LONG-TERM VARIATIONS OF CYCLONE ACTIVITIES IN EAST ASIA

A statistical analysis is made of the temporal and spatial variability of cyclone activities in middle latitudes in East Asia for 52 years during the period from 1934 to 1985.Three principal tracks of cyclones are distinguished in East Asia almost all year around except for the disappearance of the south one in summer.A longer-term variation in frequency of cyclones passing over the Japanese Islands with a period of about 20 years is found, in addition to a shorter-term variation with a period of a few years. A significant decreasing trend in cyclone frequency is noted between the late 1960s to around 1980.