Impacts and Mechanisms of the Western North Pacific Subtropical High in East Asia

What is it about?

This paper aims at explaining the abnormal east-west movement of the western North Pacific Subtropical High (WNPSH) that can impose substantial influences on regional summer climate in East Asia. Several key features are found and explained from atmospheric science perspective. Its relationship with a global climate phenomenon, the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), is also explored and discussed.

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Photo by Harpal Singh on Unsplash

Photo by Harpal Singh on Unsplash

Why is it important?

WNPSH has been recognized as an anomalous circulation systems that can substantially affect the East Asia summer climate. In particular, a westward extension (positive phase) of WNPSH can result in more summer rainfall in eastern China, southern Japan, Korean Peninsula and Maritime Continent, and vise versa. Therefore, an improved understanding to this phenomenon assists an improved predictability of abnormal summer weather and climate in regions. In addition, a full picture of the impacts, physical mechanisms as well as the teleconnection with ENSO is presented in this paper with a more comprehensive framework, of which has not been well documented in literatures.