Role of the Subtropical Westerly Jet Waveguide in a Southern China Heavy Rainstorm in December 2013

An extreme rainstorm hit southern China during 13–17 December 2013, with a record-breaking daily rainfall rate, large spatial extent, and unusually long persistence. We examined what induced this heavy rainfall process, based on observed rainfall data and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data through composite and diagnostic methods. The results showed that a Rossby waveguide within the subtropical westerly jet caused the event. The Rossby wave originated from strong cold air intrusion into the subtropical westerly jet over the eastern Mediterranean. With the enhancement and northward shift of the Middle East westerly jet, the Rossby wave propagated slowly eastward and deepened the India–Burma trough, which transported a large amount of moisture from the Bay of Bengal and South China Sea to southern China. Strong divergence in the upper troposphere, caused by the enhancement of the East Asian westerly jet, also favored the heavy rainfall process over Southeast China. In addition, the Rossby wave was associated with a negative-to-positive phase shift and enhancement of the North Atlantic Oscillation, but convergence in the eastern Mediterranean played the key role in the eastward propagation of the Rossby wave within the subtropical westerly jet.

Connections between the Eurasian Teleconnection and Concurrent Variation of Upper-level Jets over East Asia

The variation of the East Asian jet stream （EAJS） associated with the Eurasian （EU） teleconnection pattern is investigated using 60-yr NCEP-NCAR daily reanalysis data over the period 1951-2010.The EAJS consists of three components：the polar front jet （PFJ）; the plateau subtropical jet （PSJ）; and the ocean subtropical jet （OSJ）.Of these three jets over East Asia,the EU pattern exhibits a significant influence on the PFJ and OSJ.There is a simultaneous negative correlation between the EU pattern and the PFJ.A significant positive correlation is found between the EU pattern and the OSJ when the EU pattern leads the OSJ by about 5 days.There is no obvious correlation between the EU pattern and the PSJ.The positive EU phase is accompanied by a weakened and poleward-shifted PFJ,which coincides with an intensified OSJ.A possible mechanism for the variation of the EAJS during different EU phases is explored via analyzing the effects of 10-day high-and low-frequency eddy forcing.The zonal wind tendency due to high-frequency eddy forcing contributes to the simultaneous negative correlation between the EU pattern and the PFJ,as well as the northward/southward shift of the PFJ.High-and low-frequency eddy forcing are both responsible for the positive correlation between the EU pattern and the OSJ,but only high-frequency eddy forcing contributes to the lagged variation of the OSJ relative to the EU pattern.The negative correlation between the EU pattern and winter temperature and precipitation anomalies in China is maintained only when the PFJ and OSJ are out of phase with each other.Thus,the EAJS plays an important role in transmitting the EU signal to winter temperature and precipitation anomalies in China.

The Effect of Transient Eddy on Interannual Meridional Displacement of Summer East Asian Subtropical Jet

Using ERA-40 reanalysis daily data for the period 1958-2002, this study investigated the effect of tran- sient eddy （TE） on the interannual meridional displacement of summer East Asian subtropical jet （EASJ） by conducting a detailed dynamical diagnosis. The summer EASJ axis features a significant interannual coherent meridional displacement. Associated with such a meridional displacement, the TE vorticity forcing anomalies are characterized by a meridional dipole pattern asymmetric about the climatological EASJ axis. The TE vorticity forcing anomalies yield barotropic zonal wind tendencies with a phase meridionally lead- ing the zonal wind anomalies, suggesting that they act to reinforce further meridional displacement of the EASJ and favor a positive feedback in the TE and time-mean flow interaction. However, The TE thermal forcing anomalies induce baroclinic zonal wind tendencies that reduce the vertical shear of zonal wind and atmospheric baroclinicity and eventually suppress the TE activity, favoring a negative feedback in the TE and time-mean flow interaction. Although the two types of TE forcing tend to have opposite feedback roles, the TE vorticity forcing appears to be dominant in the TE effect on the time-mean flow.

