Connection between Barents Sea Ice in May and Early Summer Monsoon Rainfall in the South China Sea and Its Possible Mechanism

Abstract

The impacts of Arctic sea ice on climate in middle and high latitudes have been extensively studied. However, its effects on climate in low latitudes, particularly on summer monsoon rainfall in the South China Sea (SCS), have received limited attention. Thus, this study investigates the connection between the Arctic sea ice concentration (SIC) anomaly and the early summer monsoon rainfall (ESMR) in the SCS and its underlying physical mechanism. The results reveal a significant positive correlation between the Barents Sea (BS) SIC in May and the ESMR in the SCS. When there is more (less) SIC in the Barents Sea (BS) during May, this results in a positive (negative) anomaly of the local turbulent heat flux, which lasts until June. This, in turn, excites an upward (downward) air motion anomaly in the vicinity of the BS, causing a corresponding downward (upward) motion anomaly over the Black Sea. Consequently, this triggers a wave train similar to the Eurasian (SEU) teleconnection, propagating eastward towards East Asia. The SEU further leads to an (a) upward (downward) motion anomaly and weakens (strengthens) the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH) over the SCS, which is accompanied by a southwest adequate (scarce) water vapor anomaly transporting from the Indian Ocean, resulting in more (less) precipitation in the SCS. Furthermore, the response of ESMR in the SCS to the SIC in the BS is further verified by using the Community Atmosphere Model version 5.3 (CAM5.3). This study introduces novel precursor factors that influence the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM), presenting a new insight for climate prediction in this region, which holds significant implications.

Keywords

• Arctic sea ice
• South China Sea summer monsoon
• rainfall
• teleconnection
• CAM5.3