Interannual Temperature Variations of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Masses: A Comprehensive Analysis from 1976 to 1999

This study examines in-situ temperature profiles in three representative sections, namely, the Dalian–Chengshantou (DC), the Chengshantou–Changsangot (CC), and the 36°N, to delineate the interannual variations of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass (YSCWM) and investigate their potential connections, along with forcing factors, across different regions. The findings reveal the following insights: 1) The YSCWM experiences warming trends at DC, CC, and the western segment of the 36°N, revealing corresponding minimum temperature rates of 0.021 °C/yr, 0.043 °C/yr, and 0.063 °C/yr, respectively. Conversely, the eastern portion of the 36°N displays a slight cooling trend, resulting in a pronounced zonal disparity in long-term temperature trends. 2) The changes in the YSCWM are closely linked to the atmospheric wind patterns. Notably, the weakening of northerly winds during winter corresponds to the rise in YSCWM temperature, which is accompanied by a westward shift in the cold core of the 36°N section. 3) Correlation analysis with factors such as the Arctic Oscillation (AO), Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO), and El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO), etc., indicates that changes in large-scale climate systems influence the spatiotemporal variations of the YSCWM, resulting in seasonal differences.