Stratospheric Precursor of Non-Uniform Variation in Early Spring Surface Temperature over Eurasia

The stratospheric influences on the non-uniform variation in early spring (March–April, MA) surface temperature over Eurasia is investigated based on the ERA-Interim, NCEP-1, and NCEP-2 reanalysis data for the period 1980–2016. A lead–lag correlation is found between preceding winter (December–February, DJF) stratospheric polar vortex displacements (SPVD) and the MA west–east seesaw pattern in surface temperature over Eurasia. Further analysis reveals that the East Asian jet stream may act as a bridge linking DJF SPVD and MA surface temperature over Eurasia. A positive change in SPVD is associated with a decelerated polar jet stream and an accelerated East Asian jet stream in the troposphere in DJF. The East Asian jet stream signal can persist into MA. As a result, anomalous southerly/northerly winds prevail over western/eastern Eurasia, accounting for the west–east surface temperature seesaw over Eurasia.