Abstract: The characteristics of interdecadal variability of sensible heat are analyzed by using the observed daily data of surface temperature, surface air temperature and surface wind field from 1951 to 2000. The analysis results show that an obvious interdecadal variability of the sensible heat appears in Northwest China. Before the late 1970s, spring (MAM) sensible heat anomalies were negative, but its anomalies became largely positive from the late 1970s to 2000. Summer (JJA) sensible heat anomalies were positive before 1977, but its anomalies became largely negative from the late 1970s to 2000. The correlations between summer precipitation in whole China and the April sensible heat averaged for 38 stations show that the positive correlation regions are in Northwest China, Northeast China and the Yangtze River basin, but the negative correlation regions are in the east of North China and Southwest China. Moreover, the characteristics of interdecadal variability of zonal and meridional circulation are analyzed by using the ERA-40 reanalysis data from ECMWF from 1958 to 2000. The analysis results show that the descent flow occurred over North China, but ascent flow occurred over Northwest China and the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. The results also show that enhanced sensible heat causes ascent flow strengthening over Northwest China, and descent flow strengthening over North China, which maybe resulted in summer precipitation decreasing and persistent drought occurring in North China and summer precipitation increasing and flood in the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River. Therefore, the spring sensible heat anomalies in Northwest China may be a forecast factor for summer rainfall in North China.