Climate impacts of recent multidecadal changes in Atlantic Ocean Sea Surface Temperature: a multimodel comparison

During the twentieth century sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Ocean exhibited prominent multidecadal variations. The source of such variations has yet to be rigorously established—but the question of their impact on climate can be investigated. Here we report on a set of multimodel experiments to examine the impact of patterns of warming in the North Atlantic, and cooling in the South Atlantic, derived from observations, that is characteristic of the positive phase of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). The experiments were carried out with six atmospheric General Circulation Models (including two versions of one model), and a major goal was to assess the extent to which key climate impacts are consistent between the different models. The major climate impacts are found over North and South America, with the strongest impacts over land found over the United States and northern parts of South America. These responses appear to be driven by a combination of an off-equatorial Gill response to diabatic heating over the Caribbean due to increased rainfall within the region and a Northward shift in the Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) due to the anomalous cross-equatorial SST gradient. The majority of the models show warmer US land temperatures and reduced Mean Sea Level Pressure during summer (JJA) in response to a warmer North Atlantic and a cooler South Atlantic, in line with observations. However the majority of models show no significant impact on US rainfall during summer. Over northern South America, all models show reduced rainfall in southern hemisphere winter (JJA), whilst in Summer (DJF) there is a generally an increase in rainfall. However, there is a large spread amongst the models in the magnitude of the rainfall anomalies over land. Away from the Americas, there are no consistent significant modelled responses. In particular there are no significant changes in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) over the North Atlantic and Europe in Winter (DJF). Additionally, the observed Sahel drying signal in African rainfall is not seen in the modelled responses. Suggesting that, in contrast to some studies, the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation was not the primary driver of recent reductions in Sahel rainfall.     

Decadal climate variability in the Mediterranean region: roles of large-scale forcings and regional processes

We analyze decadal climate variability in the Mediterranean region using observational datasets over the period 1850–2009 and a regional climate model simulation for the period 1960–2000, focusing in particular on the winter (DJF) and summer (JJA) seasons. Our results show that decadal variability associated with the winter and summer manifestations of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO and SNAO respectively) and the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) significantly contribute to decadal climate anomalies over the Mediterranean region during these seasons. Over 30% of decadal variance in DJF and JJA precipitation in parts of the Mediterranean region can be explained by NAO and SNAO variability respectively. During JJA, the AMO explains over 30% of regional surface air temperature anomalies and Mediterranean Sea surface temperature anomalies, with significant influence also in the transition seasons. In DJF, only Mediterranean SST still significantly correlates with the AMO while regional surface air temperature does not. Also, there is no significant NAO influence on decadal Mediterranean surface air temperature anomalies during this season. A simulation with the PROTHEUS regional ocean–atmosphere coupled model is utilized to investigate processes determining regional decadal changes during the 1960–2000 period, specifically the wetter and cooler 1971–1985 conditions versus the drier and warmer 1986–2000 conditions. The simulation successfully captures the essence of observed decadal changes. Model set-up suggests that AMO variability is transmitted to the Mediterranean/European region and the Mediterranean Sea via atmospheric processes. Regional feedbacks involving cloud cover and soil moisture changes also appear to contribute to observed changes. If confirmed, the linkage between Mediterranean temperatures and the AMO may imply a certain degree of regional decadal climate predictability. The AMO and other decadal influences outlined here should be considered along with those from long-term increases in greenhouse gas forcings when making regional climate out-looks for the Mediterranean 10–20?years out.     

热带海面温度对亚马逊旱季降水年际变率的影响及机制

用偏最小二乘(Partial Least Square,PLS)回归方法分析了 1979～2018年影响亚马逊旱季(6～8月)降水年际变率的热带海面温度模态.第一海面温度模态解释了总方差的64％,主要表现为前期亚马逊雨季(12月至次年2月)至旱季(6～8月)热带东太平洋La Ni?a型海面温度异常演变.12月至次年2月...     

