Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods
Sand and dust storms (SDSs) cause major disasters in northern China. They have serious impacts on human health, daily life, and industrial and agricultural production, in addition to threatening the regional ecological environment and social economy. Based on meteorological observational data and th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Atmosphere |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/12/1545 |
| _version_ | 1797506662618103808 |
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| author | Ziwei Yi Yaqiang Wang Wencong Chen Bin Guo Bihui Zhang Huizheng Che Xiaoye Zhang |
| author_facet | Ziwei Yi Yaqiang Wang Wencong Chen Bin Guo Bihui Zhang Huizheng Che Xiaoye Zhang |
| author_sort | Ziwei Yi |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Sand and dust storms (SDSs) cause major disasters in northern China. They have serious impacts on human health, daily life, and industrial and agricultural production, in addition to threatening the regional ecological environment and social economy. Based on meteorological observational data and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 dataset for spring 2000–2021, we used the Lamb–Jenkinson circulation classification method to classify the three major areas influencing SDSs in northern China. We also used the <i>k</i>-means clustering method to classify the overall circulation pattern in northern China. Our results show that the circulation types favoring SDSs in the southern basin of Xinjiang are southwesterly winds (SW), cyclones (C), and anticyclones (A). The circulation types favoring SDSs in western Inner Mongolia and southern Mongolia are northwesterly winds (NW), northerly winds (N), cyclones (C), and anticyclones (A). The circulation types favoring SDSs in central Inner Mongolia are northwesterly winds (NW), northerly winds (N), southwesterly winds (SW), and anticyclones (A). The 500 hPa and surface circulation patterns in China can be divided into nine types. Among them, five dominant circulation patterns favor strong SDSs: a cold high-pressure region and cold front (T1), a Mongolian cyclone (T2), a mixed type of Mongolian cyclone and cold front (T3), a thermal depression and cold front (T5), and a cold front (T8). During 2000–2004, the T8 circulation pattern occurred most frequently as the main influencing circulation. From 2005 to 2010, the T3 and T8 circulation patterns dominated. Circulation patterns T1 and T3 dominated during 2011–2015 and 2016–2020, respectively. We analyzed the main circulation patterns for four SDS events occurring in 2021 by combining the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-means methods. The SDS events in 2021 were closest to the T3 circulation pattern and were mainly influenced by Mongolian cyclones and surface cold fronts. The main propagation paths were westerly and northwesterly. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:35:44Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-6d174db6e8854ecf8c376c74a8808093 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T04:35:44Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Atmosphere |
| spelling | doaj.art-6d174db6e8854ecf8c376c74a88080932023-11-23T03:45:12ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332021-11-011212154510.3390/atmos12121545Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering MethodsZiwei Yi0Yaqiang Wang1Wencong Chen2Bin Guo3Bihui Zhang4Huizheng Che5Xiaoye Zhang6State Key Laboratory of Severe Weather & Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Meteorology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Severe Weather & Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Meteorology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Severe Weather & Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Meteorology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaDepartment of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences & Institute of Atmospheric Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, ChinaNational Meteorological Center, China Meteorological Administration, Beijing 100081, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Severe Weather & Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Meteorology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaState Key Laboratory of Severe Weather & Institute of Artificial Intelligence for Meteorology, Chinese Academy of Meteorological Sciences, Beijing 100081, ChinaSand and dust storms (SDSs) cause major disasters in northern China. They have serious impacts on human health, daily life, and industrial and agricultural production, in addition to threatening the regional ecological environment and social economy. Based on meteorological observational data and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) ERA5 dataset for spring 2000–2021, we used the Lamb–Jenkinson circulation classification method to classify the three major areas influencing SDSs in northern China. We also used the <i>k</i>-means clustering method to classify the overall circulation pattern in northern China. Our results show that the circulation types favoring SDSs in the southern basin of Xinjiang are southwesterly winds (SW), cyclones (C), and anticyclones (A). The circulation types favoring SDSs in western Inner Mongolia and southern Mongolia are northwesterly winds (NW), northerly winds (N), cyclones (C), and anticyclones (A). The circulation types favoring SDSs in central Inner Mongolia are northwesterly winds (NW), northerly winds (N), southwesterly winds (SW), and anticyclones (A). The 500 hPa and surface circulation patterns in China can be divided into nine types. Among them, five dominant circulation patterns favor strong SDSs: a cold high-pressure region and cold front (T1), a Mongolian cyclone (T2), a mixed type of Mongolian cyclone and cold front (T3), a thermal depression and cold front (T5), and a cold front (T8). During 2000–2004, the T8 circulation pattern occurred most frequently as the main influencing circulation. From 2005 to 2010, the T3 and T8 circulation patterns dominated. Circulation patterns T1 and T3 dominated during 2011–2015 and 2016–2020, respectively. We analyzed the main circulation patterns for four SDS events occurring in 2021 by combining the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-means methods. The SDS events in 2021 were closest to the T3 circulation pattern and were mainly influenced by Mongolian cyclones and surface cold fronts. The main propagation paths were westerly and northwesterly.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/12/1545sand and dust stormscirculation patternsobjective circulation classificationLamb–Jenkinson scheme<i>k</i>-means method |
| spellingShingle | Ziwei Yi Yaqiang Wang Wencong Chen Bin Guo Bihui Zhang Huizheng Che Xiaoye Zhang Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods Atmosphere sand and dust storms circulation patterns objective circulation classification Lamb–Jenkinson scheme <i>k</i>-means method |
| title | Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods |
| title_full | Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods |
| title_fullStr | Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods |
| title_full_unstemmed | Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods |
| title_short | Classification of the Circulation Patterns Related to Strong Dust Weather in China Using a Combination of the Lamb–Jenkinson and <i>k</i>-Means Clustering Methods |
| title_sort | classification of the circulation patterns related to strong dust weather in china using a combination of the lamb jenkinson and i k i means clustering methods |
| topic | sand and dust storms circulation patterns objective circulation classification Lamb–Jenkinson scheme <i>k</i>-means method |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/12/12/1545 |
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