Characteristics of the Circulation during the Catastrophic Flood Period over China in 1998

• Published in: Chinese Journal of Geophysics
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wiley 2000
• Subjects: Okhotsk; okhotsk sea
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cjg2.80; https://api.wiley.com/onlinelibrary/tdm/v1/articles/10.1002%2Fcjg2.80; https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/cjg2.80

Abstract The Characteristics of the general atmospheric circulation during the catastrophic flood period over Yangtze River valley in 1998 are discussed. There are two patterns of precipitation distribution: a pattern of floodwater over the Yangtze valley and precipitation more than normal in the whole country; and a pattern of floodwater over the Yangtze valley and precipitation less than normal in its north and south. The 500 hPa circulation characteristics of the two patterns are further studied. Results show that there are obviously differences in geopotential height fields of 500 hPa in Northern hemisphere. The establishment of Okhotsk Sea blocking high is a major factor in causing the floodwater over Yangtze valley. Intensity of South China Sea high is an important factor of forming the patterns of precipitation.