Low‐frequency modulation and trend of the relationship between ENSO and precipitation along the northern to centre Peruvian Pacific coast

The relationship between El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and precipitation along the Peruvian Pacific coast is investigated over 1964–2011 on the basis of a variety of indices accounting for the different types of El Niño events and atmospheric and oceanographic manifestations of the interannual variability in the tropical Pacific. We show the existence of fluctuations in the ENSO/precipitation relationship at decadal timescales that are associated with the ENSO property changes over the recent decades. Several indices are considered in order to discriminate the influence of the two types of El Niño, namely, the eastern Pacific El Niño and the central Pacific El Niño, as well as the influence of large‐scale atmospheric variability associated to the Madden and Julian Oscillation, and of regional oceanic conditions. Three main periods are identified that correspond to the interleave periods between the main climatic transitions over 1964–2011, i.e. the shifts of the 1970s and the 2000s, over which ENSO experiences significant changes in its characteristics. We show that the relationship between ENSO and precipitation along the western coast of Peru has experienced significant decadal change. Whereas El Niño events before 2000 lead to increased precipitation, in the 2000s, ENSO is associated to drier conditions. This is due to the change in the main ENSO pattern after 2000 that is associated to cooler oceanic conditions off Peru during warm events (i.e. central Pacific El Niño). Our analysis also indicates that the two extreme El Niño events of 1982/1983 and 1997/1998 have overshadowed actual trends in the relationship between interannual variability in the tropical Pacific and precipitation along the coast of Peru. Overall, our study stresses on the complexity of the hydrological cycle on the western side of the Andes with regard to its relationship with the interannual to decadal variability in the tropical Pacific. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A Theoretical Explanation of Anomalous Atmospheric Circulation Associated with ENSO Modoki during Boreal Winter

Based on a linear model, the present study provides analytical solutions for ideal triple forcing sources similar to sea surface temperature anomaly （SSTA） pat- terns associated with El Nino-Southern Oscillation （ENSO） Modoki in winter. The ideal triple pattern is composed of an equatorially symmetric heat source in the middle and equatoriaUy asymmetric cold forcing in the southeast and northwest. The equatorially symmetric heat source excites low-level cyclonic circulation anomalies associated with Rossby waves in both hemispheres, while the northwest- ern and southeastern equatorially asymmetric cold sources induce low-level anomalous anticyclones associated with Rossby waves in the hemisphere where the forcing source is located. Low-level zonal winds converge toward the heat sources associated with Kelvin and Rossby waves. Due to unequal forcing intensity in the northwest and southeast, atmospheric responses around the equatorially symmetric forcing become asymmetric, and low-level cyclonic circulation anomalies in the Southern Hemisphere become greater than those in the Northern Hemisphere. Ascending （descending） flows coincide with heat （cold） sources, resulting in a double-cell structure over the regions of forcing sources. Ideal triple patterns similar to SSTA patterns associated with La Nina Modoki produce opposite atmospheric responses. The theoretical atmospheric responses are consistent with observed circulation anomalies associated with ENSO Modoki. Therefore, the theoretical solutions can explain the dynamics responsible for atmospheric circulation anomalies associated with ENSO Modoki events.     

Change in Spring Meridional Circulation and Its Relation to Summer Typhoon Activities

This study documents the decadal changes of the spring meridional circulation (SMC) over 110°E-165°E and the relationship between the SMC and summer (June-July-August-September) typhoon activity over the Western North Pacific (WNP) during 1948-2010. The authors found that the SMC was changed after 1969. Before its change, the SMC had no clear relation with the summer typhoon number over the WNP (TNWNP), but after the change, it has become positively correlated with the TNWNP, with a correlation coefficient of 0.57 between them (above the 99% confidence level). It was observed that after the SMC was changed, the positive tropical sea surface temperature anomaly associated with the SMC was shifted from the Equatorial Eastern Pacific (El Nino) to the equatorial middle Pacific (El Nino Modoki); at the same time, the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) pattern over the North Pacific, which is associated with the SMC, was enhanced. The SMC and the TNWNP are both modulated by the El Ni o Modoki after 1969, so the relationship between them becomes significant.     

