Open AccessTeleconnections and variability in observed rainfall over Saudi Arabia during 1978–2010
Author(s) -
Athar H.
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
atmospheric science letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.951
H-Index - 45
ISSN - 1530-261X
DOI - 10.1002/asl2.570
Subject(s) - teleconnection , climatology , environmental science , meteorology , atmospheric sciences , geography , geology , el niño southern oscillation
Abstract The analyses of monthly and annual variability, and the seasonal teleconnections with the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD), El‐Niño Southern Oscillation ( ENSO ), and the North Atlantic Oscillation ( NAO ) circulation indices, for rainfall from 26 stations in Saudi Arabia ( SA ), for 33‐year period (1978–2010), are presented. High interannual variability with non‐monsoonal annual cycle characterizes the rainfall climate of SA in recent 33‐year period. Eight of 26 stations display statistically significant simultaneous teleconnections with IOD and ENSO in the September–October–November ( SON ) season. These eight stations are situated north of 21.50°N ( nSA ) and are located in northern and in southeastern regions of nSA .