Northeast China Cold Vortex Amplifies Extreme Precipitation Events in the Middle and Lower Reaches Yangtze River Basin

Abstract

The middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River (MLYR) frequently experience extreme precipitation events (EPEs) during June and July, the so-called Meiyu season. This study investigated EPEs in the MLYR during Meiyu seasons over 1961–2022, using rain gauge observations and ERA5 reanalysis data. EPEs associated with the Northeast China cold vortex featured more undulating westerlies with a distinct wave train pattern from Europe to Northeast Asia. Due to robust Rossby wave energy, the trough deepened from Northeast China towards the MLYR and was confronted with a westward extension of the western Pacific subtropical high. Such a configuration enhanced the warm and moist monsoon conveyor belt and convergence of water vapor flux from southwestern China to the MLYR. The warm and moist air favored upward motion. The increased rainfall prevailed from southwestern China to the MLYR. In contrast, ordinary EPEs were characterized by zonal westerlies and weaker Rossby wave propagation. The Meiyu trough was comparatively shallow and confined to the MLYR with less westward expansion of the subtropical high. In response, the warm and moist monsoon conveyor belt was more localized, resulting in weaker EPEs in the MLYR.

Keywords

• extreme precipitation
• Northeast China cold vortex
• middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River
• warm and moist conveyor belt