THE BURST OF INDIAN SUMMER MONSOON AS REVEALEDBY GOES SATELLITE DURING MQNEX 1979

During FGGE year 1979, low-level air flow over the western Indian Ocean was determined from the analysis of GOES images (5-20 June). The wind pattern shows sudden change in low-level air circulation over western Indian Ocean during the initial burst of summer monsoon. The burst of monsoon is characterized by sudden establishment of low-level jet and strong cross-equatorial flow. This abrupt change signals the beginning of southwest monsoon over India and it is associated with the first monsoon rainfall over the southern part of western coast of India. Sudden change in low-level air flow is followed by the burst of monsoon within 3-5 days.     

The burst of indian summer monsoon as revealed by goes satellite during monex 1979

During FGGE year 1979, low-level air flow over the western Indian Ocean was determined from the analysis of GOES images (5－20 June). The wind pattern shows sudden change in low-level air circulation over western Indian Ocean during the initial burst of summer monsoon. The burst of monsoon is characte-rized by sudden establishment of low-level jet and strong cross-equatorial flow. This abrupt change signals the beginning of southwest monsoon over India and it is associated with the first monsoon rainfall over the southern part of western coast of India. Sudden change in low-level air flow is followed by the burst of monsoon within 3－5 days.     

Surface Pressure and Summer Monsoon Rainfall over India

The relationship between the all-India summer monsoon rainfall and surface pressure over the Indian region has been examined to obtain a useful predictor for the monsoon rainfall. The data series of all-India monsoon rainfall and the mean pressures of three seasons before and after the monsoon season as well as the winter-to-spring pressure tendency (MAM-DJF) at 100 stations for the period 1951-1980 have been used in the analysis.The all-India monsoon rainfall is negatively correlated with the pressure of the spring (MAM) season preceding the monsoon and winter-to-spring seasonal difference as pressure tendency (MAM-DJF), at almost all the stations in India, and significantly with the pressures over central and northwestern regions. The average mean sea level pressure of six stations (Jodhpur, Ahmedabed, Bombay, Indore, Sagar and Akola) in the Western Central Indian (WCI) region showed highly significant (at 1% level) and consistent CCs of-0.63 for MAM and -0.56 for MAM-DJF for the period 1951 - 1980. T     

Eurasian Snow Conditions and Summer Monsoon Rainfall over South and Southeast Asia： Assessment and Comparison

This study reveals the complex nature of the connection between Eurasian snow and the following summer season＇s monsoon rainfall by using four different indicators of snow conditions and correlating each of them to summer monsoon rainfall. Using 46 years of historical records of mean winter snow depth, maximum snow depth, and snow starting dates, and 27 years of snow area coverage from remote sensing observations over Eurasia, the authors found diverse correlation patterns between snow conditions and the following warm season＇s rainfall over South and Southeast Asia. Some of the results contradict the well-known inverse relationships between snow and the summer monsoon. This study provides an easy comparison of results in that it shows the connections between Eurasian snow and monsoon rainfall by using different Eurasian snow indicators based on the best available historical records without discrimination of regional variations in snow conditions.     

ANOMALOUS VARIATIONS OF GUANGDONG PRECIPITATION IN SUMMER IN RELATION TO MONSOON

The relationship between the variation of precipitation in Guangdong Province is investigated using the correlation analysis and composite comparison methods in conjunction with precipitation data from 36 surface weather stations in the province and reanalyzed 850 hPa data from NCEP, U.S.A. A significant positive correlation is found between the variation of precipitation in summer there and the intensity of the southwesterly over the South China Sea though without being so inconclusive that a strong southwesterly over the sea is accompanied by more rain in Guangdong. For the front-associated flood season in April-June, the former is a carrier of rainwater for Guangdong but with insignificant linkage with the intensity of the southwest monsoon. There is even such a situation in which the precipitation gets stronger though with a weakened southwest monsoon from the tropics in May-June, which is mainly attributable to the increase of monsoon from the subtropics. For the typhoon-associated flood season in July-September, the Guangdong precipitation increases as the southwest monsoon strengthens over the central and northern South China Sea and the subtropical monsoon reduces its effects on the province.     

