Impact of the Sea Surface Temperature Anomaly in the Eastern North Pacific on Interannual Variations of Winter Temperature in Northern China

Based on monthly temperature observations collected at meteorological stations and the NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis data, possible impacts of sea surface temperature anomaly (SSTA) in the mid-latitude eastern North Pacific (MENP) on winter temperature in northern China are studied. The results are as follows. There is a stable positive relationship between winter temperature in northern China and SSTA in the preceding summer and autumn in the MENP, and the correlation is more significant on interdecadal scale than on interannual scale. This relationship is associated with a kind of wave pattern analogous to the North America-Atlantic-Eurasia wave train pattern in the middle and lower troposphere triggered by SSTA in preceding autumn in the MENP. When the SSTA in preceding autumn over the MENP is higher (lower), the wave train pattern makes the Ural blocking and Siberian high weaker (stronger). At the same time, most regions to the south of the Baikal Lake are controlled by positive (negative) 500-hPa geopotential height anomaly. These factors lead to dominant zonal (meridional) circulation over the Asian region and cause higher (lower) temperature over most regions of northern China. The present study reveals that the wave train pattern from the Western Hemisphere to the Eastern Hemisphere can be triggered by SSTA in the MENP. This wave train can influence general circulation in northeastern Asia and ultimately affect temperature in northern China.