Seasonal Variation of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet and Its Association with the Heating Field over East Asia

The structure and seasonal variation of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet （EAWJ） and associations with heating fields over East Asia are examined by using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. Obvious differences exist in the westerly jet intensity and location in different regions and seasons due to the ocean-land distribution and seasonal thermal contrast, as well as the dynamic and thermodynamic impacts of the Tibetan Plateau. In winter, the EAWJ center is situated over the western Pacific Ocean and the intensity is reduced gradually from east to west over the East Asian region. In summer, the EAWJ center is located over the north of the Tibetan Plateau and the jet intensity is reduced evidently compared with that in winter. The EAWJ seasonal evolution is characterized by the obvious longitudinal inconsistency of the northward migration and in-phase southward retreat of the EAWJ axis. A good correspondence between the seasonal variations of EAWJ and the meridional differences of air temperature （MDT） in the mid-upper troposphere demonstrates that the MDT is the basic reason for the seasonal variation of EAWJ. Correlation analyses indicate that the Kuroshio Current region to the south of Japan and the Tibetan Plateau are the key areas for the variations of the EAWJ intensities in winter and in summer, respectively. The strong sensible and latent heating in the Kuroshio Current region is closely related to the intensification of EAWJ in winter. In summer, strong sensible heating in the Tibetan Plateau corresponds to the EAWJ strengthening and southward shift, while the weak sensible heating in the Tibetan Plateau is consistent with the EAWJ weakening and northward migration.

Simulations of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet by LASG/IAP AGCMs

Performances of two LASG/IAP （State Key Laboratory of Numerical Modeling for Atmospheric Sciences and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics/Institute of Atmospheric Physics） Atmospheric General Circulation Models （AGCMs）, namely GAMIL and SAMIL, in simulating the major characteristics of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet （EASWJ） in the upper troposphere are examined in this paper. The mean vertical and horizontal structures and the correspondence of the EASWJ location to the meridional temperature gradient in the upper troposphere are well simulated by two models. However, both models underestimate the EASWJ intensity in winter and summer, and are unable to simulate the bimodal distribution of the major EASWJ centers in mid-summer, relative to the observation, especially for the SAMIL model. The biases in the simulated EASWJ intensity are found to be associated with the biases of the meridional temperature gradients in the troposphere, and furthermore with the surface sensible heat flux and condensation latent heating. The models capture the major characteristics of the seasonal evolution of the diabatic heating rate averaged between 30°-45°N, and its association with the westerly jet. However, the simulated maximum diabatic heating rate in summer is located westward in comparison with the observed position, with a relatively strong diabatic heating intensity, especially in GAMIL. The biases in simulating the diabatic heating fields lead to the biases in simulating the temperature distribution in the upper troposphere, which may further affect the EASWJ simulations. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the simulation of the meridional temperature gradient as well as the diabatic heating field in the troposphere for the improvement of the EASWJ simulation by GAMIL and SAMIL models.

The Propagation of Wave Packets and Its Relationship with the Subtropical Jet over Southern China in January 2008

The propagation of wave packets and its relationship with the subtropical jet was investigated for the period 26 29 January 2008 over southern China using ECMWF Interim re-analysis data. Wave packets propagated from the north to the south side of an upper front with eastward development along the upper front during this period. Due to the eastward development of propagation, the acceleration of geostrophic westerly winds shifted eastward along the front. There were two primary sources of the propagation of wave packets at around 30°N. The first was the temperature inversion layer below 500 hPa, and the second was baroclinic zones located along the polarward flank of the subtropical jet in the middle and upper troposphere. Most wave packets propagated horizontally from the baroclinic zones and then converged on the zero meridional gradients of zonal winds.

An Assessment of the Predictability of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet Based on TIGGE Data

The predictability of the position,spatial coverage and intensity of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet （EASWJ） in the summers of 2010 to 2012 was examined for ensemble prediction systems （EPSs） from four representative TIGGE centers,including the ECMWF,the NCEP,the CMA,and the JMA.Results showed that each EPS predicted all EASWJ properties well,while the levels of skill of all EPSs declined as the lead time extended.Overall,improvements from the control to the ensemble mean forecasts for predicting the EASWJ were apparent.For the deterministic forecasts of all EPSs,the prediction of the average axis was better than the prediction of the spatial coverage and intensity of the EASWJ.ECMWF performed best,with a lead of approximately 0.5-1 day in predictability over the second-best EPS for all EASWJ properties throughout the forecast range.For probabilistic forecasts,differences in skills among the different EPSs were more evident in the earlier part of the forecast for the EASWJ axis and spatial coverage,while they departed obviously throughout the forecast range for the intensity.ECMWF led JMA by about 0.5-1 day for the EASWJ axis,and by about 1-2 days for the spatial coverage and intensity at almost all lead times.The largest lead of ECMWF over the relatively worse EPSs,such as NCEP and CMA,was approximately 3-4 days for all EASWJ properties.In summary,ECMWF showed the highest level of skill for predicting the EASWJ,followed by JMA.