THE ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SUBSYSTEMS OF THE ASIAN SUMMER MONSOON

In this study, the relationship between the subsystems of Asian summer monsoon is analyzed using U.S. National Centers for Environmental Protection/National Center for Atmospheric Research reanalysis and Climate Prediction Center Merged Analysis of Precipitation monthly mean precipitation data. The results showed that there is significant correlation between the subsystems of Asian summer monsoon. The changes of intensity over the same period show that weak large-scale Asian monsoon, Southeast Asia monsoon and South Asian monsoon are associated with strong East Asian monsoon and decreasing rainfall in related areas. And when the large-scale Asian monsoon is strong, Southeast Asia and South Asia monsoons will be strong and precipitation will increase. While the Southeast Asia monsoon is strong, the South Asia monsoon is weak and the rainfall of South Asia is decreasing, and vice versa. The various subsystems are significantly correlated for all periods of intensity changes.     

Large-Scale features of the indian summer monsoon rainfall and their association with some oceanic and atmospheric variables

The summer monsoon rainfall totals for 31 meteorological subdivisions of India for the years 1901-1980 are analysed. The analysis reveals that four leading eigenvectors (EVs) are significant and account for 65 % of the total variance.The spatial pattern of the first EV exhibits in phase fluctuations over almost the whole India. The large coefficients of this vector can be considered as representative of the conditions of large-scale flood and drought over the country. The second pattern reveals the fluctuations mostly over the North Indian region (north of 20o latitude) probably in association with the Western Disturbances. The third pattern indicates fluctuations over the North-West and the North-East India in opposite phase and the fourth pattern exhibits the characteristic features of fluctuations associated with ‘break’. The spectral analysis of the coefficients of these EVs revealed quasi-periodicities of 2-5 years.On the basis of examination of the elements of these EVs the country has been divided into seven homogeneous regions. Rainfall indices of these regions and of the four EVs have been examined for seek-ing for association with some oceanic and atmospheric variables. The association is significant for the coefficients of the first EV and for the rainfall indices of central and South India. Among all the variables examined, Darwin pressure tendencies have the highest association and appear to be of special significance in prediction of the monsoon rainfall.     

Decadal Relationship Between Atmospheric Heat Source and Winter-Spring Snow Cover over the Tibetan Plateau and Rainfall in East China

By using a reverse computation method and the NCEP/NCAR daily reanalysis data from 1960 to 2004, the atmospheric heat source （AHS） was calculated and analyzed. The results show that AHS over the Tibetan Plateau （TP） and its neighboring areas takes on a persistent downtrend in spring and summer during the foregone 50 years, especially the latest 20 years. Snow depth at 50 stations over the TP in winter and spring presents an increase, especially the spring snow depth exhibits a sharp increase in the late 1970s. A close negative correlation exists between snow cover and AHS over the TP and its neighboring areas, as revealed by an SVD analysis, namely if there is more snow over the TP in winter and spring, then the weaker AHS would appear over the TP in spring and summer. The SVD analysis between AHS over the TP in spring and summer and rainfall at 160 stations indicates that the former has a negative correlation with summer precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and a positive correlation with that in South China and North China. The SVD analysis of both snow cover over the TP in winter and spring and rainfall at the same 160 stations indicates that the former has a marked positive correlation with precipitation in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River, and a reversed correlation in South China and North China. On the decadal scale, the AHS and winter and spring snow cover over the TP have a close correlation with the decadal precipitation pattern shift （southern flood and northern drought） in East China. The mechanism on how the AHS over the TP influences rainfall in East China is discussed. The weakening of AHS over the TP in spring and summer reduces the thermodynamic difference between ocean and continent, leading to a weaker East Asian summer monsoon, which brings more water vapor to the Yangtze River Valley and less water vapor to North China. Meanwhile, the weakening of AHS over the TP renders the position of the subtropical high further westward and the r     

