Fluctuations of the relationship between ENSO and northeast Australian rainfall

It is well known that during an El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) warm event, drought occurs in regions of northeastern (NE) Australia, leading to anomalously low annual rainfall. The present study explores fluctuations of this ENSO-rainfall relationship. It is found that the relationship tends to weaken when the linearly detrended global mean temperature is rising or particularly high, as in the period of 1931–45 period and since the late 1970s. Prior to a weakening, a correlation pattern of increased rainfall during El Niño events is seen first in northwestern Australia, then in eastern and southeastern Australia, and eventually in NE Australia. The 1931–45 period was particularly intriguing, when in terms of rainfall variability over NE Australia, the interannual ENSO-rainfall relationship went through a process of weakening, reversal, and rapid recovery. Features associated with the reversal are therefore examined and these features are: (1) the global background anomaly pattern (upon which internnal ENSO events operate) is ENSO-like; (2) ENSO sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies in tropical Pacific are weaker compared with those averaged over all ENSO events, whereas SST anomalies in the mid- to-high latitude Pacific (which have opposing polarity to those in tropical Pacific) are larger; (3) there is strong coherence between ENSO and variability in northern mid- to high-latitudes; and (4) the relationship that an El Niño event contributes to a warming anomaly of global mean SST weakens. Possible interrelationship among these features are discussed.     

Regional-scale relationships between aerosol and summer monsoon circulation, and precipitation over northeast Asia

We investigated the regional-scale relationships between columnar aerosol loads and summer monsoon circulation, and also the precipitation over northeast Asia using aerosol optical depth (AOD) data obtained from the 8-year MODIS, AERONET Sun/sky radiometer, and precipitation data acquired under the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP). These high-quality data revealed the regional-scale link between AOD and summer monsoon circulation, precipitation in July over northeast Asian countries, and their distinct spatial and annual variabilities. Compared to the mean AOD for the entire period of 2001–2008, the increase of almost 40–50% in the AOD value in July 2005 and July 2007 was found over the downwind regions of China (Yellow Sea, Korean peninsula, and East Sea), with negative precipitation anomalies. This can be attributable to the strong westerly confluent flows, between cyclone flows by continental thermal low centered over the northern China and anticyclonic flows by the western North Pacific High, which transport anthropogenic pollution aerosols emitted from east China to aforementioned downwind high AOD regions along the rim of the Pacific marine airmass. In July 2002, however, the easterly flows transported anthropogenic aerosols from east China to the southwestern part of China in July 2002. As a result, the AOD off the coast of China was dramatically reduced in spite of decreasing rainfall. From the calculation of the cross-correlation coefficient between MODIS-derived AOD anomalies and GPCP precipitation anomalies in July over the period 2001–2008, we found negative correlations over the areas encompassed by 105–115°E and 30–35°N and by 120–140°E and 35–40°N (Yellow Sea, Korean peninsula, and East Sea). This suggests that aerosol loads over these regions are easily influenced by the Asian monsoon flow system and associated precipitation.     

Intraseasonal oscillations of the monsoon circulation over South Asia

The space–time structure of the three-dimensional circulation over the South Asian monsoon region has been studied using the ERA-40 reanalysis of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. Applying multi-channel singular spectrum analysis on combined daily values of horizontal winds and pressure vertical velocity at ten vertical levels for the period 1958–2001, two leading intraseasonal nonlinear oscillations were extracted. The first oscillation has an average period of 50?days and propagates northeastward from the Indian Ocean to the Indian subcontinent. The second oscillation has a period of 30?days and propagates northwestward from the West Pacific to the Indian region. Both the oscillations exhibit the oscillatory and propagation features at all vertical levels from 1,000 to 100?hPa. The two oscillations correspond well with similar oscillations found in outgoing longwave radiation and precipitation in earlier studies. The wind oscillations also account for the active and break phases of the Indian monsoon. The vertical structures and propagation of specific humidity and temperature are found to be consistent with those of the winds in each oscillation. The structure and movement of regional Hadley and Walker circulations have also been described. The analyses provide further strong evidence for the existence of two distinct monsoon intraseasonal oscillations.     

