Seasonal Variations of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet and the Thermal Mechanism

The seasonal variations of the intensity and location of the East Asian subtropical westerly jet (EAWJ) and the thermal mechanism are analyzed by using NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data from 1961 to 2000. It is found that the seasonal variation of the EAWJ center not only has significant meridional migration, but also shows the rapid zonal displacements during June-July. Moreover, there exists zonal inconsistency in the northward shift process of the EAWJ axis. Analysis on the thermal mechanism of the EAWJ seasonal variations indicates that the annual cycle of the EAWJ seasonal variation matches very well with the structure of the meridional difference of air temperature, suggesting that the EAWJ seasonal variation is closely related to the inhomogeneous heating due to the solar radiation and the land-sea thermal contrast. Through investigating the relation between the EAWJ and the heat transport, it is revealed that the EAWJ weakens and shifts northward during the warming period from wintertime to summertime, whereas the EAWJ intensifies and shifts southward during the cooling period from summertime to wintertime. The meridional difference of the horizontal heat advection transport is the main factor determining the meridional temperature difference. The meridional shift of the EAWJ follows the location of the maximum meridional gradient of the horizontal heat advection transport. During the period from April to October, the diabatic heating plays the leading role in the zonal displacement of the EAWJ center. The diabatic heating of the Tibetan Plateau to the mid-upper troposphere leads to the rapid zonal displacement of the EAWJ center during June-July.     

Intermodel Diversity in the Zonal Location of the Climatological East Asian Westerly Jet Core in Summer and Association with Rainfall over East Asia in CMIP5 Models

The East Asian westerly jet(EAJ), an important midlatitude circulation of the East Asian summer monsoon system,plays a crucial role in affecting summer rainfall over East Asia. The multimodel ensemble of current coupled models can generally capture the intensity and location of the climatological summer EAJ. However, individual models still exhibit large discrepancies. This study investigates the intermodel diversity in the longitudinal location of the simulated summer EAJ climatology in the present-day climate and its implications for rainfall over East Asia based on 20 CMIP5 models. The results show that the zonal location of the simulated EAJ core is located over either the midlatitude Asian continent or the western North Pacific(WNP) in different models. The zonal shift of the EAJ core depicts a major intermodel diversity of the simulated EAJ climatology. The westward retreat of the EAJ core is related to a warmer mid–upper tropospheric temperature in the midlatitudes, with a southwest–northeast tilt extending from Southwest Asia to Northeast Asia and the northern North Pacific, induced partially by the simulated stronger rainfall climatology over South Asia. The zonal shift of the EAJ core has some implications for the summer rainfall climatology, with stronger rainfall over the East Asian continent and weaker rainfall over the subtropical WNP in relation to the westward-located EAJ core.     

亚洲西风急流纬向非均匀性变化成因及其对东亚夏季气候的影响

利用美国NOAA（National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration）的CMAP（Climate Prediction Center (CPC) Merged Analysis of Precipitation）月平均降水资料、NCEP/DOE（National Centers for Environmental Prediction/Design of Experiments）II的月平均再分析资料和中国气象局国家信息中心提供的中国160站逐月降水和平均气温资料,通过定义一个亚洲急流纬向非均匀性指数（I_Aja）,分析了1979～2019年夏季亚洲西风急流纬向非均匀性的年际变化特征,揭示了夏季亚洲急流纬向非均匀性变化异常的成因及其对东亚夏季降水和气温的影响。结果表明:夏季亚洲西风急流纬向非均匀性具有显著的年际变化特征,并存在6～8年和2年左右的振荡周期。当急流纬向非均匀性典型偏强（弱）年,东亚东部地区从低纬到高纬,降水异常主要呈现出偏多—偏少—偏多（偏少—偏多—偏少）的经向分布;气温则在中国西部地区和日本北部偏高（低）,贝加尔湖地区偏低（高）。引起夏季亚洲急流纬向非均匀性异常的可能原因如下:由大气非绝热加热异常而引起的热带和中纬度地区辐合/辐散运动造成的涡度源强迫,和来自西风带中波扰动能量的注入,两者共同作用形成并维持了与急流纬向非均匀性强弱变化相联系的异常环流,从而使亚洲急流东、西段强度差异增强（减弱）,进而有利于急流纬向非均匀性异常偏强（偏弱）。而上述西风带中波扰动能量的东传可能与北大西洋海表面温度异常有关。这对于深刻理解夏季亚洲急流纬向非均匀性异常的形成机理提供了有用的线索。     

