北大西洋涛动与西北太平洋热带气旋频数关系的年代际变化

基于观测资料分析,研究了夏季北大西洋涛动与西北太平洋热带气旋频数之间的关系,发现两者的联系呈现由弱转强的年代际变化特征.1948~1977年,北大西洋涛动与西北太平洋热带气旋频数的联系较弱;但1980~2009年,两者转为显著的正相关,北大西洋涛动偏强(弱)对应西北太平洋热带气旋数偏多(少).本文进一步从大气环流变化角度,探讨了北大西洋涛动与西北太平洋热带气旋频数的关系在前后两个时段出现不同的可能原因.结果表明,在后一时段,当北大西洋涛动偏强时,西北太平洋低层为异常气旋型环流,季风槽加强,西太平洋副热带高压偏东,西北太平洋地区高层大气异常辐散,低层大气异常辐合,这些条件均有利于热带气旋的生成和发展,西北太平洋热带气旋因此偏多.然而,在前一时段,北大西洋涛动对上述环流系统的影响不明显,因而减弱了北大西洋涛动与西北太平洋热带气旋频数的联系.研究进一步揭示,与北大西洋涛动异常相关联的波活动通量的变化可以解释北大西洋涛动与西北太平热带气旋频数联系的这种年代际变化.     

热带气旋与多尺度气候变异:2018年西北太平洋台风季概况

2018年是西北太平洋热带气旋异常活跃的一年,该年台风季(6~11月)共有26个热带气旋生成,远超气候平均的22个,是近20年来第二活跃的台风季.2018年,热带气旋多形成于西北太平洋东部和南海北部,台风活动区域偏东北,移动路径多由西北行转为偏北行登陆,造成了中国大陆重大经济损失(约697.3亿元).这一年,多尺度气候变异共同作用引起了西北太平洋季风槽的增强和副热带高压减弱,从而导致了热带气旋异常活跃.在此过程中,年际气候背景条件起了主导作用,而年代际气候变异仅起到了弱的抑制作用.在年际尺度上,一个发展的中太平洋厄尔尼诺事件和正相位的太平洋经向模态(PMM)共同作用形成了2018年有利于热带气旋活动的大尺度环流背景条件.进一步研究表明,中太平洋海温强迫在西北太平洋热带气旋活动中起到了关键调节作用,而PMM通过中太平洋海温间接影响西北太平洋热带气旋活动.在中太平洋厄尔尼诺年,中太平洋海温增暖引起的对流异常通过大气的Gill型-罗斯贝波响应导致了西北太平洋上异常气旋性环流,这使得西北太平洋上副热带高压减弱、季风槽增强东北移,有利于热带气旋在此形成和发展.短期气候及天气变化,如季节内振荡(ISO)和天气尺度扰动(SSD)的活动,与增强的季风槽相互作用,加剧了2018年异常的西北太平洋热带气旋的活动.     

青藏高原和热带西北太平洋大气热源在亚洲地区夏季平流层-对流层水汽交换的年代际变化中的作用

利用欧洲中期天气预报中心ERA40资料,借助Wei诊断模式研究平流层一对流层水汽交换过程,重点分析亚洲地区夏季平流层．对流层水汽交换的年代际特征,探讨青藏高原和热带西北太平洋大气热源在其变化中的作用．气候学特征表明,北半球夏季“亚洲南部半岛-印度洋-太平洋交汇区”为全球最强的对流层向平流层输送的通道,它能将亚洲季风区丰富的水汽源源不断地输送到平流层,影响平流层水汽的分布和变化．北半球夏季亚洲地区穿越对流层顶水汽交换整体上都具有明显的年代际变化,且在近44a可以分为三段比较稳定的时段：1958～1977年、1978～1992年和1993。2001年．在这三个时段中,孟加拉湾．东亚大陆及南海海域的水汽交换通道作用在逐渐减弱,而西北太平洋地区在水汽交换中扮演着越来越重要的角色．进一步研究发现,青藏高原、热带西北太平洋热源的年代际异常是亚洲地区平流层．对流层水汽交换年代际变化的主要原因．44a来青藏高原和热带西北太平洋的热力作用均发生了重大调整,在年代际尺度上两者的综合作用决定了亚洲夏季风的年代际变异,从而影响平流层．对流层水汽交换的年代际异常．然而不同时段不同地区两者的贡献有所不同,尤其是1992年以后,高原热源影响明显减弱,而热带西北太平洋热源在影响平流层．对流层水汽交换中起主要作用．这些结果对深入认识其他大气成份输送过程和正确评估人类活动（排放）对全球气候的影响也具有重要的指示意义．     