Eurasian Snow Conditions and Summer Monsoon Rainfall over South and Southeast Asia： Assessment and Comparison

This study reveals the complex nature of the connection between Eurasian snow and the following summer season＇s monsoon rainfall by using four different indicators of snow conditions and correlating each of them to summer monsoon rainfall. Using 46 years of historical records of mean winter snow depth, maximum snow depth, and snow starting dates, and 27 years of snow area coverage from remote sensing observations over Eurasia, the authors found diverse correlation patterns between snow conditions and the following warm season＇s rainfall over South and Southeast Asia. Some of the results contradict the well-known inverse relationships between snow and the summer monsoon. This study provides an easy comparison of results in that it shows the connections between Eurasian snow and monsoon rainfall by using different Eurasian snow indicators based on the best available historical records without discrimination of regional variations in snow conditions.     

Increasing trend of northeast monsoon rainfall over the equatorial Indian Ocean and peninsular India

Peninsular India and Sri Lanka receive major part of their annual rainfall during the northeast monsoon season (October–December). The long-term trend in the northeast monsoon rainfall over the Indian Ocean and peninsular India is examined in the vicinity of global warming scenario using the Global Precipitation Climatology Project (GPCP) dataset available for the period 1979–2010. The result shows a significant increasing trend in rainfall rate of about 0.5 mm day^?1 decade^?1 over a large region bounded by 10 °S–10 °N and 55 °E–100 °E. The interannual variability of seasonal rainfall rate over peninsular India using conventional rain gauge data is also investigated in conjunction to the Indian Ocean dipole. The homogeneous rain gauge data developed by Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology over peninsular India also exhibit the considerable upward rainfall trend of about 0.4 mm day^?1 decade^?1 during this period. The associated outgoing longwave radiation shows coherent decrease in the order of 2 W?m^?2 decade^?1 over the rainfall increase region.     

ENSO与南海SST关系的年代际变化

基于NOAA重建的海面温度（sea surface temperature, SST）资料和NCEP再分析大气资料,研究了ENSO（El Niño-Southern Oscillation）与南海SST关系的年代际变化。结果表明：ENSO影响南海SST的冬、夏季“双峰”现象发生了显著的年代际变化,即冬季的“峰值”自20世纪80年代显著减弱,而夏季的“峰值”稳定持续且在20世纪70年代之后增强;冬季“峰值”的减弱可能与冬季西北太平洋反气旋的年代际变化有关,夏季“峰值”的维持和增强可能与20世纪70年代之后印度洋SST“电容器”效应的增强有关。     

Mechanism of ENSO influence on the South Asian monsoon rainfall in global model simulations

Theoretical and Applied Climatology - Coupled ocean atmosphere global climate models are increasingly being used for seasonal scale simulation of the South Asian monsoon. In these models, sea...     

On the link between extreme floods and excess monsoon epochs in South Asia

This paper provides a synoptic view of extreme monsoon floods on all the nine large rivers of South Asia and their association with the excess (above-normal) monsoon rainfall periods. Annual maximum flood series for 18 gauging stations spread over four countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal) and long-term monsoon rainfall data were analyzed to ascertain whether the extreme floods were clustered in time and whether they coincided with multi-decade excess monsoon rainfall epochs at the basin level. Simple techniques, such as the Cramer’s t-test, regression and Mann–Kendall (MK) tests and Hurst method were used to evaluate the trends and patterns of the flood and rainfall series. MK test reveals absence of any long-term tendency in all the series. However, the Cramer’s t test and Hurst-Mandelbrot rescaled range statistic provide evidence that both rainfall and flood time series are persistent. Using the Cramer’s t-test the excess monsoon epochs for each basin were identified. The excess monsoon periods for different basins were found to be highly asynchronous with respect to duration as well as the beginning and end. Three main conclusions readily emerge from the analyses. Extreme floods (>90th percentile) in South Asia show a tendency to cluster in time. About three-fourth of the extreme floods have occurred during the excess monsoon periods between ~1840 and 2000 AD, implying a noteworthy link between the two. The frequency of large floods was higher during the post-1940 period in general and during three decades (1940s, 1950s and 1980s) in particular.     