The Relationship Between Abnormal Meiyu and Medium-Term Scale Wave Perturbation Energy Propagation Along the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet

The East Asian subtropical westerly jet(EASWJ) is one of the most important factors modulating the Meiyu rainfall in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, China. This article analyzed periods of the medium-term EASWJ variation,wave packet distribution and energy propagation of Rossby waves along the EASWJ during Meiyu season, and investigated their possible influence on abnormal Meiyu rain. The results showed that during the medium-term scale atmospheric dynamic process, the evolution of the EASWJ in Meiyu season was mainly characterized by the changes of3-8 d synoptic-scale and 10-15 d low-frequency Rossby waves. The strong perturbation wave packet and energy propagation of the 3-8 d synoptic-scale and 10-15 d low-frequency Rossby waves are mostly concentrated in the East Asian region of 90°-150°E, where the two wave trains of perturbation wave packets and wave-activity flux divergence coexist in zonal and meridional directions, and converge on the EASWJ. Besides, the wave trains of perturbation wave packet and wave-activity flux divergence in wet Meiyu years are more systematically westward than those in dry Meiyu years, and they are shown in the inverse phases between each other. In wet(dry) Meiyu year, the perturbation wave packet high-value area of the 10-15 d low-frequency variability is located between the Aral Sea and the Lake Balkhash(in the northeastern part of China), while over eastern China the wave-activity flux is convergent and strong(divergent and weak), and the high-level jets are strong and southward(weak and northward). Because of the coupling of high and low level atmosphere and high-level strong(weak) divergence on the south side of the jet over the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin, the low-level southwest wind and vertically ascending motion are strengthened(weakened), which is(is not)conducive to precipitation increase in the Yangtze-Huaihe River Basin. These findings would help to better understand the impact mechanisms of the EASWJ activities on abnormal Meiyu from the perspective of medium-term scale Rossby wave energy propagation.     

FGOALS模式对梅雨期东亚副热带西风急流变化特征的模拟

中国科学院大气物理研究所参与CMIP5项目的海—陆—气耦合气候系统模式（FGOALS）,能较好地模拟东亚副热带西风急流时空变化特征。FGOALS模式输出的1960~2005年风场再现了梅雨期东亚副热带西风急流气候态的三维结构,模拟出以120°E为界的急流海陆分布型,与NCEP/NCAR再分析资料风场空间分布一致,但FGOALS模式模拟的急流中心强度偏弱、位置偏北偏西。FGOALS模式也模拟出了ENSO年际演变过程中的海陆空间分布型,但对ENSO背景下西风急流强度、位置和形态演变过程的模拟与NCEP/NCAR再分析资料存在较大差异。基于热成风原理、地转风关系和波活动通量等研究了模式模拟急流位置和强度偏差产生的可能原因:FGOALS模式模拟的青藏高原加热效应偏弱、低纬度对流活动偏弱,导致对流层中上层上升运动偏弱和潜热加热减弱,使得中低纬度对流层中上层温度出现冷偏差、南亚高压偏弱,温度经向梯度和南亚高压北侧气压梯度力偏弱以及大气内部动力作用偏弱,从而造成急流中心强度和位置出现偏差。梅雨期西风急流空间分布型与长江中下游强降水落区有着密切联系,FGOALS模式模拟的西风急流中心强度偏弱和位置偏北偏西,模式输出的长江中下游地区降水量与观测值相比偏少。此外,FGOALS模式对ENSO背景下大气环流异常的模拟有待改善。     

东亚副热带西风急流位置异常对长江中下游夏季降水的影响

利用NCEP/NCAR 200 hPa月平均风场再分析资料,定义东亚大陆对流层上层不同经度上最大西风所在位置的平均纬度为东亚副热带西风急流轴线指数,该指数能准确反映东亚副热带西风急流位置的南北变化及其对长江中下游降水的影响,并能较好地体现东亚夏季风盛行期间对流层低层与高层的纬向风场变化特征。分析表明,该指数的时间变化具有与长江中下游夏季降水较一致的年代际变化及年际振荡特征。对东亚副热带西风急流位置异常年的大气环流差异分析表明,急流异常偏北时,南亚高压偏弱,位置偏北偏西,呈伊朗高压型;西太平洋副热带高压(下称西太副高)偏弱、位置偏东偏北;气流的辐合上升区北移至华北一带,而长江流域低层风场为辐散异常,上升气流较常年偏弱,降水偏少。急流异常偏南时,南亚高压偏强,位置偏南偏东,呈青藏高压型;西太副高偏强、位置偏西偏南;长江流域地区上空低层有较强辐合上升气流,高层有较强的气流辐散,对流旺盛,雨带在此维持,容易引发洪涝。     

