The first observational evidence of a mixed Rossby–gravity wave contribution to triggering the onset process of the South China Sea summer monsoon

Abstract

Convectively coupled equatorial waves (Kelvin waves, equatorial Rossby waves, the Madden–Julian Oscillation, tropical depression–type waves, and mixed Rossby–gravity (MRG) waves) are important components of the tropical atmosphere. It is already known that the first four kinds of equatorial waves can trigger the onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM). This study provides observational evidence that an MRG wave contributes to triggering the onset process of the SCSSM in 2023, which took place very early (advanced by two weeks). Specifically, anomalous upper-tropospheric southerly winds first appeared in the equatorial central Pacific at the end of April. These southerly winds propagated westwards and downwards to the equatorial western Pacific and became an MRG wave. As this MRG wave continued to propagate westwards, the associated southwesterly winds contributed to the SCSSM onset. In addition to the MRG wave, the westerly phase of the Madden–Julian Oscillation is located around the Maritime Continent, which also creates a favorable environment for the SCSSM onset in 2023. After addressing the important role of the MRG wave, this study completes the last piece of the puzzle of the impacts of equatorial waves on the monsoon onset.

Keywords

• South China Sea
• summer monsoon onset
• mixed Rossby–gravity wave
• Madden–Julian Oscillation
• convectively coupled equatorial wave