Seasonal Highlights

1. Climate in China

During winter 2014/2015, the seasonal surface air temperature averaged over China was -2.3℃, with 1.1℃ above normal (-3.4℃), ranking the 4^th highest since 1961. The mean precipitation was 38.5mm over China, which was 5.6% less than normal (40.8mm). For the season, extremes of Daily Temperature Drop (DTD), Consecutive Temperature Drop (CTD) and Consecutive Non-Precipitation Days (CNPD) were observed in China.

2. General Circulation Features

Northern Hemisphere: During the boreal winter(Dec. 2014-.Feb. 2015), in the field of 500hPa geopotential height anomaly, positive anomalies above 4 dam covered northern North Atlantic Ocean and the regions from eastern Siberia to western North America via northern North Pacific Ocean. Meanwhile, negative anomalies below-4 dam covered eastern North Pacific Ocean and Greenland.

Southern Hemisphere: During the boreal winter, in the field of 500hPa geopotential height anomaly, positive anomalies over 4 dam covered some parts of South Indian Ocean, southeastern and southwestern South Pacific Ocean, while negative anomalies below -4 dam covered polar region and parts of central South Pacific Ocean.