Interdecadal variability of summer precipitation in the Three River Source Region: Influences of SST and zonal shifts of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet

Summer precipitation in the Three Rivers Source Region(TRSR)of China is vital for the headwaters of the Yellow,Yangtze,and Lancang rivers and exhibits significant interdecadal variability.This study investigates the influence of the East Asian westerly jet(EAWJ)on TRSR rainfall.A strong correlation is found between TRSR summer precipitation and the Jet Zonal Position Index(JZPI)of the EAWJ from 1961 to 2019(R=0.619,p<0.01).During periods when a positive JZPI indicates a westward shift in the EAWJ,enhanced water vapor anomalies,warmer air,and low-level convergence anomalies contribute to increased TRSR summer precipitation.Using empirical orthogonal function and regression analyses,this research identifies the influence of large-scale circulation anomalies associated with the Atlantic–Eurasian teleconnection(AEA)from the North Atlantic(NA).The interdecadal variability between the NA and central tropical Pacific(CTP)significantly affects TRSR precipitation.This influence is mediated through the AEA via a Rossby wave train extending eastward along the EAWJ,and another south of 45°N.Moreover,the NA–CTP Opposite Phase Index(OPI),which quantifies the difference between the summer mean sea surface temperatures of the NA and the CTP,is identified as a critical factor in modulating the strength of this teleconnection and influencing the zonal position of the EAWJ.

Impacts of Two Types of Northward Jumps of the East Asian Upper-tropospheric Jet Stream in Midsummer on Rainfall in Eastern China

The East Asian upper-tropospheric jet stream （EAJS） typically jumps north of 45~N in midsummer. These annual northward jumps are mostly classified into two dominant types： the first type corresponds to the enhanced westerly to the north of the EAJS＇s axis （type A）, while the second type is related to the weakened westerly within the EAJS＇s axis （type B）. In this study, the impacts of these two types of northward jumps on rainfall in eastern China are investigated. Our results show that rainfall significantly increases in northern Northeast China and decreases in the Yellow River-Huaihe River valleys, as well as in North China, during the type A jump. As a result of the type B jump, rainfall is enhanced in North China and suppressed in the Yangtze River valley. The changes in rainfall in eastern China during these two types of northward jumps are mainly caused by the northward shifts of the ascending air flow that is directly related to the EAJS. Concurrent with the type A （B） jump, the EAJS-related ascending branch moves from the Yangtze-Huai River valley to northern Northeast （North） China when the EAJS＇s axis jumps from 40~N to 55~N （50~N）. Meanwhile, the type A jump also strengthens the Northeast Asian low in the lower troposphere, leading to more moisture transport to northern Northeast China. The type B jump, however, induces a northwestward extension of the lower-tropospheric western North Pacific subtropical high and more moisture transport to North China.

Intermodel Diversity in the Zonal Location of the Climatological East Asian Westerly Jet Core in Summer and Association with Rainfall over East Asia in CMIP5 Models

The East Asian westerly jet(EAJ), an important midlatitude circulation of the East Asian summer monsoon system,plays a crucial role in affecting summer rainfall over East Asia. The multimodel ensemble of current coupled models can generally capture the intensity and location of the climatological summer EAJ. However, individual models still exhibit large discrepancies. This study investigates the intermodel diversity in the longitudinal location of the simulated summer EAJ climatology in the present-day climate and its implications for rainfall over East Asia based on 20 CMIP5 models. The results show that the zonal location of the simulated EAJ core is located over either the midlatitude Asian continent or the western North Pacific(WNP) in different models. The zonal shift of the EAJ core depicts a major intermodel diversity of the simulated EAJ climatology. The westward retreat of the EAJ core is related to a warmer mid–upper tropospheric temperature in the midlatitudes, with a southwest–northeast tilt extending from Southwest Asia to Northeast Asia and the northern North Pacific, induced partially by the simulated stronger rainfall climatology over South Asia. The zonal shift of the EAJ core has some implications for the summer rainfall climatology, with stronger rainfall over the East Asian continent and weaker rainfall over the subtropical WNP in relation to the westward-located EAJ core.

