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Kononova Nina Konstantinovna, Institute of Geography RAS
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Classification of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation by Dzerdzeevsky`s method

Introduction

The atmospheric circulation is one of the most dynamic components of climate system. One may calculate its change with the help of classification of global atmospheric circulation. In Institute of Geography RAS one use the elementary circulation mechanisms classification according to B.L. Dzerdzeevsky. This classification characterizes the all Hemisphere and in this time show the trajectory of cyclones and anticyclones over specific regions. Therefore this classification has been used for global and region change of climate, water and ice regime and natural danger of any regions.

Synoptic daily maps analyze allow to give off 41 elementary circulation mechanisms (ECM). They differ by direction and quantity of blocking and of southern cyclone outlets. It is important that ECM have season time. Each ECM has the cyclone and anticyclone trajectory scheme and description, maps of see level pressure and temperature, hay of AT 500 and temperature on AT 500 for 1970-1978, annual series and longtime series of fluctuation for 1899-1978.

ECM were been united in 13 types, 4 groups. First group – zonal: 1-2 types, anticyclone on the North Pole, 2-4 of southern cyclone outlets in 2-4 sectors without blocking. Second group – zonal disturbance, types 3-7: high pressure on the Pole, one blocking over the Hemisphere. Third group – northern meridional, types 8-12: high pressure in the Arctic, 2-4 blocking and 2-4 southern cyclone outlets. Fourth group – southern meridional, type 13. Peculiarity of this group is cyclone circulation over the Arctic. It is result of cyclonic activity on arctic front especially regeneration of southern cyclones. Such processes have place at all seasons, but more often in summer. In winter 3 southern cyclone outlets take place over Hemisphere, in summer – 4 outlets.

Calendar of ECM changes have been did for all period beginning with 1899. One have been used at first the see level pressure maps, then the all maps of Synoptic bulletin by Hydrometcentre of Russia.

Calendar of ECM changes have been did at first by B.L. Dzerdzeevsky with collaborators, then by his collaborators. Calendar was published for period 1899-2002.

Conventional means:

  • «зон.» or «з.» — zonal,
  • «нар. зон.» or «н.з.» — disturbance of zonal,
  • «мер.сев.» or «м.с.» — northern meridional,
  • «мер.юж.» or «м.ю.» — southern meridional.

Circulation groups in sectors:

  • «Ш.з.» — west zonal,
  • «Д.с.» — northern meridional,
  • «Д.ю.» — southern meridional,
  • «Ш.з.д.ю.» — west zonal + southern meridional,
  • «Ш.з.с.п.» — west zonal + stationary anticyclone
  • «Д.с.с.п.» — northern meridional + stationary anticyclone,
  • «Д.с.ш.в.» — northern meridional + east zonal
  • «Д.с.ш.з.» — northern meridional + west zonal,
  • «Д.с.д.ю.» — northern meridional + southern meridional,
  • «Д.ю.с.п.» — southern meridional + stationary anticyclone.

Name of sectors:

  • «A» — Atlantic
  • «E» — European
  • «C» — Siberian
  • «Д» — Far East
  • «T» — Pacific
  • «Ам» — American

Reference:
B. DZERDZEEVSKII, Institute of Geography, USSR Academy of Sciences, Moscow
(Manuscript received February 8, 1961, revised version February 8, 1962)
Tellus XIV (1962)
Fluctuations of climate and of general circulation of the atmos- phere in extra-tropical latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere and some problems of dynamic climatology

Kononova N.K. Fluctuation of Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation in 1899 – 2002.
Mathematical methods in geophysics – MMG-2003. Novosibirsk, 2003. P. 405 – 408.

The long-term series of fluctuation of monthly and annual Northern Hemisphere atmospheric circulation according to Dzerdzeevskii classification.