东亚副热带西风急流位置变化与亚洲夏季风爆发的关系

利用1961～2000年的NCEP/NCAR候平均再分析资料,初步探讨了季节转换期间东亚副热带西风急流南北和东西向位置变化与亚洲季风爆发之间的联系。结果表明,亚洲夏季风爆发伴随着东亚副热带西风急流轴线的北跳和急流中心西移,急流轴北跳至35°N以北的青藏高原上空,南支西风急流消失,亚洲季风环流形势建立。南海季风爆发早年,低纬的东风向北推进的时间早,到达的纬度偏北,中纬的西风急流强度偏弱,季风爆发晚年则相反。同时,南海夏季风爆发早年,青藏高原上空急流核出现较早,西太平洋上空急流核减弱较快,急流中心“西移”较早。而在南海夏季风爆发晚年,西太平洋上空的急流核减弱较迟,青藏高原上空急流核形成偏晚,急流中心“西移”较迟。此外,急流中心东西向位置和强度变化与江淮流域梅雨的开始和结束也有密切关系。     

初夏至盛夏东亚副热带西风急流突变早晚与东亚环流异常的关系

利用1961-2004年NCEP／NCAR再分析逐候资料和全国160站月平均降水资料,分析了初夏至盛夏东亚副热带急流北跳和急流中心西移发生早晚对7月东亚大气环流和我国降水的影响。结果表明,急流北跳时间与7月长江中下游地区降水异常正相关,急流中心西移时间则与7月淮河流域降水异常正相关,与华北和河套地区降水异常负相关。急流北跳时间与南亚高压和西太平洋副热带高压南北位置异常及高纬贝加尔湖以东高压脊强度相关;而急流中心西移时间与南亚高压和西太平洋副热带高压的东西伸展及贝加尔湖以西高压脊强度相关,在急流中心西移偏晚年,南亚高压西缩,贝加尔湖西南侧高压脊增强,南下至华北和河套地区冷空气偏强,且西太平洋副热带高压东撤,冷暖空气在淮河流域交汇,使得华北和河套地区降水减少而淮河流域降水偏多;偏早年情况与偏晚年情况相反。     

The Relationship between the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet and Summer Precipitation over East Asia as Simulated by the IAP AGCM4.0

Based on a 30-year Atmospheric Model Intercomparison Project（AMIP） simulation using IAP AGCM4.0, the relationship between the East Asian subtropical westerly jet（EASWJ） and summer precipitation over East Asia has been investigated, and compared with observation. It was found the meridional displacement of the EASWJ has a closer relationship with the precipitation over East Asia both from model simulation and observation, with an anomalous southward shift of EASWJ being conducive to rainfall over the Yangtze-Huaihe River Valley（YHRV）, and an anomalous northward shift resulting in less rainfall over the YHRV. However, the simulated precipitation anomalies were found to be weaker than observed from the composite analysis, and this would be related to the weakly reproduced mid-upper-level convergence in the mid-high latitudes and ascending motion in the lower latitudes.     

Meridional Displacement of the East Asian Upper-tropospheric Westerly Jet and Its Relationship with the East Asian Summer Rainfall in CMIP5 Simulations

As the first leading mode of upper-tropospheric circulation in observations, the meridional displacement of the East Asian westerly jet (EAJ) varies closely with the East Asian rainfall in summer. In this study, the interannual variation of the EAJ meridional displacement and its relationship with the East Asian summer rainfall are evaluated, using the historical simulations of CMIP5 (phase 5 of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project). The models can generally reproduce the meridional displacement of the EAJ, which is mainly manifested as the first principal mode in most of the simulations. For the relationship between the meridional displacement of the EAJ and East Asian rainfall, almost all the models depict a weaker correlation than observations and exhibit considerably large spread across the models. It is found that the discrepancy in the interannual relationship is closely related to the simulation of the climate mean state, including the climatological location of the westerly jet in Eurasia and rainfall bias in South Asia and the western North Pacific. In addition, a close relationship between the simulation discrepancy and intensity of EAJ variability is also found: the models with a stronger intensity of the EAJ meridional displacement tend to reproduce a closer interannual relationship, and vice versa.     

