Abstract
By using the nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent and nonlinear error growth dynamics, the predictability limit of monthly precipitation is quantitatively estimated based on daily observations collected from approximately 500 stations in China for the period 1960–2012. As daily precipitation data are not continuous in space and time, a transformation is first applied and a monthly standardized precipitation index (SPI) with Gaussian distribution is constructed. The monthly SPI predictability limit (MSPL) is quantitatively calculated for SPI dry, wet, and neutral phases. The results show that the annual mean MSPL varies regionally for both wet and dry phases: the MSPL in the wet (dry) phase is relatively higher (lower) in southern China than in other regions. Further, the pattern of the MSPL for the wet phase is almost opposite to that for the dry phase in both autumn and winter. The MSPL in the dry phase is higher in winter and lower in spring and autumn in southern China, while the MSPL values in the wet phase are higher in summer and winter than those in spring and autumn in southern China. The spatial distribution of the MSPL resembles that of the prediction skill of monthly precipitation from a dynamic extended-range forecast system.
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Supported by the National (Key) Basic Research and Development (973) Program of China (2013CB430203), China Meteorological Administration Special Public Welfare Research Fund (GYHY201306033), and National Natural Science Foundation of China (41275073 and 41205058).
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Liu, J., Li, W., Chen, L. et al. Estimation of the monthly precipitation predictability limit in China using the nonlinear local Lyapunov exponent. J Meteorol Res 30, 93–102 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-015-5049-z
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-015-5049-z