夏季伊朗高原和热带印度洋热力异常与同期塔里木盆地降水的可能联系

基于1979～2019年日本气象厅提供的地表感热与大气环流再分析资料,美国国家海洋和大气管理局提供的月均海表温度数据和国家气象信息中心提供的月降水数据,分析了夏季伊朗高原感热和热带印度洋海温与同期塔里木盆地降水的可能联系。奇异值分解分析表明,两个地区热力异常均与塔里木盆地夏季降水联系紧密,可以通过影响500 hPa风场和水汽输送来调制塔里木盆地夏季降水的变化。当伊朗高原感热和热带印度洋海温均偏强（弱）时,对应中亚上空受异常气旋（反气旋）控制,蒙古高原上空为反气旋（气旋）控制,二者共同作用塔里木盆地上空盛行异常偏南（北）风,形成有利（不利）的动力条件;同时印度半岛上空受异常反气旋（气旋）环流控制,中亚上空为异常气旋（反气旋）,阿拉伯海水汽可（不可）由以上两个系统两步输送至新疆上空,导致盆地夏季降水整体偏多（少）。当伊朗高原和热带印度洋热力异常反相变化时,盆地降水空间差异性较大,部分区域降水偏多,部分地区降水偏少。     

夏季青藏高原和热带印度洋热力异常对塔里木盆地夏季降水的影响

基于1979～2017年欧洲中期天气预报中心（ECMWF）全球大气数值预报再分析资料ERA-Interim提供的地表潜热及大气环流再分析资料和英国Hadley气候预测和研究中心提供的全球逐月海表温度格点资料以及新疆气象信息中心提供的塔里木盆地26个站逐月降水资料,研究了夏季青藏高原和热带印度洋热力异常对塔里木盆地夏季降水的影响。结果表明:高原北部潜热偏强（弱）和热带印度洋海温偏暖（冷）时,200 hPa纬向风表现为“北负（正）南正（负）”的特征,中亚和贝加尔湖上空分别为异常气旋（反气旋）和异常反气旋（气旋）,在二者共同作用下,塔里木盆地上空盛行偏南（北）风,印度半岛上空为异常反气旋（气旋）,有利（不利）于将低纬度水汽向北输送,配合中亚上空的异常气旋（反气旋）,有利（不利）于水汽进入新疆地区,对应塔里木盆地夏季降水偏多（少）。同时发现塔里木盆地夏季降水与中亚对流层中高层的温度异常（MUTTI）表现为显著的负相关关系,同时MUTTI与高原潜热和印度洋海温的负相关关系显著,夏季高原潜热偏强（弱）时,高原季风偏强（弱）,印度洋海温偏暖（冷）,南亚季风偏弱（强）,在二者共同作用下中亚对流层关键区中高层温度偏低（高）,其通过影响200 hPa纬向风、500 hPa环流和整层水汽输送进一步影响塔里木盆地夏季降水。     

新疆夏季降水的环流差异分析

基于1961—2015年夏季6—8月NCEP/NCAR再分析数据和新疆81站逐月降水数据,分析了北疆和南疆夏季降水协同变化和单独变化时的环流差异。结果表明,当新疆夏季降水整体偏多时,中亚上空的异常气旋将阿拉伯海的水汽输送至新疆,西亚副热带急流位置南偏。当南疆夏季降水偏多,北疆夏季降水偏少时,中亚异常气旋南偏,至40°N以南,水汽由阿拉伯海和西北太平洋输送至南疆,急流位置南偏。当北疆夏季降水偏多,南疆夏季降水偏少时,中亚为异常的反气旋,北疆上空存在异常的气旋式切变,水汽由西北太平洋输送至北疆,急流位置北偏,强度加强。当南疆(北疆)夏季降水单独偏多时,中亚40°N以南为异常气旋(反气旋),以北为异常反气旋(气旋),急流位置南偏,水汽由阿拉伯海输送至南疆(北疆)。     

