Cause and Anomalous Characteristics of the South China Sea Monsoon Trough Producing Heavy Rainfall in South China

Atmospheric processes associated with the South China Sea (SCS) monsoon trough which caused the heavy rainfall in pentad 3 of August 2007 in South China are analyzed using the reanalysis data of NCEP and satellite images. The results indicate that the Asian summer monsoon trough has independent space structure,convergence in the low layers and divergence in the high layers are in the south of the Asian summer monsoon trough. The climate analysis shows that both the Indian monsoon trough and the SCS monsoon trough reach their maximum in August. The SCS monsoon trough in pentad 3 of August 2007 was located in South China coastal areas and had strong intensity. The convergence in the low layers and divergence in the high layers were also stronger. The Indian monsoon trough was also stronger. The strengthened South Asian high locating over the Tibetan Plateau is the main cause for the strengthening of the Asian monsoon trough. The subtropical high in the western Pacific is located over Japan and is intensified,which is propitous to the northward movement and the enhancing of the SCS monsoon and monsoon trough. The increased temperature over the Tibetan Plateau induces the stronger easterly in the upper levels,westerly in the low levels,and the enhancing convergence in the low layers and divergence in the high layers of the SCS monsoon trough. The long-wave trough in the westerly belt is intensified and extends to Southwest China,which causes the SCS monsoon trough to become stronger. The SCS monsoon trough has an intraseasonal period. The intraseasonal oscillation has an important effect on the northward movement and enhancement of the SCS summer monsoon trough.