Strengthened Relationship between Eastern ENSO and Summer Precipitation over Northeastern China

This paper reveals a strengthened relationship between the spring eastern ENSO and summer precipitation over northeastern China (NEC) after the late 1990s. The relationship of the spring eastern ENSO with summer NEC precipitation is insignificant during 1983–97, whereas it becomes significantly positive during 1998–2012. In the earlier period, a zonal tripolar pattern in the middle to high latitudes of the North Asia–Pacific region and an anomalous anticyclone over Japan are the main factors responsible for NEC summer precipitation, although these atmospheric patterns have a weak correlation with the spring eastern ENSO. However, the atmospheric circulation that influences precipitation in NEC develops into the Siberian high and an anomalous cyclone over NEC after the late 1990s, which are strongly correlated with the spring eastern ENSO. The changes in associated atmospheric circulation partially contribute to the strengthening of the eastern ENSO–precipitation relationship. Additionally, the eas...