Rainfall Response in Northeast Brazil from Ocean Climate Variability during the Second Half of the Twentieth Century

• DOI: 10.1175/2011jcli4194.1
• Publication Date: 2011-06-14T14:52:16Z
• Authors: Daisy Beserra Lucena; Jacques Servain; Manoel Francisco ...
• Keywords: TEMPERATURE DE SURFACE; 550; [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH] Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph]; [SDU.STU.GP]Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph]; [PHYS.PHYS.PHYS-GEO-PH]Physics [physics]/Physics [physics]/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph]; 15. Life on land; 01 natural sciences; VARIATION TEMPORELLE; CLIMAT; 13. Climate action; PRECIPITATION; CHANGEMENT CLIMATIQUE; [SDU.STU.GP] Sciences of the Universe [physics]/Earth Sciences/Geophysics [physics.geo-ph]; EL NINO; ENSO; ANALYSE DE DONNEES; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Abstract The authors investigated the rainfall variability response in northern Northeast Brazil (NNEB) from El Niño/La Niña (EN/LN) events and meridional sea surface temperature gradient (MGRAD) over tropical Atlantic during period 1948–97. diagnostic analysis was stratified according to four climatic series of scenarios associated with EN, LN, positive negative MGRAD. During ENs, which were more numerous intense after 1970s, MGRAD generally not noticeable, drought impact NNEB mainly due warm Pacific influence. Conversely, LNs, signal important, but there an inverse relationship between third fourth quarters twentieth century. Thus, before 1970s LNs MGRAD, led influence inducing minor changes seasonal NNEB. After linked induced a cumulative wet MGRADs reinforced well-marked MGRADs, all occurred beginning large that very consistent episodes Interestingly, two low-frequency variations oceans observed second half century (i.e., few several strong ENs none MGRADs) concomitantly symmetric long-term decadal oscillation (PDO) North Oscillation (NAO). This symmetrical climate behavior could have lead on north Brazil, agreement quasi-null trend region along this period. Such seems been unique last 150 years.