Abstract
A record-breaking extreme Meiyu rainfall occurred along the Yangtze River valley (YRV) in 2020 since 1961, persisting from 11 June to 31 July with the largest amount and the highest intensity. From the aspect of water vapor, the causes of its formation are revealed in this study. The 2020 Meiyu rainfall amount is directly attributed to the greatly enhanced vertically integrated water vapor transport (IVT) convergence, which is in turn primarily determined by the mean circulation dynamic (MCD) contribution associated with anomalous East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) and the thermodynamic component (TH) contribution due to water vapor anomaly. The MCD contribution is mainly responsible for the extreme Meiyu rainfall amount and abundant water vapor convergence in the YRV, whereas the TH contribution tends to shift Meiyu rain belt northward to the Yangtze-Huaihe River valley, extending the Meiyu rainfall coverage area. Furthermore, the excessive moist static energy (MSE) associated with the largest water vapor anomaly could substantially increase the atmospheric instability, favoring the extreme 2020 Meiyu rainfall intensity. In terms of the tremendous IVT to the YRV from both the South China Sea and Bay of Bengal during the 2020 Meiyu period, the low-level anticyclone anomalies over the western North Pacific (WNP) and Bay of Bengal provide appropriate atmospheric circulation conditions, and they are generated by the super suppressed WNP convective activities as a Matsuno-Gill type response, which are further attributed to the combined warm SST anomalies in both the tropical western Indian Ocean (TWIO) and tropical Atlantic Ocean (TAO) eventually.
Similar content being viewed by others
Change history
11 January 2022
An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-021-1999-5
References
Back, L. E., and C. S. Bretherton, 2006: Geographic variability in the export of moist static energy and vertical motion profiles in the tropical Pacific. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L17810, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2006GL026672.
Chen, H. P., and J. Q. Sun, 2013: Projected change in East Asian summer monsoon precipitation under RCP scenario. Meteor. Atmos. Phys., 121, 55–77, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-013-0257-5.
Chou, C., J. C. H. Chiang, C.-W. Lan, et al., 2013: Increase in the range between wet and dry season precipitation. Nat. Geosci., 6, 263–267, doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/ngeo1744.
Ding, Y. H., and J. Chan, 2005: The East Asian summer monsoon: an overview. Atmos. Phys., 89, 117–142, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-005-0125-z.
Ding, Y. H., Z. Y. Wang, and Y. Sun, 2008: Inter-decadal variation of the summer precipitation in East China and its association with decreasing Asian summer monsoon. Part I: Observed evidences. Int. J. Climatol., 28, 1139–1161, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1615.
Feng, J., C. Wen, C.-Y. Tam, et al., 2011: Different impacts of El Niño and El Niño Modoki on China rainfall in the decaying phases. Int. J. Climatol., 31, 2091–2101, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.2217.
Gao, Q. J., and Y. T. Sun, 2016: Changes in water vapor transport during the Meiyu season after 2000 and their relationship with the Indian ocean SST and Pacific-Japan pattern. Dyn. Atmos. Oceans, 76, 141–153, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dynatmoce.2016.10.006.
Gao, Q. J., Y. T. Sun, and Q. L. You, 2016: The northward shift of Meiyu rain belt and its possible association with rainfall intensity changes and the Pacific-Japan pattern. Dyn. Atmos. Oceans, 76, 52–62, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dynatmoce.2016.08.005.
Guan, P. Y., G. X. Chen, W. X. Zeng, et al., 2020: Corridors of mei-yu-season rainfall over eastern China. J. Climate, 33, 2603–2626, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-19-0649.1.
Hu, P., W. Chen, S. F. Chen, et al., 2019: Interannual variability and triggers of the South China Sea summer monsoon withdrawal. Climate Dyn., 53, 4355–4372, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-019-04790-5.
Jiang, T., Z. W. Kundzewicz, and B. D. Su, 2008: Changes in monthly precipitation and flood hazard in the Yangtze River Basin, China. Int. J. Climatol., 28, 1471–1481, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1635.
Kosaka, Y., S.-P. Xie, and H. Nakamura, 2011: Dynamics of interannual variability in summer precipitation over East Asia. J. Climate, 24, 5435–5453, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/2011jcli4099.1.
Li, J. Y., and J. Y. Mao, 2019: Factors controlling the interannual variation of 30–60-day boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation over the Asian summer monsoon region. Climate Dyn., 52, 1651–1672, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-018-4216-1.
