South China Sea Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX)

Primary Goal:

To attain the primary goal, SCSMEX has the following specific scientific objectives:

• To describe and document the space-time evolution of the large scale atmospheric circulation, thermodynamic fields, as well as basic ocean flow patterns and thermohaline structures associated with the SCS monsoon.

• To identify the influence of heating contrasts between the South China Sea and surrounding regions and the role of the early monsoon (April - May) convection and multi-scale processes in the SCS in the abrupt transition and subsequent evolution of the East Asian monsoon.

• To elucidate physical processes in the oceanic response to monsoon forcing and air-sea interaction in the South China Sea and relationships with the adjacent oceans.

• To assess and improve the ability of regional and global models in simulations and prediction of the monsoon onset in Southeast Asia and southern China.

There are three components to SCSMEX:

• A pilot-phase component devoted to advanced deployment of observation platforms for enhanced monitoring, testing of observation strategy based on diagnostic and modeling studies.

• A field-phase component involving the set up of a multitude of meteorological and oceanic observing platforms and satellite coverage during intensive observation periods (IOP).

• A modeling component using a wide range of models from regional to global scales to provide better understanding of physical mechanisms underlying the observations and to augment the field-phase observations through 4-D data assimilation.

• Observational Analysis Phase (Text to be added at a later time)

SCSMEX is a multi-national endeavor that is closely linked to and coordinated with activities of national weather services and research institutions of East Asian countries and adjacent regions as well as ongoing and planned US and international field experiments and research programs such as the Global Energy and Water Experiment (GEWEX) and Climate Variability (CLIVAR).

FIELD PHASE

The SCSMEX field phase covers the period from 15 April to 31 August, 1998. During this time two Special Observing Periods (IOPs) are planned. The first SOP (SOP-1) is currently scheduled for 5-25 May; the second SOP (SOP-2), is scheduled for 5-20 June. There is an effort underway to make the SOP-2 twenty days also, i.e., 5-25 June. The period May-June is designated as the SCSMEX Intensive Observing Period (IOP). During this time 11 surface stations have been identified as critical for data gathering, necessitating 4 soundings per day for the entire IOP. The stations are: Nansha (59997), Hong Kong (96004), Gongsha (59792), Singapore (48698), Kuala Lumpur (48647), Brunei (96315), Xisha (59431), Sanya (59948), Philippines (98223), Chiang Mai (48327), and Chanthaburi (48480)/ Ho Chi Minh (48900?).

OPERATIONS CENTER

The SCSMEX Operations Center for the field phase of the experiment will be set up at the Guangdong Meteorological Bureau in Guangzhou. Plans are underway for space allocation and definition of data and communications requirements. Similarly, the organizational structure and staffing of the Operations Center are in the final planning stages.

Investigators, their co-investigators, assistants, etc., who plan to be at the Operations Center in Guangzhou during the field phase, or part thereof, need to start thinking about their working space requirements. In addition, those who plan to bring one or more workstations to Guangzhou need to inventory their property, including peripherals and power requirements. In the very near future a questionnaire will be issued on this page pertaining the above.

STATUS REPORTS

1. A draft of the Operations Plan has been prepared by the SCSMEX International Project Office, and is under internal review.

2. Taiwan's participation in SCSMEX involves more than twenty scientists. Most of them are from the National Central University, National Taiwan University, and the Central Weather Bureau.

   The budget for the meteorological and oceanographic operations has just been approved by the funding agency. Consequently, the following activities will be carried out by the scientists from Taiwan in support of SCSMEX:

   1. During the IOP, eight upper air stations will increase the observing frequency to four soundings per day.

   2. Additional data will be collected from 24 surface stations (at a frequency of 10 observations per day), hundreds of automated rain gauge systems, two radiation measuring stations, and 2-3 weather radar stations in the Taiwan area and surrounding islands.

   3. The research ship, OR#1 of NTU, will conduct a survey cruise, deploying XBT, CTD, ADCP and marine boundary layer measuring systems. The ship will deploy three ATLAS buoys and three ADCP between Nansha and Donsha Islands while carrying out rainsonde operations.

      Research ship, OR#3, will connduct an oceanographic survery between Taiwan and Luzon Strait.

   4. NCU's ISS will be deployed to Donsha Island for installation; the BMRC C-Pol Radar is now scheduled for deployment to Donsha Island also.

   5. The operational base of the aerosonde (Central Weather Bureau) will be located on the southern tip of Taiwan. The aerosonde will conduct upper air soundings.

   6. During the field phase, several scientists from Taiwan will participate actively at the SCSMEX Operations Center in Guangzhou.

3. ATLAS buoy (SCS-1) real-time data may be found on
   http://www.pmel.noaa.gov/toga-tao/scsmex/realtime.html
   and on
   http://duckl.oc.ntu.edu.tn/scsmex.html

MEETING NOTICES

1. SOC and SSC Meeting in Hong Kong, Hong Kong Observatory, 15-18 September 1997.
   Agenda not available as yet. The SCSMEX International Project Office will prepare the agenda about mid-August, and will include:
   a) Review of SCSMEX Operations Plan
   b) Review of SCSMEX Data Management Plan
   c) Review of SCSMEX International Project Office

   Suggestions for agenda items may be sent to Prof. Ding or C.B. Emmanuel.

2. ASEAN countries will meet in Singapore during late July to discuss scientific projects. SCSMEX has been put on the agenda.

OTHER

SCSMEX Formal Announcement (5.4MB!)
(Please download directly to your computer and then print as a Post-Script file)

The SCSMEX web-page is

Please send your comments and contributions to cbe@ucar.edu; fax# +1 303-497-8633.