Interdecadal variability of the large-scale extreme hot event frequency over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin and its related atmospheric patterns

Based on daily maximum temperature data from Chinese weather stations for the period 1960- 2013, the characteristics of the interdecadal variability of large-scale extreme hot event （EHE） frequency over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River basin （MLYR） are analyzed. It is found that the frequency of large-scale EHE over the MLYR experiences two significant interdecadal changes, around the early 1970s and early 2000s, having a more-less-more variability shape during the past half century. Furthermore, the EHE frequency interdecadal variability-related atmospheric circulation patterns are diagnosed. The results indicate the western Pacific subtropical high could not be the dominant atmospheric circulation associated with the interdecadal variability of the large-scale EHE frequency over the MLYR. In contrast, the dominant teleconnection pattern over the Eurasian continent, which is represented by the second empirical orthogonal function mode of the 200 hPa geopotential height, is closely related to the interdecadal variability of the EHE frequency over the MLYR. The results of this study deepen our understanding of the variability of the EHE frequency over the MLYR and its possible mechanism.

本文研究了长江中下游夏季大范围极端高温事件的年代际变化及其与大气环流的联系。结果表明,从1960-2013年长江中下游极端高温事件呈现出多-少-多的年代际变化特征,两次显著的年代际突变分别发生在20世纪70年代初和21世纪初。欧亚大陆高层的遥相关模态与极端高温事件在年代际尺度上存在密切联系。该遥相关模态可以通过影响东亚地区上空高层西风急流的强弱,进一步影响长江中下游地区局地的辐合辐散、垂直运动和云量的变化,从而对长江中下游地区极端高温事件产生影响。利用近百年的气温和大气环流资料也表明在更长时间尺度上该欧亚大陆高层的遥相关模态与极端高温事件的关系也是显著的。