The Distribution of Surface Sensible Heat Flux in Spring over Central and Eastern Asia and Its Relationship with Summer Precipitation in China

Using the NCEP/NCAR reanalysis Surface Sensible Heat Flux (SSHF) dataset during 1951－2000, the general features of SSHF distribution over central and eastern Asia are analyzed. It is found that there are three areas with higher values of SSHF in North China, Northwest China, and India, whereas the areas with lower SSHF values are located in Northeast China and South China, and strong interannual variability of SSHF can be found around 30°N over eastern China, Tibetan Plateau region, and India. The spatial and temporal distribution of SSHF over central and eastern Asia has been further investigated based on the REOF（Rotated Empirical Orthogonal Function） method and the relationship between spring SSHF and summer precipitation over China has also been examined. The significant correlations can be found between summer precipitation anomalies over Yellow River and Huaihe River basin and SSHF anomalies over about 30°N in eastern part of China, while the summer precipitation anomalies in the Yangtze River are closely correlated with the SSHF anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau and India region. Further analysis shows that, the anomalies of spring SSHF over about 30°N in eastern part of China are accompanied by atmospheric circulation anomalies in southeastern and southwestern China, which can result in the anomalies of southwest wind intensity, and the summer precipitation anomalies. The anomalies of SSHF in India are associated with the anomalies of Indian summer monsoon, which can affect the East Asian summer circulation and precipitation in China through teleconnection mechanism.