HR: 11:40h
AN: A52B-09    [Abstracts]
TI: How ENSO Impacts Precipitation in Southwest and Central Asia
AU: * Mariotti, A
EM: amariott@essic.umd.edu
AF: Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center, 2207 Computer & Space Sciences Building, College Park, MD 20742-2425, United States
AU: * Mariotti, A
EM: amariott@essic.umd.edu
AF: ENEA, Via Anguillarese 301, Rome, 00123, Italy
AB: Hydroclimatological variability in parts of Southwest and Central Asia is very large. For instance, a very severe drought was experienced in a broad region centered around Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan during the period 1998-2002, which has been associated with exceptionally prolonged La Nina-like conditions. Several studies have investigated the broader role of ENSO (El Nino Southern Oscillation) events in precipitation variability in this region. A late summer-early winter ENSO precipitation signal has consistently been reported by various authors, however the underlying cause has not been determined. In other seasons the ENSO precipitation signal is less well established. In this talk, the impact of ENSO events on interannual precipitation variability in parts of Southwest and Central Asia is described using state-of-the-art precipitation datasets and re-analyses. Decadal changes in this teleconnection are addressed.The underlying mechanism is discussed based on AMIP-type simulations for the autumn season with a model of intermediate complexity. In particular, the roles played by various oceanic regions in producing the observed signal are discussed.
DE: 0429 Climate dynamics (1620)
DE: 1616 Climate variability (1635, 3305, 3309, 4215, 4513)
DE: 1620 Climate dynamics (0429, 3309)
DE: 1626 Global climate models (3337, 4928)
DE: 1807 Climate impacts
SC: Atmospheric Sciences [A]
MN: 2007 Fall Meeting