An unexpected super mei-yu struck in 2020 in the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin,southern Korea,and southern Japan(hereafter referred to as the mei-yu regions),causing many casualties and huge economic losses.The super mei...An unexpected super mei-yu struck in 2020 in the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin,southern Korea,and southern Japan(hereafter referred to as the mei-yu regions),causing many casualties and huge economic losses.The super mei-yu was characterized by a remarkably early onset(around 1 June),late withdrawal(around 1 August),and intense rainfalI during the mei-yu season.The precipitation in the early onset and late withdrawal stages contributed more than half of the total mei-yu-period precipitation over the mei-yu regions in 2020.In this study,the authors explored the dominant remote forcing of the mei-yu early onset and late withdrawal to understand the mechanisms of this super mei-yu.The early onset can mainly be attributed to an early northward-shifted East Asian jet stream(EAJS).The late withdrawal mainly resulted from the stagnant EAJS and the western North Pacific subtropical high(WPSH) during 10 July to 1 August.Specifically,North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies(SSTAs) excited a Rossby wave,which was steered by atmospheric anomalies related to the western North Pacific SSTAs,causing the early northward-shifted EAJS and generating an early onset.The record-breaking warm SSTAs over the North Indian Ocean to South China Sea and the reduced sea-ice concentration(SIC) over the Laptev-East Siberian Sea played important roles in causing the stagnant WPSH and EAJS during July,which led to the late withdrawal.Meanwhile,the SIC anomalies may have caused the inhomogeneous rainfall distribution in the mei-yu regions.Furthermore,projection results suggest that the probability of a late mei-yu withdrawal similar to the 2020 case will increase in the future.Finally,potential predictors of an extreme mei-yu are discussed.展开更多
East Asian summer rainfall is affected by both the continental northern East Asian low (NEAL) and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) in the lower troposphere. This study investigates the joint effe...East Asian summer rainfall is affected by both the continental northern East Asian low (NEAL) and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) in the lower troposphere. This study investigates the joint effect of the two circulation factors on East Asian summer rainfall. It is found that the rainfall in East Asia behaves differently in the years with in-phase and out-of-phase variation between the NEAL and WNPSH. When the NEAL and WNPSH vary in phase, i.e. when they are both stronger, the rainfall anomaly shows a dipole pattern in East Asia and displays opposite changes between north and south of 30°N. When the two circulation factors vary out of phase, the rainfall anomaly is concentrated in the Yangtze River valley.展开更多
The first decadal leading mode of East Asian summer rainfall(EASR) is characterized by rainfall anomalies along the East Asian subtropical rain belt. This study focuses on the second decadal leading mode(2DLM), accoun...The first decadal leading mode of East Asian summer rainfall(EASR) is characterized by rainfall anomalies along the East Asian subtropical rain belt. This study focuses on the second decadal leading mode(2DLM), accounting for 17.3% of rainfall decadal variance, as distinct from the other two neighboring modes of EAMR, based on the state-of-the-art in-situ rainfall data.This mode is characterized by a South-China-wet–HuaiheRiver-dry pattern, and is dominated by a quasi-30-yr period. Further analysis reveals the 2DLM corresponds to an enhanced lower-level monsoon jet, an eastward extension of the western North Pacific subtropical high, and a weakened East Asian upper-level westerly jet flow. The Tibetan Plateau surface temperature and Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO) are closely linked with the 2DLM. The regressed SST pattern indicates the PDO-like pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies may have a teleconnection relationship with the 2DLM of EASR.展开更多
The intensity of summer precipitation interannual variability is strongest over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley(MLYRV). The variability is larger than 1.5 mm d–1 and up to 35%–40% of the cli...The intensity of summer precipitation interannual variability is strongest over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley(MLYRV). The variability is larger than 1.5 mm d–1 and up to 35%–40% of the climatological mean summer precipitation. The relationship between the interdecadal change in the intensity of summer precipitation and its interannual variability over this area is investigated, by analyzing five gauged and re-constructed precipitation datasets. The relationship is found to be very weak over the MLYRV, with a correlation coefficient of only approximately 0.10. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation influences the western North Pacific subtropical high, which is responsible for the interdecadal change in summer precipitation over the MLYRV. However, the precipitation interannual variability is closely related to the ENSO events in the preceding winter due to its impact on the meridional displacement of the East Asian westerly jet. Different physical mechanisms cause different interdecadal variation in the intensity of summer precipitation and its interannual variability, and thus result in a poor relationship.展开更多
