The dipole mode of the summer rainfall over East China during 1958–2001

Abstract

By examining the second leading mode (EOF2) of the summer rainfall in China during 1958–2001 and associated circulations, the authors found that this prominent mode was a dipole pattern with rainfall decreasing to the north of the Yangtze River and increasing to the south. This reverse relationship of the rainfalls to the north and to the south of the Yangtze River was related with the meridional circulations within East Asia and the neighboring region, excited by SST in the South China Sea-northwestern Pacific. When the SST was warmer, the geopotential heights at 500 hPa were positive in the low and high latitudes and negative in the middle latitudes. The anticyclone in the low latitudes favored the subtropical high over the northwestern Pacific (SHNP) shifting southwestward, leading to additional moisture transport over southern China. The anomalous atmospheric circulations along the East Asian coast tends to enhance upward movement over the region. Subsequently, rainfall in southern China is enhanced.