PJ遥相关型对长江中下游夏季降水影响的不对称性

利用1979-2015年海洋和大气再分析资料,基于夏季太平洋-日本遥相关型(PJ)指数,讨论了PJ指数在极端正负年份长江中下游降水位置和强度异常的不对称响应及其可能原因。结果表明:在PJ负位相年(对应El Niňo次年),长江中下游降水显著偏多,中心分别位于江淮流域和日本南部;而在PJ正位相年(对应La Niňa次年),长江中下游降水减少却不明显。研究发现:在PJ负位相年,中东太平洋、印度洋、南海地区海温明显偏暖,菲律宾海上空有异常反气旋响应,长江中下游地区有异常气旋响应;而在PJ正位相年则反之。在PJ负(正)位相年,菲律宾海异常反气旋(气旋)和长江中下游地区异常气旋(反气旋)明显偏强(偏弱),由此导致长江中下游降水位置和强度异常存在不对称响应。基于大气环流模式ECHAM4.8的敏感性数值试验结果表明,即使印度洋海温偏暖与偏冷程度相当,但由偏暖印度洋海温激发的菲律宾海异常反气旋也明显偏强,从而造成长江中下游地区降水偏多程度大于偏少程度。由此印证的事实是:El Niňo次年(PJ负位相年)长江中下游夏季降水偏多的预测技巧高于La Niňa次年夏季降水偏少的预测技巧。     

热带太平洋-印度洋海温异常综合模对南亚高压的影响

从综合考虑热带太平洋和印度洋海温异常特征出发,研究了热带太平洋-印度洋海温异常综合模对南亚高压的影响.当热带太平洋-印度洋海温异常综合模为正位相(西印度洋和东太平洋海温距平为正,东印度洋-西太平洋海温距平为负),南亚高压偏弱,位置偏东偏南;当热带太平洋-印度洋海温异常综合模为负位相(西印度洋和东太平洋海温距平为负,东印度洋-西太平洋海温距平为正),南亚高压偏强,位置偏西偏北.热带太平洋-印度洋海温异常综合模影响南亚高压主要通过三种机制:一是通过影响亚洲季风从而影响了降水潜热形成的大气加热场分布,在正(负)位相年,青藏高原大气热源为负(正)异常,因此青藏高原上空空气上升减弱(加强),南亚高压偏弱(偏强);南海季风和热带辐合带加强(减弱),菲律宾附近的大气热源加强(减弱),有利于上空青藏高原东南侧反气旋(气旋)式的距平环流,因此南亚高压偏东偏南(偏西偏北).二是热带太平洋-印度洋海温的纬向热力对比引起赤道纬向垂直(Walker)环流异常,必将引起高空纬向风异常,在正(负)位相年,南亚高压南部的印度洋高空会出现西(东)风异常,导致南亚高压偏弱(偏强).三是综合模的正(负)异常加强(减小)西印度洋经度范围的区域Hadley环流,其北侧伊朗高原上的异常下沉(上升)支,造成南亚高压偏弱(偏强),位置偏东偏南(偏西偏北).     

青藏高原地区5月热力差异和后期夏季北疆降水的联系

基于美国国家环境预测中心/美国国家大气研究中心(NCEP/NCAR)再分析月平均资料和新疆70站降水资料,分析了1961~2010年5月青藏高原地区地表热力异常差异和新疆夏季降水的联系。奇异值分解(SVD)分析发现,当5月青藏高原视热源偏弱,高原西北部地区偏强时,北疆夏季降水偏多。定义了一个热力差异指数来表征两个区域热力异常的对比程度,发现考虑这种大尺度热力差异对比要比单一地区与区域气候有更为密切的联系。当热力差异指数为负时,即5月青藏高原视热源偏弱,其西北部视热源偏强时:(1)西亚副热带西风急流位置偏南;(2)500 h Pa中亚上空和贝加尔湖上空分别对应异常气旋和反气旋环流,在二者共同作用下,北疆上空盛行异常的偏南气流,有利于低纬度的暖湿气流北上,形成有利于降水的环流形势;(3)印度半岛上空为异常反气旋环流,中亚上空为异常气旋环流,形成北疆夏季降水水汽的两步型输送,阿拉伯海水汽被输送至中亚和新疆地区。偏相关分析发现,青藏高原热力异常主要影响对流层中高层大气环流和水汽输送的第二步环流条件,高原西北部热力异常则影响水汽输送的第一步环流条件。     