EFFECTS OF PACIFIC SSTA ON SUMMER PRECIPITATION OVER EASTERN CHINA, PART I: OBSERVATIONAL ANALYSIS

With the methods of REOF (Rotated Empirical Orthogonal Function), the summer precipitation from 43 stations over eastern China for the 1901 – 2000 period was examined. The results show that South China and Southwest China, the middle and lower reaches of Changjiang River, North China and the southwestern of Northeast China are the three main areas of summer rainfall anomaly. Furthermore, correlation analysis is used in three time series of three mostly summer rainfall modes and four seasonal Pacific SSTA (Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly), and the results suggest that the Pacific SSTA which notably causes the summer rainfall anomaly over eastern China are the SSTA of the preceding winter over Kuroshio region of Northwest Pacific, SSTA of the preceding spring in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific, and SSTA of the current summer in the central region of middle latitude. The relationship between summer precipitation over eastern China and SSTA of Pacific key regions was further verified by SVD (Singular Value Decomposition) analysis. The composite analysis was used to analyze the features of atmospheric general circulation in the years of positive and negative precipitation anomaly. Its results were used to serve as the base of numerical simulation analysis.     

A Study of the Teleconnections in the Asian-Pacific Monsoon Region

The interactions among the Asian-Pacific monsoon subsystems have significant impacts on the climatic regimes in the monsoon region and even the whole world. Based on the domestic and foreign related research, an analysis is made of four different teleconnection modes found in the Asian-Pacific monsoon region, which reveal clearly the interactions among the Indian summer monsoon （ISM）, the East Asian summer monsoon （EASM）, and the western North Pacific summer monsoon （WNPSM）. The results show that： （1） In the period of the Asian monsoon onset, the date of ISM onset is two weeks earlier than the beginning of the Meiyu over the Yangtze River Basin, and a teleconnection mode is set up from the southwestern India via the Bay of Bengal （BOB） to the Yangtze River Basin and southern Japan, i.e., the ＂southern＂ teleconnection of the Asian summer monsoon. （2） In the Asian monsoon culmination period, the precipitation of the Yangtze River Basin is influenced significantly by the WNPSM through their teleconnection relationship, and is negatively related to the WNPSM rainfall, that is, when the WNPSM is weaker than normal, the precipitation of the Yangtze River Basin is more than normal. （3） In contrast to the rainfall over the Yangtze River Basin, the precipitation of northern China （from the 4th pentad of July to the 3rd pentad of August） is positively related to the WNPSM. When the WNPSM is stronger than normal, the position of the western Pacific subtropical high （WPSH） becomes farther northeast than normal, the anomalous northeastward water vapor transport along the southwestern flank of WPSH is converged over northern China, providing adequate moisture for more rainfalls than normal there. （4） The summer rainfall in northern China has also a positive correlation with the ISM. During the peak period of ISM, a teleconnection pattern is formed from Northwest India via the Tibetan Plateau to northern China, i.e., the ＂northern＂ teleconnection of the Asian summer monsoon. The     

Spatial and temporal relationships between global land surface air temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Summary Using the 60 year period (1931–1990) gridded land surface air temperature anomalies data, the spatial and temporal relationships between Indian summer monsoon rainfall and temperature anomalies were examined. Composite temperature anomalies were prepared in respect of 11 deficient monsoon years and 9 excess monsoon years. Statistical tests were carried out to examine the significance of the composites. In addition, correlation coefficients between the temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon rainfall were also calculated to examine the teleconnection patterns.There were statistically significant differences in the composite of temperature anomaly patterns between excess and deficient monsoon years over north Europe, central Asia and north America during January and May, over NW India during May, over central parts of Africa during May and July and over Indian sub-continent and eastern parts of Asia during July. It has been also found that temperature anomalies over NW Europe, central parts of Africa and NW India during January and May were positively correlated with Indian summer monsoon rainfall. Similarly temperature anomalies over central Asia during January and temperature anomalies over central Africa and Indian region during July were negatively correlated. There were secular variations in the strength of relationships between temperature anomalies and Indian summer monsoon rainfall. In general, temperature anomalies over NW Europe and NW India showed stronger correlations during the recent years. It has been also found that during excess (deficient) monsoon years temperature gradient over Eurasian land mass from sub-tropics to higher latitudes was directed equatowards (polewards) indicating strong (weak) zonal flow. This temperature anomaly gradient index was found to be a useful predictor for long range forecasting of Indian summer monsoon rainfall.With 12 Figures     

