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Synoptic characteristics of extreme heatwaves over the Korean Peninsula based on ERA Interim reanalysis data
Author(s) -
Min KiHong,
Chung ChiaHui,
Bae JeongHo,
Cha DongHyun
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
international journal of climatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.58
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-0088
pISSN - 0899-8418
DOI - 10.1002/joc.6390
Subject(s) - climatology , peninsula , environmental science , subtropical ridge , advection , subsidence , blocking (statistics) , track (disk drive) , synoptic scale meteorology , meteorology , geography , geology , precipitation , archaeology , paleontology , statistics , physics , mathematics , structural basin , computer science , thermodynamics , operating system
The characteristics of heatwaves (HWs) in South Korea are studied using data from the European Centre for Medium‐Range Weather Forecasts Reanalysis Interim (ERA Interim) dataset and from automatic surface weather stations. The synoptic conditions of three specific years (1994, 2013, and 2016) during which serious HWs affected South Korea are examined. HWs in South Korea are related to the northwestwardly extension of the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) toward the Korean Peninsula. Examination of the blocking indices revealed widespread blocking over the northern Pacific Ocean and Asia during South Korean HWs, and blocking is related to stationary weather patterns. The severe temperatures associated with HWs in this region are due to prolonged subsidence. Analysis of the moist static energy (MSE) budget indicated that the energy source of subsidence is derived from both MSE advection and the net heat flux. When compared to the synoptic situation during an HW in South Korea, the relative southward movement of the WNPSH is found before and after the HW. The blocking indices also revealed weak signals and changes in vertical motion due to MSE advection.