Different Effects of Two <scp>ENSO</scp> Types on the Northern Mid‐to‐High Latitude Surface Air Temperature Distribution in Late Winter

ABSTRACT ENSO exerts a strong influence on global mean surface temperature. Using reanalysis data and CMIP6 AMIP simulations, this study examined distinct late winter (February–March) Northern Hemisphere (NH) mid‐to‐high latitude surface air temperature (SAT) responses to Eastern Pacific (EP) and Central Pacific (CP) ENSO types. EP El Niño induces a “north cold, south warm” SAT dipole pattern over Eurasia, contrasting sharply with the “north warm, south cold” pattern observed during CP El Niño. EP La Niña produces SAT anomalies nearly opposite to EP El Niño, whereas the CP La Niña responses are comparatively weak. Enhanced low pressure and cyclonic circulation over Eurasia during EP El Niño drive meridional temperature advection, establishing the SAT dipole. Conversely, anomalous high pressure and anticyclonic circulation dominate during CP El Niño and both La Niña types. Observational analysis reveals that the divergent Eurasian SAT patterns stem from differences in tropical Pacific convection anomalies. These anomalies excite distinct poleward‐propagating Rossby wave trains and modulate the variability of the polar front jet (PFJ), thereby influencing extratropical circulation. CMIP6 AMIP models realistically simulate these contrasting late winter NH SAT responses.