ENSO期间赤道太平洋对流活动异常对我国冬季风的影响

利用月平均风场和ＯＬＲ资料,通过ＳＶＤ方法研究了前期６个月,３个月和同期赤道太平洋对流活动异常与我国冬季风场的相互关系,得出：我国冬季环流异常与前期夏季,秋季和同期赤道中太平洋对流活动异常有关,还与同期,前期秋季赤道西太平洋对流活动异常有关,同期的显著区域较大,超前３个月和６个月时显著相关区主要位于长江以南和西北地区,ＥｌＮｉｎｏ年,赤道中太平洋对流活动加强,西太平洋对要位于长江以南和西北地区,Ｅ     

Comparison of intra-seasonal forecast of Indian summer monsoon between two versions of NCEP coupled models

The real-time forecasting of monsoon activity over India on extended range time scale (about 3 weeks) is analyzed for the monsoon season of 2012 during June to September (JJAS) by using the outputs from latest (CFSv2 [Climate Forecast System version 2]) and previous version (CFSv1 [Climate Forecast System version 1]) of NCEP coupled modeling system. The skill of monsoon rainfall forecast is found to be much better in CFSv2 than CFSv1. For the country as a whole the correlation coefficient (CC) between weekly observed and forecast rainfall departure was found to be statistically significant (99 % level) at least for 2 weeks (up to 18 days) and also having positive CC during week 3 (days 19–25) in CFSv2. The other skill scores like the mean absolute error (MAE) and the root mean square error (RMSE) also had better performance in CFSv2 compared to that of CFSv1. Over the four homogeneous regions of India the forecast skill is found to be better in CFSv2 with almost all four regions with CC significant at 95 % level up to 2 weeks, whereas the CFSv1 forecast had significant CC only over northwest India during week 1 (days 5–11) forecast. The improvement in CFSv2 was very prominent over central India and northwest India compared to other two regions. On the meteorological subdivision level (India is divided into 36 meteorological subdivisions) the percentage of correct category forecast was found to be much higher than the climatology normal forecast in CFSv2 as well as in CFSv1, with CFSv2 being 8–10 % higher in the category of correct to partially correct (one category out) forecast compared to that in CFSv1. Thus, it is concluded that the latest version of CFS coupled model has higher skill in predicting Indian monsoon rainfall on extended range time scale up to about 25 days.     

厄尼诺及冬季欧亚大陆雪盖与湖南季风雨量年际变化联系的初步研究

在本文中,考查了湖南夏季风降水量的年际变化与厄尼诺现象和冬季欧亚大陆雪盖的统计联系,得出如下结论:(1)、当厄尼诺现象发生后,下一年湖南夏季风降水量偏多,其统计显著性水平在1%以上;(2)、湖南夏季风降水量与冬季欧亚大陆雪盖的相关系数为-0.53,达到5%的显著性水平,这个结论与Huhn-Shukla给出冬季欧亚大陆雪盖与印度夏季风降水量的相关系数为-0.54的结果相一致,它表明冬季欧亚雪盖对印度和华中季风降水量有相类似的作用。      

South Asian summer monsoon precipitation variability: Coupled climate model simulations and projections under IPCC AR4