The interdecadal variations of the summer monsoon rainfall over South China

Summary This paper is to promote a further understanding of the interdecadal variations of the summer monsoon rainfall over South China (SCMR). With this focus, we will specifically aim at better understanding possible mechanism responsible for such an interdecadal variation relationship between the SCMR and El Ni?o/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). In many of the previous studies on precipitation, the datasets used are satellite observations or gridded reanalyzed data due to the lack of long-term reliable observations over the marginal seas of the Asian continent. Such an approach could lead to possible errors in the results. In this work, several representative stations with long-term rain-gauge observations are chosen to reduce such uncertainty. The study of the interdecadal variabilities of SCMR indicates that there is a strong linkage between SCMR and ENSO on the interdecadal variations. These results agree well with those from previous studies that the Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) and ENSO are not independent of each other, the interannual and interdecadal variations of tropical Pacific Sea Surface temperatures (SSTs) could affect the interdecadal variations of the SCMR, and the incorporating information on the PDO/ENSO could improve the long-term prediction of the SCMR.     

ENSO与中国东部夏季降水异常关系的年代际变化

根据1960—2011年Had ISST资料集中的月平均海表温度资料和中国753站逐日降水资料,基于转经验正交函数分解等分析方法,发现中国夏季降水的变化具有明显的独立性特征,可以分为相对独立的11个雨区,并在此基础上讨论了11个雨区夏季降水与ENSO的相关关系及其年代际变化,发现不同雨区的夏季降水与ENSO相关关系的年代际变化特征不尽相同,据此可分为3种类型:第1类为稳定不相关型,代表区为东北地区、长江中下游地区、江南地区、闽赣地区、环琼州海峡地区;第2类为稳定相关型,代表区为河套地区、黄河中下游地区;第3类为相关关系变化型,代表区为辽吉地区、黄淮地区、淮河流域以及两广地区。而在第3类相关关系变化型中,4个雨区夏季降水与ENSO相关关系的年代际突变时间也存在差异,两广地区的突变年份在1975年左右,辽吉地区和黄淮地区的突变年份在1980年左右,淮河流域的突变年份在1985年左右。     

Summer monsoon rainfall patterns over South Korea and associated circulation features

Summary Seasonal summer monsoon (June through August) rainfall patterns over South Korea are classified by an objective method using data for a 40-year period (1961–2000). The rainfall patterns are represented by the percentage departures from the normal rainfall of 12 stations spread uniformly over South Korea. The statistical technique employed is the k-means (KM) clustering method. The Euclidean distance has been used as a measure of similarity between the patterns. Four dominant types are obtained by this method. Intercorrelations among the types suggest that the dominant patterns are distinct. The summer monsoon rainfall shows an increasing trend. Investigation of the physical processes associated with these patterns using NCEP/NCAR Reanalysis data clearly reveals contrasting circulation features associated with the dominant types during the summer monsoon period. In particular, contrasting circulation features are related to the position, shape and strength of the North Pacific Subtropical High. Received October 30, 2000 Revised November 12, 2001     

Bivariate Wavelet Analysis of Asia Monsoon and ENSO

This paper employs some recently developed bivariate wavelet analysis techniques to study the correlation between Asia monsoon and E1 Nino southern oscillation (ENSO).Various energy spectral densities are defined for waveiel transforms,analogous to those used in conventional Fourier analysis.Some comparisons are made by applying both wavelet and Fourier spectral methods (o the data.The wavelet analysis shows evidence of some relationship between Asia monsoon and ENSO,which the Fourier analysis resolves poorly.Correlation on several time scales,ranging from 2-4 years,11 years,and 22 years,become apparent with the wavelet cross-spectrum.Finally,the warelet cross-transform provides time localization of the distinctive features within the data record.     

东亚、东南亚、南亚地区降水的年变化和年际变化

本文应用了1951—1980年4—9月月平均和1961—1970年4—9月旬平均降水资料,研究了东亚、南亚和东南亚降水的年变化和年际变化,分析了中国东部、西部降水差异及长江流域夏季旱涝的特征.结果指出,东亚、南亚和东南亚4—9月200mm以上大雨区分布的总趋势呈西南-东北向,它和西南季风的走向近于一致.在这条大雨带之中,包括了三种不同类型的降水.此外,中国江淮地区旬降水量在7—9月存在周期约为20天左右的准周期振荡现象,它和中国西部的降水分布完全不同.中国华南和华中的降水与El Nino现象具有相反的关系.统计结果表明,长江中下游夏季发生持续性多雨和持续性少雨的机率只有23％,大部分年份属于正常降水年份.最后也讨论了影响长江中下游地区夏季旱涝的环流因素.     

Interdecadal variability of the relationship between the East Asian winter monsoon and ENSO

Summary The authors examine relationships between the East Asian winter monsoon and the ENSO, particularly on the interdecadal timescales. Based on the analyses of SLP data from 1899 to 1997, the East-Asian winter monsoon index (WMI) is defined as the zonal difference of SLP between ∼120° E and ∼160° E. It is found that 18 out of 28 strong winter monsoon years are either before the development of an El Ni?o or during the decaying La Ni?a event, 12 out of 28 weak winter monsoon are before the development of a La Ni?a or during the decaying El Ni?o event. There is a significant positive correlation coefficient value of about 0.49 between the normalized 11-yr running mean of WMI and ENSO index, however, the WMI-ENSO relationship is not consistently highly correlated. The temporal evolution of correlation between WMI and ENSO indices in both 11-yr and 21-yr moving window shows that the WMI-ENSO relationship clearly undergo low-frequency oscillation. Obviously, both observational and IPSL air-sea coupled modeling WMI index has a near-decadal peak with PDO timescales and internal peaks with ENSO timescales by applying the Multitaper method. Moreover, the cross wavelet and wavelet coherence analysis of WMI/ENSO indicate that there is a larger significant sections with an in phase behavior between WMI and ENSO at period of 20–30 yrs, suggesting that the interdecadal variation of the WMI-ENSO relationship might exist.     

中国东部季风降水与赤道东太平洋海温的关系

本文对中国异常季风降水与太平洋海表温度距平之间的关系进行了研究,特别注意到1951—1975年夏季北半球月平均年际变化. 赤道东太平洋海温距平经验正交函数(EOF)第一特征向量的时间序列与长江流域季风降水及太平洋副高指数之间的相互关系存在着相当明确的遥相关,发现长江流域旱(涝)与赤道东太平洋暖(冷)、西太平洋冷(暖)以及太平洋海温距平的二种行星型相符合.存在两种异常季风环流型,其一种型式相似于Horel和Wallace1982年提出的赤道增暖事件冬季的波列,另一种型式在相同位置其距平中心符号相反,只是强度较前一种情况弱. 东太平洋海温异常改变着西太平洋副高的强度及位置,从而影响印度尼西亚地区的跨赤道气流和中国东部低层的东南季风及长江流域的降水. 在赤道中太平洋和西太平洋(或东亚)之间表面温度对比的基础上,提出了三维行星对流环流,并以此来解释异常的季风环流.     

Weakening of the biennial relationship between Central American and equatorial South American rainfall in recent decades

以往的研究表明中美洲与赤道南美洲的降雨之间在准两年时间周期存在显著的相关关系。我们在研究中发现这两个地区的降雨之间的准两年关系在2000年之后出现显著的减弱,这种降雨准两年关系的减弱可以归因于厄尔尼诺和热带北大西洋海表面温度对这两个地区降雨的影响在2000年之后发生了显著的改变。中美洲与南美洲降雨之间准两年关系的这种年代际变异可能与中部型厄尔尼诺在2000年之后更频繁的发生有密切的关系。     

Temperature variability over the Indian Ocean and its relationship with Indian summer monsoon rainfall

Summary The present study examines the long term trend in sea surface temperatures (SSTs) of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Equatorial South India Ocean in the context of global warming for the period 1901–2002 and for a subset period 1971–2002. An attempt has also been made to identify the relationship between SST variations over three different ocean areas, and All-India and homogeneous region summer monsoon rainfall variability, including the role of El-Ni?o/Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Annual sea surface temperatures of the Arabian Sea, Bay of Bengal and Equatorial South India Ocean show a significant warming trend of 0.7 °C, 0.6 °C and 0.5 °C per hundred years, respectively, and a relatively accelerated warming of 0.16 °C, 0.14 °C and 0.14 °C per decade during the 1971–2002 period. There is a positive and statistically significant relationship between SSTs over the Arabian Sea from the preceding November to the current February, and Indian monsoon rainfall during the period 1901–2002. The correlation coefficient increases from October and peaks in December, decreasing from February to September. This significant relationship is also found in the recent period 1971–2002, whereas, during 1901–70, the relationship is not significant. On the seasonal scale, Arabian Sea winter SSTs are positively and significantly correlated with Indian monsoon rainfall, while spring SSTs have no significant positive relationship. Nino3 spring SSTs have a negative significant relationship with Indian monsoon rainfall and it is postulated that there is a combined effect of Nino3 and Arabian Sea SSTs on Indian monsoon. If the Nino3 SST effect is removed, the spring SSTs over the Arabian Sea also have a significant relationship with monsoon rainfall. Similarly, the Bay of Bengal and Equatorial South Indian Ocean spring SSTs are significantly and positively correlated with Indian monsoon rainfall after removing the Nino3 effect, and correlation values are more pronounced than for the Arabian Sea. Authors’ address: Dr. D. R. Kothawale, A. A. Munot, H. P. Borgaonkar, Climatology and Hydrometeorology divisions, Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology, Pune 411008, India.     

亚澳季风异常与ENSO准四年变化的联系分析

分析了赤道地区纬向风的年际变化特征，以及亚澳季风与ENSO在各个位相的联系。结果表明：赤道纬向风变化与中东太平洋海温变化在准四年周期上是强烈耦合的；在El Eino期间东亚冬季风弱，夏季风强，而南亚夏季风弱，反之，在La Nina期间东亚冬季风强，夏季风弱，而南亚夏季风强；东亚地区的异常北风有利于西太平洋西风异常爆发，使得东太平洋海温升高，但只有随后在中东太平洋出现持续性西风异常，El Nino才能发展，其中来自太平洋中部的异常北风（并不是来自东亚大陆地区）和南太平洋中部的异常南风的辐合对中东太平洋出现持续性西风异常起重要的作用，尤其是澳大利亚东北部的季风异常的影响更为显。     

Surface pressure and summer monsoon rainfall over India

The relationship between the all-India summer monsoon rainfall and surface pressure over the Indian region has been examined to obtain a useful predictor for the monsoon rainfall. The data series of all-India monsoon rainfall and the mean pressures of three seasons before and after the monsoon season as well as the winter-to-spring pressure tendency (MAM-DJF) at 100 stations for the period 1951-1980 have been used in the analysis. The all-India monsoon rainfall is negatively correlated with the pressure of the spring (MAM) season preceding the monsoon and winter-to-spring seasonal difference as pressure tendency (MAM-DJF), at almost all the stations in India, and significantly with the pressures over central and northwestern regions. The average mean sea level pressure of six stations (Jodhpur, Ahmedabed, Bombay, Indore, Sagar and Akola) in the Western Central Indian (WCI) region showed highly significant (at 1% level) and consistent CCs of -0.63 for MAM and -0.56 for MAM-DJF for the period 1951–1980. Thus, the pre-monsoon seasonal pressure anomalies over WCI could provide a useful parameter for the long-range forecasting scheme of the Indian monsoon rainfall.