The Institute of Atmospheric Physics and the Institute of Geology and Geophysics began systematic and in-depth research on atmospheric circulation patterns in East Asia from the 1950s. 

Researchers proposed the concept of abrupt climate change. They also found that the circulation in East Asia and North America changed dramatically during transition seasons. They discovered and proved the importance of blocking high pressure in the prediction of persistent abnormal weather and revealed the mechanisms by which atmospheric circulation in East Asia affects China’s climate. 

This work laid a theoretical foundation for the establishment of a numerical weather prediction model in China in the 1980s.