HR: 1340h
AN: A43B-1139    [Abstracts]
TI: Macroscale Circulation Patterns as Reflected in Spatial and Temporal Patterns of Precipitation over the Tibetan Plateau
AU: * Conselyea, K
EM: kconselyea-09@sandiego.edu
AF: University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
AU: Yin, Z
EM: zyin@sandiego.edu
AF: University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, CA 92110, United States
AB: Circulation patterns such as the NAO, PNA, and AO have been known to impact climate both near the action centers and at great distances away. These macroscale circulation patterns can impact regional wind patterns, temperature gradients and pressure gradients. Changes in these gradients can cause an onset of various weather conditions including precipitation. Precipitation across the Tibetan Plateau is influenced by known phenomena such as monsoon systems and teleconnections. Previous studies have suggested that other forcing mechanisms also may play a vital role in influencing precipitation in this region. To evaluate potential forcing factors affecting precipitation across the Tibetan Plateau, the relationship between the spatial and temporal patterns of precipitation and the regional and macroscale circulation patterns will be investigated. To explore this relationship statistical analysis, such as Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Correlation Field Analysis, and Canonical Correspondence Analysis (CCA), is preformed. This study also incorporates tree ring chronologies from Qilian junipers (Sabina przewalskii Kom.) sampled in the Qaidam Basin, northeastern Tibetan Plateau. These data have been used in previous studies to indicate environmental change, and tree rings taken from this region have shown signatures of circulation patterns such as Arctic Oscillation (AO). Based on the relationship between tree ring data and circulation patterns it is possible to reconstruct past events. This information along with examination of National Centers for Environmental Protection/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis data will aid in the examination of the relationship between teleconnection patterns and precipitation, and develop a greater understanding of the precipitation variability across the Tibetan Plateau.
DE: 3309 Climatology (1616, 1620, 3305, 4215, 8408)
DE: 3319 General circulation (1223)
DE: 3354 Precipitation (1854)
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting