The relationship between Tibet plateau heat sources in early spring and sea surface temperature (SST) in the prior winter is analyzed and explored, based on the data of NCEP/NCAR monthly reanalysis from 1951 to 2007, and NOAA’s extended reconstruction SST data (ERSST.v3b). The methods used include standardized index, abnormal year synthesis, and statistical analysis. The results show that there are two areas in the North Pacific Ocean, in which SST in previous winter has remarkable correlation with the heat sources on the plateau in early spring: Region A located in the Eastern North Pacific with the positive relation, and Region B located in the Western North Pacific with negative relation. Meanwhile, the persistent correlation between SST in previous winter and heat sources in the plateau in March is analyzed; it was found that the method using the variation of SST in the prior winter in both Region A and B has shown some skill in predicting Tibet plateau heat sources in spring. The abnormal synthesis reveals that the abnormal characteristics of atmospheric heat sources and the vertical structure of the wind fields correspond to the abnormal years of previous winter sea temperature in strong signal areas. The further study indicates that the characteristics of the late summer 500 hPa height field pattern and its water vapor transport vectors are related with previous winter SST in Yangtze rainy years.