Impacts of Land Surface and Sea Surface Temperatures on the Onset Date of South China Sea Summer Monsoon

The present study analyzes differences in spatial and temporal variations of surface temperature between early and late onset years of the South China Sea summer monsoon (SCSSM). It is found that when land surface temperature north of 40degN is lower (higher) and the sea surface temperature over the South China Sea-western North Pacific(SCS-WNP) is higher (lower) in winter, the onset of the SCSSM begins earlier (later) and that when land surface temperature north of 40degN is higher (lower) and sea surface temperature over the SCS-WNP is lower (higher) in spring, the onset of the SCSSM occurs earlier (later). The reason why the anomalies of land surface temperature north of 40degN can influence the atmospheric circulation is investigated by analysis of the wind and temperature fields.