Numerical simulation of the direct radiative effects of dust aerosol on the East Asian winter monsoon

Abstract

Variations of the East Asian winter monsoon (EAWM) induced by dust aerosol are studied by using a regional climate model (RegCM4/Dust). Dust coupled and uncoupled experiments are carried out for the past decade (2000-2009). The coupled RegCM4 captures three centers of dust mixing ratio (DMR) located in the Taklamakan Desert, western Inner Mongolia, and northern Xinjiang, respectively, with maximum values greater than 500 μg kg -1 in winter. The surface total radiation change induced by dust is negative, and its central value of -8 W m -2 results in surface temperature cooling by 1.5°C in winter. Dust induced radiation change at the top of the atmosphere (TOA) is also negative in Northern China, except over the Tibetan Plateau (TP), and up to -5 W m -2 in Central China. Dust cooling effects increase the sea level pressure (SLP) gradient between land and ocean, the cold surge frequency, and the East Asian jet stream (EAJ) intensity and then enhance the EAWM. The dry and cold wind pervade most areas of East Asia, suppressing large-scale precipitation and eventually leading to a rainfall decrease of about 10-30% in Northern China and the middle Yangtze River Valley.