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Synoptic weather patterns associated with intense ENSO rainfall in the southwest United States
| Content Provider | Semantic Scholar |
|---|---|
| Author | Feldl, Nicole Roe, Gerard H. |
| Copyright Year | 2010 |
| Abstract | [1] La Nina winters exhibit significant local enhancement of heavy rainfall in the southwest United States, relative to El Nino. This contrasts with average daily rainfall intensity, which is instead increased during El Nino winters. The present study explores the relationship between heavy rainfall and associated atmospheric circulation patterns. Using composite analysis, we find that heavy rainfall events in the southwest arise from the presence of a persistent offshore trough and simultaneous emplacement of a strong source of subtropical water vapor. Greater intensity of these storms during La Nina is consistent with a deeper offshore trough leading to strengthened moisture fluxes. Composite circulation patterns survive amongst a large degree of synoptic variability, highlighting the importance of understanding this variability when making regional climate predictions. |
| File Format | PDF HTM / HTML |
| DOI | 10.1029/2010GL045439 |
| Volume Number | 37 |
| Alternate Webpage(s) | http://earthweb.ess.washington.edu/roe/GerardWeb/Publications_files/FeldlRoe_GRL11.pdf |
| Language | English |
| Access Restriction | Open |
| Content Type | Text |
| Resource Type | Article |