Hadley环流与北太平洋涛动的显著关系

利用NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料,分析了冬季（11～4月）Hadley环流与北太平洋涛动（NPO）的变化特征以及它们之间的关系.本文选取0°~30°N区域里最大质量流函数来描述北半球Hadley环流强度随时间的演变,利用(20°N, 180°~160°W) 和 (60°N, 180°~160°W) 区域平均的标准化海平面气压差代表NPO强度.结果表明,冬季北半球Hadley环流与NPO的变化形势非常一致,两者都具有显著的年际和年代际变化（70年代前处于负位相,80年代之后处于正位相）,同时还呈现出明显的增强趋势.Hadley环流变化与NPO异常的关系非常密切,在年际和年代际时间尺度上都具有显著的正相关.这种强相关性在大气环流场上可以得到很好的印证.研究还揭示,太平洋地区10°~30°N下沉支和40°~60°N上升支的异常运动可能是这种关系存在的主要内在原因.     

ENSO在青藏高原积雪与西北太平洋热带气旋生成频数关系中的作用

已有研究表明,青藏高原冬季积雪与随后台风季节西北太平洋热带气旋生成频数之间具有典型的负相关.本文基于长时间观测资料对二者关系进行再探讨,发现两者的年际关系在20世纪90年代初发生了跃变,即青藏高原冬季积雪与随后台风季节西北太平洋热带气旋生成频数之间显著的负相关仅存在于20世纪90年代初之后(1993~2012年),而20世纪90年代初之前(1976~1992年)二者的联系较弱.进一步本文对引起这种跃变的可能原因进行了分析,发现中部型ENSO在加强青藏高原积雪与西北太平洋热带气旋生成频数关系中起到了至关重要的作用.1993~2012年间,青藏高原积雪与中部型ENSO存在显著的负相关.在青藏高原积雪偏多年(少),中部型ENSO多为冷位相(暖位相),这种分布一方面加强了青藏高原积雪与纬向海陆热力差异继而与西北太平洋夏季风的联系,另一方面加强了青藏高原积雪对热带气旋生成相关的动力环境场的调控,因此在这一时段青藏高原积雪与热带气旋生成频数之间的相关得到了显著增强.然而,在前一时段青藏高原积雪与ENSO的联系较弱,青藏高原积雪对西北太平洋夏季风和台风生成区域动力场调控较弱,因而其与热带气旋生成频数之间的关系减弱.此外,通过能量诊断进一步表明,在1993~2012年中部型ENSO的作用主要是通过加强西北太平洋纬向风的正压能量转化来实现的.结果将为提高热带气旋短期气候预测水平提供一定的理论基础.     

亚洲-太平洋涛动与西北太平洋热带气旋频数的关系

通过对观测资料的分析, 初步探讨了夏季亚洲-太平洋涛动(Asian-Pacific Oscillation, APO)和西北太平洋热带气旋频数的关系, 发现APO强弱的年际变化与西北太平洋热带气旋频数多寡之间具有显著的正相关关系, 夏季APO偏强(弱)时, 西北太平洋热带气旋偏多(少). 研究进一步揭示, APO变化可导致西北太平洋区域主要大气环流系统出现异常, 而大气环流的这种异常变化正是APO与西北太平洋热带气旋频数相联系的原因. 当APO处于正位相时, 西太平洋副热带高压减弱, 位置偏东偏北; 西北太平洋地区高层大气异常辐散, 低层大气异常辐合; 纬向风垂直切变减弱. 这些变化均为西北太平洋热带气旋的形成提供了有利的大气环流条件, 因此, 西北太平洋热带气旋频数偏多. 反之亦然.     

