The 2016 summer floods in China were compared to those in 1998. In 2016, there was above-normal rainfall in the Yangtze River valley and North China, while in 1998, a "Secondary Meiyu" occurred. The Ural high was weaker in 2016 due to different sea surface temperature anomalies. Both years had similar tropical circulation patterns, with a stronger western Pacific subtropical high and weaker East Asian summer monsoon. However, in August 2016, the circulation pattern changed, leading to dry conditions in the Yangtze River valley. This was influenced by the Madden–Julian Oscillation, which triggered tropical cyclone activities. In contrast, in August 1998, the East Asian summer monsoon was weaker, and the western Pacific subtropical high remained strong.