高空西风急流东西向形态变化对梅雨期降水空间分布的影响

利用40年的NCEP/NCAR再分析候平均资料和同期长江中下游地区逐日降水资料,使用合成方法分析了梅雨期东亚副热带高空西风急流的东西位置和形态变化特征,探讨了高空西风急流对梅雨期降水空间分布的影响。分析结果表明,梅雨期东亚大陆上空西风急流强度减弱且持续维持、西太平洋上空西风急流核分裂减弱直至出梅后消失,这是梅雨期200 hPa东亚高空西风急流东西向位置变化的主要特征。梅雨期,200 hPa副热带西风急流中心呈现东西向位置变化和海陆分布形态差异,西风急流中心东西向位置变化对梅雨起讫有着较好的指示意义。梅雨期东亚副热带高空西风急流东西形态分布差异不仅影响到长江中下游地区降水空间集中区的位置而且还影响到降水中心强度。进一步分析表明,当东亚西风急流主体位于西太平洋上空时,在长江下游地区形成高低空急流耦合的环流形势,强烈的辐合上升运动加上充足的水汽条件供应,有利于在长江下游形成集中的强降水区域。当高空西风急流位于东亚大陆上空时,在长江中下游地区高低空急流无耦合形势存在,长江中下游地区也没有强的集中降水区域。因此,东亚副热带高空西风急流东西向形态变化对长江中下游地区的高低空环流结构、地面集中降水区域的空间分布具有重要的影响。     

对流层上层副热带西风急流与东亚冬季风的关系

利用NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料,研究冬季对流层上层西风急流的时空变化特征,提出表征急流强度和位置变化的指数,进而探讨西风急流与东亚冬季风的关系。结果表明:冬季西风急流强度指数体现了西太平洋与高纬大陆的热力对比,较好地反映了西伯利亚高压与阿留申低压的强度变化,可作为表征冬季风强弱变化的一个定量指标,急流增强(减弱)对应西伯利亚冷高压和阿留申低压加强(减弱),东亚冬季风偏强(弱)。急流强度指数与不同高度冬季风子系统的显著相关表明,东亚冬季风活动异常不只是对流层中低层的现象,而在整个对流层都有明显反映,低层的西伯利亚高压和阿留申低压、中层的欧亚脊、东亚大槽及西太平洋副热带高压与高层的西风急流是同相变化的。在此基础上还比较了急流强度指数和北极涛动指数(AO)与东亚冬季风的关系,急流强度变化体现了欧亚大陆与西太平洋的热力差异,而AO则主要反映极地与中纬度环状模的反相变化,所以急流强度变化与东亚冬季风的关系更为密切。     

亚洲副热带高空西风急流活动的气候特征及其与我国部分地区夏季降水的关系

利用1948-2008年NCEP/NCAR再分析风速资料,分析了亚洲副热带200hPa西风带急流(下称西风急流)时空变化的气候特征及其与我国江淮流域梅雨期降水和新疆夏季降水的关系。结果表明:(1)由冬入夏时,西风急流轴由30°N左右北进到45°N左右,中间有两次明显的快速北进,分别发生在4月和6～7月;由夏入冬时,急流轴再由45°N左右南撤至30°N附近。急流轴在北进过程中以90°E处出现最早,也最明显。(2)一年之中,西风急流中心主要位于西太平洋上空140°E处,只有两个月左右的时间停留在亚洲大陆上空。急流中心在6月中旬开始迅速西移,6月下旬移至江淮流域上空,7月底到达新疆天山地区上空,8～9月东退至冬季平均位置140°E左右。(3)江淮流域梅雨期的降水量与西风急流的位置有一定相关关系。若某年1月急流中心异常偏西,4～5月急流轴又异常偏南,则该年可能为丰梅年,江淮地区易出现暴雨洪涝灾害;否则相反。(4)盛夏季节新疆上空急流的强度及纬度位置与新疆降水也有一定关系。若某年4月中旬～5月下旬新疆和中亚地区西风急流轴明显偏北,该年夏季急流轴又偏南,且急流偏强,则新疆多雨;否则相反。     