WINTERTIME MIDDLE EAST SUBTROPICAL WESTERLY JET STREAM INTERANNUAL VARIATION CHARACTERISTICS AND ITS POSSIBLE PHYSICAL FACTORS

Using National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Department of Energy(NCEP/DOE) monthly reanalysis data and an extended reconstruction of the sea surface temperature data provided by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the basic characteristics of the interannual variation in the wintertime Middle East subtropical westerly jet stream(MEJ) and its possible physical factors are studied. The results show that the climatological mean MEJ axis extends southwestward-northeastward and that its center lies in the northwest part of the Arabian Peninsula. The south-north shift of the MEJ axis and its intensity show obvious interannual variations that are closely related to the ElNio-Southern Oscillation(ENSO) and the mid-high latitude atmospheric circulation. The zonal symmetric response of the Asian jet to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing causes the MEJ axis shift, and the Arctic Oscillation(AO)causes the middle-western MEJ axis shift. Due to the influences of both the zonal symmetric response of the Asian jet to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing and the dynamical role of the AO, an east-west out-of-phase MEJ axis shift is observed. Furthermore, the zonal asymmetric response to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing can lead to an anomalous Mediterranean convergence(MC) in the high troposphere. The MC anomaly excites a zonal wave train along the Afro-Asian jet, which causes the middle-western MEJ axis shift. Under the effects of both the zonal symmetric response to the ENSO-related tropical convective forcing and the wave train along the Afro-Asian jet excited by the MC anomaly, an east-west in-phase MEJ axis shift pattern is expressed. Finally, the AO affects the MEJ intensity, whereas the East Atlantic(EA) teleconnection influences the middle-western MEJ intensity. Under the dynamical roles of the AO and EA, the change in the MEJ intensity is demonstrated.

The Relationship Between Abnormal Meiyu and Medium-Term Scale Wave Perturbation Energy Propagation Along the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet

The East Asian subtropical westerly jet(EASWJ)is one of the most important factors modulating the Meiyu rainfall in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin,China.This article analyzed periods of the medium-term EASWJ variation,wave packet distribution and energy propagation of Rossby waves along the EASWJ during Meiyu season,and investigated their possible influence on abnormal Meiyu rain.The results showed that during the medium-term scale atmospheric dynamic process,the evolution of the EASWJ in Meiyu season was mainly characterized by the changes of3-8 d synoptic-scale and 10-15 d low-frequency Rossby waves.The strong perturbation wave packet and energy propagation of the 3-8 d synoptic-scale and 10-15 d low-frequency Rossby waves are mostly concentrated in the East Asian region of 90°-150°E,where the two wave trains of perturbation wave packets and wave-activity flux divergence coexist in zonal and meridional directions,and converge on the EASWJ.Besides,the wave trains of perturbation wave packet and wave-activity flux divergence in wet Meiyu years are more systematically westward than those in dry Meiyu years,and they are shown in the inverse phases between each other.In wet(dry)Meiyu year,the perturbation wave packet high-value area of the 10-15 d low-frequency variability is located between the Aral Sea and the Lake Balkhash(in the northeastern part of China),while over eastern China the wave-activity flux is convergent and strong(divergent and weak),and the high-level jets are strong and southward(weak and northward).Because of the coupling of high and low level atmosphere and high-level strong(weak)divergence on the south side of the jet over the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin,the low-level southwest wind and vertically ascending motion are strengthened(weakened),which is(is not)conducive to precipitation increase in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin.These findings would help to better understand the impact mechanisms of the EASWJ activities on abnormal Meiyu from the perspective of medium-term scale Rossby wave energy propagation.

The Effect of the Subtropical Jet on the Rainfall over Southern China in January 2008

ABSTRACT The third precipitation episode of China＇s great snowstorms of 2008 was analyzed using station observations and ECMWF six-hourly data. The variation of the shape of the upper-level subtropical jet played an important role in the rainfall over south- ern China. With the eastward movement of the trough, the jet shape changed from two straight jets to a tilting jet over China and then it moved southward. With these variations, the south-north movement of ascending flow and precipitation area over southern China occurred.

