Dynamic effect of the South Asian high on the interannual zonal extension of the western North Pacific subtropical high

The South Asian high (SAH) and the North Pacific subtropical high (NPSH) are two crucial systems affecting the summer rainfall over East Asia. Features of the relative vorticity of the SAH and its dynamic effect on zonal extension of the western NPSH (WNPSH) are investigated on interannual timescales using data diagnosis and numerical model experiments. Results show that two climatological centres of negative relative vorticity are observed along the northern flank of the SAH over the Tibetan Plateau and northern West Asia at 200 hPa during boreal summer. The relatively more intense centre over the Tibetan Plateau (TPV) shows a pronounced southeast-northwest (SE-NW) variation, indicating a SE-NW shift of the SAH. When the SAH shifts southeastward, an anomalous anticyclone occurs over eastern China at 200 hPa. In the middle troposphere, this anomalous anticyclone is located over southern China and the northern South China Sea, leading to a westward extension of the WNPSH. A diagnostic analysis of the vorticity equation indicates that the negative relative vorticity anomalies at 500 hPa are mainly caused by the downward advection of the mean relative vorticity by anomalous sinking motions. When the SAH extends southeastward, intense convergence on the southeastern flank of the anomalous upper-level anticyclone induces descending motions that cause downward advection of mean negative vorticity. Consequently, negative vorticity anomaly is formed at 500 hPa, leading to a westward extension of the WNPSH. Results from the experiments using an idealized anomalous atmospheric general circulation model further demonstrate that the upper-level anomalous anticyclone associated with a southeastward extension of the SAH triggers an anomalous anticyclone at the middle level, causing a westward extension of the WNPSH.

Duke Scholars

Author Wenhong Li Earth and Climate Sciences