全球变暖、AMO、IPO对全球陆地降水变化的相对贡献

本文探究了不同海表温度(SST)模态对6—8月和12月—次年2月全球陆地降水的趋势以及年代际变化的相对贡献。首先对热带地区陆地降水和SST进行SVD分析,得到影响陆地降水的趋势和年代际变化主要的海洋模态为：海洋中的全球变暖(Global Warming, GW)、大西洋多年代际振荡(Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation, AMO)和太平洋多年代际振荡(Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation, IPO)。其次利用多元线性回归模型进一步定量评估了全球变暖、AMO和IPO对不同地区陆地降水的相对贡献大小。结果表明,全球变暖对陆地降水变化的贡献在冬夏季都是最大的,AMO在6—8月的贡献次之。IPO在12月—次年2月的贡献次之。不同纬度带,三者的贡献不同。GW的贡献在6—8月期间对10°N以北地区较大,南半球受GW的贡献相对较小,GW在12月—次年2月对40°N以北降水贡献异常显著;AMO主要在6—8月对10°～40°S和50°～60°S纬度带上的降水变化的贡献比较大;而IPO主要在12月—次年2月对北半球中纬度降水变化的贡献比较大。GW对...     

Influence of the warm pool and cold tongue El Niños on the following Caribbean rainy season rainfall

Caribbean rainfall and associated regional-scale ocean–atmosphere anomalies are analyzed during and after warm pool (WP) and cold tongue (CT) El Niño (EN) events (i.e. from the usual peak of EN events in boreal winter to next summer from 1950 to 2011). During and after a CT event, a north–south dipolar pattern with positive (negative) rainfall anomalies over the northern (southern) Caribbean during the boreal winter tends to reverse in spring, and then to vanish in summer. On the contrary, during and after a WP event, weak rainfall anomalies during the boreal winter intensify themselves from spring, with anomalous wet conditions over most of the Caribbean basin observed during summer, except over the eastern coast of Nicaragua and Costa Rica. The Caribbean rainfall anomalies associated with WP and CT events are shaped by competition between at least four different, but interrelated, mechanisms; (1) the near-equatorial large-scale subsidence anomaly over the equatorial Atlantic linked to the zonal adjustment of the Walker circulation; (2) the extra-tropical wave-like train combining positive phase of the Pacific/North American mode and negative phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation; (3) the wind-evaporation-sea surface temperature (SST) positive feedback coupling warmer-than-normal SST with weaker-than-normal low level easterlies over the tropical North Atlantic; and (4) the air-sea coupling between the speed of low level easterlies, including the Caribbean low level jet, and the SST anomaly (SSTA) gradient between the Caribbean basin and the eastern equatorial Pacific. It seems that Caribbean rainfall anomalies are shaped mostly by mechanisms (1–3) during CT events from the boreal winter to spring. These mechanisms seem less efficient during WP events when the atmospheric response seems driven mostly by mechanism (4), coupling positive west-east SSTA gradient with weaker-than-normal low level easterlies, and secondary by mechanism (3), from the boreal spring to summer.     

不同区域海温异常对中国夏季旱涝影响的诊断研究和预测试验

利用季降水异常的典型集合相关预测模式, 研究了前期和同期不同季节全球海表温度距平场与中国夏季旱涝的遥相关分布特征以及这种相关型随季节的变化, 揭示了全球海温的异常变化在中国夏季旱涝中的信号特征.研究表明, 全球不同区域海温对我国夏季降水的影响存在着明显的季节差异.全球特定的海温分布可以作为中国夏季旱涝预报的信号因子.选取不同区域及不同时段的海温场作为因子场分别对1998、 1999年这两个典型年份的我国夏季降水进行了诊断研究和预测试验, 并通过不同区域海温的影响权重做集成预测.试验结果表明:不同区域海温的集成预测不仅可以有效地提高预测的准确性, 而且可以揭示不同时段不同区域海温的异常变化在夏季旱涝中的强信号现象.     

Causes of the Intraseasonal SST Variability in the Tropical Indian Ocean

Satellite observations reveal a much stronger intraseasonal sea surface temperature (SST) variability in the southern Indian Ocean along 5-10oS in boreal winter than in boreal summer. The cause of this seasonal dependence is studied using a 2?-layer ocean model forced by ERA-40 reanalysis products during 1987-2001. The simulated winter-summer asymmetry of the SST variability is consistent with the observed. A mixed-layer heat budget is analyzed. Mean surface westerlies along the ITCZ (5-10oS) in December-January-February (DJF) leads to an increased (decreased) evaporation in the westerly (easterly) phase of the intraseasonal oscillation (ISO), during which convection is also enhanced (suppressed). Thus the anomalous shortwave radiation, latent heat flux and entrainment effects are all in phase and produce strong SST signals. During June-July-August (JJA), mean easterlies prevail south of the equator. Anomalies of the shortwave radiation tend to be out of phase to those of the latent heat flux and ocean entrainment. This mutual cancellation leads to a weak SST response in boreal summer. The resultant SST tendency is further diminished by a deeper mixed layer in JJA compared to that in DJF. The strong intraseasonal SST response in boreal winter may exert a delayed feedback to the subsequent opposite phase of ISO, implying a two-way air-sea interaction scenario on the intraseasonal timescale. Citation: Li, T., F. Tam, X. Fu, et al., 2008: Causes of the intraseasonal SST variability in the tropical Indian ocean, Atmos. Oceanic Sci. Lett., 1, 18-23     