Features of Ozone Mini-Hole Events over the Tibetan Plateau

Based on TOMS total ozone data and SCIAMACHY ozone profile data, climatology of the ozone minihole events over the Tibetan Plateau and ozone vertical structure variations during an ozone mini-hole event in December 2003 are analyzed. The analyses show that before 1990 ozone mini-hole events only occurred in November-December of 1987 but that the number of events increases after 1990. These events only occur from October through February, with maximum occurrence frequency in December. During the event in December 2003, the decrease in total ozone of over 20% is mainly caused by the ozone loss in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere region due to the horizontal transport of low ozone from the lower latitude subtropics and the uplift of low ozone from the lower troposphere over the Tibetan Plateau.

Effects of the East Asian Summer Monsoon on Tropical Cyclone Genesis over the South China Sea on an Interdecadal Time Scale

Tropical cyclone （TC） genesis over the South China Sea （SCS） during 1965–2004 was analyzed. The locations of TC genesis display evident seasonal changes, with the mean position of formation situated north of 15 °N in summer （June–July–August） and south of 15 °N in autumn （September–October–November）. The TC genesis in summer underwent dramatic interdecadal variations, with more and less TC frequency during 1965–1974/1995–2004 and 1979–1993, respectively. In contrast, a significant interannual variation of TC genesis with a period of ～4 years was observed in autumn. This study investigated the relationship of SCS TC genesis to the East Asian jet stream （EAJS） and the western North Pacific subtropical high （WNPSH） on an interdecadal time scale. Analysis and comparison of the impacts of the EAJS and the WNPSH on vertical wind shear changes indicate that changes in the WNPSH and EAJS intensity rather than EAJS meridional location are responsible for changes in TC genesis on an interdecadal time scale. Corresponding to a weaker EAJS, anomalous Rossby wave energy at upper levels displays equatorward propagation at midlatitudes and poleward propagation in the subtropics. This induces anomalous convergence and divergence of wave activity fluxes in East Asia around 30 °N and the SCS, respectively. The anomalous divergence of wave activity fluxes reduces easterlies at upper levels over the SCS, which is favorable to TC genesis.

The Impact of Warm Pool SST and General Circulation on Increased Temperature over the Tibetan Plateau

In this paper, the possible reason of Tibetan Plateau （TP） temperature increasing was investigated. An increase in T min （minimum temperature） plays a robust role in increased TP temperature, which is strongly related to SST over the warm pool of the western Pacific Ocean, the subtropical westerly jet stream （SWJ）, and the tropical easterly upper jet stream （TEJ）, and the 200hPa zonal wind in East Asia. Composite analysis of the effects of SST, SWJ, and TEJ on pre and postabrupt changes in T a （annual temperature） and T min over the TP shows remarkable differences in SST, SWJ, and TEJ. A lag correlation between T a /T min , SST, and SWJ/TEJ shows that changes in SST occur ahead of changes in T a /T min by approximately one to three seasons. Partial correlations between T a /T min , SST, and SWJ/TEJ show that the effect of SWJ on T a /T min is more significant than the effect of SST. Furthermore, simulations with a community atmospheric model （CAM3.0） were performed, showing a remarkable increase in T a over the TP when the SST increased by 0.5 ？ C. The main increase in T a and T min in the TP can be attributed to changes in SWJ. A possible mechanism is that changes in SST force the TEJ to weaken, move south, and lead to increased SWJ and movement of SWJ northward. Finally, changes in the intensity and location of the SWJ cause an increase in T a /T min . It appears that TP warming is governed primarily by coherent TEJ and SWJ variations that act as the atmospheric bridges to remote SSTs in warmpool forcing.

Characterizing the Winter Concurrent Variation Patterns of the Subtropical and Polar-Front Jets over East Asia