秋季北极海冰与欧亚冬季气温在年代际和年际尺度上的不同联系

北极海冰的急剧消融在近年来欧亚大陆频发的低温事件中扮演着关键角色.秋季北极海冰的偏少对应着冬季欧亚大陆的低温天气,然而二者的联系在年代际和年际两种时间尺度上存在显著区别.本文运用1979—2012年哈德莱中心第一套海冰覆盖率(HadISST1)、欧洲中心(ERA_Interim)的2m温度、风场、海平面气压场、高度场等资料,分别研究了年代际和年际时间尺度上前期秋季北极海冰与欧亚冬季气温的联系.结果表明,欧亚和北极地区(0°—160°E,15°N—90°N)的冬季气温具有显著的年代际和年际变化.在年代际尺度上,温度异常分布在21世纪初由北极冷-大陆暖转为北极暖-大陆冷.这一年代际转折与前期秋季整个北极地区的海冰年代际减少联系密切.秋季北极全区海冰年代际偏少对应冬季欧亚大陆中高纬地区的高压异常,有利于北大西洋的暖湿气流北上和北极的冷空气南侵,造成北极暖-大陆冷的温度分布;在年际时间尺度上,温度异常分布主要由第一模态的年际变化部分和第二模态组成,且第一模态包含的年际变率信号也存在显著的年代际变化.年际尺度上全区北极海冰对欧亚冬季气温的影响远不及位于北冰洋西南边缘的巴伦支海、喀拉海和拉普捷夫海西部(30°E—120°E,75°N—85°N)的关键区海冰影响显著.关键区内海冰的偏少会引发冬季的北大西洋涛动负位相,导致北大西洋吹往欧亚大陆的暖湿气流减弱和欧亚大陆中高纬地区的气温偏低.     

西北太平洋台风生成频次的新预测因子和新预测模型

研究了冬春季大气环流对西太平洋台风生成频次的影响, 确定了影响西北太平洋台风生成频次的新预测因子, 它们是冬、春季的北太平洋海冰面积指数、春季北太平洋涛动指数. 并结合前人已有的工作基础, 采用多元回归方法建立了一个西北太平洋台风生成频次的新预测模型. 该模型能很好地拟合1965~1999年西太平洋台风生成频次的年际变化, 拟合率是0.79. 这个预测模型比较合理地预测了2000~2006年的台风频次的年际变化. 该研究工作不仅说明了新的预测因子能很好地预测西北太平洋台风活动频次的年际变化, 而且应用它们建立的新台风预测模型, 也将有望应用于西北太平洋台风活动频次的季节预测中, 期望能提高台风活动频次的预测水平.     

华北降水年代际变化特征及相关的海气异常型

利用近50年华北地区26个站逐月降水观测资料和全球大气海洋分析资料,分析了华北降水的年代际变化特征及其和全球海气系统年代际变化的关系.对华北降水距平指数变化分析表明,近50年来华北降水具有减少的总体趋势,叠加在该趋势之上的是年代际变化,其中1965年和1980年发生了两次跃变,使得20世纪80年代干旱尤为严重.在对华北地区降水年代际变化特征分析的基础上,揭示了与华北降水年代际异常相伴随的大气环流和上层海洋热力异常型.结果表明,华北降水年代际异常与太平洋上层海洋热力状况异常有显著关系,主要表现为太平洋年代际振荡（PDO）与华北降水异常的相关.在年代际时间尺度上,华北干旱与上层海洋热力及大气环流异常的配置关系如下：当华北地区干旱时,则热带中东太平洋海温偏高,北太平洋中部海温偏低,即太平洋上主要表现为PDO暖位相,全球大部分地区（包括华北地区）气温偏高,青藏高原地区气温偏低,日本北部及东西伯利亚气压异常偏低,华北及其以南大片地区气压偏高,华北地区由异常西北风控制,不利于水汽向华北地区输送.     

耦合模式长期积分中东亚夏季风与ENSO联系的不稳定性

通过对挪威卑尔根全球大气-海洋-海冰耦合模式300a控制积分结果进行交叉子波分析,揭示了东亚夏季风（EASM）与同期Nio3区（90°W～150°W,5°S～5°N）海洋表面温度异常的相关关系在长期变化中是不稳定的,呈现出明显的阶段性特征.气候要素场在二者联系的紧密（HCP）和微弱（LCP）时期差别显著,在HCP时期,西北太平洋对流层低层出现一对耦合的异常气旋和反气旋性环流系统;东南亚地区对流层低层表现为强东风异常,风速的年际变率加大;热带西太平洋对流层温度和位势高度场的年际变率普遍加强.此外,中国夏季降水与同期Nio3区海洋表面温度异常的相关关系在上述两种时期也存在较大差别.     