Summary South Asian summer monsoon precipitation and its variability are examined from the outputs of the coupled climate models assessed as part of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Fourth Assessment. Out of the 22 models examined, 19 are able to capture the maximum rainfall during the summer monsoon period (June through September) with varying amplitude. While two models are unable to reproduce the annual cycle well, one model is unable to simulate the summer monsoon season. The simulated inter-annual variability from the 19 models is examined with respect to the mean precipitation, coefficient of variation, long-term trends and the biennial tendency. The model simulated mean precipitation varies from 500 mm to 900 mm and coefficient of variation from 3 to 13%. While seven models exhibit long-term trends, eight are able to simulate the biennial nature of the monsoon rainfall. Six models, which generate the most realistic 20th century monsoon climate over south Asia, are selected to examine future projections under the doubling CO₂ scenario. Projections reveal a significant increase in mean monsoon precipitation of 8% and a possible extension of the monsoon period based on the multi-model ensemble technique. Extreme excess and deficient monsoons are projected to intensify. The projected increase in precipitation could be attributed to the projected intensification of the heat low over northwest India, the trough of low pressure over the Indo-Gangetic plains, and the land–ocean pressure gradient during the establishment phase of the monsoon. The intensification of these pressure systems could be attributed to the decline in winter/spring snowfall. Furthermore, a decrease of winter snowfall over western Eurasia is also projected along with an increase of winter snowfall over Siberia/eastern Eurasia. This projected dipole snow configuration during winter could imply changes in mid-latitude circulation conducive to subsequent summer monsoon precipitation activity. An increase in precipitable water of 12–16% is projected over major parts of India. A maximum increase of about 20–24% is found over the Arabian Peninsula, adjoining regions of Pakistan, northwest India and Nepal. Although the projected summer monsoon circulation appears to weaken, the projected anomalous flow over the Bay of Bengal (Arabian Sea) will support oceanic moisture convergence towards the southern parts of India and Sri Lanka (northwest India and adjoining regions). The ENSO-Monsoon relationship is also projected to weaken.     

夏季中国华北与印度降水之间的关联及其成因分析

本文基于1951~2012年的再分析资料以及站点观测资料,针对中国华北夏季降水和印度夏季风降水的协同变化(正相关)关系,利用集合经验模态分解法(EEMD)对两个降水序列进行时间尺度分解,并在年际尺度上分别考察了对两者正相关关系形成的有利和不利环流形势.结果表明,印度夏季风降水和华北夏季降水序列的较好正相关关系主要来自周期为2~3年的年际尺度分量,两者在该时间尺度上的相关系数为0.34,达到99%的信度水平.在年际尺度上,与印度夏季风降水异常有关的对流层中高层环半球遥相关型(CGT)波列能够衔接伊朗高原和环渤海地区上空的同位相环流异常(反气旋式或气旋式),从而有利于华北夏季降水和印度夏季风降水之间的协同变化.然而,这一协同变化关系并不总是成立.当伊朗高原上空异常中心的位置偏西时,CGT波列无法形成.这时,即使印度夏季风降水出现显著异常,华北地区却易受东亚—太平洋型或西太平洋型遥相关型的影响而其降水形势可能与印度夏季风降水形势相反.这些结论有助于进一步理解印度夏季风降水与华北夏季降水的正相关关系,从而对华北夏季降水的预测具有参考意义.     

中国与印度夏季风降水的比较研究

本文用1951—1980年中国和印度的降水资料研究了两个地区在西南季风时期(6—9月)总雨量变化的关系。发现印度的雨量变化与中国各地雨量的相关关系有正、有负,最明显的是印度中西部与我国华北地区有较高的正相关。进一步对两个地区降水存在遥相关的原因进行了分析,发现南亚次大陆低压是联系两个季风区雨量变化的重要环节。中国季风雨量与印度季风雨量的相关趋势,主要决定于中国各地雨量与东亚夏季风强度的关系。      

Interannual and long-term variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation and Indian Summer monsoon rainfall