IMPACTS OF DIFFERENT KINDS OF ENSO ON LANDFALLING TROPICAL CYCLONES IN CHINA

Interannual variability of landfalling tropical cyclones(TCs) in China during 1960-2010 is investigated.By using the method of partial least squares regression(PLS-regression),canonical ENSO and ENSO Modoki are identified to be the factors that contribute to the interannual variability of landfalling TCs.El Ni o Modoki years are associated with a greater-than-average frequency of landfalling TCs in China,but reversed in canonical El Ni o years.Significant difference in genesis locations of landfalling TCs in China for the two kinds of El Ni o phases occurs dominantly in the northern tropical western North Pacific(WNP).The patterns of low-level circulation anomalies and outgoing longwave radiation(OLR) anomalies associated with landfalling TC genesis with different types of El Ni o phases are examined.During canonical El Ni o years,a broad zonal band of positive OLR anomalies dominates the tropical WNP,while the circulation anomalies exhibit a meridionally symmetrical dipole pattern with an anticyclonic anomaly in the subtropics and a cyclonic anomaly near the tropics.In El Ni o Modoki years,a vast region of negative OLR anomalies,roughly to the south of 25°N with a strong large-scale cyclonic anomaly over the tropical WNP,provides a more favorable condition for landfalling TC genesis compared to its counterpart during canonical El Ni o years.For more landfalling TCs formed in the northern tropical WNP in El Ni o Modoki years,there are more TCs making landfall on the northern coast of China in El Ni o Modoki years than in canonical El Ni o years.The number of landfalling TCs is slightly above normal in canonical La Ni a years.Enhanced convection is found in the South China Sea(SCS) and the west of the tropical WNP,which results in landfalling TCs forming more westward in canonical La Ni a years.During La Ni a Modoki years,the landfalling TC frequency are below normal,owing to an unfavorable condition for TC genesis persisting in a broad zonal band from 5°N to 25°N.Since the western North Pacific subtropical high(WNPSH) in La Ni a Modoki years is located in the westernmost region,TCs mainly make landfall on the south coast of China.     

1998和2010年夏季降水异常成因的对比分析：兼论两类不同厄尔尼诺事件的影响

1998和2010年夏季长江流域均发生了明显的洪涝灾害,且都是厄尔尼诺事件的次年(衰亡位相).不同的是:1997/1998年冬季的厄尔尼诺事件是传统东部型,而2009/2010年冬季的厄尔尼诺事件是中部型(EL Ni(n)o Modoki).首先利用中国160个台站月降水观测资料,对比了1998和2010年降水异常情况,结果显示除长江流域多降水这一共同特征外,1998和2010年降水分布还存在一定差异.利用NCEP/NCAR再分析资料,对比了大气环流异常特征.结果表明:与1998年相比,2010年西北太平洋对流层低层异常反气旋中心位置偏北偏西,西太平洋副热带高压偏强、脊线偏北,使得南海孟加拉湾西南风减弱而东亚南风加强,导致自印度洋、南海向内陆的水汽输送减少,而自西太平洋的水汽输送增加并输送到偏北的位置,雨带比1998年偏北,中国西南地区降水比1998年偏少.进一步分析厄尔尼诺的影响,揭示环流形势的变化与中部型厄尔尼诺年赤道太平洋异常上升气流比传统厄尔尼诺年偏西、西太平洋异常下沉气流随之变化有关.利用GFDL大气环流模式AM2.1,进行了给定1998和2010年实际观测海温强迫的试验,显示海温差异能够部分解释观测到的环流异常.最后,将这两个个例与历史合成进行了比较,发现2010年与历史合成的中部型厄尔尼诺存在较大差异,表明中部型厄尔尼诺对中国夏季降水的影响比以前所认识的要复杂.     

Influence of the strongest positive Indian Ocean Dipole and an El Niño Modoki event on the 2019 Indian summer monsoon

The year 2019 experienced an excess monsoon season over the Indian region, with the seasonal rainfall being 110 % of the long period average (LPA). Several zones across the country suffered multiple extreme rainfall events and flood situations resulting in a massive loss of life and property. The first half of 2019 experienced a moderate El Niño Modoki event that lasted till mid-summer. Another important feature of 2019 was the strongest recorded positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) that lasted approximately seven months from May to November. This study has examined the reasons for the intra-seasonal variability of rainfall over India during the 2019 monsoon using available remote sensing and reanalysis data. Our analysis has shown that the presence of El Niño and the formation of a very severe cyclonic storm (VSCS) in the Arabian Sea were unfavorable for the monsoon onset and its northward advancement during June. However, the Walker circulation associated with El Niño helped strengthen the IOD developed early in the Indian Ocean, much before the monsoon onset. The anomalously strong IOD strengthened the monsoon circulation during July-September and resulted in excess rainfall over India.     

