Abstract:The main characteristics of the general atmospheric circulation in October 2016 are as follows. Over the Northern Hemisphere, the polar vortex conformed to the dipolar nature distribution, which is more intensive than the usual. In the mid high latitudes, the circulation presented a four wave pattern. The West Pacific subtropical high system was stronger than the usual, with its ridge extending to west and north obviously. The monthly mean precipitation over China is 55.4 mm, 55% higher than the climatological mean (35.8 mm), and is the highest for the same period since 1951. The national average temperature is 10.9℃, 0.6℃ higher than its climatological mean 10.3℃. Six severe rainfall processes occurred during this month, two of which were led by Typhoons Sarika and Haima, respectively, while the others were caused by vortex sheers. There were five cold air processes, more than the usual, and four fog and haze events in the region of Beijing Tianjin Hebei. Typhoon Sarika, the No.21 this year, landed the city of Wanning, Hainan Province, on 18 October and Typhoon Haima, the No.22, landed the city of Shanwei, Guangdong Province on 21 October, both of which have severely adverse effects.