Interannual variability of the onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon

ABSTRACT This article investigates the year‐to‐year variability of the onset of the South China Sea summer monsoon ( SCSSM ) and the possible influences exerted by the surface temperature anomalies over land and sea. Early and late monsoon onsets are related to the temperature anomalies in different regions. It is found that an early onset follows negative sea surface temperature ( SST ) anomalies in the central tropical Pacific ( CP ) Ocean during the preceding winter and spring, corresponding to a CP La Niña. In contrast, a late onset is preceded by the negative surface air temperature anomalies over land in the central Asian continent. Negative SST anomalies in the central‐eastern equatorial Pacific Ocean and the associated warming in…