Frontal Systems: Shanghai weather is significantly impacted by frontal systems throughout the year. The seasonal shift in the sub solar point and the corresponding shift in continental pressure cause seasonal climatic and frontal variation to occur. October is a transitional month in local weather and predominantly influenced by late summer wind patterns. The current barometric pressure and image serves to demonstrate the prevailing HIGHER pressure coming from the ocean. (See Figure 1)
Ocean Currents: Higher pressure leads to predominantly westerly winds (seaward) , which are generally warmer and influenced by tropical Kurishio oceanic currents and tropical air masses in the summer. In the coming months, the sub solar point and the impacts of the shifting ITCZ will allow cooler ocean currents and air masses to push in to the Shanghai area. The Oyashio current forces cooler ocean water move in to the South China Sea during the winter months. The combination of shifting and cooling ocean currents, southward movement of Continental Polar (cP) and Continental Artic (cA) air masses causes the land mass to drastically cool off during the winter (see figure 2). The cooling land mass will change the continental pressure and cause winds to shift to a cold easterly wind. As the cooler air moves toward the Sea, Shanghai weather will cool off and be less influenced by the Sea temperature.
Topography: Shanghai is generally in a basin with several major rivers flowing in to the area. The rivers funnel cold air from higher eastern elevations in the Shanghai region. There is very little topography to the North of Shanghai. The lack of topography will allow cold arctic air masses to move in to Shanghai. The mountain ranges to the South, South West and West of the region can possible serve to keep cold air trapped in the valley. (see Figure 3 and Figure 4).
WebCam: **It always seems to be hazy in Shanghai, part of the haziness is the impact of fog from the ocean. Heavy and rapid industrialization and mass consumption of coal also contribute greatly to the Shanghai haze.