前冬澳大利亚周边海温与我国长江流域夏季降水的联系

利用1980～2012年Hadley中心的HadISST再分析海温资料、美国NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料和中国160站月平均降水资料,研究了前冬澳大利亚周边海温与长江流域夏季降水关系。研究表明,澳大利亚周边冬季逐月海表温度距平（SSTA）EOF分解第一模态具有全区一致模形式,澳大利亚周边海温一致模具有季节持续性,可从前一年冬季一直维持到当年的夏季。用Ni?o3.4指数剔除海温场中ENSO线性信号后,表明澳大利亚周边海温一致模可能是独立于ENSO位相的区域局地现象。基于冬季澳大利亚周边海温一致模形式,定义了表征长江流域夏季降水一致模指数（CMI）,对长江流域夏季降水具有一定的短期预测意义。澳大利亚周边海温一致模与长江流域夏季降水显著相关,一方面是因为澳大利亚周边海温异常能激发南北半球遥相关,造成西太平洋副热带高压异常,从而影响长江流域夏季降水;另一方面,澳大利亚周边海温异常导致热带地区南北半球对流异常,尤其使得菲律宾周边地区的对流活动异常,进而造成长江流域夏季降水异常。     

南极海冰涛动对北半球夏季大气环流的影响

南极海冰首要模态呈现偶极子型异常,正负异常中心分别位于别林斯高晋海/阿蒙森海和威德尔海。过去研究表明冬春季节南极海冰涛动异常对后期南极涛动（Antarctic Oscillation,AAO）型大气环流有显著影响,而AAO可以通过经向遥相关等机制影响北半球大气环流和东亚气候。本文中我们利用观测分析发现南极海冰涛动从5～7月（May–July,MJJ）到8～10月（August–October, ASO）有很好的持续性,并进一步分析其对北半球夏季大气环流的可能影响及其物理过程。结果表明,MJJ南极海冰涛动首先通过冰气相互作用在南半球激发持续性的AAO型大气环流异常,使得南半球中纬度和极地及热带之间的气压梯度加大,在MJJ至JAS,纬向平均纬向风呈现显著的正负相间的从南极到北极的经向遥相关型分布。对流层中层位势高度场上,在澳大利亚北部到海洋性大陆区域,出现显著的负异常,在东亚沿岸从低纬到高纬呈现南北走向的“? + ?”太平洋—日本（Pacific–Japan,PJ）遥相关波列,其对应赤道中部太平洋及赤道印度洋存在显著的降水和海温负异常,西北太平洋至我国东部沿海地区存在显著降水正异常和温度负异常;低纬度北美洲到大西洋一带存在的负位势高度异常和北大西洋附近存在的正位势高度异常中心,构成一个类似于西大西洋型遥相关（Western Atlantic,WA）的结构,对应赤道南大西洋降水增加和南撒哈拉地区降水减少。从物理过程来看,南极海冰涛动首先通过局地效应影响Ferrel环流,进而通过经圈环流调整使得海洋性大陆区域和热带大西洋上方的Hadley环流上升支得到增强,海洋性大陆区域特别是菲律宾附近的热带对流活动偏强,激发类似于负位相的PJ波列,影响东亚北太平洋地区的大气环流,而热带大西洋对流增强和北传特征,则通过激发WA遥相关影响大西洋和欧洲地区的大气环流。以上两种通道将持续性MJJ至ASO南极海冰涛动强迫的大气环流信号从南半球中高纬度经热带地区传递到北半球中高纬地区,从而对热带和北半球夏季大气环流产生显著影响。     

The ocean’s role in setting the mean position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone

Through study of observations and coupled climate simulations, it is argued that the mean position of the Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) north of the equator is a consequence of a northwards heat transport across the equator by ocean circulation. Observations suggest that the hemispheric net radiative forcing of climate at the top of the atmosphere is almost perfectly symmetric about the equator, and so the total (atmosphere plus ocean) heat transport across the equator is small (order 0.2 PW northwards). Due to the Atlantic ocean’s meridional overturning circulation, however, the ocean carries significantly more heat northwards across the equator (order 0.4 PW) than does the coupled system. There are two primary consequences. First, atmospheric heat transport is southwards across the equator to compensate (0.2 PW southwards), resulting in the ITCZ being displaced north of the equator. Second, the atmosphere, and indeed the ocean, is slightly warmer (by perhaps 2 °C) in the northern hemisphere than in the southern hemisphere. This leads to the northern hemisphere emitting slightly more outgoing longwave radiation than the southern hemisphere by virtue of its relative warmth, supporting the small northward heat transport by the coupled system across the equator. To conclude, the coupled nature of the problem is illustrated through study of atmosphere–ocean–ice simulations in the idealized setting of an aquaplanet, resolving the key processes at work.     

EFFECTS OF PACIFIC SSTA ON SUMMER PRECIPITATION OVER EASTERN CHINA, PART Ⅱ: NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS

Based on an observational analysis, seven numerical experiments are designed to study the impacts of Pacific SSTA on summer precipitation over eastem China and relevant physical mechanism by NCAR CCM3. The numerical simulation results show that preceding winter SSTA in the Kuroshio region leads to summer precipitation anomaly over the Yangtze River valleys by modifying atmospheric general circulation over eastern Asia and middle-high latitude. West Pacific subtropical high is notably affected by preceding spring SSTA over the middle and east of Equator Pacific; SSTA of the central region of middle latitude in the corresponding period causes the summer rainfall anomaly over eastern China so as to trigger the atmospheric Eurasia-Pacific teleconnection pattern.     

前期西太平洋暖池热含量异常对中国东北地区夏季降水的影响

利用日本气象厅历史海温资料、NCEP/NCAR再分析资料、哈得来环流中心海表温度资料和降水资料,研究了1951—2010年中国东北地区夏季降水与前期西太平洋暖池(简称暖池)热含量异常的关系,并对可能影响途径进行了探讨。结果表明,中国东北地区夏季降水与前期暖池热含量有密切的负相关,前期10—11月暖池关键区(15.5°—20.5°N,125.5°—135.5°E)0—200 m热含量高(低)是预报中国东北地区夏季旱(涝)的一个很好的指标。前期暖池热含量异常激发的夏季东亚-太平洋型遥相关(EAP)和中纬度高层沿亚洲西风急流东传波列的存在,可能是影响中国东北地区夏季降水的主要原因。当前期10-11月暖池区热含量为负异常时,菲律宾反气旋异常持续存在,夏季东亚-太平洋遥相关型出现,导致西太平洋副热带高压西伸加强,中国东北地区局地异常低气压和鄂霍次克海阻塞高压形成。同时,高空存在沿西风急流传播的遥相关波列,使得中国东北地区局地异常低气压和西太平洋副热带高压在日本附近增强,有利于中国东北地区夏季降水偏多;反之亦然。     

EFFECTS OF PACIFIC SSTA ON SUMMER PRECIPITATION OVER EASTERN CHINA, PART Ⅱ: NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS

Based on an observational analysis, seven numerical experiments are designed to study the impacts of Pacific SSTA on summer precipitation over eastem China and relevant physical mechanism by NCAR CCM3. The numerical simulation results show that preceding winter SSTA in the Kuroshio region leads to summer precipitation anomaly over the Yangtze River valleys by modifying atmospheric general circulation over eastern Asia and middle-high latitude. West Pacific subtropical high is notably affected by preceding spring SSTA over the middle and east of Equator Pacific; SSTA of the central region of middle latitude in the corresponding period causes the summer rainfall anomaly over eastern China so as to trigger the atmospheric Eurasia-Pacific teleconnection pattern.     

EFFECTS OF PACIFIC SSTA ON SUMMER PRECIPITATION OVER EASTERN CHINA, PART II: NUMERICAL SIMULATIONS

Based on an observational analysis, seven numerical experiments are designed to study the impacts of Pacific SSTA on summer precipitation over eastern China and relevant physical mechanism by NCAR CCM3. The numerical simulation results show that preceding winter SSTA in the Kuroshio region leads to summer precipitation anomaly over the Yangtze River valleys by modifying atmospheric general circulation over eastern Asia and middle-high latitude. West Pacific subtropical high is notably affected by preceding spring SSTA over the middle and east of Equator Pacific; SSTA of the central region of middle latitude in the corresponding period causes the summer rainfall anomaly over eastern China so as to trigger the atmospheric Eurasia-Pacific teleconnection pattern.     

