Changes in the Covariability of Surface Air Temperature and Precipitation over East Asia Associated with Climate Shift in the Late 1970s

Abstract

AbstractVariations in surface air temperature and precipitation are closely associated because of their thermo-dynamic relations. The climate shift in the late 1970s and associated changes in precipitation over East Asia have been well reported. However, how the covariability of surface air temperature and precipitation responds to the climate shift is not yet well understood. We used the ob-served mean (Tmean), daily maximum (Tmax), and minimum (rmin) surface air temperatures and precipitation during the period of 1953–2000 to explore this issue. Results show that the covariability between Tmeaa and precipitation experienced remarkable changes over certain areas of East Asia after the climate shift with evident seasonal dependencies. In winter, after the climate shift significantly negative correlations occupied more areas over Mongolia and China. By contrast, in summer after the climate shift significantly negative correlations which existed over almost entire East Asia during the pre-shift period were ...