The Relationship between the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet and Summer Precipitation over East Asia as Simulated by the IAP AGCM4.0

Based on a 30-year Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project(AMIP) simulation using IAP AGCM4.0, the relationship between the East Asian subtropical westerly jet(EASWJ) and summer precipitation over East Asia has been investigated, and compared with observation. It was found the meridional displacement of the EASWJ has a closer relationship with the precipitation over East Asia both from model simulation and observation, with an anomalous southward shift of EASWJ being conducive to rainfall over the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley(YHRV), and an anomalous northward shift resulting in less rainfall over the YHRV. However, the simulated precipitation anomalies were found to be weaker than observed from the composite analysis, and this would be related to the weakly reproduced mid-upper-level convergence in the mid-high latitudes and ascending motion in the lower latitudes.

Improvement of the simulation of the summer East Asian westerly jet from CMIP5 to CMIP6

The East Asian westerly jet(EAJ)plays a crucial role in affecting the East Asian summer rainfall(EASR).Therefore,evaluations of EAJ simulations are vital for improving the understanding and projections of climate change in East Asia.This study evaluates the simulations of the climatology and interannual variability in the present-day summer EAJ in the CMIP6 models and compares the results with those in the CMIP5 models by analyzing the historical climate simulations of 29 CMIP5 models and 21 CMIP6 models during the period from 1986–2005.In general,the CMIP6 models capture the EAJ more realistically than the CMIP5 models.The results show that the CMIP6 models reasonably capture the spatial features of the climatological zonal wind at 200 hPa and simulate a smaller zonal wind bias along the EAJ.The locations of the EAJ’s core are at the observed location in nearly all CMIP6 models but in only approximately two-thirds of the CMIP5 models.The EAJ’s intensity is closer to the observed value and exhibits a smaller intermodel dispersion in the CMIP6 models.The CMIP6 models also show an improved ability to reproduce the interannual variability in the EAJ’s meridional displacement and have a stronger relationship with the EASR.

The impacts of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet on weather extremes over China in early and late summer

Summer weather extremes(e.g.,heavy rainfall,heat waves)in China have been linked to anomalies of summer monsoon circulations.The East Asian subtropical westerly jet(EASWJ),an important component of the summer monsoon circulations,was investigated to elucidate the dynamical linkages between its intraseasonal variations and local weather extremes.Based on EOF analysis,the dominant mode of the EASWJ in early summer is characterized by anomalous westerlies centered over North China and anomalous easterlies centered over the south of Japan.This mode is conducive to the occurrence of precipitation extremes over Central and North China and humid heat extremes over most areas of China except Northwest and Northeast China.The centers of the dominant mode of the EASWJ in late summer extend more to the west and north than in early summer,and induce anomalous weather extremes in the corresponding areas.The dominant mode of the EASWJ in late summer is characterized by anomalous westerlies centered over the south of Lake Baikal and anomalous easterlies centered over Central China,which is favorable for the occurrence of precipitation extremes over northern and southern China and humid heat extremes over most areas of China except parts of southern China and northern Xinjiang Province.The variability of the EASWJ can influence precipitation and humid heat extremes by driving anomalous vertical motion and water vapor transport over the corresponding areas in early and late summer.

The Response of the East Asian Summer Monsoon to Strong Tropical Volcanic Eruptions

A 600-year integration performed with the Bergen Climate Model and National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research （NCEP/NCAR） reanalysis data were used to investigate the impact of strong tropical volcanic eruptions on the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM） and EASM rainfall.Both the simulation and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data show a weakening of the EASM in strong eruption years.The model simulation suggests that North and South China experience droughts and the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley experiences floods during eruption years.In response to strong tropical volcanic eruptions,the meridional air temperature gradient in the upper troposphere is enhanced,which leads to a southward shift and an increase of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet stream （EASWJ）.At the same time,the land-sea thermal contrast between the Asian land mass and Northwest Pacific Ocean is weakened.The southward shift and increase of the EASWJ and reduction of the land-sea thermal contrast all contribute to a weakening of the EASM and EASM rainfall anomaly.

