Seasonal Highlights

Climate in China

During this spring, mean surface air temperatures were 1¡æ above average in much of China. Positive anomalies above 2¡æ were observed in central Northwest China and western Tibet Plateau. In this season, rainfall totals were 30% ~100% more than normal in most of Southwest China, southern Northwest China, western and northern Xinjiang, northern and eastern Northeast China and parts of North China. Meanwhile, precipitation totals were 30~90% less than normal in the regions from the western Tibet Plateau to eastern Xinjiang, western Inner Mongolia, most of the bend of the Yellow River, middle and southern Northeast China.

Climate in the World

During this spring, mean surface air temperatures were obviously below average at mid-high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, such as much of northern Russia and middle and eastern Canada, with negative anomalies below -4¡æ in parts of above regions. At most of the middle latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere, temperatures were generally  1~2¡æ¡¡above normal. In northern South America, temperatures were 1¡æ above normal. Temperatures were generally 1~2¡æ above normal in Australia except the southwestern part. Temperatures were 1¡æ above normal in parts of West and South Africa.

In the spring, rainfall totals were 30% ~100% more than normal in middle and eastern Europe, parts of Middle Asia, southeastern Russia, most of Southwest China, southern and eastern North America, most of South America and central Australia, with totals of 200% more than normal in parts of above regions. Precipitation totals were 30~90% less than normal in most of West Asia, West Africa and eastern Australia, with no rainfall in parts of above regions during this season.

         General Circulation Features

         Northern Hemisphere: During the spring, the mean 500hPa geopotential height field exhibited that the trough over Northern America was stronger than normal. Correspondingly, below -4 dam negative anomalies covered middle and northern Canada. Meanwhile, positive departures above 4 dam controlled most of the North Pole and the nearby regions, regions from the Northeast Pacific to the western North Atlantic Ocean with center values above 8 dam. In this season, the Northwest Pacific subtropical high was stronger than normal.

Southern Hemisphere: In the mean 500hPa geopotential height field during this spring£¬zonal circulation dominated mid-high latitudes. In the height anomaly field, 4 dam below-normal heights were observed over the southeastern Pacific, and the ocean south to Africa, while 4 dam above-normal heights were observed over the South Pole and the nearby regions.