Investigation on the Influence of the Column Ozone Anomaly on the Energetics of Tropical Cyclones Over NIO and Related Air–Sea Interaction

An investigation on the temporal and spatial variation of ozone using the total column ozone (TCO) values during the cyclonic activities over North Indian Ocean (NIO) is carried out during the period from 1997 to 2012. The stepwise variation of TCO during the passage of the tropical cyclones over the Bay of Bengal and the Arabian Sea of the NIO is examined. The anomalies in TCO are estimated at each step of the life span of the cyclones starting from the genesis to landfall stages. The result reveals that the TCO values are quite high prior to the formation of the depression over NIO; however, at the stage of cyclogenesis it decreases which, with the increase in the intensity of the cyclones, further decreases and becomes minimum near the coast during the landfall. The maximum negative anomaly in TCO is observed for maximum intensity of the tropical cyclones as well as during the landfall. The result further shows that when the cyclones die out after the landfall the TCO regains the normal value. It is further observed that the reduction in TCO enhances the accumulated cyclone energy over NIO. The result finally shows that, the higher the energy of the cyclones, the lower becomes the stratospheric warming, that is, the higher the stratospheric cooling.     

Relationship and its instability of ENSO — Chinese variations in droughts and wet spells

Monthly data of Self-Calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (PDSI) from 1951 to 2000 are calculated using historical precipitation and temperature data for Chinese 160 stations. Temporal and spatial patterns of the first empirical orthogonal function (EOF) of the PDSI reveals a fairly linear trend resulting from trends in precipitation and surface temperature, which is similar to the linear PDSI trend during 1951–2000 calculated using all monthly data. The EOF analysis also reveals that the leading mode correlates significantly with ENSO events in time and space. The ENSO EOF shows that during the typical warm phase of ENSO, surface conditions are drier in most regions of China, especially North China, but wetter than normal in the southern regions of Changjiang River, and Northwest China. During the typical cold phase of ENSO, these anomalies reverse sign. From 1951 to 2000, there are large multi-year to decadal variations in droughts and wet spells over China, which are all closely related to strong El Niño events. In other words, when one strong El Niño event happens, there is a possible big variability in droughts and wet spells over China on the multi-year or decadal scale. Studies also suggest that during the last 2–3 decades climate changes over China, especially North China’s drying and northwest China’s wetting, are closely related to the shift in ENSO towards warmer events and global warming since the late 1970s. The instability of the relationship is also studied. It is revealed that there is a good correlation between ENSO and Chinese variations in droughts and wet spells in the 3–8-year band, but the correlation between ENSO and Chinese variations in droughts and wet spells is instable. Studies suggest that there are decadal changes in the correlation: the wavelet coherency between ENSO and Chinese variations in droughts and wet spells is high during 1951–1962 and 1976–1991, but low during 1963–1975 and 1992–2000.     

Low-frequency variability of a semi-closed sea induced by the circulation in an adjacent ocean in a wind-driven,quasi-geostrophic,eddy-resolving simulation

The wind-driven circulation in the northwestern Pacific and the South China Sea (SCS) is simplified as a two-layer, quasi-geostrophic model in two rectangular basins connected by an idealized strait. This model is used to investigate the impact of the western boundary current (WBC) on the adjacent marginal sea. The variability of the circulation in the two basins is investigated with a high resolution and at low viscosity, which allows the numerical solution to resolve mesoscale eddy forcing. The model ocean is driven by the time-independent asymmetric wind stress acting on the idealized Pacific (large basin) only. Under the reference parameters used in this study, the WBC can intrude into the idealized SCS (small basin) in the form of a loop current, shedding eddies regularly. The rate of eddy shedding is nearly constant throughout the entire integration time of the model; however, the intensity of the eddy-shedding exhibits multiple timescale variability ranging from quasi-biennial to decadal timescale. A set of sensitivity experiments demonstrate that our results are robust against changes to model parameters and geometry. Multivariate spectral analysis is used to extract the spatiotemporal feature of the variability. Joint analysis for the two basins shows that the circulation in the idealized SCS is significantly impacted by the variability at decadal (15-year), interannual (5–7-year and quasi-biennial), and quasi-annual timescales. The spatial structures of the modes of variablility suggest that the variance in position of the WBC, combined with mesoscale activity, act to influence the low-frequency modes of the idealized SCS. The structural differences between the modes strongly impacting the idealized SCS and those having weak influence are also presented.     

