Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

Recent Intensification of the Western Pacific Subtropical High Associated with the East Asian Summer Monsoon

Shinji Matsumura Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

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Shiori Sugimoto Graduate School of Urban Environmental Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Tokyo, Japan

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Tomonori Sato Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Sapporo, Japan

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Print Publication:
01 Apr 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00569.1
Page(s):
2873–2883
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Abstract

The summer western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) has intensified during the past three decades. However, the underlying mechanism is not yet well understood. Here, it is shown that baiu rainband activity in midsummer, which is part of the East Asian summer monsoon, plays an important role in recent intensification in the WPSH along the baiu rainband. In contrast with the WPSH, the summer Okhotsk high, which is located to the north of the baiu rainband, has weakened during the past three decades. The north–south contrasting changes between the two highs reflect a response to northward-moved and enhanced baiu heating, which intensifies the upper-tropospheric ridge, resulting in the baroclinic intensification of the WPSH. Regional climate model experiments also support the observational analysis. Therefore, baiu convective activity in midsummer can act as a major driver for the WPSH intensification. The results here suggest that the mechanism intensifying the summer North Pacific subtropical high clearly differs between the western and eastern Pacific.

Corresponding author address: Shinji Matsumura, Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 5, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan. E-mail: matsusnj@ees.hokudai.ac.jp

Abstract

The summer western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) has intensified during the past three decades. However, the underlying mechanism is not yet well understood. Here, it is shown that baiu rainband activity in midsummer, which is part of the East Asian summer monsoon, plays an important role in recent intensification in the WPSH along the baiu rainband. In contrast with the WPSH, the summer Okhotsk high, which is located to the north of the baiu rainband, has weakened during the past three decades. The north–south contrasting changes between the two highs reflect a response to northward-moved and enhanced baiu heating, which intensifies the upper-tropospheric ridge, resulting in the baroclinic intensification of the WPSH. Regional climate model experiments also support the observational analysis. Therefore, baiu convective activity in midsummer can act as a major driver for the WPSH intensification. The results here suggest that the mechanism intensifying the summer North Pacific subtropical high clearly differs between the western and eastern Pacific.

Corresponding author address: Shinji Matsumura, Faculty of Environmental Earth Science, Hokkaido University, Kita 10 Nishi 5, Sapporo 060-0810, Japan. E-mail: matsusnj@ees.hokudai.ac.jp
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