Seasonal Highlights

Climate in China

During spring 2008, mean surface air temperatures were at least 1℃ above normal in most China except for near-normal temperatures in southern Qinghai, most South China and most Southwest China, with 2-4℃ above normal in most Northeast China, most Inner Mongolia, most Northwest China, southern Henan, central Hubei, northeastern Hunan and northwestern Jiangxi. For the season, precipitations were observed 50-200% more than normal in most Northeast China, most North China, most Shandong, northeastern Inner Mongolia, western Qinghai and most Southwest China, with precipitations at least 100% more than normal in parts of such provinces as Tibet, Qinghai, Inner Mongolia and Heilong. Meanwhile, precipitations were 30-80% less than normal in most Northwest China, western Inner Mongolia, the eastern Jiangnan area, southern Fujian, southern Guangxi and Hainan, with at least 80% less than normal in parts of Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

Climate in the world

During the spring, mean surface air temperatures were observed 1-2℃ more than normal in most Eurasia, southwestern America, Alaska, Northwest Africa and southwest Australia, and 2-4℃ above normal in most Northwest China, Central Asia, southwestern and eastern Siberia, with temperatures at least 4℃ above normal in locations. Meanwhile, temperatures were 1-2℃ below normal in northeastern Europe, most America, eastern Australia and eastern Argentina.

For the season, precipitations were observed 30-100% more than normal in most Europe, parts of Russia, the regions from Northeast China to North China, Southwest China, the Indo-China peninsula, southern India, central and northeastern America, parts of West Africa, parts of northern Brazil and western Argentina. Meanwhile, precipitations were at least 30% less than normal in most West Asia, Central Asia, central Siberia, northwestern and southeastern China, western and southeastern America, most Australia, eastern Argentina, northern South Africa and south shores, with no precipitation in locations.

General Circulation Features

Northern Hemisphere: During the spring, the mean 500hPa geopotential height field exhibited a 3-wave pattern at the mid-high latitudes. In the 500hPa geopotential height anomaly field, positive anomalies above 4 dam covered the northeastern and northwestern North Pacific, the regions from western China to parts of West Asia, and the regions from the northwestern North Atlantic to the polar region, with central values above 8 dam over the northwestern North Pacific. Heights were near normal in other regions.

Southern Hemisphere: For the season, zonal circulation prevailed at the mid-high latitudes. In the 500hPa geopotential height anomaly field, negative anomalies below -4 dam covered parts of southwestern South Atlantic. Meanwhile, positive anomalies more than 4 dam covered parts of Antarctica. Heights were near normal in other regions.