Decadal Variations in the Relationship between the Western Pacific Subtropical High and Summer Heat Waves in East China

• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-18-0093.1
• Publication Date: 2019-01-11T23:01:31Z
• Authors: Qi Liu; Tianjun Zhou; Huiting Mao; Congbin Fu
• Keywords: Subtropical ridge; Anticyclone; Geopotential height; Heat wave

The western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) is regarded as the key circulation system that dominates summer heat waves over eastern China, but whether WPSH–summer wave connection changes with time remains unknown. In this study, decadal variations in WPSH–heat were examined for period 1959–2016 using daily maximum temperature data from 654 observational stations across China and global reanalysis datasets. results show correlation coefficient between WPSH intensity (WPSHI) number of heat-wave days (NHD) was 0.65 (>99% confidence level) during positive phases oscillation (PDO), whereas negative PDO only 0.12 (<80% level). remarkable difference correlations due to more westward extension a stronger El Niño decaying summers PDO. Indian Ocean warming decaying-year comparison associated enhanced convection heating, which further drive anticyclone northwestern Pacific, leading westward-extending WPSH, favorable China.