Large-Scale Circulation Patterns Associated with Heavy Spring Rain Events over Taiwan in Strong ENSO and Non-ENSO Years

Abstract

Abstract Daily rainfall data at 15 stations in Taiwan and the grid dataset of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research during the period of February–March 1951–2000 were used to reveal the characteristics of large-scale circulations associated with spring heavy rain events over Taiwan in strong ENSO and non-ENSO years. The effect of interdecadal variation on the relationship of spring rainfall and ENSO was also examined. Results showed that the different regimes of interdecadal variation that occurred in the late 1970s exert significant effect on the relationship between ENSO and spring rainfall in Taiwan. A pronounced positive correlation with statistical significance between cold season Niño-3 SST and the following spring rainfall over western Taiwan was only found since the late 1970s. Large-scale environmental conditions associated with the heavy spring rain events in strong ENSO and non-ENSO years were found to be quite different. Intrusion of a weak midlatitude frontal system into the eastern China coastal area coupled with an anomalous anticyclone over the Philippine Sea (PSAC) in the lower troposphere were primarily responsible for the spring heavy rain events in strong ENSO years. On the other hand, the intrusion of a much more intense midlatitude frontal system into China and the coastal area was necessary to generate spring heavy rain events in non-ENSO years. This difference is also instrumental for more frequent occurrence of heavy rainfall events and more rainfall amount observed in ENSO years.