ISSN 1000-0526
CN 11-2282/P
CN 11-2282/P
Archive > Volume 41 Issue 4 > 2015,41(4):497-507. DOI:10.7519/j.issn.1000-0526.2015.04.013 Prev Next
Global Major Weather and Climate Events in 2014 and the Possible Causes
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Abstract:
The global average surface temperature in 2014 was about 0.57 ℃ higher than the mean value of 1961-1990. The year is the warmest year on records since 1850.Sea surface temperatures (SSTs) in the eastern and central equatorial Pacific Ocean mostly maintained warm conditions. Global average SSTs in 2014 were warmer than any previous years in the historical records. During the year, sea ice extent in the Arctic was still at one of the lowest levels on records while the Antarctic sea ice extent reached a new record again. Affected by the anomalous atmospheric circulation combined with the external forcing factors of ocean and sea ice, notable climate anomalies and extreme events occurred worldwide in 2014. Especially, the precipitation in most of the southwest part of the United States of America in January-April 2014 was 20%-60% less than normal, with mean rainfall amount being the least since 1981.The drought developed and persisted, and severe drought even hit some regions. During the first and second dekads of June 2014, the average air temperature in India was 31.2℃, 1.2℃ higher than normal. The temperature in some locations was even above 4℃ higher than normal, which is recorded as the highest temperature in the corresponding period since 1961. The maximum temperature was 47.8℃ in New Delhi of India on 8 June， creading a new record in the city for the past 62 years. Further analysis results show the continual domination of the ridge in the upper troposphere and the severe shortage of water vapor transportation from the Northeast Pacific and the Gulf of Mexico were the immediate causes for the drought in the southwestern part of the United States from January to April. The slow northward advances of Indian summer monsoon and the sustainable control of high ridge were the major causes for the high temperature in India in June 2014.
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