Interdecadal change of the controlling mechanisms for East Asian early summer rainfall variation around the mid-1990s

East Asian (EA) summer monsoon shows considerable differences in the mean state and principal modes of interannual variation between early summer (May–June, MJ) and late summer (July–August, JA). The present study focuses on the early summer (MJ) precipitation variability. We find that the interannual variation of the MJ precipitation and the processes controlling the variation have been changed abruptly around the mid-1990s. The rainfall anomaly represented by the leading empirical orthogonal function has changed from a dipole-like pattern in pre-95 epoch (1979–1994) to a tripole-like pattern in post-95 epoch (1995–2010); the prevailing period of the corresponding principal component has also changed from 3–5 to 2–3 years. These changes are concurrent with the changes of the corresponding El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) evolutions. During the pre-95 epoch, the MJ EA rainfall anomaly is coupled to a slow decay of canonical ENSO events signified by an eastern Pacific warming, which induces a dipole rainfall feature over EA. On the other hand, during the post-95 epoch the anomalous MJ EA rainfall is significantly linked to a rapid decay of a central Pacific warming and a distinct tripolar sea surface temperature (SST) in North Atlantic. The central Pacific warming-induced Philippine Sea anticyclone induces an increased rainfall in southern China and decreased rainfall in central eastern China. The North Atlantic Oscillation-related tripolar North Atlantic SST anomaly induces a wave train that is responsible for the increase northern EA rainfall. Those two impacts form the tripole-like rainfall pattern over EA. Understanding such changes is important for improving seasonal to decadal predictions and long-term climate change in EA.     

The Relationship between Melt Season Sea Ice over the Bering Sea and Summer Precipitation over Mid-Latitude East Asia

Independent datasets consistently indicate a significant correlation between the sea ice variability in the Bering Sea during melt season and the summer rainfall variability in the Lake Baikal area and Northeastern China. In this study, four sea ice datasets(Had ISST1, Had ISST2.2, ERA-Interim and NOAA/NSIDC) and two global precipitation datasets(CRU V4.01 and GPCP V2.3) are used to investigate co-variations between melt season(March-April-May-June, MAMJ)Bering Sea ice cover(BSIC) and summer(June-July-August, JJA) East Asian precipitation. All datasets demonstrate a significant correlation between the MAMJ BSIC and the JJA rainfall in Lake Baikal-Northeastern China(Baikal-NEC).Based on the reanalysis datasets and the numerical sensitivity experiments performed in this study using Community Atmospheric Model version 5(CAM5), a mechanism to understand how the MAMJ BSIC influences the JJA Baikal-NEC rainfall is suggested. More MAMJ BSIC triggers a wave train and causes a positive sea level pressure(SLP) anomaly over the North Atlantic during MAMJ. The high SLP anomaly, associated with an anti-cyclonic wind stress circulation anomaly,favors the appearance of sea surface temperature(SST) anomalies in a zonal dipole-pattern in the North Atlantic during summer. The dipole SST anomaly drives a zonally orientated wave train, which causes a high anomaly geopotential height at 500 h Pa over the Sea of Japan. As a result, the mean East Asian trough moves westward and a low geopotential height anomaly occurs over Baikal-NEC. This prevailing regional low pressure anomaly together with enhanced moisture transport from the western North Pacific and convergence over Baikal-NEC, positively influences the increased rainfall in summer.     

Analysis of rainfall variability over Tanzania in late austral summer

利用站点观测资料和再分析资料,采用相关分析,Morlet小波功率谱分析和复合分析等方法,研究了 1961-2011年南半球夏季后期(1-3月)坦桑尼亚降水的年际变化特征,并探讨了相关的大气环流和海温异常情况,以及坦桑尼亚干,湿年发生的机制.研究结果表明:坦桑尼亚1-3月降水变化存在显著的2-8年的年际变化周期和8-12...     

