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High-frequency atmospheric variability over South China Sea as depicted by TRMM and QuikSCAT

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Abstract

By using the TRMM and QuikSCAT datathe characteristics of the 2–8 day high frequency atmospheric variability over the South China Sea are studied in this paper. It’s found that: (1) the 2–8 day high frequency signals are significant not only during the periods of the South China Sea Summer Monsoon (SCSSM), but also after the retreat of the SCSSM. It reaches its peak around July to August; (2) the 2–8 day high frequency signals exhibit strong intermittent features; (3) During El Nino years, the 2–8 day high frequency signals are active only in the periods of the SCSSM. During La Nina years, the 2–8 day high frequency signals are obviously not only in periods of the SCSSM, but also after the retreat of the SCSSM. During the SCSSM periods, the 2–8 day high frequency signals in El Nino years are much stronger than that in La Nina years; (4) During spring to early summer, most of 2–8 day signals propagate southward and eastward, during midsummer to autumn, however, most of 2–8-day signals propagate northward and westward; (5) The 2–8 day northward and westward propagation signals is probably related to the activities of high-frequency vortex over the SCS.

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Correspondence to Dongxiao Wang.

Additional information

Foundation item: The National Natural Science Foundation of China under contract No. 40875020, the National Basic Research Program of China under contract No. 2011CB403500 and the NSFC-Guangdong Joint Fund Program under contract No. U0733002.

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Li, W., Wang, D., Lei, T. et al. High-frequency atmospheric variability over South China Sea as depicted by TRMM and QuikSCAT. Acta Oceanol. Sin. 30, 46–52 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-011-0104-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13131-011-0104-9

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