SEASONAL VARIATIONS OF NET RADIATIVE HEATING IN THE EARTH-ATMOSPHERIC SYSTEM AND ITS RELATIONS TO ASIAN SUMMER MONSOON

Satellite-derived data of the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR), net shortwave radiation at thetropopause (SRT) and circulation information as predicted by NCEP are used in the work to study seasonal variations of net radiative heating in the earth-atmospheric system and its relationship with the Asian summer monsoon. As is shown in the result, the zonal deviations of the zonal deviations of the heating, manifested as mutations in direction between land and sea with seasons, is an indication of the thermal difference between them.Being a month earlier than that in the general circulation from spring to summer, the seasonal reversal of directionmay be playing an essential role in triggering the onset and withdrawal of summer monsoon in Asia.