ROLE OF THE STANDING AND THE TRANSIENT EDDIES IN ATMOSPHERIC WATER CYCLE IN THE ASIAN MONSOON REGION

Using ECMWF daily data from 1980-1989, analyses are conducted concerning the role of the standing eddies (SE) and the transient eddies (TE) in transporting water vapor in the Asian monsoon region. Results show that the TE always transport water vapor along the moisture gradient, so that equilibrium of vapor content in tropical belts and middle and high latitudes can be maintained. In summer water vapor transport by the SE is responsible for water vapor flow from tropical to subtropical area, while water vapor transport by the TE is the main mechanism for water vapor flow from subtropical latitudes to middle and high latitudes. Due to the existence of the Meridional Monsoon Circulation, tropical belts within the Asian monsoon region become moiture sources and extratropical belts become moisture sinks. This feature is in reverse with other regions of similar geographic latitudes.