Seasonal Prediction of the Record-Breaking Northward Shift of the Western Pacific Subtropical High in July 2021

The unprecedented Zhengzhou heavy rainfall in July 2021 occurred under the background of a northward shift of the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH).Although the occurrence of this extreme event could not be captured by seasonal predictions,a skillful prediction of the WPSH variation might have warned us of the increased probability of extreme weather events in Central and Northern China.However,the mechanism for the WPSH variation in July 2021 and its seasonal predictability are still unknown.Here,the observed northward shift of the WPSH in July 2021 is shown to correspond to a meridional dipole pattern of the 850-hPa geopotential height to the east of China,the amplitude of which became the strongest since 1979.The meridional dipole pattern is two nodes of the Pacific–Japan pattern.To investigate the predictability of the WPSH variation,a 21-member ensemble of seasonal predictions initiated from the end of June 2021 was conducted.The predictable and unpredictable components of the meridional dipole pattern were identified from the ensemble simulations.Its predictable component is driven by positive precipitation anomalies over the tropical western Pacific.The positive precipitation anomalies are caused by positive horizonal advection of the mean moist enthalpy by southwesterly anomalies to the northwestern flank of anticyclonic anomalies excited by the existing La Niña,which is skillfully predicted by the model.The leading mode of the unpredictable component is associated with the atmospheric internal intraseasonal oscillations,which are not initialized in the simulations.The relative contributions of the predictable and unpredictable components to the observed northward shift of the WPSH at 850 hPa are 28.0%and 72.0%,respectively.

Impact of Surface Sensible Heating over the Tibetan Plateau on the Western Pacific Subtropical High: A Land–Air–Sea Interaction Perspective

The impact of surface sensible heating over the Tibetan Plateau （SHTP） on the western Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） with and without air-sea interaction was investigated in this study. Data analysis indicated that SHTP acts as a relatively independent factor in modulating the WPSH anomaly compared with ENSO events. Stronger spring SHTP is usually fol- lowed by an enhanced and westward extension of the WPSH in summer, and vice versa. Numerical experiments using both an AGCM and a CGCM confirmed that SHTP influences the large-scale circulation anomaly over the Pacific, which features a barotropic anticyclonic response over the northwestern Pacific and a cyclonic response to the south. Owing to different background circulation in spring and summer, such a response facilitates a subdued WPSH in spring but an en- hanced WPSH in summer. Moreover, the CGCM results showed that the equatorial low-level westerly at the south edge of the cyclonic anomaly brings about a warm SST anomaly （SSTA） in the equatorial central Pacific via surface warm advection. Subsequently, an atmospheric Rossby wave is stimulated to the northwest of the warm SSTA, which in turn enhances the at- mospheric dipole anomalies over the western Pacific. Therefore, the air-sea feedbacks involved tend to reinforce the effect of SHTP on the WPSH anomaly, and the role of SHTP on general circulation needs to be considered in a land-air-sea interaction framework.

Anomalous Western Pacific Subtropical High during Late Summer in Weak La Nia Years: Contrast between 1981 and 2013

Both 1981 and 2013 were weak La Nifia years with a similar sea surface temperature （SST） anomaly in the tropical Pacific, yet the westem Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） during August exhibited an opposite anomaly in the two years. A comparison indicates that, in the absence of a strong SST anomaly in the tropics, the cold advection from Eurasian high latitudes and the convection of the western Pacific warm pool play important roles in influencing the strength and position of the WPSH in August. In August 1981, the spatial pattern of 500 hPa geopotential height was characterized by a meridional circulation with a strong ridge in the Ural Mountains and a deep trough in Siberia, which provided favorable conditions for cold air invading into the lower latitudes. Accordingly, the geopotential height to the north of the WPSH was reduced by the cold advection anomaly from high latitudes, resulting in an eastward retreat of the WPSH. Moreover, an anomalous cyclonic circulation in the subtropical western Pacific, excited by enhanced warm pool convection, also contributed to the eastward retreat of the WPSH. By contrast, the influence from high latitudes was relatively weak in August 2013 due to a zonal circulation pattern over Eurasia, and the anomalous anticyclonic circulation induced by suppressed warm pool convection also facilitated the westward extension of the WPSH. Therefore, the combined effects of the high latitude and tropical circulations may contribute a persistent anomaly of the WPSH in late summer, despite the tropical SST anomaly being weak.

