Abstract: In 2022, South China (SC) experienced record-breaking rainfall during its first rainy season, causing severe socioeconomic losses. This study examines the large-scale circulation anomalies responsible for this extreme event. Analysis reveals that the lower-tropospheric cyclonic anomaly over SC plays a crucial role. This cyclonic anomaly consists of extratropical northeasterly anomalies to the north of SC and tropical southwesterly anomalies to the south. Both components were particularly intense during the 2022 first rainy season, contributing to the heavy rainfall in SC. Moreover, the lower-tropospheric cyclonic anomaly is enhanced by its counterpart in the upper troposphere, which is associated with a wave train propagating from the North Atlantic to East Asia across the mid-high latitudes of the Eurasian continent. Further analysis indicates that the extratropical wave train correlates with sea surface temperature anomalies (SSTAs) in the North Atlantic. Additionally, the SSTAs over the North Indian Ocean also play a role in enhancing the tropical southwesterlies in the lower troposphere. This study highlights the combined influence of tropical and extratropical circulation anomalies, offering a comprehensive understanding of the record-breaking rainfall.