Li, L., C. W. Zhu, R. H. Zhang, et al., 2020: Roles of the Tibetan Plateau vortices in the record Meiyu rainfall in 2020. Atmos. Sci. Lett., 22, e1017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/asl.1017.
Li, X. C., S.-P. Xie, S. T. Gille, et al., 2016: Atlantic-induced pantropical climate change over the past three decades. Nat. Climate Change, 6, 275–279, doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/nclimate2840.
Liu, B. Q., Y. H. Yan, C. W. Zhu, et al., 2020: Record-breaking Meiyu rainfall around the Yangtze River in 2020 regulated by the subseasonal phase transition of the North Atlantic Oscillation. Geophys. Res. Lett., 47, e2020GL090342, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gl090342.
Liu, Y. Y., Y. Li, and Y. H. Ding, 2020: East Asian summer rainfall projection and uncertainty under a global warming scenario. Int. J. Climatol., 40, 4828–4842, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.6491.
Lu, R. Y., and S. Lu, 2014: Local and remote factors affecting the SST-precipitation relationship over the western North Pacific during Summer. J. Climate, 27, 5132–5147, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-13-00510.1.
Ninomiya, K., 1999: Moisture balance over China and the South China Sea during the summer monsoon in 1991 in relation to the intense rainfalls over China. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 77, 737–751, doi: https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj1965.77.3_737.
Ninomiya, K., and H. Muraki, 1986: Large-scale circulations over East Asia during Baiu period of 1979. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 64, 409–429, doi: https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj1965.64.3_409.
Ninomiya, K., and C. Kobayashi, 1999: Precipitation and moisture balance of the Asian summer monsoon in 1991. Part II: Moisture transport and moisture balance. J. Meteor. Soc. Japan, 77, 77–99, doi: https://doi.org/10.2151/jmsj1965.77.1_77.
Oh, H., and K.-J. Ha, 2015: Thermodynamic characteristics and responses to ENSO of dominant intraseasonal modes in the East Asian summer monsoon. Climate Dyn., 44, 1751–1766, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-014-2268-4.
Rong, X. Y., R. H. Zhang, and T. Li, 2010: Impacts of Atlantic sea surface temperature anomalies on Indo-East Asian summer monsoon-ENSO relationship. Chinese Sci. Bull., 55, 2458–2468, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11434-010-3098-3.
Seager, R., N. Naik, and G. A. Vecchi, 2010: Thermodynamic and dynamic mechanisms for large-scale changes in the hydrological cycle in response to global warming. J. Climate, 23, 4651–4668, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/2010jcli3655.1.
Simmonds, I., D. H. Bi, and P. Hope, 1999: Atmospheric water vapor flux and its association with rainfall over China in summer. J. Climate, 12, 1353–1367, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<1353:AWVFAI>2.0.CO;2.
Sooraj, K. P., P. Terray, and M. Mujumdar, 2015: Global warming and the weakening of the Asian summer monsoon circulation: assessments from the CMIP5 models. Climate Dyn., 45, 233–252, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-014-2257-7.
Srinivasan, J., and G. L. Smith, 1996: The role of heat fluxes and moist static energy in tropical convergence zones. Mon. Wea. Rev., 124, 2089–2099, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0493(1996)124<2089:Trohfa>2.0.Co;2.
Sun, X. G., R. J. Greatbatch, W. Park, et al., 2010: Two major modes of variability of the East Asian summer monsoon. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 136, 829–841, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/qj.635.
Sun, X. G., Y. M. Xu, Z. Q. Zhang, et al., 2019: The tropical and extratropical-origin summer meridional teleconnections over East Asia. Climate Dyn., 53, 721–735, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-018-04610-2.
Takaya, Y., I. Ishikawa, C. Kobayashi, et al., 2020: Enhanced Meiyu-Baiu rainfall in early summer 2020: Aftermath of the 2019 super IOD event. Geophys. Res. Lett., 47, e2020 GL090671, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2020gl090671.
Tao, S., and L. Chen, 1987: A review of recent research on the East Asian summer monsoon in China. Review of Monsoon Meteorology, C. P. Chang, and T. N. Krishnamurti, Eds., Oxford University Press, Oxford, 60–92.
Trenberth, K. E., and C. J. Guillemot, 1995: Evaluation of the global atmospheric moisture budget as seen from analyses. J. Climate, 8, 2255–2272, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(1995)008<2255:Eotgam>2.0.Co;2.
Trenberth, K. E., and D. J. Shea, 2005: Relationships between precipitation and surface temperature. Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L14703, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2005GL022760.
Wang, B., Q. H. Ding, X. H. Fu, et al., 2005: Fundamental challenge in simulation and prediction of summer monsoon rainfall. Geophys. Res. Lett., 32, L15711, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2005gl022734.
Wang, C. Z., 2019: Three-ocean interactions and climate variability: a review and perspective. Climate Dyn., 53, 5119–5136, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-019-04930-x.
Wang, J., Y. J. Liu, Y. H. Ding, et al., 2021: Towards influence of Arabian Sea SST anomalies on the withdrawal date of Meiyu over the Yangtze-Huaihe River basin. Atmos. Res., 249, 105340, doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.atmosres.2020.105340.
Wei, J. F., P. A. Dirmeyer, M. G. Bosilovich, et al., 2012: Water vapor sources for Yangtze River Valley rainfall: Climatology, variability, and implications for rainfall forecasting. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 117, D05126, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2011JD016902.
Wu, B., T. J. Zhou, and T. Li, 2009: Contrast of rainfall-SST relationships in the western North Pacific between the ENSO-developing and ENSO-decaying summers. J. Climate, 22, 4398–4405, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/2009jcli2648.1.
Wu, B., T. Li, and T. J. Zhou, 2010: Relative contributions of the Indian Ocean and local SST anomalies to the maintenance of the western North Pacific anomalous anticyclone during the El Niño decaying summer. J. Climate, 23, 2974–2986, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/2010jcli3300.1.
Wu, Y. T., M. F. Ting, R. Seager, et al., 2011: Changes in storm tracks and energy transports in a warmer climate simulated by the GFDL CM2.1 model. Climate Dyn., 37, 53–72, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-010-0776-4.
Xie, S. P., K. M. Hu, J. Hafner, et al., 2009: Indian Ocean capacitor effect on indo-western Pacific climate during the summer following El Niño. J. Climate, 22, 730–747, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/2008jcli2544.1.
Xie, S.-P., Y. Kosaka, Y. Du, et al., 2016: Indo-western Pacific ocean capacitor and coherent climate anomalies in post-ENSO summer: A review. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 33, 411–432, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-015-5192-6.
Xu, X. D., L. S. Chen, X. R. Wang, et al., 2004: Moisture transport source/sink structure of the Meiyu rain belt along the Yangtze River valley. Chinese Sci. Bull., 49, 181–188, doi: https://doi.org/10.1360/03wd0047.
Yuan, Y., and S. Yang, 2012: Impacts of different types of El Niño on the East Asian climate: Focus on ENSO cycles. J. Climate, 25, 7702–7722, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00576.1.
Zhang, R. H., 2001: Relations of water vapor transport from Indian monsoon with that over East Asia and the summer rainfall in China. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 18, 1005–1017, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03403519.
Zhang, Z. Q., X. G. Sun, and X. Q. Yang, 2018: Understanding the interdecadal variability of East Asian summer monsoon precipitation: Joint influence of three oceanic signals. J. Climate, 31, 5485–5506, doi: https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-17-0657.1.
Zhao, X. F., and L. J. Wang, 2020: Characteristics of the South China Sea monsoon from the onset to withdrawal before and after 1993/94. Adv. Meteor., 2020, 8820460, doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2020/8820460.
Zheng, T., T. Feng, K. Xu, et al., 2020: Precipitation and the associated moist static energy budget off western Australia in conjunction with Ningaloo Niño. Front. Earth Sci., 8, 597915, doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/feart.2020.597915.
Zhou, T.-J., and R.-C. Yu, 2005: Atmospheric water vapor transport associated with typical anomalous summer rainfall patterns in China. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 110, D08104, doi: https://doi.org/10.1029/2004jd005413.
Zhu, J., D.-Q. Huang, Y.-C. Zhang, et al., 2013: Decadal changes of Meiyu rainfall around 1991 and its relationship with two types of ENSO. J. Geophys. Res. Atmos., 118, 9766–9777, doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/jgrd.50779.
Zuo, J. Q., W. J. Li, C. H. Sun, et al., 2013: Impact of the North Atlantic sea surface temperature tripole on the East Asian summer monsoon. Adv. Atmos. Sci., 30, 1173–1186, doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00376-012-2125-5.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Additional information
Supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2018YFC1505803), National Natural Science Foundation of China (41775074), and Foundation for Innovative Research Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (41621005).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Wang, L., Sun, X., Yang, X. et al. Contribution of Water Vapor to the Record-Breaking Extreme Meiyu Rainfall along the Yangtze River Valley in 2020. J Meteorol Res 35, 557–570 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-021-1030-1
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13351-021-1030-1