How Do the Asian Highlands Affect Phase-Preferred Rossby Waves and Synchronous Heat Extremes in the Midlatitudes?
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| Title: | How Do the Asian Highlands Affect Phase-Preferred Rossby Waves and Synchronous Heat Extremes in the Midlatitudes? |
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| Authors: | Chen, Huayu1,2 (AUTHOR), Liu, Yimin1,2 (AUTHOR) lym@lasg.iap.ac.cn, Jiang, Jilan3 (AUTHOR), Zhu, Tao3 (AUTHOR), He, Bian1,2 (AUTHOR), Sheng, Chen3 (AUTHOR), Yao, Wuqiushi1,2 (AUTHOR) |
| Source: | Journal of Climate. Jan2026, Vol. 39 Issue 2, p603-617. 15p. |
| Subjects: | Rossby waves, Topography, Weather, Atmospheric models, High temperatures, Network theory (Statistical physics), Heat waves (Meteorology) |
| Geographic Terms: | Asia, Eurasia |
| Abstract: | Large-scale topography is thought to cause the phase preference of quasi-stationary Rossby waves (QSWs), which are closely linked with midlatitude weather extremes. However, this causality remains inconclusive. Here, we investigate the influence of the Asian highlands (AH) on QSWs and related synchronous heat extremes using climate model simulations and complex network analysis. Results show that removing the AH or its thermal forcing slightly weakens, but does not eliminate, phase preference. Additionally, the preferred phase of low-wavenumber waves (3, 4, and 5) shifts significantly, while the preferred phase of higher-wavenumber waves (6, 7, and 8) remains stable. During weeks dominated by phase-preferred, high-amplitude wave 5 or wave 6—the two strongest components of midlatitude QSWs—significant surface air temperature maxima co-occur with upper-level anticyclones. Temperature maxima associated with wave 5 are zonally displaced when the AH or its thermal forcing is removed, following the shift in wave-5's preferred phase. In contrast, those linked to wave 6 remain largely unchanged. Complex network analysis of synchronous heat extremes across Europe, central Eurasia, East Asia, and North America (four midlatitude regions affected by wave 6) reveals that removing the AH strengthens interregional synchronization, while removing only its thermal forcing weakens it. These contrasting responses are linked to consistent changes in the zonal uniformity of the wave-6 envelope—its phase-independent amplitude. Our findings highlight the importance of the AH in shaping midlatitude extreme weather patterns via modulating the QSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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| Abstract: | Large-scale topography is thought to cause the phase preference of quasi-stationary Rossby waves (QSWs), which are closely linked with midlatitude weather extremes. However, this causality remains inconclusive. Here, we investigate the influence of the Asian highlands (AH) on QSWs and related synchronous heat extremes using climate model simulations and complex network analysis. Results show that removing the AH or its thermal forcing slightly weakens, but does not eliminate, phase preference. Additionally, the preferred phase of low-wavenumber waves (3, 4, and 5) shifts significantly, while the preferred phase of higher-wavenumber waves (6, 7, and 8) remains stable. During weeks dominated by phase-preferred, high-amplitude wave 5 or wave 6—the two strongest components of midlatitude QSWs—significant surface air temperature maxima co-occur with upper-level anticyclones. Temperature maxima associated with wave 5 are zonally displaced when the AH or its thermal forcing is removed, following the shift in wave-5's preferred phase. In contrast, those linked to wave 6 remain largely unchanged. Complex network analysis of synchronous heat extremes across Europe, central Eurasia, East Asia, and North America (four midlatitude regions affected by wave 6) reveals that removing the AH strengthens interregional synchronization, while removing only its thermal forcing weakens it. These contrasting responses are linked to consistent changes in the zonal uniformity of the wave-6 envelope—its phase-independent amplitude. Our findings highlight the importance of the AH in shaping midlatitude extreme weather patterns via modulating the QSWs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| ISSN: | 08948755 |
| DOI: | 10.1175/JCLI-D-24-0674.1 |