Summary The interannual and decadal scale variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and its relationship with Indian Summer monsoon rainfall has been investigated using 108 years (1881–1988) of data. The analysis is carried out for two homogeneous regions in India, (Peninsular India and Northwest India) and the whole of India. The analysis reveals that the NAO of the preceding year in January has a statistically significant inverse relationship with the summer monsoon rainfall for the whole of India and Peninsular India, but not with the rainfall of Northwest India. The decadal scale analysis reveals that the NAO during winter (December–January–February) and spring (March–April–May) has a statistically significant inverse relationship with the summer monsoon rainfall of Northwest India, Peninsular India and the whole of India. The highest correlation is observed with the winter NAO. The NAO and Northwest India rainfall relationship is stronger than that for the Peninsular and whole of India rainfall on climatological and sub-climatological scales.Trend analysis of summer monsoon rainfall over the three regions has also been carried out. From the early 1930s the Peninsular India and whole of India rainfall show a significant decreasing trend (1% level) whereas the Northwest India rainfall shows an increasing trend from 1896 onwards.Interestingly, the NAO on both climatological and subclimatological scales during winter, reveals periods of trends very similar to that of Northwest Indian summer monsoon rainfall but with opposite phases.The decadal scale variability in ridge position at 500 hPa over India in April at 75° E (an important parameter used for the long-range forecast of monsoon) and NAO is also investigated.With 4 Figures     

Extreme monsoons over East Asia: Possible role of Indian Ocean Zonal Mode

Summary The influence of the Indian Ocean Zonal Mode on the extreme summer monsoon rainfall over East Asia (China, Korea, Japan) has been investigated applying simple statistical techniques of correlation and composite analysis. While the observed rainfall data are used as a measure of rainfall activity, the NCEP-NCAR Reanalysis data are used to examine the circulation features associated with the extreme monsoon phases and the dynamics of the zonal mode – monsoon variability connections. The data used covers the period 1960 to 2000.The equatorial Indian Ocean is dominated by westerly winds blowing towards Indonesia. However, during the positive phase of the zonal mode, an anomalous, intensified easterly flow prevails, consistent with the positive (negative) sea surface temperature anomalies over the western (southeastern) equatorial Indian Ocean. This positive phase of the zonal mode enhances summer monsoon activity over China, but suppresses the monsoon activity over the Korea-Japan sector, 3 to 4 seasons later. The relationship is more consistent and stronger over the Korea-Japan region than over China.The Indian Ocean influences the monsoon variability over East Asia via the northern hemisphere mid-latitudes or via the eastern Indian Ocean/west Pacific route. The monsoon-desert mechanism induces strong subsidence northwest of India due to the anomalous convection over the Indian Ocean region associated with the positive phase of the zonal mode. This induces a zonal wave pattern over the mid-latitudes of Asia propagating eastwards and displacing the north Pacific subtropical high over East Asia. The warming over the eastern Indian Ocean/west Pacific inhibits the westward extension of the north Pacific sub-tropical high. The location and shape of this high plays a dominant role in the monsoon variability over East Asia. The memory for delayed impact, three to four seasons later, could be carried by the surface boundary conditions of Eurasian snow cover via the northern channel or the equatorial SSTs near the Indonesian Through Flow via the southern channel.     

青藏高原上空环流变化与其东侧 旱涝异常分析

应用奇异值分解（SVD）技术研究了青藏高原上空100 hPa高度场与高原东侧地区夏季降水场的时空结构及相互关系。结果表明: 第一模态代表了两场间的主要耦合特征,具有高度的时空相关;前期10～12月、1～4月青藏高原上空100 hPa高度场与高原东侧地区6～8月降水场具有显著的联系,前期高度场变化引起后期南亚高压状况异常,导致高原东侧地区旱涝灾害;高原东侧地区严重干旱（洪涝）年,其上空100 hPa高度场为负（正）距平控制; 高度场与降水场的这种非同步联系,时空相关显著,时间间隔长,物理意义明确,是高原东侧地区夏季旱涝异常的一种预测信号。