青藏高原东部和西太平洋暖池区大气热源与中国夏季降水的关系

利用1951～2000年NCEP/NCAR逐日再分析资料计算了大气热源,并对夏季青藏高原东部大气热源异常和西太平洋暖池区大气热源异常对中国夏季降水的影响作了对比分析研究.结果表明,如果高原东部夏季大气热源显著偏强(偏弱),则长江流域地区的夏季降水显著偏多(偏少),而华南东部地区夏季降水偏少(偏多).菲律宾南部附近的热带西太平洋暖池区上空夏季大气热源显著偏强(偏弱)时,同期长江中下游地区偏涝(偏旱),而华南地区、江苏北部-山东南部则偏旱(偏涝).夏季青藏高原东部大气热源异常和热带西太平洋暖池区大气热源异常对中国夏季降水的影响是有差别的,中国的夏季降水受高原东部大气热源影响的显著范围要比受西太平洋暖池区大气热源影响的显著范围要大.无论是高原热源异常还是西太平洋暖池热源异常,东亚地区的大气环流都存在类似EAP型的遥相关波列.大气热源的异常是通过直接影响垂直运动场的异常,进而影响到我国的夏季降水的异常.夏季高原热源或西太平洋暖池热源偏强(偏弱)时,西太平洋副高的脊线比常年位置偏南(偏北).     

青藏和伊朗高原热力异常与北疆夏季降水的关系

青藏高原和伊朗高原热力异常对其周边地区天气气候有重要影响,已有研究多关注东部季风区,而对干旱区关注较少.针对这一不足,利用美国国家环境预测中心/美国国家大气研究中心(NCEP/NCAR)再分析月平均资料和北疆43站降水资料,分析了1961-2007年5月青藏高原和伊朗高原地表感热异常与北疆夏季降水的关系.奇异值分解(SVD)分析发现,5月青藏高原地表感热与北疆夏季降水呈负相关,伊朗高原为正相关.青藏高原和伊朗高原感热异常的大尺度对比,要比仅考虑单一高原的感热异常与北疆夏季降水有更密切的联系.定义了一个热力差异指数来表征这种地表感热异常的对比程度,相关分析发现,当5月伊朗高原地表感热偏强,青藏高原地表感热偏弱时,500hPa中亚上空和贝加尔湖上空分别为异常气旋和反气旋环流,在二者共同作用下,新疆上空盛行异常的偏南气流,有利于低纬度的暖湿气流北上,形成有利于降水的环流形势,同时越赤道索马里急流偏强,低纬度水汽被接力输送至中亚和新疆地区,为降水的发生提供了有利的水汽条件.进一步分析发现,青藏高原热力异常主要影响中高层大气环流,伊朗高原则主要影响水汽通量输送.     

中亚和南亚热力差异对塔里木盆地夏季降水的影响

利用美国国家环境预测中心/美国国家大气研究中心(NCEP/NCAR)再分析月平均资料和新疆83站降水资料,分析了1961~2010年南亚和中亚对流层中低层热力差异对塔里木盆地夏季降水的可能影响机制。研究结果表明,塔里木盆地夏季降水与中亚和南亚对流层中低层温度密切相关。当南亚对流层中低层偏暖,中亚偏冷时,500 h Pa中亚上空和蒙古上空分别为异常气旋和反气旋环流,在二者共同作用下,塔里木盆地上空盛行异常的偏南气流,有利于低纬海洋的暖湿气流北上,形成有利于降水的环流条件。同时阿拉伯海上空为异常反气旋环流,中亚上空为异常气旋环流,形成塔里木盆地夏季降水水汽的两步型输送,阿拉伯海水汽被输送至中亚和新疆地区。中亚对流层中低层温度变化主要影响500 h Pa环流,南亚对流层中低层温度变化在低纬水汽向北输送过程中扮演主要角色。青藏高原夏季风偏强时,600 h Pa高原北侧对应异常反气旋环流,异常偏北风引导高纬度冷空气南下,导致中亚区域对流层中低层偏冷,而南亚对流层中低层偏暖则与热带印度洋显著增暖密切相关。     