This study investigated the connection between the Australian summer monsoon(ASM) and summer precipitation over central China. It was found that,following a weaker-than-normal ASM, the East Asian summer monsoon and we...This study investigated the connection between the Australian summer monsoon(ASM) and summer precipitation over central China. It was found that,following a weaker-than-normal ASM, the East Asian summer monsoon and western North Pacific subtropical high tend to be stronger, yielding anomalous northward moisture to be transported from the western Pacific to central China. Besides, anomalous upwelling motion emerges over 30–37.5°N, along 110°E. Consequently,significant positive summer precipitation anomalies are located over central China. Further analysis indicated that the boreal winter sea surface temperature(SST) in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea shows positive anomalies in association with a weaker-than-normal ASM. The Indian Ocean warming in boreal winter could persist into the following summer because of its own long memory, emanating a baroclinic Kelvin wave into the Pacific that triggers suppressed convection and an anomalous anticyclone. Besides, the abnormal SST signal in the South China Sea develops eastward with time because of local air-sea interaction, causing summer SST warming in the western Pacific. The SST warming can further affect East Asian atmospheric circulation and precipitation through its impact on convection.展开更多
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 m...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.展开更多
The summer western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH) has large influences on the East Asian summer climate. Many studies have focused on the projected changes in the WNPSH, but little is known about the changes un...The summer western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH) has large influences on the East Asian summer climate. Many studies have focused on the projected changes in the WNPSH, but little is known about the changes under different global warming targets, such as 1.5℃ and 2.0℃. This study investigates the changes in the WNPSH under six global warming targets(1.5℃, 2.0℃, 2.5℃,3.0℃, 3.5℃, and 4.0℃) in both the mid-and lower troposphere, using the outputs of CMIP5 model in historical simulations and under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. The projected changes in the WNPSH, which is measured by multiple variables, show that it changes little under the 1.5℃ target in the mid-troposphere, but weakens and retreats approximately 2.5° in longitude under the 2.0℃ target. It tends to linearly weaken with warming greater than 2.5℃ and shifts eastward by approximately 6.0° in longitude by the 4.0℃ target. Meanwhile, the WNPSH intensifies and extends westward under the 1.5℃ target in the lower troposphere, but changes little with warming rising from 1.5℃ to 2.0℃. It is projected to extend westward by approximately2.0° in longitude by the 4.0℃ target.展开更多
In this study,regional rainstorm events (RREs) in northeastern China associated with the activity of the Northeastern China Cold Vortex (NCCV) were investigated on a medium-range time scale.The RREs occurring in north...In this study,regional rainstorm events (RREs) in northeastern China associated with the activity of the Northeastern China Cold Vortex (NCCV) were investigated on a medium-range time scale.The RREs occurring in northeastern China could be categorized into three groups according to the distribution of heavy rainfall.The largest cluster is characterized by the rainstorm events that occur on the northwestern side of the Changbai Mountains along a southwest-northeast axis.These events occur most frequently during the post-meiyu period.The authors place particular emphasis on the RREs that belong to the largest cluster and are closely associated with the activity of the NCCV.These RREs were preconditioned by the transportation of substantial amounts of water vapor to which the anomalous western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) contributed.The attendant anomalous WPSH was primarily driven by the anomalous transient eddy feedback forcing the nearby East Asian jet.The development of the NCCV circulation was concurrent with the RREs and acted as their primary causative factor.A perspective based on low-frequency dynamics indicates that Rossby wave packets emanated from the blocking-type circulation over northeastern Asia led to the development of the NCCV activity.展开更多
The projected temporal evolution in the interannual variability of East Asian summer rainfall in the 21st century is investigated here,by analyzing the simulated results of 18 coupled models under the 20th century cli...The projected temporal evolution in the interannual variability of East Asian summer rainfall in the 21st century is investigated here,by analyzing the simulated results of 18 coupled models under the 20th century climate experiment and scenario A1B.The multi-model ensemble(MME)mean projects two prominent changes in the interannual variability of East Asian summer rainfall in the 21st century under scenario A1B.The first change occurs around the 2030s,with a small change before and a large increase afterward.The intensity of the interannual variability increases up to approximately 0.53 mm/d in the 2070s,representing an increase of approximately 30% relative to the early 21st century.The second change happens around the 2070s,with a decrease afterward.By the end of the 21st century,the increase is approximately 12% relative to the early 21st century.The interannual variability of two circulation factors,the western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH)and the East Asian upper-tropospheric jet(EAJ),are also projected to exhibit two prominent changes around the 2030s and 2070 under scenario A1B,with consistent increases