Relationship between equatorial pressure oscillations and tropical cyclones landing over China

With daily reanalysis data by NCEP/NCAR and data of tropical cyclones landing over China from 1949 to 2005, the variation of low-frequency oscillations of equatorial pressure and their relationship with tropical cyclones landing over China in the summer half of the years (June through October) are studied for the 57 years, using spectral analysis and correlation analysis. The results show that the summertime equatorial pressure is mainly of periodic oscillations of 5―7 days and 10―30 days and the interannual variation of the intensity of its quasi-biweekly oscillation is significantly positive correlation with the number of tropical cyclones landing over China. The quasi-biweekly oscillation is filtered from daily equatorial pressure in May―November over the 57 years with inverse wavelet transform and the probability for tropical cyclones landing on coastal China within four days before and after the oscillatory valleys of quasi-biweekly pressure at the equator is 59.7% and 73.0% for June to October and July to September respectively. The model of atmospheric circulation for quasi-biweekly oscillatory valleys of equatorial pressure in association with or without tropical cyclones landing over China in July―September is set up with the composite analysis method. When the valleys are associated with (without) landfall, zonal (meridional) circulation prevails in the mid and high latitudes of the Eastern Hemisphere, the high pressure ridge is weak (strong) near the Sea of Okhotsk, the westerly zone is northward (southward), the subtropical high is westward (eastward) in location and strong (weak) in intensity, the cross-equatorial flow is strong (weak) in southeast Asia, Southwest Monsoon is strong (weak) and stronger (weaker) while in the valleys of pressure, being favorable (unfavorable) for tropical cyclones landing over China. The atmospheric circulation model for oscillatory valleys of biweekly equatorial pressure in association with (without) tropical cyclones landing over China, which can reflect the difference of atmospheric circulation between them, is beneficial to medium-term forecasts of tropical cyclones landing over China.     

Impact of South China Sea Cold Surges and Typhoon Peipah on Initiating Cyclone Sidr in the Bay of Bengal

In the present study, an attempt was made to understand the role of South China Sea (SCS) convection associated with northerly cold surges and Typhoon Peipah in initiating Cyclone Sidr in the Bay of Bengal (BoB). The variation of air sea fluxes during the entire history of Cyclone Sidr tracking before its landfall over Bangladesh was also studied. The presence of cold surges in the north SCS associated with heavy rainfall episodes has been noticed at the southern Gulf of Tonkin coast prior to the formation of Typhoon Peipah. Subsequently, these surges migrated south, which resulted in intensification of a deep convection on reaching the Vietnamese coast. During the same period in the western Pacific, Typhoon Peipah developed, propagating in the westward direction and entering the SCS. Analysis of geostationary water vapour images, mean sea level pressure, and surface wind maps clearly depicted the transport of convective cloud clusters, moisture, and westward momentum from Typhoon Peipah to the deep convection cells over the SCS. Consequently, the existing deep convection over the Vietnamese coast resulted in a westward direction and entered the Gulf of Thailand and Andaman Sea. The availability of higher latent heat fluxes, warmer sea surface temperatures, and suitable atmospheric conditions over this region favoured the formation of a tropical depression in the Andaman Sea. This depression further intensified in the southeast BoB, resulting in the formation of Cyclone Sidr. NCEP/NCAR wind fields and air-sea fluxes revealed left asymmetry surface winds and higher latent heat flux on the left side of the track during the intensification phase of Sidr.     