印度季风的年际变化与高原夏季旱涝

根据NCEP／NCAR再分析资料和海表面温度距平资料,分析了西藏高原夏季降水5个多、少雨年春、夏季印度洋850hPa、200hPa合成风场和合成海温场,发现多、少雨年前期与同期印度洋高、低空风场和海温场均存在明显差异,主要表现为高原夏季降水偏多(少)年印度夏季风偏强(弱),在850hPa合成风场上印度半岛维持西(东)风距平,西印度洋—东非沿岸为南(北)风距平,夏季阿拉伯海区和孟加拉湾出现反气旋(气旋)距平环流;200hPa合成风场上印度半岛维持东(西)风距平,南亚高压偏强(弱),索马里沿岸为南(北)风距平。印度夏季风异常与夏季印度洋海温距平的纬向分布型有密切联系。当夏季海温场出现西冷(暖)东暖(冷)的分布型时,季风偏强(弱),高原降水普遍偏多(少)。相关分析指出,索马里赤道海区的风场异常与高原夏季降水的关系最为密切,在此基础上我们定义了一个索马里急流越赤道气流指数,用它识别高原夏季旱涝的能力较之目前普遍使用的印度季风指数有了明显的提高。     

青藏高原冬春积雪异常与中国东部地区夏季降水关系的进一步分析

为了进一步分析青藏高原(下称高原)冬春积雪异常与中国东部地区夏季降水的关系,利用1957～1994年高原地区的实测雪深、1951～1994年6～8月中国东部地区226个均匀分布测站的实测月降水量,以及美国国家环境监测中心/国家大气研究中心(NCEP/NCAR)1958～1994年1～12月的再分析格点值资料,对比分析了高原冬、春季多、少雪年后期中国东部地区夏季(6～8月)降水分布和环流的平均特征,也分析了高原积雪影响的机理.分析结果表明:1) 平均来说,多雪年夏季长江及江南北部降水可偏多1～2成,华北和华南的降水则偏少1～3成;少雪年夏季江淮流域及湘、黔地区少雨,华北和华南多雨.2)高原冬、春积雪不仅影响了后期高原的热状况,而且影响了后期东亚大气环流的季节变化和南亚与东亚的夏季风环流.     

Regional climate model simulation of the AMMA Special Observing Period #3 and the pre-Helene easterly wave

The study examines results of dynamic downscaling of two global analyses: the National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis II and the Global Forecast System final analysis (FNL). Downscaling to a 0.5° grid over West Africa and the adjacent Atlantic Ocean is accomplished by each of two regional models, the Regional Model, version 3 (RM3) of the Center for Climate Systems Research and the Weather, Research and Forecasting model (WRF). Simulations are for September 2006, the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis (AMMA) Special Observing Period #3 (SOP-3). The aim of this study is to exploit the increased spatial detail in the simulations and representations of climate fields by the regional models to analyze meteorological systems within the SOP-3 area of interest and time frame. In particular, the paper focuses on the regional models’ representations of the structure and movement of a prominent easterly wave during September 10–13th, the precursor of Tropical Storm/Hurricane Helene. It describes the RM3 simulated structure of the developing storm in terms of circulation, precipitation, vertical motion, cumulus heating rates, and cross-sections of wind and geopotential height anomalies. Simulated cumulus heating rates within the wave’s main precipitation area imply a lowering of the bases of active cumulus in the transition from the African continent to the Atlantic, indicating that the ocean environment promotes greater upward latent heat flux that in turn intensifies overlying storms. RM3 circulation, precipitation patterns, and storm trajectory are reasonably consistent with observational evidence. Experiments show that precipitation rates near 6°N over the eastern North Atlantic are sensitive to vertical thermal stability, such that they are enhanced by warmer in situ sea-surface temperatures (SSTs) and diminished by colder SSTs. However, prescribing colder SST causes increases in precipitation north of 9°N within areas of large scale upward vertical motion where rainfall rates are less sensitive to in situ SSTs. The evaluation of WRF indicates that its storm propagation is too fast over West Africa, where associated WRF precipitation rates are exaggerated, but its performance is improved over the Atlantic.     

Relationships between the West Asian subtropical westerly jet and summer precipitation in northern Xinjiang

The relation between the spatial and temporal variations of the West Asian subtropical westerly jet (WASWJ) and the summer precipitation in northern Xinjiang has been explored using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data and the summer precipitation data at 43 stations in northern Xinjiang during 1961 to 2007. Results show that the position of the WASWJ is more important than its strength in influencing the summer precipitation in northern Xinjiang. When the jet position is further south, the anomalous southwesterly flow crossing the Indian subcontinent along the southern foothill of the Tibetan Plateau is favorable for the southwestward warm and wet air penetrating from low latitudes into Central Asia and northern Xinjiang and more rainfall formation. Further analysis shows that the interannual variations of the jet position are well correlated with the Arctic Oscillation (AO). In the weak AO years, the middle to upper troposphere becomes colder than normal and results in an anomalous cyclonic circulation at 200 hPa over Western and Central Asia, which enhances the westerly wind over middle and low latitudes and leads to the WASWJ located further south.     

