Decadal warming of coastal China Seas and coupling with winter monsoon and currents

Abstract

In recent decades, wintertime sea surface temperatures off the eastern coast of China have steadily increased. The warming is accompanied by on-coast wind convergence across East China Sea and by stronger northeasterly wind which is spatially inhomogeneous being greatest in the Taiwan Strait. Strong winds favor more frequent cross-shelf currents and vigorous spreading of heat from the Kuroshio, which warms the coastal sea in a positive feedback loop. The process also weakens the East Asian winter monsoon over eastern China, contributing to its decoupling from the recent rebound of the Siberian High. Key Points Recent warming off coastal China is accompanied by stronger northeasterly wind Stronger winter monsoon spreads heat from Kuroshio producing air-sea response The increased wind is detached from the recent rebound of the Siberian High ©2013. American Geophysical Union. All Rights Reserved.