Two Northward Jumps of the Summertime Western Pacific Subtropical High and Their Associations with the Tropical SST Anomalies

Based on the pentad mean ridgeline index of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), the authors identified the two northward jumps of the WPSH from 1979 to 2008 and revealed their associations with the tropical SST anomalies. The authors show that the northward jumps, especially the second jump, exhibited remarkable interannual variability. In addition, the authors find that the two northward jumps were mutually independent and were influenced by the SST anomalies in the different regions of the tropical Pacific. The first jump was positively correlated with the SST anomalies in the tropical central Pacific from the preceding winter to June. In contrast, the second jump was positively related to ENSO in the preceding winter, but this correlation tended to weaken with the decay of ENSO and disappeared in July. Instead, a positive correlation was found in the Indian Ocean. We therefore suggest that ENSO plays an indirect role in the second jump through the capacitor effect of the Indian Ocean.

Interdecadal change in Western Pacific Subtropical High and climatic effects

Western North Pacific Subtropical High is a very important atmospheric circulation system influencing the summer climate over eastern China. Its interdecadal change is analyzed in this study. There is a significant decadal shift in about 1979/1980. Since 1980, the Western North Pacific Subtropical High has enlarged, intensified, and shifted southwestward. This change gives rise to an anti-cyclonic circulation anomaly over the region from the South China Sea to western Pacific and thus causes wet anomalies over the Yangtze River valley. During the summers of 1980-1999, the precipitation is 63.9 mm above normal, while during 1958-1979 it is 27.3 mm below normal. The difference is significant at the 99% confidence level as a t-test shown. The southwestward expanding of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High also leads to a significant warming in southern China, during 1980-1999 the summer mean temperature is 0.37篊 warmer than that of the period 1958-1979. The strong warming is primarily due to the clearer skies associated with the stronger downward air motion as the Western North Pacific Subtropical High expanding to the west and controlling southern China. It is also found that the relative percentage of tropical cyclones in the regions south of 20篘 is decreasing since the 1980s, but in the regions north of 20篘 that is increasing at the same time. The Western North Pacific Subtropical High responds significantly to sea surface temperature of the tropical eastern Pacific with a lag of one-two seasons and simultaneously to sea surface temperature of the tropical Indian Ocean. The changes in the sea surface temperatures are mainly responsible for the interdecadal variability of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High.

Anomalous Western Pacific Subtropical High during El Nino Developing Summer in Comparison with Decaying Summer

The anomalous behavior of the western Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） in E1 Nifio developing summer is studied based on the composite results of eight major E1 Nifio events during 1979-2013. It is shown that the WPSH tends to retreat eastwards with weak intensity during the developing summer. The anomaly exhibits an intraseasonal variation with a weaker anomaly in June and July and a stronger anomaly in August, indicating that different underlying physical mechanisms may be responsible for the anomalous WPSH during early and late summer periods. In June and July, owing to the cold advection anomaly characterized as a weak northerly anomaly from high latitudes, geopotential height in East Asia is reduced and the WPSH tends to retreat eastwards slightly. By contrast, enhanced convection over the warm pool in August makes the atmosphere more sensitive to E1 Nifio forcing. Consequently, a cyclonic anomaly in the western Pacific is induced, which is consistent with the seasonal march of atmospheric circulation from July to August. Accordingly, geopotential height in the western Pacific is reduced significantly, and the WPSH tends to retreat eastwards remarkably in August. Different from the developing summer, geopotential height in the decaying summer over East Asia and the western Pacific tends to enhance and extend northwards from June to August consistently, reaching the maximum anomaly in August. Therefore, the seasonal march plays an important role in the WPSH anomaly for both the developing and decaying summer.

Vertical Circulation Structure, Interannual Variation Features and Variation Mechanism of Western Pacific Subtropical High

The paper investigates the vertical circulation structure of the western Pacific subtropical high (STH) and its interannual variation features in relation tO East Asian subtropical summer monsoon and external thermal forcing by using the high-resolution and good-quality observations from the 1998 South China Sea Summer Monsoon Experiment (SCSMEX), the NCEP 40-year reanalysis data and relevant SST and the STH parameters. It is found that the vertical circulation structures differ greatly in features between quasi-Stationary and transient components of the western Pacific STH. When rainstorms happen in the rainband of East Asian subtropical monsoon on the STH north side, the downdrafts are distinct around the ridge at a related meridian. The sinking at high (low) levels comes from the north (south) side of the STH, thereby revealing that the high is a tie between tropical and extratropical systems. The analyses of this paper suggest that the latent heat release associated with subtropical monsoon precipitation, the offshore SST and East Asian land-sea thermal contrast have a significant effect on the STH interannual anomaly. Our numerical experiment shows that the offshore SSTA-caused sensible heating may excite an anomalous anticyclonic circulation on the west side, which affects the intensity (area) and meridional position of the western Pacific STH.