Interdecadal shift in the relationship between the East Asian summer monsoon and the tropical Indian Ocean

In this work, the authors investigate changes in the interannual relationship between the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and the tropical Indian Ocean (IO) in the late 1970s. By contrasting the correlations of the EASM index (EASMI) with the summer IO sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) between 1953–1975 and 1978–2000, a pronounced different correlation pattern is found in the tropical IO. The SSTA pattern similar to the positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) shows a strongly positive correlation with the EASMI in 1953–1975. But in 1978–2000, significant negative correlation appears in the northern IO and the IOD-like correlation pattern disappears. It is indicated that the summer strong IOD events in 1953–1975 can cause a weaker-than-normal western North Pacific (WNP) subtropical high, which tends to favor a strong EASM. In 1978–2000, the connection between the summer IOD and the WNP circulation is disrupted by the climate shift. Instead, the northern IO shows a close connection with the WNP circulation in 1978–2000. The warming over the northern IO is associated with the significant enhanced 500 hPa geopotential height and an anomalous anticyclone over the WNP. The change in the IO–EASM relationship is attributed to the interdecadal change of the background state of the ocean–atmosphere system and the interaction between the ENSO and IO. In recent decades, the tropical IO and tropical Pacific have a warmer mean SST, which has likely strengthened (weakened) the influence of the northern IO (IOD) on the EASM. In addition, due to the increase in the ENSO variability along with the higher mean equatorial eastern Pacific SST in 1978–2000, the influence of ENSO on the East Asian summer circulation experiences a significant strengthening after the late 1970s. Because the warming over the northern IO is associated with the significant warming in the equatorial eastern Pacific, the strengthened ENSO–EASM relationship has likely also contributed to the strengthened relationship between the northern IO and the EASM in 1978–2000.     

Interdecadal Modulation of the Influence of La Nina Events on Mei-yu Rainfall over the Yangtze River Valley

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the relationship between mei-yu rainfall over East China and La Nin a events in the late 1970s,a period concurrent with the Pacific climate shift,using meiyu rainfall data and the National Centers for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) reanalysis.This relationship was modulated by the climate shift:Before the 1977/1978 climate shift and after the 1992/1993 climate shift,mei-yu rainfall levels were above normal in most La Nin a years,whereas during the period 1979-1991,mei-yu rainfall was usually below normal levels in La Nin a years.Both composite analyses and results from an atmospheric general circulation model show remarkable detail in terms of La Nin a’s impacts on mei-yu rainfall in the late 1970s due to the change in the mean climatic state over the tropical Pacific.After the late 1970s,the tropical Pacific SSTs were warmer,and the mean state of low-level anticyclone circulation over the western North Pacific (WNP) weakened.Superimposed on La Nin a-related cyclonic anomaly over the WNP,anticyclonic circulation weakened.Prior to the late 1970s,the mean state of low-level anticyclone circulation over the WNP was stronger and was less affected by La Nin a-related anomalous cyclones.Anticyclone circulation may have brought moisture to the Yangtze River valley,leading to above-normal rainfall.     

Interannual and decadal variations of snow cover over Qinghai-Xizang Plateau and their relationships to summer monsoon rainfall in China

Interannual and decadal variations of winter snow cover over the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau (QXP) are analyzed by using monthly mean snow depth data set of 60 stations over QXP for the period of 1958 through 1992. It is found that the winter snow cover over QXP bears a pronounced quasi-biennial oscillation, and it underwent an obvious decadal transition from a poor snow cover period to a rich snow cover period in the late 1970’s during the last 40 years.It is shown that the summer rainfall in the eastern China is closely associated with the winter snow cover over QXP not only in the interannual variation but also in the decadal variation. A clear relationship exists in the quasi-biennial oscillation between the summer rainfall in the northern part of North China and the southern China and the winter snow cover over QXP. Furthermore, the summer rainfall in the four climate divisions of Qinling-Daba Mountains, the Yangtze-Huaihe River Plain, the upper and lower reaches of the Yangtze River showed a remarkable transition from drought period to rainy period in the end of 1970’s, in good correspondence with the decadal transition of the winter snow cover over QXP.     