and decreases afterward,respectively.The MME result also projects two prominent changes in the interannual variability of water vapor transported to East Asia at 850 hPa,which occurs separately around the 2040s and 2070s,with a persistent increase and decrease afterward.Meanwhile,the precipitable water interannual variability over East Asia and the western North Pacific is projected to exhibit two prominent enhancements around the 2030s and 2060s and an increase from 0.1 kg/m2 in the early 21st century to 0.5 kg/m2 at the end of the 21st century,implying a continuous intensification in the interannual variability of the potential precipitation.Otherwise,the intensities of the three factors'(except EAJ)interannual variability are all projected to be stronger at the end of the 21st century than that in the early period.These studies indicate that the change of interannual variability of the East Asian summer rainfall is caused by the variability of both the dynamic and thermodynamic variables under scenario A1B.In the early and middle 21st century,both factors lead to an intensified interannual variability of rainfall,whereas the dynamic factors weaken the interannual variability,and the thermodynamic factor intensifies the interannual variability in the late period.展开更多
Using the reanalysis data and 20th century simulation of coupled model FGOALS_gl developed by LASG/IAP, we identified two distinct interannual modes of Northwestern Pacific Subtropical Anticyclone (NWPAC) by perform...Using the reanalysis data and 20th century simulation of coupled model FGOALS_gl developed by LASG/IAP, we identified two distinct interannual modes of Northwestern Pacific Subtropical Anticyclone (NWPAC) by performing Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis on 850 hPa wind field over the northwestern Pacific in summer. Based on the associated anoma- lous equatorial zonal wind, these two modes are termed as "Equatorial Easterly related Mode" (EEM) and "Equatorial Westerly related Mode" (EWM), respectively. The formation mechanisms of these two modes are similar, whereas the maintenance mechanisms, dominant periods, and the relationships with ENSO are different. The EEM is associated with E1 Nifio decaying phase, with the anomalous anticyclone established in the preceding winter and persisted into summer through local positive air-sea feedback. By enhancing equatorial upwelling of subsurface cold water, EEM favors the transition of ENSO from E1 Nifio to La Nifia. The EWM is accompanied by the E1 Nifio events with long persistence, with the anomalous anticyclone formed in spring and strengthened in summer due to the warm Sea Surface Temperature anomalies (SSTA) forcing from the equatorial central-eastern Pacific. The model well reproduces the spatial patterns of these two modes, but fails to simulate the percentage variance accounted for by the two modes. In the NCEP reanalysis (model result), EEM (EWM) appears as the first mode, which accounts for 35.6% (68.2%) of the total variance.展开更多
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 42088101]the Major Program of the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant number 41991283]。
文摘An unexpected super mei-yu struck in 2020 in the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin,southern Korea,and southern Japan(hereafter referred to as the mei-yu regions),causing many casualties and huge economic losses.The super mei-yu was characterized by a remarkably early onset(around 1 June),late withdrawal(around 1 August),and intense rainfalI during the mei-yu season.The precipitation in the early onset and late withdrawal stages contributed more than half of the total mei-yu-period precipitation over the mei-yu regions in 2020.In this study,the authors explored the dominant remote forcing of the mei-yu early onset and late withdrawal to understand the mechanisms of this super mei-yu.The early onset can mainly be attributed to an early northward-shifted East Asian jet stream(EAJS).The late withdrawal mainly resulted from the stagnant EAJS and the western North Pacific subtropical high(WPSH) during 10 July to 1 August.Specifically,North Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies(SSTAs) excited a Rossby wave,which was steered by atmospheric anomalies related to the western North Pacific SSTAs,causing the early northward-shifted EAJS and generating an early onset.The record-breaking warm SSTAs over the North Indian Ocean to South China Sea and the reduced sea-ice concentration(SIC) over the Laptev-East Siberian Sea played important roles in causing the stagnant WPSH and EAJS during July,which led to the late withdrawal.Meanwhile,the SIC anomalies may have caused the inhomogeneous rainfall distribution in the mei-yu regions.Furthermore,projection results suggest that the probability of a late mei-yu withdrawal similar to the 2020 case will increase in the future.Finally,potential predictors of an extreme mei-yu are discussed.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 41375086]
文摘East Asian summer rainfall is affected by both the continental northern East Asian low (NEAL) and the western North Pacific subtropical high (WNPSH) in the lower troposphere. This study investigates the joint effect of the two circulation factors on East Asian summer rainfall. It is found that the rainfall in East Asia behaves differently in the years with in-phase and out-of-phase variation between the NEAL and WNPSH. When the NEAL and WNPSH vary in phase, i.e. when they are both stronger, the rainfall anomaly shows a dipole pattern in East Asia and displays opposite changes between north and south of 30°N. When the two circulation factors vary out of phase, the rainfall anomaly is concentrated in the Yangtze River valley.