CHARACTERISTICS AND CAUSE ANALYSIS OF WESTERN PACIFIC SUBTROPICAL HIGH DURING THE HUAIHE RIVER FLOODS IN 2003

1 INTRODUCTION In summer, different assembly of the intensity, location and vertical structure of the subtropical high and the earlier/later time of its seasonal northwards jump bring about different precipitation patterns over China. Therefore, subtropical high activity and its cause during the occurrence of extreme climatic event over China and the cause of China drought/flood are studied to improve weather forecasting.

Predicting Western Pacific Subtropical High Using a Combined Tropical Indian Ocean Sea Surface Temperature Forecast

Weather and climate in East China are closely related to the variability of the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH), which is an important part of the Asian monsoon system. The WPSH prediction in spring and summer is a critical component of rainfall forecasting during the summer flood season in China. Although many attempts have been made to predict WPSH variability, its predictability remains limited in practice due to the complexity of the WPSH evolution. Many studies have indicated that the sea surface temperature(SST) over the tropical Indian Ocean has a significant effect on WPSH variability. In this paper, a statistical model is developed to forecast the monthly variation in the WPSH during the spring and summer seasons on the basis of its relationship with SST over the tropical Indian Ocean. The forecasted SST over the tropical Indian Ocean is the predictor in this model, which differs significantly from other WPSH prediction methods. A 26-year independent hindcast experiment from 1983 to 2008 is conducted and validated in which the WPSH prediction driven by the combined forecasted SST is compared with that driven by the persisted SST. Results indicate that the skill score of the WPSH prediction driven by the combined forecasted SST is substantial.

ANALYSIS OF THE WESTWARD EXTENSION OF WESTERN PACIFIC SUBTROPICAL HIGH DURING A HEAVY RAIN PERIOD OVER SOUTHERN CHINA IN JUNE 2005

The NCEP/NCAR II daily mean reanalysis data and observed precipitation data are employed to investigate the westward extension of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) during the heavy rain period over the southern China in June 2005. Results show that there may exist a relationship between the east-west shift of the WPSH and the process of a southern China heavy rain. The analysis indicates that the vertical motion in the WPSH area is mainly caused by the latent heat release of monsoon rain belts on its northern and southern sides. The vertical motion could cause the accumulation of air mass in the center and west of the WPSH, which leads to its strengthening. The appearance of the northern and southern monsoon rain belts could not only enhance the WPSH by strengthening the descending draft, but also excite the development of positive vorticity and restrict the WPSH's movement in the north-south direction. Moreover, the Indian monsoon rainfall to the west of the WPSH may excite the development of anticyclonic vorticity on its eastern side, which leads to the westward extension of the WPSH.

Possible contribution of the PDO to the eastward retreat of the western pacific subtropical high

Previous studies have demonstrated that the western Pacific subtropical high(WPSH)has experienced an eastward retreat since the late 1970s.In this study,the authors propose that this eastward retreat of the WPSH can be partly attributed to atmospheric responses to the positive phase of the Pacific decadal oscillation(PDO),based on idealized SST forcing experiments using the Community Atmosphere Model,version 4.Associated with the positive phase of the PDO,convective heating from the Indian Peninsula to the western Pacific and over the eastern tropical Pacific has increased,which has subsequently forced a Gill-type response to modulate the WPSH.The resulting cyclonic gyre over the Asian continent and the western Pacific in the lower troposphere is favorable for the eastward retreat of the WPSH.Additionally,the resulting anticyclonic gyre in the upper troposphere is favorable for the strengthening and southward expansion of the East Asian westerly jet,which can modulate the jet-related secondary meridional-vertical circulation over the western Pacific and promote the eastward retreat of the WPSH.