Land–sea heating contrast in an idealized Asian summer monsoon

Mechanisms determining the tropospheric temperature gradient that is related to the intensity of the Asian summer monsoon are examined in an intermediate atmospheric model coupled with a mixed-layer ocean and a simple land surface model with an idealized Afro–Eurasian continent and no physical topography. These include processes involving in the influence of the Eurasian continent, thermal effects of the Tibetan Plateau and effects of sea surface temperature. The mechanical effect on the large-scale flow induced by the Plateau is not included in this study. The idealized land–sea geometry without topography induces a positive meridional tropospheric temperature gradient thus a weak Asian summer monsoon circulation. Higher prescribed heating and weaker surface albedo over Eurasia and the Tibetan Plateau, which mimic effects of different land surface processes and the thermal effect of the uplift of the Tibetan Plateau, strengthens the meridional temperature gradient, and so as cold tropical SST anomalies. The strengthened meridional temperature gradient enhances the Asian summer monsoon circulation and favors the strong convection. The corresponding monsoon rainbelt extends northward and northeastward and creates variations of the monsoon rainfall anomalies in different subregions. The surface albedo over the Tibetan Plateau has a relatively weak inverse relation with the intensity of the Asian summer monsoon. The longitudinal gradient of ENSO-like SST anomalies induces a more complicated pattern of the tropospheric temperature anomalies. First, the positive (negative) longitudinal gradient induced by the El Niño (La Niña)-like SST anomalies weakens (strengthens) the Walker circulation and the circulation between South Asia and northern Africa and therefore the intensity of the Asian summer monsoon, while the corresponding monsoon rainbelt extends northward (southward). The El Niño (La Niña)-like SST anomalies also induces colder (warmer) tropospheric temperature over Eurasia and warmer (colder) tropospheric temperature over the Indian Ocean. The associated negative (positive) meridional gradient of the tropospheric temperature anomalies is consistent with the existence of the weak (strong) Asian summer monsoon.     

On the linear response of tropical African climate to SST changes deduced from regional climate model simulations

Summary Previous studies have highlighted the crucial role of sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in the tropical Atlantic region in forcing the summer monsoon rainfall over subsaharan West Africa. Understanding the physical processes, relating SST variations to changes in the amount and distribution of African rainfall, is a key factor in improving weather and climate forecasts in this highly vulnerable region. Here, we present sensitivity experiments from a regional climate model with prescribed warmer tropical SSTs, according to enhanced greenhouse conditions at the end of the 21st century. This dynamical downscaling approach provides information about the nonlinear response of the atmosphere to oceanic heating. It has been suggested that the response is at least partly accounted for by the linear theory of tropical dynamics, involving a Kelvin and Rossby wave response to a tropical heat source. We compute the major modes of the linear Matsuno-Gill model for geopotential height and horizontal wind components and project the simulated response patterns onto these linear modes, in order to evaluate to which extent the simple linear theory may explain the SST-induced climate anomalies over Africa. A multivariate Hotelling T² test is used to evaluate whether these anomalies are statistically significant. Forcing the regional climate model by warmer SSTs leads to substantial climate anomalies over tropical Africa: Rainfall is increases over the Guinea Coast region (GCR) and tropical East Africa, but decreases over the Congo Basin and the Sahel Zone (SHZ). At the 850 hPa level, a trough develops over southern West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea, and is associated with stronger surface wind convergence over the GCR. These changes in the atmospheric dynamics strongly project onto the leading modes of the linear Matsuno-Gill model at various zonal wave numbers. The corresponding atmospheric heating pattern is highly reminiscent of the simulated nonlinear model reponse. The T² test statistics reveal that the SST forcing induces a statistically significant climate anomaly over tropical Africa if the climate state vector is reduced by projecting the simulated data onto the leading 10 linear modes. It is also shown that the linear response prevails in a long-term simulation with more realistic lower and lateral boundary conditions. Thus, linear tropical dynamics are assumed to be a major physical process on the ground of the prominent SST-African rainfall relationship.