东亚夏季风活动与东亚高空西风急流位置北跳关系的研究

利用美国NCEP/NCAR再分析资料(1980～1999年)探讨了东亚夏季风活动的两个重要事件,即南海夏季风爆发和江淮流域梅雨起始,与东亚高空西风急流位置北跳的关系.系统的分析研究表明,东亚高空西风急流在由冬向夏的转变过程中一般存在着两次向北突跳现象,并与东亚夏季风活动有密切关系.第一次东亚高空急流的北跳(由25～28°N跳到30°N以北)平均发生在5月8日左右,比南海夏季风爆发日期(平均为5月15日)早7天左右;高空急流位置的北跳是中高纬度大气环流系统减弱北退的表现,它为热带环流和系统的向北推进提供了条件,从而有利于南海夏季风的爆发.第二次东亚高空急流的北跳(由32°N左右北跳到35°N以北)平均发生在6月7日左右,先于江淮流域梅雨起始时间(平均在6月18日左右)10天左右,它是梅雨起始的前期征兆.高空西风急流的两次北跳分别与亚洲大陆南部地区对流层中上层(500～200 hPa)经向温度梯度的两次逆转(反向)有关,在由冬到夏的季节转换中,由于大陆加热较快,导致对流层中上层大气在5～25°N间的经向温度梯度发生反向(逆转),通过地转适应使流场向气压场(温度场)调整,从而高空急流位置北跳.数据分析还发现,东亚高空急流位置的第一次北跳有时也受到南半球副热带高空急流位置北移和加强的影响.     

新疆夏季降水年际变化与亚洲副热带西风急流

利用1960—2003年NCEP/NCAR再分析和新疆75个气象站月降水资料, 分析了新疆夏季降水与亚洲副热带西风急流的关系, 新疆夏季降水与西亚急流的南北位置和准静止波活动密切联系。通过波作用量的动力学诊断分析, 研究了新疆降水异常年准静止波活动特征, 新疆降水异常年斯堪的纳维亚半岛向东传播的中高纬静止波传播方式的不同, 从而影响沿副热带西亚西风急流传播的静止波活动, 进而影响新疆夏季降水, 并存在沿60°E自南极高纬低层经向上传至低纬对流层顶部, 并在北半球副热带地区转为经向下传至北半球中纬地区的波列, 该波列活动与西亚急流变化联系。     

Seasonal Variation of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet and Its Association with the Heating Field over East Asia

The structure and seasonal variation of the East Asian Subtropical Westerly Jet （EAWJ） and associations with heating fields over East Asia are examined by using NCEP/NCAR reanalysis data. Obvious differences exist in the westerly jet intensity and location in different regions and seasons due to the ocean-land distribution and seasonal thermal contrast, as well as the dynamic and thermodynamic impacts of the Tibetan Plateau. In winter, the EAWJ center is situated over the western Pacific Ocean and the intensity is reduced gradually from east to west over the East Asian region. In summer, the EAWJ center is located over the north of the Tibetan Plateau and the jet intensity is reduced evidently compared with that in winter. The EAWJ seasonal evolution is characterized by the obvious longitudinal inconsistency of the northward migration and in-phase southward retreat of the EAWJ axis. A good correspondence between the seasonal variations of EAWJ and the meridional differences of air temperature （MDT） in the mid-upper troposphere demonstrates that the MDT is the basic reason for the seasonal variation of EAWJ. Correlation analyses indicate that the Kuroshio Current region to the south of Japan and the Tibetan Plateau are the key areas for the variations of the EAWJ intensities in winter and in summer, respectively. The strong sensible and latent heating in the Kuroshio Current region is closely related to the intensification of EAWJ in winter. In summer, strong sensible heating in the Tibetan Plateau corresponds to the EAWJ strengthening and southward shift, while the weak sensible heating in the Tibetan Plateau is consistent with the EAWJ weakening and northward migration.     

夏季东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动异常与中国降水

利用1958～2003年NCAR/NCEP再分析和中国160 站月降水资料,探讨沿东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动动能异常对东亚夏季风环流和中国夏季（6～8月）降水的影响及其响应机理。研究发现:（1）夏季东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动动能加强（减弱), 东亚西风急流位置偏南（北)、强度偏强（弱）。（2）该扰动动能具有显著的年际和年代际变化特征, 1958～1978年处于年代际偏弱阶段,1979～1998年处于年代际偏强阶段。（3）该扰动动能加强（减弱), 200 hPa 辐合区位于30?N以南（以北）西太平洋地区,此时,500 hPa 西太平洋副热带高压位于30?N以南（以北), 850 hPa 反气旋性距平环流出现在东亚30?N以南（以北）地区,而30?N以北（以南）为气旋性距平环流,东亚热带季风环流加强（减弱), 梅雨锋加强（减弱), 夏季中国东部降水中间多、南北少（中间少、南北多）。（4）东亚高、中、低层大气环流对高层东亚西风急流Rossby波扰动动能强弱响应由对流层上层散度场及垂直速度场变化完成。     

