Document Type
Article
Publication Date
3-16-2017
Abstract
This study examines the relationship between the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and snowmelt in spring in the upper southwestern states of the United States (UP_SW) including California, Nevada, Utah, and Colorado, using SNOTEL datasets for 34 yr (1980–2014). Statistically significant negative correlations are found between NAO averages in the snowmelt period and timings of snowmelt (i.e., positive NAO phases in spring enhance snowmelt, and vice versa). It is also found that correlations between El Niño–Southern Oscillation and snowmelt are negligible in the region. The NAO–snowmelt relationship is most pronounced below the 2800-m level; above this level, the relationship becomes weaker. The underlying mechanism for this link is that a positioning of upper-tropospheric anticyclonic (cyclonic) circulations over the western United States that are associated with development of the positive (negative) NAO phases tends to bring warmer and drier (colder and wetter) spring weather conditions to the region. The temperature variations related with the NAO phases also strongly modulate the snowfall–rainfall partitioning. The relationship between the NAO and spring snowmelt can serve as key information for the warm season water resources management in the UP_SW.
Recommended Citation
Myoung, B., Kim, S.H., Kim, J., Kafatos, M.C., 2017. On the Relationship between Spring NAO and Snowmelt in the Upper Southwestern United States. Journal of Climate 30, 5141–5149. doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0239.1
Peer Reviewed
1
Copyright
American Meteorological Society
Included in
Climate Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Fresh Water Studies Commons, Hydrology Commons, Other Earth Sciences Commons, Other Environmental Sciences Commons, Other Oceanography and Atmospheric Sciences and Meteorology Commons
Comments
This article was originally published in Journal of Climate, volume number 30, in 2017. DOI: 10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0239.1