Atmospheric Rivers and Mei-yu Rainfall in China:A Case Study of Summer 2020

Atmospheric rivers(ARs)are long,narrow,and transient filaments of strong horizontal water vapor transport that can lead to extreme precipitation.To investigate the relationship between ARs and mei-yu rainfall in China,the mei-yu season of 2020 in the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin is taken as an example.An adjusted AR-detection algorithm is applied on integrated water vapor transport(IVT)of the ERA5 reanalysis.The JRA-55 reanalysis and the data from Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals for GPM(IMERG)are also utilized to study the impacts of ARs on mei-yu rainfall in 2020.The results reveal that ARs in East Asia have an average length of 5400 km,a width of 600 km,a length/width ratio of 9.3,and a northeastward orientation of 30°.ARs are modulated by the western North Pacific subtropical high.The IVT core is located at the south side of low pressure systems,moving eastward with a speed of 10°d−1.For the cross sections of ARs in the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin,75%of the total flux is concentrated below 4 km with low-level jets near AR cores.Moreover,ARs occur mainly in the mei-yu period with a frequency of 20%–60%.The intensity of AR-related precipitation is 6–12 times that of AR-unrelated precipitation,and AR-related precipitation contributes about 50%–80%to total mei-yu precipitation.As shown in this case study of summer 2020,ARs are an essential part of the mei-yu system and have great impacts on mei-yu rainfall.Thus,ARs should receive more attention in research and weather forecast practices.

Relationship between the Late Spring NAO and Summer Extreme Precipitation Frequency in the Middle and Lower Reaches of the Yangtze River

The relationship between the late spring North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the summer extreme precipitation frequency (EPF) in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River Valley (MLYRV) is examined using an NECP/NCAR reanalysis dataset and daily precipitation data from 74 stations in the MLYRV. The results show a significant negative correlation between the May NAO index and the EPF over the MLYRV in the subsequent summer. In positive EPF index years, the East Asian westerly jet shifts farther southward, and two blocking high positive anomalies appear over the Sea of Okhotsk and the Ural Mountains. These anomalies are favorable to the cold air from the mid-high latitudes invading the Yangtze River Valley (YRV). The moisture convergence and the ascending motion dominate the MLYRV. The above patterns are reversed in negative EPF index years. A wave train pattern that originates from the North Atlantic extends eastward to the Mediterranean and then moves to the Tibetan Plateau and from there to the YRV, which is an important link in the May NAO and the summer extreme precipitation in the MLYRV. The wave train may be aroused by the tripole pattern of the SST, which can explain why the May NAO affects the summer EPF in the MLYRV.

21世纪第2个10年初华北夏季降水年代际增加及与大气环流异常的联系

华北是中国人口聚集区及主要的农业和工业区,旱涝灾害会造成严重的经济损失和环境影响。基于近61年(1961—2021年)逐月降水量观测数据研究发现,华北地区夏季降水在21世纪第2个10年初发生了明显的年代际变化——在2011/2012年前后经历了从干到湿的变化。选择1999—2011年作为干旱期,2012—2021年作为湿润期,进一步对比分析了华北地区在干旱期和湿润期相关大气环流系统的差异。结果表明,华北地区此次从干到湿的年代际变化与东亚夏季风的变化关系不大,这与20世纪70年代末和90年代末发生的年代际变化有所不同。在2011—2021年湿润期,对流层中低层环流场上在蒙古高原—中国东北地区上空为气旋式环流异常,气旋西侧的偏北风将高纬度的冷空气输送到华北,有利于冷、暖空气在华北地区的交汇;对流层高层则在蒙古高原—贝加尔湖地区上空为气旋式环流异常,有利于东亚西风急流的东伸北抬,由涡度方程诊断可知相对涡度的水平平流项对急流位置偏北东伸有重要贡献;上述环流形势有利于华北地区上升运动的增强。与此同时,湿润期华北地区上空假相当位温升高,且假相当位温垂直变化增强,说明华北上空大气更加暖湿,且大气层结更不稳定,也有利于垂直运动的发展。动力和热力条件异常变化共同导致华北地区在2012—2021年降水较前期降水明显增多。

华南前汛期开汛早晚与入梅时间的类型划分和特征分析

利用中国气象局2014年发布的《华南汛期监测业务规定》与《梅雨监测业务规定》中华南前汛期开汛和长江中下游入梅日期资料,对1961~2021年我国南方地区雨季进程的年际变化进行了客观划分,划分为4种类型:偏早型(前汛期和入梅均偏早)、偏晚型(前汛期和入梅均偏晚)、前早后晚型(前汛期偏早而入梅偏晚)、前晚后早型(前汛期偏晚而入梅偏早)。不同雨季进程相联系的东亚大气环流异常、我国中东部春季和梅雨期降水异常分布均存在明显的差异。偏早型年,3月底至5月初西风急流强度偏强且第一次北跳偏早,6月副高北跳明显,菲律宾附近维持反气旋性环流异常;偏晚型年与偏早型年环流形势相反。前早后晚型年,西风急流前期偏强后期偏弱,菲律宾附近前期为反气旋性环流异常,后期转为气旋性环流异常且副高位置异常偏南;前晚后早型年与前早后晚型年环流形势相反。南方地区雨季进程与热带海温演变之间的关系并不显著,不同雨季进程与ENSO演变的关系较复杂。

