Seasonal Highlights

Climate in China

During this spring, mean surface air temperatures were above normal in most of China, with anomalies above 1¡æ were observed in Jiangnan, Jianghuai, Jianghan, the middlel and lower reaches of the Yellow River, western Inner Mongolia, western Tibet and parts of Northwest China. In the season, precipitation totals were 30~50% more than normal in parts of Guangdong and Fujian, most of Southwest China, northern and central-southern Xinjiang, northwestern Gansu, western Qinghai and parts of Inner Mongolia, with 200% more than normal in central and southern Xinjiang. Meanwhile, rainfall totals were less than 30~50% in most of Northeast China, western Tibet and western Xinjiang.

Climate in the world

During the spring, mean surface air temperatures 1¡æ above normal were observed in most of China, central Asia, most of West Asia, southwestern Europe, northeastern Africa and most of North America, with 3¡æ above normal in Kazakhstan and eastern Canada. Meanwhile, temperatures were near or below normal in the other regions, and they were 1¡æ below normal in parts of Europe, most of Siberian, Alaska, South Africa and local of Australia.

In this spring, rainfall totals were 30% more than normal in parts of China, most of India, parts of Central Siberia, far East region of Russia, most of Europe, northwestern America, southern South Africa, northern Australia, eastern Brazil and northern Venezuela. Meanwhile, precipitation totals were 30~100% less than normal in the region from Northeast China to eastern Mongolia, central-northern Siberia, most of central Asia, Oman, most of America, local of western Africa, southeastern and offshore of western Australia and southern South America, and no rainfall was observed in local regions. 

General Circulation Features

Northern Hemisphere: During Spring 2006, in the 500hPa geopotential height anomaly field, below ¨C4 dam anomalies covered northern Europe. Meanwhile, positive departures above 4 dam controlled parts of central Asia, Mediterranean Sea and parts of northern Africa, the area from Canada to polar region, and the northwestern North Pacific, with central values above 8 dam. For the season, the Northwest Pacific subtropical high was near normal.

 Southern Hemisphere: In the 500hPa geopotential height anomaly field, negative anomalies below -4 dam controlled southeastern South Pacific and oceans south to Africa. Meanwhile, positive departures above 4 dam covered southern South Atlantic, southern South Indian Ocean, and parts of Antarctica.