Nonstationary interannual teleconnections modulated by multidecadal variability

  • Jorge López-Parages Complutense University of Madrid
  • Julián Villamayor Complutense University of Madrid
  • Iñigo Gómara Complutense University of Madrid
  • Teresa Losada University of Castilla-La Mancha
  • Marta Martín Rey Complutense University of Madrid
  • Elsa Mohíno Complutense University of Madrid
  • Irene Polo University of Reading
  • Belén Rodríguez-Fonseca Complutense University of Madrid
  • Roberto Suárez Complutense University of Madrid
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_FITE.2013.v25.43433
Keywords: Teleconnection, Rainfall, SST, Nonstationarity, ENSO, Equatorial Mode, AMO, CMIP5, West Africa, Euro-Mediterranean region, Extratropical cyclones, Explosive cyclones

Abstract

The present work shows observational evidence of changes in atmospheric teleconnections of West Africa (WA) and the Euro-Mediterranean (EM) areas with remote regions. We show that the impact of the tropical Sea Surface Temperature (SST) anomalies over the WA precipitation has changed in the late 1970s, which is relevant for seasonal predictions in this area. These changes coincide with a nonstationary link between the interannual variability of the tropical Atlantic and Pacific basins. Also, the link between the Pacific El Niño and the EM rainfall in late winter-spring has changed throughout the 20th century. Our results give evidence of nonstationarities of both types, atmospheric and oceanic, occurring during negative phase periods of the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO). Hence, the results obtained here point out a physical coherent modulation of interannual variability by multidecadal variability. These multidecadal modes also appear to influence the variability of explosive cyclones (EC) over the EM region. Finally, to further understand the AMO and its possible influence over the interannual variability, the ability to reproduce a coherent AMO in General Circulation Models (GCMs) has been analysed. Results show that both the simulated and observed AMO patterns are consistent.

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Published
2013-11-22
How to Cite
López-Parages, J., Villamayor, J., Gómara, I., Losada, T., Martín Rey, M., Mohíno, E., Polo, I., Rodríguez-Fonseca, B., & Suárez, R. (2013). Nonstationary interannual teleconnections modulated by multidecadal variability. Física de la Tierra, 25, 11-39. https://doi.org/10.5209/rev_FITE.2013.v25.43433
Issue
Vol. 25 (2013): Climate variability and teleconnections in West Africa and the Mediterranean
Section
Articles

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