夏季东亚高空急流的变化及其对东亚季风的影响

东亚高空急流是东亚夏季风系统的一个重要组成部分,对东亚地区的天气和气候有着重要影响。近十年来,对东亚高空的变异规律及其相关机理、急流对东亚气候的影响等方面做了大量的观测资料分析和数值模拟研究。本文从夏季东亚高空急流的变化特征及其与东亚气候的关联、东亚高空急流的变异机理以及当前的气候模式对东亚高空急流的模拟能力评估和未来预估等几个方面,对这些研究结果进行了综述。

索马里急流的年际变化及其对半球间水汽输送和东亚夏季降水的影响

利用美国国家环境预报中心和美国国家大气科学研究中心 (NCEP/NCAR)再分析月平均气候资料以及Xie和Arkin分析的月平均降水资料 ( 196 8～ 1998年 ) ,针对索马里低空急流 (SMJ)的年际变化及其对东亚夏季降水的影响问题展开了分析研究 .结果揭示 ,SMJ作为最主要的越赤道气流 ,对两个半球间水汽输送起最关键的作用 ,它把水汽从冬半球输送到夏半球 .夏季SMJ的年际变化有全球范围内的环流异常与之相联系 ,特别是东亚沿岸的波列状异常分布、南亚高压以及澳大利亚以南的偶极型异常分布 ;它也同春季的北印度洋等海区的海温异常有密切关系 .研究还表明 ,春季SMJ的年际变化对东亚夏季降水和大气环流有显著影响 ,由于SMJ影响的超前性 ,因此它在东亚夏季气候预测上有重要意义 .

2005年江淮流域入梅偏晚的成因分析

2005年是江淮流域入梅偏晚年。利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料、OLR资料和江苏省气象台提供的2005年逐日降水资料,对2005年江淮流域入梅前的异常环流形势进行分析,探讨了西太平洋副热带高压和低层中高纬冷空气的活动异常与东亚大槽、中西太平洋ITCZ以及东亚副热带高空西风急流等活动异常的关系。结果表明,入梅前,东亚太槽发展强盛,ITCZ偏弱以及东亚副热带高空西风急流强劲少动导致西太平洋副热带高压北抬偏晚。同时,东亚副热带高空西风急流的强劲少动也使南下冷空气势力强劲,中低层副热带锋区偏南,抑制了暖湿的东亚夏季风向江淮流域推进。东亚副热带高空西风急流和西太平洋副热带高压向北突跳偏晚是江淮流域2005年入梅偏晚的主要原因。

2015年夏季气候异常特征及其成因简析

2015年夏季,全国平均降水量297.6 mm,较常年同期偏少8.5%,空间分布呈"北少南多"的显著特征,长江中下游及江淮地区降水显著偏多,梅雨雨季持续时间长,雨量偏多。进一步研究表明,2015年5月以来热带印度洋海温一致偏暖模态正位相发展,激发出西升东降的局地异常纬向环流,有利于西太平洋副热带高压强度偏强,位置偏西。加强西伸的西太平洋副热带高压造成我国东南部地区西南低空急流频发,强度偏强。低空急流将来自南海的水汽向江淮等地输送,并激发不稳定能量释放,有利于对流活动的发展和降水的产生,导致梅雨雨季持续时间长。雨量偏多。

夏季东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动异常与中国降水

利用1958-2003年NCAR/NCEP再分析和中国160站月降水资料,探讨沿东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动动能异常对东亚夏季风环流和中国夏季（6-8月）降水的影响及其响应机理。研究发现：（1）夏季东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动动能加强（减弱）,东亚西风急流位置偏南（北）、强度偏强（弱）。（2）该扰动动能具有显著的年际和年代际变化特征,1958-1978年处于年代际偏弱阶段,1979-1998年处于年代际偏强阶段。（3）该扰动动能加强（减弱）,200 hPa辐合区位于30°N以南（以北）西太平洋地区,此时,500 hPa西太平洋副热带高压位于30°N以南（以北）,850 hPa反气旋性距平环流出现在东亚30°N以南（以北）地区,而30°N以北（以南）为气旋性距平环流,东亚热带季风环流加强（减弱）,梅雨锋加强（减弱）,夏季中国东部降水中间多、南北少（中间少、南北多）。（4）东亚高、中、低层大气环流对高层东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动动能强弱响应由对流层上层散度场及垂直速度场变化完成。

