Changes of frequency of summer precipitation extremes over the Yangtze River in association with large-scale oceanic-atmospheric conditions

Abstract

Changes of the frequency of precipitation extremes (the number of days with daily precipitation exceeding the 90th percentile of a daily climatology, referred to as R90N) in summer (June–August) over the mid-lower reaches of the Yangtze River are analyzed based on daily observations during 1961–2007. The first singular value decomposition (SVD) mode of R90N is linked to an ENSO-like mode of the sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) in the previous winter. Responses of different grades of precipitation events to the climatic mode are compared. It is notable that the frequency of summer precipitation extremes is significantly related with the SSTA in the Pacific, while those of light and moderate precipitation are not. It is suggested that the previously well-recognized impact of ENSO on summer rainfall along the Yangtze River is essentially due to a response in summer precipitation extremes in the region, in association with the East Asia-Pacific (EAP) teleconnection pattern. A negative relationship is found between the East Asian Summer Monsoon (EASM) and precipitation extremes over the mid-lower reaches of the Yangtze River. In contrast, light rainfall processes are independent from the SST and EASM variations.