) from a microwave radiometer, and surface observation at National Center for Intensive Observation of severe weather (NCIO) located at Haenam, Korea. The critical values for traditional predictors (thickness of 1000~500 hPa and T850) were evaluated and adjusted to Haenam region because snow rarely occurred with a 1000-500 hPa thickness > 5,300 m and T850 > $-10^{\circ}C$. Three thicknesses (e.g., 1,000~850, 1000~700, and 850~700 hPa thickness), T850, surface air temperature, and wet-bulb temperature were also evaluated as the additional predictors. A simple nomogram and a flow chart were finally designed to determine the wintertime precipitation-type using the microwave radiometer. The skill scores for the predictability of precipitation-type determination are considerably improved and the predictors showed the temporal variations in 12 hours before precipitation. We can monitor the hit and run snowfall in winter successful by realtime watch of the predictors, especially in commutes of big cities.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.43 no.1
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• pp.1-19
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• 2008

This study intends to clarify the characteristics and causes of current changes in wintertime precipitation in Korea and to predict the future directions based on surface observational $(1973/04\sim2006/07)$ and modeled (GFDL 2.1) climate data. Analyses of surface observation data demonstrate that without changes in the total amount of precipitation, snowfall in winter (November-April) has reduced by 4.3cm/decade over the $1973\sim2007$ period. Moreover, the frequency and intensity of snowfall have decreased; the duration of snow season has shortened; and the snow-to-rain day ratio (STDR) has decreased. These patterns indicate that the type of wintertime precipitation has changed from snow to rain in recent decades. The snow-to-rain change in winter is associated with the increases of air temperature (AT) over South Korea. Analyses of synoptic charts reveal that the warming pattern is associated with the formation of a positive pressure anomaly core over northeast Asia by a hemispheric positive winter Arctic Oscillation (AO) mode. Moreover, the differentiated warming of AT versus sea surface temperature (SST) under the high pressure anomaly core reduces the air-sea temperature gradient, and subsequently it increases the atmospheric stability above oceans, which is associated with less formation of snow cloud. Comparisons of modeled data between torrent $(1981\sim2000)$ and future $(2081\sim2100)$ periods suggest that the intensified warming with larger anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission in the $21^{st}$ century will amplify the magnitude of these changes. More reduction of snow impossible days as well as more abbreviation of snow seasons is predicted in the $21^{st}$ century.

• Proceedings of the Korea Water Resources Association Conference
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• 2008.05a
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• pp.992-996
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• 2008

In this study, changes in precipitation across South Korea during snow seasons (November-April) and their potential are examined. Current (1973/74-2006/07) and future (2081-2100) time series of snow indices including snow season, snow-to-precipitation ratio, and snow impossible day are extracted from observed snow and precipitation data for 61 weather stations as well as observed and modeled daily temperature data. Analyses of linear trends reveal that snow seasons have shortened by 3-13 days/decade; that the snow-to-precipitation ratio (the percentage of snow days relative to precipitation days) has decreased by 4-8 %/decade. These changes are associated with pronounced formations of a positive pressure anomaly core over East Asia during the positive Arctic Oscillation winter years since the late 1980s. A snow-temperature statistical model demonstrates that the warming due to the positive core winter intensifies changes from snow to rain at the rate of $4.7cm/^{\circ}C$. The high pressure anomaly pattern has also contributed to decreases of air-sea thermal gradient which are associated with the reduction of snow could formation. Modeled data predict that a fingerprint of wintertime global warming causing changes from snow to rain will continue to be observed over the 21st century.

• Atmosphere
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2012

Influences of orographic and ocean effect, which depend on the detailed geographic characteristics, upon winter time (December-February) precipitation in the Yeongdong region are investigated. Most of precipitation events in the Yeongdong region during the wintertime are associated with moist northeasterly (coming from the northeast direction) winds and also the spatial distribution of precipitation shows a great difference between Mountain area (Daegwallyeong) and Coastal area (Gangneung). The linear correlation coefficient between the meteorological variables obtained from NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis Data and precipitation amount for each precipitation type is calculated. Mountain type precipitation is dominated by northeasterly wind speed of the low level (1000 hPa and 925 hPa) and characterized with more precipitation in mountain area than coastal area. However, Coastal type precipitation is affected by temperature difference between ocean and atmosphere, and characterized with more precipitation in coastal area than mountain area. The results are summarized as follows; In the case of mountain type precipitation, the correlation coefficient between wind speed at 1000 hPa (925 hPa) and precipitation amount at Daegwallyeong is 0.60 (0.61). The correlation is statistical significant at 1% level. In the case of coastal type precipitation, the correlation coefficient of temperature difference between ocean and 925 hPa (850 hPa) over the East sea area and precipitation amount at Gangneung is 0.33 (0.34). As for the mountain type precipitation, a detailed analysis was conducted in order to verify the relationship between precipitation amount at Daegwallyeong and low level wind speed data from wind profiler in Gangneung and Buoy in the East Sea. The results also show the similar behavior. This result indicates that mountain type precipitation in the Yeongdong region is closely related with easterly wind speed. Thus, the statistical analysis of the few selected meteorological variables can be a good indicator to estimate the precipitation totals in the Yeongdong region in winter time.