一个新的东亚副热带夏季风指数的定义

利用1958—2014年夏季NCEP/NCAR大气环流资料和中国486站降水观测资料,通过多种统计诊断方法,从与夏季中国东部3类不同雨型分布相联系的东亚高低层风场变化特征出发,依据与雨带变化密切联系的高层200 hPa纬向风定义了一个新的东亚副热带夏季风指数。分析表明,该指数不仅能反映夏季东亚大气环流的变化特征,兼顾北方冷空气活动和南方东亚夏季风环流变化,同时还能反映夏季中国东部降水南北差异的年际特征。强东亚副热带夏季风指数年,高层中纬度西风急流位置偏北,低层西太平洋副热带高压偏强偏北,有利于冷空气活动位置偏北和东亚东部西南暖湿气流向北推进,中国东部多以Ⅰ类雨型为主;弱东亚副热带夏季风指数年的环流变化刚好相反,中国东部多以Ⅲ类雨型为主。与现有东亚夏季风指数的对比分析表明,该指数在反映中国东部南北区域降水变化的差异方面有很大改进。

初夏至盛夏东亚副热带西风急流突变早晚与东亚环流异常的关系

利用1961—2004年NCEP/NCAR再分析逐候资料和全国160站月平均降水资料,分析了初夏至盛夏东亚副热带急流北跳和急流中心西移发生早晚对7月东亚大气环流和我国降水的影响。结果表明,急流北跳时间与7月长江中下游地区降水异常正相关,急流中心西移时间则与7月淮河流域降水异常正相关,与华北和河套地区降水异常负相关。急流北跳时间与南亚高压和西太平洋副热带高压南北位置异常及高纬贝加尔湖以东高压脊强度相关;而急流中心西移时间与南亚高压和西太平洋副热带高压的东西伸展及贝加尔湖以西高压脊强度相关,在急流中心西移偏晚年,南亚高压西缩,贝加尔湖西南侧高压脊增强,南下至华北和河套地区冷空气偏强,且西太平洋副热带高压东撤,冷暖空气在淮河流域交汇,使得华北和河套地区降水减少而淮河流域降水偏多;偏早年情况与偏晚年情况相反。

索马里急流变异及其与东亚夏季风和中国降水异常的关系

利用近50 a大气再分析资料、海表温度分析资料和我国降水观测资料,分析揭示了索马里急流的年际和年代际变异及其与东亚夏季风和我国夏季降水异常的关系。结果表明:在年际时间尺度上,夏季索马里急流增强,对应ENSO冷事件,马斯克林高压增强,澳大利亚高压减弱,东部越赤道气流减弱,东亚夏季风增强,我国夏季北方降水偏多,南方降水偏少;反之亦然。然而,在年代际时间尺度上,夏季索马里急流增强,对应PDO暖位相,马斯克林高压和澳大利亚高压均增强,东部越赤道气流增强,而东亚夏季风减弱,我国夏季东北、西北和长江流域降水偏多,而华北、华南和西南地区降水偏少;反之亦然。

初夏至盛夏东亚副热带西风急流变化与江淮出梅的关系

利用1961—2005年逐候资料对东亚副热带西风急流初夏至盛夏变化与江淮出梅的关系进行了分析。结果表明,多年平均7月初夏至盛夏急流中心由西太平洋地区西跳至青藏高原的同时我国东部地区急流北跳至37.5°N以北,比梅雨结束早1候;急流北跳使得我国东部高空强辐散中心北移至华北地区,江淮地区上空辐散显著减弱,上升运动减弱,从而使得江淮梅雨结束,雨带北移;而急流中心的西跳仅使得我国东部地区高空辐散中心减弱,降水减弱,有利于雨带北移。我国东部急流北跳与江淮地区梅雨结束时间显著正相关,在北跳偏早(晚)年份梅雨结束早(晚),长江中下游地区降水偏少(多),而急流中心西跳早晚对我国华北北部地区和淮河附近地区降水有较大影响。可见,我国东部急流北跳与梅雨结束关系密切,可作为梅雨结束的先期信号。