黄海、东海海域出海气旋发展过程中尺度数值模拟

利用MM5中尺度模式对1999年6月两个出海气旋发展过程进行 数值模拟. 数值模拟的气旋出海后移动路径与实际情况基本一致. 在数值模拟基础上重点讨 论了出海气旋发展过程潜热通量和感热通量的分布及其演变情况. 气旋出海后在气旋中心区 南方和东方存在负潜热通量和感热通量区. 出海气旋的东移和发展，其前方强大正热通量区 的存在可能是重要原因之一.     

Dynamical Control of Pacific Oceanic Low-frequency Variability on Western Boundary and Marginal Seas

The adjustment of sea surface height (SSH) around the coasts of the Japan/East Sea (JES) and the South China Sea (SCS) basins subjected to extratropical Pacific Oceanic low frequency variability is studied using a Kelvin-planetary wave model and a high resolution numerical model. It is found that the modulation of SSH around the coast of Japan is mainly determined by slow adjustment of planetary waves, which radiate from the west coast of Honshu and Hokkaido due to the coastal Kelvin wave. In contrast, the SSH modulation around the cost of the South China Sea basin is mainly determined by the coastal Kelvin wave, which transfers the anomalous SSH into the SCS via the Luzon Strait and out via the Mindoro Strait. The planetary waves radiating from the west coast of Palawan establish a nearly uniform SSH anomaly in the southern part of the SCS, bounded by an eastward jet at the latitude of the Mindoro Strait. Along the western boundary, SSH anomaly decreases almost linearly toward the south, in accordance with the changing local deformation radius. In these two marginal seas, the mean subtropical Pacific gyre circulation enhances SSH modulation induced by extratropical Pacific low frequency variability. Overall, the SSH adjustment in the JES and the SCS predicted by the analytical model agrees well with the numerical model simulation. Application of this model to interaction between these marginal seas and the open ocean is discussed.     

赤道MJO活动对南海夏季风爆发的影响

利用1979—2013年NCEP/DOE再分析资料的大气多要素日平均资料、美国NOAA日平均向外长波辐射资料和ERSST月平均海温资料,分析赤道大气季节内振荡(简称MJO)活动对南海夏季风爆发的影响及其与热带海温信号等的协同作用.结果表明,赤道MJO活动与南海夏季风爆发密切联系,MJO的湿位相(即对流活跃位相)处于西太平洋位相时,有利于南海夏季风爆发,而MJO湿位相处于印度洋位相时,则不利于南海夏季风爆发.赤道MJO活动影响南海夏季风爆发的物理过程主要是大气对热源响应的结果,当MJO湿位相处于西太平洋位相时,一方面热带西太平洋对流加强使潜热释放增加,导致处于热源西北侧的南海—西北太平洋地区对流层低层由于Rossby响应产生气旋性环流异常,气旋性环流异常则有利于西太平洋副热带高压的东退,另一方面菲律宾附近热源促进对流层高层南亚高压在中南半岛和南海北部的建立,使南海地区高层为偏东风,从而有利于南海夏季风建立;当湿位相MJO处于印度洋位相时,热带西太平洋对流减弱转为大气冷源,情况基本相反,不利于南海夏季风建立.MJO活动、孟加拉湾气旋性环流与年际尺度海温变化协同作用,共同对南海夏季风爆发迟早产生影响,近35年南海夏季风爆发时间与海温信号不一致的年份,基本上是由于季节转换期间的MJO活动特征及孟加拉湾气旋性环流是否形成而造成,因此三者综合考虑对于提高季风爆发时间预测水平具有重要意义.     

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.     

Relationship between the Asian-Pacific oscillation and the tropical cyclone frequency in the western North Pacific

The relationship between the Asian-Pacific oscillation (APO) and the tropical cyclone frequency over the western North Pacific (WNP) in summer is preliminarily investigated through an analysis of ob- served data. The result has shown clearly that APO is significantly and positively correlated to the tropical cyclone frequency in the WNP. If APO is above (below) the normal in summer, more (less) tropical cyclones will tend to appear in the WNP. The present study also addresses the large-scale at- mospheric general circulation changes underlying the linkage between APO and the WNP tropical cy- clone frequency. It follows that a positive phase of summer APO is concurrent with weakened as well as northward and eastward located western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH), low-level convergence and high-level divergence, and reduced vertical zonal wind shear in the WNP, providing favorable envi- ronment for the tropical cyclone genesis, and thus more tropical cyclones will come into being, and vice versa.