Atmospheric circulation patterns associated with wildfires in the monsoon regions of China

Download
(PDF; 2.0 MB)
Cite
Feedback
  • Authors: Zhao, Fengjun; Liu, Yongqiang
  • Publication Year: 2019
  • Publication Series: Scientific Journal (JRNL)
  • Source: Geophysical Research Letters
  • DOI: 10.1029/2019GL081932

Abstract

Major atmospheric circulation patterns for wildfires have been identified in regions with boreal, Mediterranean, and semiarid climates. This study investigates such patterns in the monsoon regions of China, where the climate is controlled by multiple atmospheric systems and wildfires have large spatial variability. We identified three patterns. The first pattern was characterized by a high‐pressure ridge in northeast China and contributed to wildfires by creating warmer and drier conditions. The second, meridional pattern contributed to wildfires in north, central, and south China by increasing dry air transport. The third, zonal pattern had a weaker westerly ridge and trough and contributed to wildfires in southwest China by decreasing the transport from westerly systems. We showed that a circulation index defined as the pressure difference between the positive and negative centers of fire‐pressure correlations had higher monthly fire prediction skills for large fire occurrences than local weather.

  • Citation: Zhao, Fengjun; Liu, Yongqiang. 2019. Atmospheric circulation patterns associated with wildfires in the monsoon regions of China. Geophysical Research Letters. 46(9): 4873-4882. https://doi.org/10.1029/2019GL081932.
  • Posted Date: July 30, 2019
  • Modified Date: August 5, 2019

    • Print Publications Are No Longer Available

    In an ongoing effort to be fiscally responsible, the Southern Research Station (SRS) will no longer produce and distribute hard copies of our publications. Many SRS publications are available at cost via the Government Printing Office (GPO). Electronic versions of publications may be downloaded, printed, and distributed.

    Publication Notes

    • This article was written and prepared by U.S. Government employees on official time, and is therefore in the public domain.
    • Our online publications are scanned and captured using Adobe Acrobat. During the capture process some typographical errors may occur. Please contact the SRS webmaster if you notice any errors which make this publication unusable.
    • To view this article, download the latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader.