Correlation between the Surface Air Temperature over Japan and the Global Sea Surface Temperature

[摘要] Relationships between the global sea surface temperature (SST) and the surface air temperature over Japan (TsJ) are examined by computing lagged cross-correlations based on the monthly mean data for 1970-1984. High correlation is found between the TsJ for December and the preceding SST over the central equatorial Pacific around 0°N, 160°W. Since the SST anomaly in this area persists for a long period, this relationship holds significant back to the summer (the SST leading the TsJ by half a year). For the TsJ in January or February, there is no significant relationship with the SST in the tropics. Therefore this relationship cannot be obtained by using three-month mean data. There is a high correlation between the TsJ for January or February and the SST over the North Pacific around 40°N, 150°W for a 0 to 2 months' lag with a lead in the SST. The corresponding circulation anomaly for December differs from that for January or February, although both are associated with an anomalous southerly wind and warm air advection near Japan. It is also found that the TsJ and the associated circulation pattern for March are highly correlated with the following El Nino event. During summer there is a high correlation between the SST over the western Pacific and the TsJ for July.

[学科分类] 大气科学