中国东部夏季分区降水对海温异常响应特征的研究

用刘征宇最新发展的广义平衡反馈方法结合经验正交分析和旋转经验正交分析法,研究中国东部6个分区夏季降水异常对各海盆海温异常(SSTA)模态的响应特征,探讨了东北区降水异常对SSTA的响应机制。结果表明:各分区降水异常对SSTA的响应特征有明显差异。东北区降水异常对热带太平洋SSTA的回应显著,当SSTA表现为类似El Niño模时,该区夏季降水增加;江淮区降水异常同时受到中纬度以及热带SSTA的强迫,对热带太平洋SSTA的类似La Niña Modoki模、北大西洋SSTA三极型模等回应显著;西南地区的降水异常主要与中纬度SSTA有密切关联。对流层高度场对热带太平洋SSTA类似El Niño模的直接回应在热带太平洋上空为显著正异常。通过东亚—太平洋型遥相关波列使东北地区上空高度场出现负异常,并在其西侧形成负异常中心,对流层低层为气旋性环流异常。这一环流回应与东北地区夏季降水偏多时的环流特征相近。     

Interannual linkage between Arctic/North Atlantic Oscillation and tropical Indian Ocean precipitation during boreal winter

In the study authors analyzed the interannual relationship between the Arctic Oscillation (AO)/North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) precipitation in boreal winter for the period 1979–2009. A significant simultaneous teleconnection between them is found. After removing the El Niño/Southern Oscillation and Indian Ocean dipole signals, the AO/NAO and the TIO precipitation (0°–10°S, 60°–80°E) yield a correlation of +0.56, which is also consistent with the AO/NAO-outgoing longwave radiation correlation of ?0.61. The atmospheric and oceanic features in association with the AO/NAO-precipitation links are investigated. During positive AO/NAO winter, the Rossby wave guided by westerlies tends to trigger persistent positive geopotential heights in upper troposphere over about 20°–30°N and 55°–70°E, which is accompanied by a stronger Middle East jet stream. Meanwhile, there are anomalous downward air motions, strengthening the air pressure in mid-lower troposphere. The enhanced Arabian High brings anomalous northern winds over the northern Indian Ocean. As a result the anomalous crossing-equator air-flow enhances the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ). On the other hand, the anomalous Ekman transport convergence by the wind stress curl over the central TIO deepens the thermocline. Both the enhanced ITCZ and the anomalous upper ocean heat content favor in situ precipitation in the central TIO. The AO/NAO-TIO precipitation co-variations in the IPCC AR4 historical climate simulation (1850–1999) of Bergen Climate Model version 2 were investigated. The Indian Ocean precipitation anomalies (particularly the convective precipitation along the ITCZ), in conjunction with the corresponding surface winds and 200 hPa anticyclonic atmospheric circulation and upper ocean heat contents were well reproduced in simulation. The similarity between the observation and simulation support the physical robustness of the AO/NAO-TIO precipitation links.     

INTERDECADAL CHANGE IN THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN SOUTH CHINA SPRING RAINFALL AND PRECEDING-SUMMER WARM POOL OCEAN HEAT CONTENT

South China spring rainfall (SCSR) is a unique feature during the seasonal transition from the winter half-year to summer half-year. Abnormal SCSR has great impacts on crop harvests. Seeking previous predictability sources, particularly persistent precursors, is of practical importance in the seasonal prediction of SCSR. The present study investigates the relationship between SCSR and preceding-summer warm pool ocean heat content (WPHC). The SCSR-WPHC relationship is not stationary and has a remarkable interdecadal change around 1983. Before 1983, SCSR and preceding-summer WPHC have a close relationship, with a temporal correlation coefficient (TCC) of ?0.54. After 1983, the relationship disappears, with a TCC of ?0.18. It is further found that the WPHC-associated sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) pattern in the simultaneous spring during the two periods presents dissimilar evolutionary features. Before 1983, a La Ni?a-like SSTA presents a fast transition during the winter and alters to a developing El Ni?o during the following spring. The warm SSTA is confined to a limited region over the eastern Pacific. Therefore, the rainfall and circulation responses over the equatorial Maritime Continent are relatively weak. In turn, the Rossby wave response in terms of the cyclonic anomaly to the Maritime Continent diabatic heating is weak and confined to the South China Sea and Philippine Sea, which leads to high pressure and suppressed rainfall over south China, establishing an intimate SCSR–WPHC relationship. However, after 1983, because the La Ni?a-like SSTA pattern can persist for more than a year, the rainfall diabatic heating over the Maritime Continent during springtime is enhanced, resulting in a much larger cyclonic response over East Asia but insignificant rainfall anomalies over south China. Therefore, the SCSR–WPHC relationship becomes weak. Wavelet analysis suggests that the change in the dominant period of WPHC variation is probably responsible for the different SSTA evolutions and corresponding atmospheric responses.