Interdecadal Variation of Spring Extreme High-Temperature Events in the Western Tianshan Mountains and Its Relationship with the Tropical SST

Abstract

This study performed an observational analysis to examine the interdecadal variation in the frequency of extreme high-temperature events (EHEs) during spring over the western Tianshan mountain, China, which were characterized by relatively fewer (more) EHEs during 1983–1996 (2000–2015). A composite analysis indicated that the interdecadal increase in EHEs is closely related to a deep dynamic anomalous Iranian high. Under the control of this high system, the water vapor content decreased over the western Tianshan mountains, and atmospheric circulation was dominated by a descending motion. Both were attributed to the decreased cloud cover, inducing a cloud-forced net solar radiation increase. The short-wave radiation flux and sensible heat flux reaching the surface increased, and the net surface heat flux increased cumulatively, which was conducive to the surface temperature increase and EHE occurrence. The anomalous Iranian high responsible for ECEs occurrence was related to the air-sea interaction over the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific. The latitudinal sea surface temperature (SST) difference between the tropical western Pacific and the western Indian Ocean directly strengthens the Walker circulation and thus enhances the Iranian high. In addition, the anomalous Iranian high was affected by the atmospheric wave trains at middle latitude, which was triggered by the warm anomaly of the Atlantic SST.