Record
Author
Kim, D. ; Lee, S.-K. ; Lopez, H. ; Foltz, G.R. ; Misra, V. ; Kumar, A.
Title
On the Role of Pacific-Atlantic SST Contrast and Associated Caribbean Sea Convection in August-October U.S. Regional Rainfall Variability
Type
$loc['typeJournal Article']
Year
2020
Publication
Geophysical Research Letters
Abbreviated Journal
Geophys. Res. Lett.
Volume
47
Issue
11
Pages
Keywords
Pacific‐ ; Atlantic SST interaction ; Atlantic Warm pool ; Caribbean Sea ; U.S. precipitation
Abstract
This study investigates the large‐scale atmospheric processes that lead to U.S. precipitation variability in late summer to midfall (August–October; ASO) and shows that the well‐recognized relationship between North Atlantic Subtropical High and U.S. precipitation in peak summer (June–August) significantly weakens in ASO. The working hypothesis derived from our analysis is that in ASO convective activity in the Caribbean Sea, modulated by the tropical Pacific‐Atlantic sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly contrast, directly influences the North American Low‐Level Jet and thus U.S. precipitation east of the Rockies, through a Gill‐type response. This hypothesis derived from observations is strongly supported by a long‐term climate model simulation and by a linear baroclinic atmospheric model with prescribed diabatic forcings in the Caribbean Sea. This study integrates key findings from previous studies and advances a consistent physical rationale that links the Pacific‐Atlantic SST anomaly contrast, Caribbean Sea convective activity, and U.S. rainfall in ASO.
Address
Corporate Author
Thesis
Publisher
Place of Publication
Editor
Language
Summary Language
Original Title
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Series Title
Abbreviated Series Title
Series Volume
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Edition
ISSN
0094-8276
ISBN
Medium
Area
Expedition
Conference
Funding
Approved
$loc['no']
Call Number
COAPS @ user @
Serial
1110
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