METEOROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE SECOND MEIYU EPISODE IN 1998

This article examined the meteorological features of the second Meiyu/Baiu episode(hereafterMeiyu Ⅱ)in 1998 and the results are summarized as follows:(1)The Meiyu Ⅱ period in 1998 hasbeen the longest and the most delayed ending one since 1885,which caused the great flood aroundthe Yangtze River Basin.The circulation situation in Meiyu Ⅱ is so typical that the averagegeopotential height and wind fields at 500 hPa and 850 hPa are very similar to monthly mean inJune.The abnormal circulation in Meiyu Ⅱ is associated with an adjusting of the Okhotsk high andshort period south-north oscillation of the subtropical high.(2)The heavy rainfall around theYangtze River during Meiyu Ⅱ period is closely related to a persistent shear line,a clear eastwardmoving vortex structure and a very strong jet flow at lower levels.It is very clear that the strongdivergence at higher levels and convergence at lower levels occurred in situ during Meiyu Ⅱ period.(3)It is very clear that the convective activity propagates eastward quickly with a period about 7days during Meiyu Ⅱ period.

METEOROLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING THE SECOND MEIYU EPISODE IN 1998