Enhanced rainfall in North China in July 2021: Role of the North Pacific SST gradient

Abstract

The rainfall over North China (NC) in July 2021 was the most since 1980, and coincided with a meridional gradient of sea surface temperature anomaly (MGSSTA) in the Pacific. The present study shows that the gradient between the positive sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) over the northwestern Pacific and the negative SSTA over the tropical central Pacific was the main reason for the enhanced rainfall in NC in July 2021 because of its influence on the anomalous northward movements of the western North Pacific anticyclone (WNPAC) and its southern cyclone. The associated easterly wind anomalies along the southern flank of the WNPAC converged with the anomalous easterly along the north flank of the anomalous cyclone, transporting more moisture from south to NC. Meanwhile, the MGSSTA likely induced an anomalous reversed Hadley circulation accompanied by distinct southerly wind anomalies in the low troposphere. These anomalies favored a strong monsoon circulation, which is often accompanied by a rain band in a more northern location.

摘要

2021年7月, 华北地区的降水量突破1980年以来的极值, 这与太平洋海温异常的经向梯度相吻合. 研究表明, 西北太平洋正海温异常与热带中太平洋负海温异常之间的梯度是2021年7月华北地区降水异常偏多的主要原因, 该梯度使得西北太平洋反气旋及其南部的气旋北移, 汇合的偏东风将大量水汽从海洋输送到华北地区, 使得华北地区降水偏多. 同时, 太平洋海温异常的经向梯度可能在对流层低层触发异常的反向哈德利环流, 伴随着南风异常, 使得季风环流增强, 雨带偏北.