Role of Siberian Land-Atmosphere Coupling in the Development of the August Okhotsk High in 2008

Abstract

 We investigate the formation mechanism of the summer Okhotsk High (OH) in terms of the land-atmosphere coupling in Siberia. A reanalysis data indicates that the formation mechanism of the OH clearly differs between early and late summer because it changes from a nearly barotropic to a baroclinic structure with seasonal changes. Then, we assess the influence of springtime snow cover on the formation of the late summer OH with the baroclinicity using a regional climate model. The model performs well in reproducing the land-atmosphere coupling in eastern Siberia and the OH in August 2008, when abnormal weather prevails in Japan, in conjunction with the intensively developed OH. The August OH develops with a distinct baroclinic structure owing to increased surface heating, which is related to land-atmosphere coupling in response to reduced spring snow cover in eastern Siberia. The land-atmosphere coupling can help to reinforce and maintain the baroclinic structure through surface heating, forming strong surface anticyclone to the southeast over the Sea of Okhotsk. Our results suggest that the late summer OH is a regional climate system that involves coupling among the atmosphere, the cool ocean, and the warm land surface.