基金supported by the National Basic Research Program (973 Program, Grant No. 2012CB417203)the R&D Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry (Meteorology) (Grant No. GYHY201406001)+1 种基金Strategic Leading Science Projects of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA11010402)the National National Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 91337110 and 40805038)
文摘The first decadal leading mode of East Asian summer rainfall(EASR) is characterized by rainfall anomalies along the East Asian subtropical rain belt. This study focuses on the second decadal leading mode(2DLM), accounting for 17.3% of rainfall decadal variance, as distinct from the other two neighboring modes of EAMR, based on the state-of-the-art in-situ rainfall data.This mode is characterized by a South-China-wet–HuaiheRiver-dry pattern, and is dominated by a quasi-30-yr period. Further analysis reveals the 2DLM corresponds to an enhanced lower-level monsoon jet, an eastward extension of the western North Pacific subtropical high, and a weakened East Asian upper-level westerly jet flow. The Tibetan Plateau surface temperature and Pacific Decadal Oscillation(PDO) are closely linked with the 2DLM. The regressed SST pattern indicates the PDO-like pattern of sea surface temperature anomalies may have a teleconnection relationship with the 2DLM of EASR.
基金supported by the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences (Grant No. XDA05110203)the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41305063 and 41320104007)
文摘The intensity of summer precipitation interannual variability is strongest over the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley(MLYRV). The variability is larger than 1.5 mm d–1 and up to 35%–40% of the climatological mean summer precipitation. The relationship between the interdecadal change in the intensity of summer precipitation and its interannual variability over this area is investigated, by analyzing five gauged and re-constructed precipitation datasets. The relationship is found to be very weak over the MLYRV, with a correlation coefficient of only approximately 0.10. The Pacific Decadal Oscillation influences the western North Pacific subtropical high, which is responsible for the interdecadal change in summer precipitation over the MLYRV. However, the precipitation interannual variability is closely related to the ENSO events in the preceding winter due to its impact on the meridional displacement of the East Asian westerly jet. Different physical mechanisms cause different interdecadal variation in the intensity of summer precipitation and its interannual variability, and thus result in a poor relationship.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 41421004 and 41130103)the Special Fund for Public Welfare Industry (Mete orology) (Grant No. GYHY201306026)
文摘This study investigated the connection between the Australian summer monsoon(ASM) and summer precipitation over central China. It was found that,following a weaker-than-normal ASM, the East Asian summer monsoon and western North Pacific subtropical high tend to be stronger, yielding anomalous northward moisture to be transported from the western Pacific to central China. Besides, anomalous upwelling motion emerges over 30–37.5°N, along 110°E. Consequently,significant positive summer precipitation anomalies are located over central China. Further analysis indicated that the boreal winter sea surface temperature(SST) in the Indian Ocean and South China Sea shows positive anomalies in association with a weaker-than-normal ASM. The Indian Ocean warming in boreal winter could persist into the following summer because of its own long memory, emanating a baroclinic Kelvin wave into the Pacific that triggers suppressed convection and an anomalous anticyclone. Besides, the abnormal SST signal in the South China Sea develops eastward with time because of local air-sea interaction, causing summer SST warming in the western Pacific. The SST warming can further affect East Asian atmospheric circulation and precipitation through its impact on convection.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant numbers 41475052,41405058]China Postdoctoral Science Foundation[grant number 2015M571095]Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences[grant number XDA11010403]
文摘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.
基金This research was supported by the National Key R&D Program of China[grant number 2017YFA0603802]the Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences[grant number XDA2006040102]the National Natural Science Foundation of China[grant number 41675084].
文摘The summer western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH) has large influences on the East Asian summer climate. Many studies have focused on the projected changes in the WNPSH, but little is known about the changes under different global warming targets, such as 1.5℃ and 2.0℃. This study investigates the changes in the WNPSH under six global warming targets(1.5℃, 2.0℃, 2.5℃,3.0℃, 3.5℃, and 4.0℃) in both the mid-and lower troposphere, using the outputs of CMIP5 model in historical simulations and under Representative Concentration Pathway 8.5. The projected changes in the WNPSH, which is measured by multiple variables, show that it changes little under the 1.5℃ target in the mid-troposphere, but weakens and retreats approximately 2.5° in longitude under the 2.0℃ target. It tends to linearly weaken with warming greater than 2.5℃ and shifts eastward by approximately 6.0° in longitude by the 4.0℃ target. Meanwhile, the WNPSH intensifies and extends westward under the 1.5℃ target in the lower troposphere, but changes little with warming rising from 1.5℃ to 2.0℃. It is projected to extend westward by approximately2.0° in longitude by the 4.0℃ target.