Subseasonal Zonal Oscillation of the Western Pacific Subtropical High during Early Summer

This study examines the features and dynamical processes of subseasonal zonal oscillation of the western Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） during early summer, by performing a multivariate empirical orthogonal function （MV- EOF） analysis on daily winds and a diagnosis on potential vorticity （PV） at 500 hPa for the period 197%2016. The first MV-EOF mode is characterized by an anticyclonic anomaly occupying southeastern China to subtropical west-ern North Pacific regions. It has a period of 10-25 days and represents zonal shift of the WPSH. When the WPSH stretches more westward, the South Asian high （SAH） extends more eastward. Above-normal precipitation is ob- served over the Yangtze-Huaihe River （YHR） basin. Suppressed convection with anomalous descending motion is located over the subtropical western North Pacific. The relative zonal movement of the SAH and the WPSH helps to establish an anomalous local vertical circulation of ascending motion with upper-level divergence over the YHR basin and descending motion with upper-level convergence over the subtropical western Pacific. The above local ver-tical circulation provides a dynamic condition for persistent rainfall over the YHR basin. An enhanced southwest flow over the WPSH＇s western edge transports more moisture to eastem China, providing a necessary water vapor condition for the persistent rainfall over the YHR basin. A potential vorticity diagnosis reveals that anomalous diaba- tic heating is a main source for PV generation. The anomalous cooling over the subtropical western Pacific produces a local negative PV center at 500 hPa. The anomalous heating over the YHR basin generates a local positive PV cen-ter. The above south-north dipolar structure of PV anomaly along with the climatological southerly flow leads to northward advection of negative PV. These two processes are conducive to the WPSH＇s westward extension. The vertical advection process is unfavorable to the westward extension but contributes to the eastward retreat of the WPSH.

Climatological Features of the Western Pacific Subtropical High Southward Retreat Process in Late Spring and Early Summer

Based on the climatological daily mean NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data, NOAA outgoing longwave radiation （OLR） data, and pentad NOAA CMAP precipitation from 1979 to 2006, the variation of the western Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） ridge during late spring and early summer （LSES） and its relationship with the onset of the Asian summer monsoon is discussed from a climatological perspective. It is found that a remarkable southward retreat process （SRP） of the WPSH during LSES appears at both lower and higher levels of the troposphere, with a lifespan of approximate two weeks. Afterwards, the first northward jump of the WPSH occurs. The end date of the WPSH SRP in the upper troposphere is about 10 days earlier than the beginning of the WPSH SRP in the lower troposphere, showing a meaningful leading signal for predicting the WPSH SRP in the lower troposphere and the subsequent northward jump of the WPSH. The WPSH SRP at lower levels happens simultaneously with a notable eastward shift of the WPSH. After the WPSH SRP at lower levels comes to the southernmost position around the end of May, the WPSH ridge axis inclines northward rather than southward with altitude due to the change of the meridional gradient of air temperature. The Asian summer monsoon onset and associated variations in strong convection and rainfall in Asia are closely related to the variations of W＇PSH SRP during LSES. In the mid-late period of the higher-level WPSH SRP, around the end of April, the summer monsoon onset takes place in the Andaman Sea and the Bay of Bengal. Following the start of the lower-level WPSH SRP, the South China Sea （SCS） summer monsoon breaks out （May 14-15）. By the end of the lower-level WPSH SRP, in the beginning of June, the Indian summer monsoon kicks off. Upon the end of the lower-level WPSH return stage, the East Asian summer monsoon begins. The commencement of each component of the Asian summer monsoon system corresponds nicely to a particular stage of the WPSH SRP in the lower or higher troposphere. This offers valuable information for monsoon onset prediction in different sectors of Asia. In addition, it is found that there is a typical wet-dry-wet sandwich precipitation pattern, with two rainfall belts in the regions south and north to the WPSH main body, and a dry belt under it. The variation of this rainfall pattern is related to the shift of the WPSH ridge.

