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Evaluating Duero's basin (Spain) response to the NAO phases: spatial and seasonal variability
Author(s) -
MoránTejeda Enrique,
Ignacio LópezMoreno,
Antonio CeballosBarbancho,
Sergio M. VicenteSerrano
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
hydrological processes
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.222
H-Index - 161
eISSN - 1099-1085
pISSN - 0885-6087
DOI - 10.1002/hyp.7907
Subject(s) - north atlantic oscillation , tributary , precipitation , discharge , drainage basin , environmental science , lag , hydrology (agriculture) , period (music) , structural basin , altitude (triangle) , climatology , geology , physical geography , geography , geomorphology , meteorology , computer network , physics , cartography , geotechnical engineering , computer science , acoustics , geometry , mathematics
In this study, we analysed the influence of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) on the hydrological response of the Duero River (central Spain) and its tributaries. We identified the positive and negative phases of the winter NAO for the period 1961–2006 and related precipitation and river discharge anomalies. Significant differences in precipitation and river discharge were found between the positive and negative NAO phases with negative anomalies (dry conditions) during positive NAO periods, and positive anomalies (wet conditions) during negative NAO periods. Marked differences were also found in the precipitation and river discharge response times to the NAO episodes, with an immediate response for precipitation but a lag and more sustained response for river discharges. Differing patterns were also identified in the response of river discharge to the NAO throughout the Duero basin. The physical characteristics of watersheds (including area, altitude and permeability explained most of the differences in the timing and magnitude of anomalies in the river discharge in response to the NAO. The findings highlight the great variability in the hydrological response of rivers to the NAO episodes. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.