基金jointly supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Grant No.40975033)the National Key Technologies R&D Program of China(Grant No.2009BAC51B02)
文摘In this study,regional rainstorm events (RREs) in northeastern China associated with the activity of the Northeastern China Cold Vortex (NCCV) were investigated on a medium-range time scale.The RREs occurring in northeastern China could be categorized into three groups according to the distribution of heavy rainfall.The largest cluster is characterized by the rainstorm events that occur on the northwestern side of the Changbai Mountains along a southwest-northeast axis.These events occur most frequently during the post-meiyu period.The authors place particular emphasis on the RREs that belong to the largest cluster and are closely associated with the activity of the NCCV.These RREs were preconditioned by the transportation of substantial amounts of water vapor to which the anomalous western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) contributed.The attendant anomalous WPSH was primarily driven by the anomalous transient eddy feedback forcing the nearby East Asian jet.The development of the NCCV circulation was concurrent with the RREs and acted as their primary causative factor.A perspective based on low-frequency dynamics indicates that Rossby wave packets emanated from the blocking-type circulation over northeastern Asia led to the development of the NCCV activity.
基金supported by Special Scientific Research Fund of Meteorological Public Welfare Profession (Grant No.GYHY200906020)National Basci Research Program of China (Grant No. 2010CB950304)
文摘The projected temporal evolution in the interannual variability of East Asian summer rainfall in the 21st century is investigated here,by analyzing the simulated results of 18 coupled models under the 20th century climate experiment and scenario A1B.The multi-model ensemble(MME)mean projects two prominent changes in the interannual variability of East Asian summer rainfall in the 21st century under scenario A1B.The first change occurs around the 2030s,with a small change before and a large increase afterward.The intensity of the interannual variability increases up to approximately 0.53 mm/d in the 2070s,representing an increase of approximately 30% relative to the early 21st century.The second change happens around the 2070s,with a decrease afterward.By the end of the 21st century,the increase is approximately 12% relative to the early 21st century.The interannual variability of two circulation factors,the western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH)and the East Asian upper-tropospheric jet(EAJ),are also projected to exhibit two prominent changes around the 2030s and 2070 under scenario A1B,with consistent increases and decreases afterward,respectively.The MME result also projects two prominent changes in the interannual variability of water vapor transported to East Asia at 850 hPa,which occurs separately around the 2040s and 2070s,with a persistent increase and decrease afterward.Meanwhile,the precipitable water interannual variability over East Asia and the western North Pacific is projected to exhibit two prominent enhancements around the 2030s and 2060s and an increase from 0.1 kg/m2 in the early 21st century to 0.5 kg/m2 at the end of the 21st century,implying a continuous intensification in the interannual variability of the potential precipitation.Otherwise,the intensities of the three factors'(except EAJ)interannual variability are all projected to be stronger at the end of the 21st century than that in the early period.These studies indicate that the change of interannual variability of the East Asian summer rainfall is caused by the variability of both the dynamic and thermodynamic variables under scenario A1B.In the early and middle 21st century,both factors lead to an intensified interannual variability of rainfall,whereas the dynamic factors weaken the interannual variability,and the thermodynamic factor intensifies the interannual variability in the late period.
基金supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos.40890054 and 41125017)
文摘Using the reanalysis data and 20th century simulation of coupled model FGOALS_gl developed by LASG/IAP, we identified two distinct interannual modes of Northwestern Pacific Subtropical Anticyclone (NWPAC) by performing Empirical Orthogonal Function (EOF) analysis on 850 hPa wind field over the northwestern Pacific in summer. Based on the associated anoma- lous equatorial zonal wind, these two modes are termed as "Equatorial Easterly related Mode" (EEM) and "Equatorial Westerly related Mode" (EWM), respectively. The formation mechanisms of these two modes are similar, whereas the maintenance mechanisms, dominant periods, and the relationships with ENSO are different. The EEM is associated with E1 Nifio decaying phase, with the anomalous anticyclone established in the preceding winter and persisted into summer through local positive air-sea feedback. By enhancing equatorial upwelling of subsurface cold water, EEM favors the transition of ENSO from E1 Nifio to La Nifia. The EWM is accompanied by the E1 Nifio events with long persistence, with the anomalous anticyclone formed in spring and strengthened in summer due to the warm Sea Surface Temperature anomalies (SSTA) forcing from the equatorial central-eastern Pacific. The model well reproduces the spatial patterns of these two modes, but fails to simulate the percentage variance accounted for by the two modes. In the NCEP reanalysis (model result), EEM (EWM) appears as the first mode, which accounts for 35.6% (68.2%) of the total variance.