Relationship Between the Western Pacific Subtropical High and the Subtropical East Asian Diabatic Heating During South China Heavy Rains in June 2005

Based on the daily NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data,the position variation of the western Pacific subtropical high（WPSH） in June 2005 and its relation to the diabatic heating in the subtropical East Asia are analyzed using the complete vertical vorticity equation.The results show that the position variation of the WPSH is indeed associated with the diabatic heating in the subtropical East Asian areas.In comparison with June climatology,stronger heating on the north side of the WPSH and relatively weak ITCZ（intertropical convergence zone） convection on the south side of the WPSH occurred in June 2005.Along with the northward movement of the WPSH,the convective latent heating extended northward from the south side of the WPSH.The heating to the west of the WPSH was generally greater than that inside the WPSH,and each significant enhancement of the heating field corresponded to a subsequent westward extension of the WPSH.In the mid troposphere,the vertical variation of heating on the north of the WPSH was greater than the climatology,which is unfavorable for the northward movement of the WPSH.On the other hand,the vertical variation of heating south of the WPSH was largely smaller than the climatology,which is favorable for the anomalous increase of anticyclonic vorticity,leading to the southward retreat of the WPSH.Before the westward extension of the WPSH in late June 2005,the vertical variation of heating rates to（in） the west（east） of the WPSH was largely higher（lower） than the climatology,which is in favor of the increase of anticyclonic（cyclonic） vorticity to（in） the west（east） of the WPSH,inducing the subsequent westward extension of the WPSH.Similar features appeared in the lower troposphere.In a word,the heating on the north-south,east-west of the WPSH worked together,resulting in the WPSH extending more southward and westward in June 2005,which is favorable to the maintenance of the rainbelt in South China.

Links between Western Pacific Subtropical High and vegetation growth in China

There is a lack of simple ways to predict the vegetation responses to the East Asian Monsoon(EAM) variability in China due to the complexity of the monsoon system. In this study, we found the variation of the Western Pacific Subtropical High(WPSH), which is one of the major components of the EAM, has a profound influence on the vegetation growth in China. When the WPSH is located more to the west of its climate average, the eastern and northwestern parts experience increased yearly-averaged normalized difference vegetation index(NDVI) and gross primary productivity(GPP) by 0.3%–2.2%, and 0.2%–2.2%, respectively. In contrast, when the WPSH is located more to the east of its climate average, the above areas experience decreased yearly-averaged NDVI and GPP by 0.4% to 1.6%, and 1.3% to 4.5%, respectively. The WPSH serves as a major circulation index to predict the response of vegetation to monsoon.

CLIMATIC ANALYSIS OF IMPACTS OF THE TROPICAL CONVECTION IN WESTERN PACIFIC ON WESTERN PACIFIC SUBTROPICAL HIGH'S SHORT-TERM SCALES DURING BOREAL SUMMER

Based on the multi-year average NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and NOAA's OLR data,the climatic characteristics of the tropical convection in tropical western Pacific and Indian Oceans as well as its relationship with western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) is shown as follows:on short-term scales,the tropical convection that has significant influence on western Pacific high's latitudinal movement is located in the area of the South China Sea to the Philippines,which is the 2-day precursor prior to WPSH's latitudinal fluctuation,that is,WPSH is shifting to north 2 days after the tropical convection becomes more active,and vice versa.Moreover,the tropical convection has less effect on WPSH's longitudinal movement.

Different Configurations of Interannual Variability of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High and East Asian Westerly Jet in Summer

This study investigates the circulation and precipitation anomalies associated with different configurations of the western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH)and the East Asian westerly jet(EAJ)in summer on interannual timescales.The in-phase configuration of the WNPSH and EAJ is characterized by the westward(eastward)extension of the WNPSH and the southward(northward)shift of the EAJ,which is consistent with the general correspondence between their variations.The out-of-phase configuration includes the residual cases.We find that the in-phase configuration manifests itself as a typical meridional teleconnection.For instance,there is an anticyclonic(cyclonic)anomaly over the tropical western North Pacific and a cyclonic(anticyclonic)anomaly over the mid-latitudes of East Asia in the lower troposphere.These circulation anomalies are more conducive to rainfall anomalies over the Yangtze River basin and south Japan than are the individual WNPSH or EAJ.By contrast,for the out-of-phase configuration,the mid-latitude cyclonic(anticyclonic)anomaly is absent,and the lower-tropospheric circulation anomalies feature an anticyclonic(cyclonic)anomaly with a large meridional extension.Correspondingly,significant rainfall anomalies move northward to North China and the northern Korean Peninsula.Further results indicate that the out-of-phase configuration is associated with the developing phase of ENSO,with strong and significant sea surface temperature(SST)anomalies in the tropical central and eastern Pacific which occur simultaneously during summer and persist into the following winter.This is sharply different from the in-phase configuration,for which the tropical SSTs are not a necessity.

