Abstract
The relationship between monthly sea-surface temperature (SST) in the tropical Pacific and the Indian Ocean and monthly precipitation over the Vietnamese central highlands (VCH) has been investigated by means of singular value decomposition. The seasonal variation of SST plays a critical role in the onset of the monsoon season and convective rain band movement in the inter-tropical convergence zone.
The relationships between precipitation and SST in both oceans vary significantly through the rainy season. In April, ENSO is strongly correlated with precipitation over the VCH, while the Indian Ocean SST only shows a significant correlation with precipitation in the northern VCH. In May, there is no significant relationship between precipitation and SST in either of the oceans. In June, precipitation over the VCH is negatively correlated with the northern Indian Ocean and the southern Pacific SST. Through July to September, no significant relationships were found between the Indian Ocean SST and precipitation patterns. The equatorial central to the eastern Pacific SST, in turn, is positively correlated with precipitation in a small area from the north to the south of the VCH. In October, precipitation over the VCH is strongly related to ENSO and positively correlated with the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean SST. For November, the north-western Pacific as well as the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean SST is positively and strongly correlated with precipitation over the VCH.
Lag-time analyses demonstrate a potential link between the Pacific SST and monthly precipitation patterns through the rainy season from one to three months in advance, and between the Indian Ocean SST and monthly precipitation patterns in October and November from one to two months in advance. The analysed results provide a strong basis for a predictive scheme, but further analysis of skill levels needs to be developed. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
The relationships between precipitation and SST in both oceans vary significantly through the rainy season. In April, ENSO is strongly correlated with precipitation over the VCH, while the Indian Ocean SST only shows a significant correlation with precipitation in the northern VCH. In May, there is no significant relationship between precipitation and SST in either of the oceans. In June, precipitation over the VCH is negatively correlated with the northern Indian Ocean and the southern Pacific SST. Through July to September, no significant relationships were found between the Indian Ocean SST and precipitation patterns. The equatorial central to the eastern Pacific SST, in turn, is positively correlated with precipitation in a small area from the north to the south of the VCH. In October, precipitation over the VCH is strongly related to ENSO and positively correlated with the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean SST. For November, the north-western Pacific as well as the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean SST is positively and strongly correlated with precipitation over the VCH.
Lag-time analyses demonstrate a potential link between the Pacific SST and monthly precipitation patterns through the rainy season from one to three months in advance, and between the Indian Ocean SST and monthly precipitation patterns in October and November from one to two months in advance. The analysed results provide a strong basis for a predictive scheme, but further analysis of skill levels needs to be developed. Copyright © 2007 Royal Meteorological Society
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 1439-1454 |
| Journal | International Journal of Climatology |
| Volume | 27 |
| Issue number | 11 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2007 |
Subject classification (UKÄ)
- Water Engineering
Free keywords
- sea-surface temperature
- ENSO
- singular value decomposition
- South Asian summer monsoon
- precipitation