热带太平洋第二类El Nio事件及其对中国气候的影响

基于热带太平洋次表层海温资料,分析了热带太平洋第二类El Nio事件海温异常的分布特征及其形成机制,讨论了与经典El Nio事件、El Nio Modoki、WP(西太平洋暖池)及CT(冷舌)El Nio事件之间的关系,揭示了第二类El Nio事件对中国降水的影响,得到以下结论。(1)第二类El Nio事件表征为热带太平洋次表层海温异常第三模态,占总方差贡献的4.7%。在海洋表面层,第二类El Nio事件暖期赤道东太平洋为沿赤道西伸的冷舌,热带中西太平洋为环绕冷舌的马蹄型大范围暖区。该型具11a和30~40a年代际振荡及3~4a年际变率,峰值多出现在春季。第二类El Nio事件是热带太平洋异常海面风应力场和赤道两侧的风应力旋度共同作用的结果,在赤道东印度洋-中西太平洋与赤道东太平洋-南美洲上空出现以反号垂直运动为特征的异常Walker环流。(2)El Nio Modoki与第二类El Nio事件有密切关系,它实质上是第二类El Nio事件次表层海温与近海面大气相互作用的结果,捕捉了第二类El Nio事件的主要信息。(3)第二类El Nio事件对中国春季及夏初降水有一定影响。在事件暖期,东海地区存在一个显著的异常反气旋性环流,其南侧的中国南方地区盛行异常东北气流,水汽来源减少,导致该地区少雨,其西侧的异常偏南气流北上直达华北地区,异常多水汽向北输送,并与北方的偏北流场相遇,导致该地区降水偏多。在第二类El Nio事件冷期相反。本文结果还指出,WP与CT El Nio事件是由经典El Nio事件第一模态与El Nio Modoki事件组合而成,它们不是独立的El Nio类型。此外,还讨论了夏半年El Nio事件对大气环流影响的物理过程。     

A POSSIBLE IMPACT OF ELNi?o MODOKI ON SEA SURFACE TEMPERATURE OF CHINA’S OFFSHORE AND ITS ADJACENT REGIONS

E1 Nino Modoki, similar to but different from canonical E1 Nino, has been observed since the late 1970s. In this paper, using HadlSST and NCEP/NCAR wind data, we analyze the relationship between E1 Nifio Modoki and Sea Surface Temperature （SST） in the offshore area of China and its adjacent waters for different seasons. Our results show a significant negative correlation between E1 Nifio Modoki in summer and SST in autumn in the offshore area of China and its adjacent waters, particularly for regions located in the east of the Kuroshio. It is also found that during E1 Nifio Modoki period, anomalous northerlies prevail over the regions from the northern part of the Philippines to the offshore area of China, indicating that the northerlies are unfavorable for the transport of warm water from the western tropical Pacific to the mid-latitude area. Consequently, E1 Nifio Modoki in summer may play a substantial role in cold SST anomalies in the offshore area of China and its adjacent waters in autumn through the influence of the Kuroshio, with a lagged response of the ocean to the atmospheric wind field.     

Modulation of tropical cyclogenesis over the South China Sea by ENSO Modoki during boreal summer

This study examines the modulation of tropical cyclogenesis over the South China Sea(SCS) by the El Nio-Southern Oscillation(ENSO) Modoki during the boreal summer. Results reveal that there were more tropical cyclones(TCs) formed over the SCS during central Pacific warming years and less TC frequency during central Pacific cooling years. How different environmental factors(including low-level relative vorticity, mid-level relative humidity, vertical wind shear, and potential intensity) contribute to this influence is investigated, using a genesis potential(GP) index developed by Emanuel and Nolan. Composite anomalies of the GP index are produced for central Pacific warming and cooling years separately, which could account for the changes of TC frequency over the SCS in different ENSO Modoki phases. The degree of contribution by each factor is determined quantitatively by producing composites of modified indices in which only one of the contributing factors varies, with the others set to climatology. The results suggest that the vertical wind shear and low-level relative vorticity, which are associated with the ENSO Modoki-induced anomalous circulations in Matsuno-Gill patterns, make the largest contributions to the ENSO Modoki modulation of tropical cyclogenesis over the SCS as implied by the GP index. These results highlight the important roles of dynamic factors in the modulation of TC frequency over the SCS by the ENSO Modoki during the boreal summer.     

Different Summer Rainfall Anomaly Patterns in Northeast China Associated with Two Kinds of El Niño Events

The relationship between summer rainfall anomalies in northeast China and two types of El Ni?o events is investigated by using observation data and an AGCM. It is shown that, for different types of El Ni?o events, there is different rainfall anomaly pattern in the following summer. In the following year of a typical El Ni?o event, there are remarkable positive rainfall anomalies in the central-western region of northeast China, whereas the pattern of more rainfall in the south end and less rainfall in the north end of northeast China easily appears in an El Ni?o Modoki event. The reason for the distinct differences is that, associated with the different sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTA) along the equatorial Pacific, the large-scale circulation anomalies along east coast of East Asia shift northward in the following summer of El Ni?o Modoki events. Influenced by the anomalous anticyclone in Philippine Sea, southwesterly anomalies over eastern China strengthens summer monsoon and bring more water vapor to Northeast China. Meanwhile, convergence and updraft is strengthened by the anomalous cyclone right in Northeast China in typical El Ni?o events. These moisture and atmospheric circulation conditions are favorable for enhanced precipitation. However, because of the northward shift, the anomalous anticyclone which is in Philippine Sea in typical El Ni?o cases shifts to the south of Japan in Modoki years, and the anomalous cyclone which is in the Northeast China in typical El Ni?o cases shifts to the north of Northeast China, leading to the “dipole pattern” of rainfall anomalies. According to the results of numerical experiments, we further conform that the tropical SSTA in different types of El Ni?o event can give rise to observed rainfall anomaly patterns in Northeast China.