Characteristics of the Atmosphere in the Austral Spring During the El Niño 2015/2016

Abstract

The El Niño (EN) is characterized by an anomalous warming of the central and eastern surface of the Tropical Pacific Ocean waters, which affects global and regional climate through the circulation anomalies in the atmosphere. The EN 2015/2016 was classified as very strong. Therefore, this study aims to show the atmospheric characteristics during the occurrence of this event in September, October and November of 2015. Among the results, there are the shift to eastern of the zonal Walker Cell, the intensification of the subtropical and polar jets, the presence of positive anomalies of geopotential height in the Pacific ocean near the southern of South America and negative anomalies in the south and southeast of the continent and the Atlantic ocean. Moreover, there is an increase of the cyclone frequency in the subtropical latitudes of the Atlantic Ocean, and convergence of vertically integrated flux moisture on the southeastern South America. These characteristics contribute to precipitation anomalies and air temperature in South America.

Keywords:
El Niño; jet streams; precipitation; Southern Hemisphere