夏季东亚西风急流扰动异常与副热带高压关系研究

利用1979—2003年NCEP/NCAR月平均再分析资料, 探讨夏季 (6—8月) 200 hPa东亚西风急流扰动异常与南亚高压和西太平洋副热带高压的关系。研究指出:夏季200 hPa东亚西风急流扰动动能加强 (减弱), 东亚西风急流位置偏南 (偏北)、强度偏强 (偏弱); 东亚西风急流扰动动能强弱不仅与北半球西风急流强弱和沿急流的定常扰动有关, 而且还与东亚地区高、中、低纬南北向的扰动波列有关, 亚洲地区是北半球中纬度环球带状波列异常最大的区域。夏季200 hPa东亚西风急流扰动动能加强 (减弱), 南亚高压的特征为位置偏东 (偏西)、强度加强 (减弱); 西太平洋副热带高压的特征为位置偏南 (偏北)。东亚环流特别是500 hPa西太平洋副热带高压对东亚西风带扰动异常的响应由高空东亚西风急流南侧的散度场及其对流层中下层热带和副热带地区的垂直速度距平场变化完成。     

夏季东亚高空副热带西风急流季节内异常的环流特征及前兆信号

位于东亚中纬度上空的东亚高空副热带西风急流是东亚季风环流系统中的重要成员,我国夏季降水雨带的季节内变化受东亚高空副热带西风急流位置季节内异常变化影响。根据1979~2008年中国降水资料、NCEP/NCAR再分析资料以及NOAA ERSST V3月平均海表温度资料,利用统计分析和物理量诊断方法对夏季东亚高空副热带西风急流位置季节内异常的东亚大气环流特征及外强迫信号的物理过程进行了探讨。研究指出:6月东亚高空副热带西风急流位置异常主要受欧亚大陆中高纬东传的Rossby波列位相变化影响,春季北大西洋海温异常是欧亚大陆中高纬度Rossby波列位相变化的最显著的外强迫信号;7月东亚高空副热带西风急流位置异常主要受西太平洋热带向副热带传播的Rossby波列位相变化影响,春季西太平洋热带海温异常是西太平洋热带向副热带传播的Rossby波列位相变化的最显著的外强迫信号;8月东亚高空副热带西风急流位置异常主要受南亚大陆向东亚大陆热带、副热带传播的Rossby波列位相变化影响,春季印度洋海温异常是南亚大陆向东亚大陆热带、副热带传播的Rossby波列位相变化的最显著的外强迫信号。     

东亚副热带西风急流位置变化及其对中国东部夏季降水异常分布的影响

利用1951～2004年美国国家环境预报中心 (NCAR/NCEP) 再分析候平均资料和同期中国740站日降水资料, 分析了东亚副热带西风急流轴位置的变化趋势及其对中国东部夏季降水分布的影响, 结果表明: (1) 夏季7～8月东亚副热带西风急流位置和形态在1975～1980年间出现转折, 1980年后西风急流中心逐渐向西移动的同时伴随有西风急流向南偏移。 (2) 在1980年以后华北地区降水量减少和降水强度减弱, 雨季开始时间推迟、 雨季变短, 而长江中下游地区入梅提前、 梅雨期变长, 降水量增加, 从而形成南涝北旱的降水分布形势。 (3) 1957～1964年华北典型多雨时期, 西风急流呈纬向分布, 在华北地区有高低空急流耦合, 强辐合上升区正好位于华北, 并有充足的水汽条件供应, 使得华北降水偏多。而1980～1987年和1997～2002年华北地区为典型少雨时期, 1980～1987年西风急流中心位置偏南和1997～2002年急流位置显著偏西, 在华北地区均无高低空急流耦合的环流形势, 水汽辐合区位于长江流域, 强辐合上升区位置在30°N以南区域, 有利于江南地区降水增加而华北地区少雨, 这表明西风急流位置变化导致环流调整对中国东部降水分布有显著影响。因而, 在讨论东亚副热带西风急流位置与中国东部地区降水异常的关系时, 不仅要考虑西风急流南北位置变化, 还需要综合分析西风急流的东西位置和形态的变化。