Seasonal Highlights

Climate in China

During boreal winter 2008/2009 (Dec. 2008-Feb. 2009), surface air temperature averaged over China was the third highest since 1951. Mean surface air temperatures were 1-2℃ above normal in most China, with 2-4℃ above normal in eastern Jilin, parts of central Inner Mongolia, the northern Hetao regions, central Northwest China, most Xinjiang and most Tibet. Meanwhile, temperatures were observed 1-2℃ below normal in parts of northern Heilongjiang.

For the season, precipitations were observed 30-100% more than average in most Northeast China, eastern North China, northeastern and western Inner Mongolia, western Gansu, northern and parts of southern Xinjiang and southeastern Tibet, with at least 200% in locations. Meanwhile, precipitations were observed near or less than average in other regions of China, with 30-80% less than average in central-eastern Inner Mongolia, the Huanghui valley, southwestern Northwest China, central-western Xinjiang, western and northern Tibet, most Yunnan, southern Jiangnan, South China, and above 80% less than average in eastern South China, western Tibet, southwestern Xinjiang and parts of Inner Mongolia.

Climate in the world

During the winter, mean surface air temperatures were observed 1-2℃ above normal in central-eastern Europe, northwestern Russia, regions between 30°N and 50°N in Asia, North Africa and parts of West Africa, southern Africa, southern North America and western Alaska, western and parts of southern South America and southern Australia, with 3-6℃ above normal in northeastern Europe and northern South Asia. Meanwhile, temperatures were observed 1-2℃ below normal in most central-eastern Russia, southwestern Europe, coast of northwestern Africa, northern North America, parts of South America and northern Australia, with over 4℃ in the parts of northern North America.

For the season, precipitations were observed 30-100% more than average in parts of southern Europe, parts of northwestern Russia, western Mongolia, northeastern Asia, western and parts of eastern South Asia, western North Africa, parts of Central Africa, parts of northern North America, parts of northern South America, northern and parts of southwestern Australia, with over 100% in locations of above regions. Meanwhile, precipitations were observed 30-80% less than average in regions from southwestern Russia to Central Asia, most West Asia, northeastern India, southern, western and parts of northern East Asia, the Indochina Peninsula, southern West Africa, eastern North Africa, parts of southeastern North America, parts of southern South America, northwestern and parts of southeastern Australia, with no precipitations in locations of above regions.

General Circulation Features

Northern Hemisphere: During the winter, 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 northern North Pacific, the regions from central-western Asia to western Russia, the regions from southwestern North America to the northeastern Pacific, with central values above 16 dam over the northeastern North Pacific. Meanwhile, negative anomalies below -4 dam covered parts of North Africa, southern Europe, parts of southeastern Russia. Heights were near normal in other regions.

Southern Hemisphere: For the season, in the 500hPa geopotential height anomaly field, positive anomalies more than 4 dam covered the South Atlantic Ocean between 40^oS and 50^oS, parts of the central South Pacific and parts of the Antarctica. Heights were near normal in other regions.