In this study, the concurrent variation relationships between the East Asian subtropical jet （EASJ） and polar-front jet （PFJ） over the East Asian land mass in the winter season on different timescales are identified and the impacts of the jet concurrent variation patterns on the atmospheric circulation in mid-high latitude regions and climate ano- malies in China are examined, using NCEP-NCAR reanalysis data and observational data. The major variability modes of the winter upper-level wind field on interannual timescales are characterized by the meridional shift of the PFJ and out-of-phase variation in the intensity of the subtropical jet and PFJ. On subseasonal and synoptic timescales, the concurrent variation relationships can be categorized into four configuration patterns： a strong （weak） subtropical jet accompanied by a weak （strong） PFJ, or a strong （weak） subtropical jet with a strong （weak） PFJ. The out-of- phase variation [i.e., a stronger （weaker） EASJ and weaker （stronger） PFJ] is found to be more common than the in- phase variation [i.e., a stronger （weaker） EASJ and stronger （weaker） PF J]. These concurrent variation relationships repre- sent the integral structure and variation features of the atmospheric general circulation over East Asia, and have signi- ficant impacts on the weather and climate. The strong subtropical jet/weak PFJ （weak subtropical jet/strong PFJ） pat- tern leads to anomalous negative （positive） geopotential height in midlatitude regions and favors cold （warm） condi- tions, and positive （negative） rainfall anomalies in southern China. For both strong jet configurations, the geopoten- tial height anomaly in the mid-high latitudes shows a northwest-southeast tilted dipole pattern, resulting in northern warm-southern cold temperature anomalies, and positive rainfall anomalies in southern China. For both weak jet situations, positive geopotential height anomalies dominate the East Asian area, and warm conditions occur over most areas in China, corresponding to less negative rainfall anomalies in southern China. The complicated rainfall and temperature anomaly patterns in China can be explained by the concurrent variation relationships between the two jets. A close relationship may exist between the synoptic-scale transient eddy activity （STEA） and the intensity of jet streams, especially for the PFJ. Significantly reduced （strengthened） STEA over the polar-front area is intim- ately associated with a decreased （increased） intensity of the PFJ.

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.

Satellite Measurements of the Madden–Julian Oscillation in Wintertime Stratospheric Ozone over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia

We investigate the Madden-Julian Oscillation （MJO） signal in wintertime stratospheric ozone over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia using the harmonized dataset of satellite ozone profiles. Two different MJO indices -- the all-season Real-Time multivariate MJO index （RMM） and outgoing longwave radiation-based MJO index （OMI） -- are used to compare the MJO- related ozone anomalies. The results show that there are pronounced eastward-propagating MJO-related stratospheric ozone anomalies （mainly within 20-200 hPa） over the subtropics, The negative stratospheric ozone anomalies are over the Tibetan Plateau and East Asia in MJO phases 4-7, when MJO-related tropical deep convective anomalies move from the equatorial Indian Ocean towards the western Pacific Ocean. Compared with the results based on RMM, the MJO-related stratospheric column ozone anomalies based on OM1 are stronger and one phase ahead. Further analysis suggests that different sampling errors, observation principles and retrieval algorithms may be responsible for the discrepancies among different satellite measurements. The MJO-related stratospheric ozone anomalies can be attributed to the MJO-related circulation anomalies, i.e., the uplifted tropopanse and the northward shifted westerly jet in the upper troposphere. Compared to the result based on RMM, the upper tropospheric westerly jet may play a less important role in generating the stratospheric column ozone anomalies based on OMI. Our study indicates that the circulation-based MJO index （RMM） can better characterize the MJO- related anomalies in tropopause pressure and thus the MJO influence on atmospheric trace gases in the upper troposphere and lower stratosphere, especially over subtropical East Asia.

Diagnostic Comparison of Wintertime East Asian Subtropical Jet and Polar-Front Jet: Large-Scale Characteristics and Transient Eddy Activities

Diagnostic comparison of the East Asian subtropical jet （EASJ） and polar-front jet （EAPJ） in winter season is carried out by using the ERA-40 dataset. The large-scale circulation characteristics and synopticscale transient eddy activities （STEAs） associated with the EASJ and EAPJ are examined. The results show that the EASJ and EAPJ in the upper-level monthly mean data have no clear geographical border, while the distribution of the numbers of jet cores from the daily data exhibits a distinct boundary at the latitudes of the northern Tibetan Plateau. The two areas with large numbers of jet cores correspond to the EASJ and EAPJ regions. The analysis of STEAs over the East Asian region shows a spatial match of STEAs with the EASJ and EAPJ in winter： the strong EASJ is located within the weak southern branch of the STEA while the relatively weak EAPJ appears within the active northern branch of the STEA, indicating that the EAPJ is the jet coexisting with the STEA. Further analysis shows two anomalous modes of the winter EAPJ： the anomalous anticyclonic/cyclonic circulation and the weakened/strengthened local westerly wind. The large-scale circulation anomalies in the Northern Hemisphere related to the first mode are concentrated in the Eurasian mid to high latitudes, and are also influenced by the anomalous circulation in the upstream area. When the local westerly wind over the EAPJ region is weakened/strengthened, the westerly jet in the eastern part of the EASJ and that in the western Pacific region show opposite variations. The corresponding anomalous atmospheric circulation demonstrates the Eurasian （EU） pattern. The EAPJ anomalies are also closely linked with the STEA anomalies over East Asia. The anomalies in the northern branch of the STEA propagate as a wave train along its axis into the East Asian coastal waters, and then migrate eastward to the oceanic region. However, the ones near the southern branch are trapped over the eastern part of East Asia and its coastal waters at 200 hPa.

The Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet Stream in CRA-40, ERA5, and CFSR Reanalysis Data:Comparative Assessment

The Asian subtropical westerly jet(AWJ) exerts crucial influences on Eurasian continent weather and climate. This paper analyzes the advantages and limitations of CRA-40, which is China's first generation 40-yr(1979–2018) global atmosphere and land reanalysis product, in describing the characteristics of AWJ, compared with the ECMWF Reanalysis version 5(ERA5) and NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis(CFSR). The results show a close agreement across the three reanalyses on the whole.(1) In terms of climatology, overall differences of 200-h Pa zonal wind across the three reanalyses are within ± 0.5 m s^(-1)(i.e., ± 2%). Large differences with maxima of ± 2 m s^(-1)(±5%) appear over the Iranian Plateau and south of the Tibetan Plateau in the mid–upper troposphere in winter.(2) For seasonal cycle, the position and intensity of the AWJ centers in the three reanalyses are highly consistent, with correlation coefficient over 0.98. But there are some discrepancies in the zonal shift of the western AWJ center during the transition season.(3) On the interannual timescale, intensity of all AWJ centers varies consistently among the three reanalyses, while larger differences appear in their meridional displacement, especially in the eastern AWJ center.(4)For long-term variations, the three reanalyses all present a significant northward movement of the westerly jet axis in winter, and a southward displacement over central Asia(40°–80°E) and a northward migration over East Asia(80°–110°E) in summer. Thus, this study has provided confidence that CRA-40 has comparable performance with ERA5 and CFSR in depicting the characteristics of AWJ.

Seasonal Variations of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet and the Thermal Mechanism

The seasonal variations of the intensity and location of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet （EAWJ） and the thermal mechanism are analyzed by using NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data from 1961 to 2000. It is found that the seasonal variation of the EAWJ center not only has significant meridional migration, but also shows the rapid zonal displacements during June-July. Moreover, there exists zonal inconsistency in the northward shift process of the EAWJ axis. Analysis on the thermal mechanism of the EAWJ seasonal variations indicates that the annual cycle of the EAWJ seasonal variation matches very well with the structure of the meridional difference of air temperature, suggesting that the EAWJ seasonal variation is closely related to the inhomogeneous heating due to the solar radiation and the land-sea thermal contrast. Through investigating the relation between the EAWJ and the heat transport, it is revealed that the EAWJ weakens and shifts northward during the warming period from wintertime to summertime, whereas the EAWJ intensifies and shifts southward during the cooling period from summertime to wintertime. The meridional difference of the horizontal heat advection transport is the main factor determining the meridional temperature difference. The meridional shift of the EAWJ follows the location of the maximum meridional gradient of the horizontal heat advection transport. During the period from April to October, the diabatic heating plays the leading role in the zonal displacement of the EAWJ center. The diabatic heating of the Tibetan Plateau to the mid-upper troposphere leads to the rapid zonal displacement of the EAWJ center during June-July.

PROPAGATION OF 30—60 DAY LOW FREQUENCY OSCILLATIONS AND THEIR INFLUENCE UPON THE SUBTROPICAL WESTERLIES JET STREAM DURING NORTHERN HEMISPHERE WINTER

Based on daily ECMWF gridpoint data of two winters during 1981—1983 including an ENSO year,propagation of low frequency oscillations(LFO)during Northern Hemisphere winters and their influences upon 30—60 day oscillations of the subtropical jet stream are studied with the sta- tistical methods as complex empirical orthogonal function(CEOF)and so on.Results show that in the winter of a normal year(1981—1982),30—60 day oscillations in the subtropical zone are mainly in the northern and southern flanks of exit region of jet stream.In the ENSO year(1982— 1983),they are mainly in the vicinity of entrance and exit regions of jet stream.Intraseasonal changes of subtropical jet stream manifested themselves as latitudinal fluctuation or longitudinal progression or regression of about 40 day period.There are marked differences between propagat- ing passages of low frequency modes responsible for changes of subtropical jet stream in the normal year(1981—1982)and in the ENSO year(1982—1983).Changes of oscillation amplitude show obvious phases.In general,the one in late winter is stronger than that in early winter,strongest one occurs in February.