• Atmosphere
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.127-143
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• 2009

This study investigates characteristics of wintertime simulation conducted by METRI AGCM utilizing new radiation parameterization scheme. New radiation scheme is based on the method of Chou et al., and is utilized in the METRI AGCM recently. In order to analyze characteristics of seasonal simulation in boreal winter, hindcast dataset from 1979 to 2005 is produced in two experiments - control run (CTRL) and new model's run (RADI). Also, changes in performance skill and predictability due to implementation of new radiation scheme are examined. In the wintertime simulation, the RADI experiment tends to reduce warm bias in the upper troposphere probably due to intensification of longwave radiative cooling over the whole troposphere. The radiative cooling effect is related to weakening of longitudinal temperature gradient, leading to weaker tropospheric jet in the upper troposphere. In addition, changes in vertical thermodynamic structure have an influence on reduction of tropical precipitation. Moreover, the RADI case is less sensitive to variation of tropical sea surface temperature than the CTRL case, even though the RADI case simulates the mean climate pattern well. It implies that the RADI run does not have significant improvement in seasonal prediction point of view.

• Atmosphere
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.377-387
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• 2013

Projections of changes in the low latitude atmospheric circulation under global warming are investigated using the results of the CMIP5 ensemble mean. For this purpose, 30-yr periods for the present day (1971~2000) and the end of the $21^{st}$ century (2071~2100) according to the RCP emission scenarios are compared. The wintertime subtropical jet is projected to strengthen on the upper side of the jet due to increase in meridional temperature gradient induced by warming in the tropical upper-troposphere and cooling in the stratosphere except for the RCP2.6. It is also found that a strengthening of the upper side of the wintertime subtropical jet in the RCP2.6 due to tropical upper-tropospheric warmings. Model-based projection shows a weakening of the mean intensity of the Hadley cell, an upward shift of cell, and poleward shift of the Hadley circulation for the winter cell in both hemispheres. A weakening of the Walker circulation, which is one of the most robust atmospheric responses to global warming, is also projected. These results are consistent with findings in the previous studies based on CMIP3 data sets. A weakening of the Walker circulation is accompanied with decrease (increase) in precipitation over the Indo-Pacific warm pool region (the equatorial central and east Pacific). In addition, model simulation shows a decrease in precipitation over subtropical regions where the descending branch of the winter Hadley cell in both hemispheres is strengthened.

• Atmosphere
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.17-33
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• 2011

A dynamical downscaling system for seasonal forecast has been constructed based on a regional climate model, and its predictability was investigated for 10 years' wintertime (December-January-February; DJF) climatology in East Asia. Initial and lateral boundary conditions were obtained from the operational seasonal forecasting data, which are realtime output of the Global Data Assimilation and Prediction System (GDAPS) at Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA). Sea surface temperature was also obtained from the operational forecasts, i.e., KMA El-Nino and Global Sea Surface Temperature Forecast System. In order to determine the better configuration of the regional climate model for East Asian regions, two sensitivity experiments were carried out for one winter season (97/98 DJF): One is for the topography blending and the other is for the cumulus parameterization scheme. After determining the proper configuration, the predictability of the regional forecasting system was validated with respect to 850 hPa temperature and precipitation. The results showed that mean fields error and other verification statistics were generally decreased compared to GDAPS, most evident in 500 hPa geopotential heights. These improved simulation affected season prediction, and then HSS was better 36% and 11% about 850 hPa temperature and precipitation, respectively.

• Journal of the Korean earth science society
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.282-293
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• 2009

This study examines the effects of the Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) or the Intraseasonal Oscillation (ISO) on precipitation, temperature and circulation anomalies over East Asia according to the eight different MJO phases during the winter and summer seasons. A nonlinear response appears the wintertime precipitation pattern during the phase of 3 (where the MJO center is located over the Eastern Indian Ocean) and 8 (where the MJO center is located over the Western Hemisphere) over the Korean Peninsula. That is, for these phases, the positive precipitation anomalies appear for the MJO intensity less than 2 standard deviations while the negative precipitation anomalies appear in the case of the MJO intensity greater than 2 standard deviations. The negative precipitation anomaly in the latter case is duandard d stronger anomalous anticyclone formed over the Korean Peninsula and cold and dry advection by northerly winds. The response of precipitation and circulation to the boreal summer ISO is also investigated.

• 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.

• Atmosphere
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.27-44
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• 2007

The purpose of this study is to investigate predictability of the seasonal simulation by the METRI (Meteorological Research Institute) AGCM (Atmospheric General Circulation Model), which is a long-term prediction model for the METRI 3-month prediction system. We examine the performance skill of climate simulation and predictability by the analysis of variance of the METRI AGCM, focusing on the precipitation, 850 hPa temperature, and 500 hPa geopotential height. According to the result, the METRI AGCM shows systematic errors with seasonal march, and represents large errors over the equatorial region, compared to the observation. Also, the response of the METRI AGCM by the variation of the sea surface temperature is obvious for the wintertime and springtime. However, the METRI AGCM does not show the significant ENSO-related signal in autumn. In case of prediction over the east Asian region, errors between the prediction results and the observation are not quite large with the lead-time. However, in the predictability assessment using the analysis of variance method, longer lead-time makes the prediction better, and the predictability becomes better in the springtime.