Decadal Change in the Influence of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High on Summer Rainfall over the Yangtze River Basin in the Late 1970s

It is well known that on the interannual timescale,the westward extension of the western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH)results in enhanced rainfall over the Yangtze River basin(YRB)in summer,and vice versa.This study identifies that this correspondence experiences a decadal change in the late 1970s.That is,the WNPSH significantly affects YRB precipitation(YRBP)after the late 1970s(P2)but not before the late 1970s(P1).It is found that enhanced interannual variability of the WNPSH favors its effect on YRB rainfall in P2.On the other hand,after removing the strong WNPSH cases in P2 and making the WNPSH variability equivalent to that in P1,the WNPSH can still significantly affect YRB rainfall,suggesting that the WNPSH variability is not the only factor that affects the WNPSH-YRBP relationship.Further results indicate that the change in basic state of thermal conditions in the tropical WNP provides a favorable background for the enhanced WNPSH-YRBP relationship.In P2,the lower-tropospheric atmosphere in the tropical WNP gets warmer and wetter,and thus the meridional gradient of climatological equivalent potential temperature over the YRB is enhanced.As a result,the WNPSH-related circulation anomalies can more effectively induce YRB rainfall anomalies through affecting the meridional gradient of equivalent potential temperature over the YRB.

Simulation of the western North Pacific subtropical high in El Ni?o decaying summers by CMIP5 AGCMs

The performances of CMIP5 atmospheric general circulation models （AGCMs） in simulating the western North Pacific subtropical high （WNPSH） in El Nino decaying summers are examined in this study. Results show that most models can reproduce the spatial pattern of both climatological and anomalous circulation associated with the WNPSH in El Nino decaying summers. Most CMIP5 AGCMs can capture the westward shift of the WNPSH in El Nino decaying summers compared with the climatological location. With respect to the sub-seasonal variation of the WNPSH, the performances of these AGCMs in reproducing the northward jump of the WNPSH are better than simulating the eastward retreat of the WNPSH from July to August. Twenty-one out of twenty-two （20 out of 22） models can reasonably reproduce the northward jump of the WNPSH in El Nino decaying summers （climatology）, while only 7 out of 22 （8 out of 22） AGCMs can reasonably reproduce the eastward retreat of the WNPSH in El Nino decaying summers （climatology）. In addition, there is a close connection between the climatological WNPSH location bias and that in El Nino decaying summers.

Interdecadal Change in the Interannual Variation of the Western Edge of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High During Early Summer and the Influence of Tropical Sea Surface Temperature

This study reveals that the interannual variability of the western edge of the western North Pacific(WNP)subtropical high(WNPSH)in early summer experienced an interdecadal decrease around 1990.Correspondingly,the zonal movement of the WNPSH and the zonal extension of the high-pressure anomaly over the WNP(WNPHA)in abnormal years possess smaller ranges after 1990.The different influences of the tropical SSTAs are important for this interdecadal change,which exhibit slow El Nino decaying pattern before 1990 while rapid transformation from El Nino to La Nina after 1990.The early summer tropical SSTAs and the relevant atmospheric circulation anomalies present obvious interdecadal differences.Before 1990,the warm SSTAs over the northern Indian Ocean and southern South China Sea favor the WNPHA through eastward-propagating Kelvin wave and meridional-vertical circulation,respectively.Meanwhile,the warm SSTA over the tropical central Pacific induces anomalous ascent to its northwest through the Gill response,which could strengthen the anomalous descent over the WNP through meridional-vertical circulation and further favor the eastward extension of the WNPHA to central Pacific.After 1990,the warm SSTAs over the Maritime Continent and northern Indian Ocean cause the WNPHA through meridional-vertical and zonal-vertical circulation,respectively.Overall,the anomalous warm SSTs and ascent and the resultant anomalous descent over the WNP are located more westward and southward after 1990 than before 1990.Consequently,the WNPHA features narrower zonal range and less eastward extension after 1990,corresponding to the interdecadal decease in the interannual variability of the western edge of the WNPSH.On the other hand,the dominant oscillation period of ENSO experienced an interdecadal reduction around 1990,contributing to the change of the El Nino SSTA associated with the anomalous WNPSH from slow decaying type to rapid transformation type.