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(Reference retrieved automatically from Web of Science through information on FAPESP grant and its corresponding number as mentioned in the publication by the authors.)

The South American Water Balance: The Influence of Low-Level Jets

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Author(s):
do Nascimento, Marilia Guedes [1] ; Herdies, Dirceu Luis [1] ; de Souza, Diego Oliveira [2]
Total Authors: 3
Affiliation:
[1] Natl Inst Space Res INPE, Ctr Weather Forecasting & Climate Res CPTEC, BR-12630000 Cachoeira Paulista, SP - Brazil
[2] Minist Sci Technol & Innovat MCTI, Natl Ctr Monitoring & Early Warning Nat Disasters, Sao Jose Dos Campos, SP - Brazil
Total Affiliations: 2
Document type: Journal article
Source: Journal of Climate; v. 29, n. 4, p. 1429-1449, FEB 2016.
Web of Science Citations: 7
Abstract

To study the climatology of the water balance over South America and analyze the influence of low-level jets (LLJs), a climate study of the water balance and its main components was performed, specifically in the Amazon and La Plata basin (LPB) region, from 1979 to 2008. The results showed that on average for the analysis period, the Amazon basin and LPB performed as a sink of moisture (ET < P) and as a moisture convergence for the regions, which accounted for approximately 62% and 43% of the precipitation, respectively. During the study period, 884 days with an occurrence of LLJs were observed, occurring most frequently during the winter and around 0000 and 0600 UTC. When considering the water balance for the days with LLJs, it was observed that the Amazon acts as a source of moisture, especially in the dry season, and that the LPB behaves as a sink during all months. The influence of the LLJ as a modulator for precipitation on the LPB is clear, as the precipitation is 32% higher during the LLJ events compared with days without LLJs. This main pattern shows that the moisture convergence trough of the LLJs is crucial for the water balance on the LPB, whereas evapotranspiration is a more important variable of the water balance on the Amazon basin with or without the LLJs. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 08/09969-6 - THE WATER BALANCE IN SOUTH AMERICA: CONSEQUENCES CAUSED BY AMAZON DEFORESTATION
Grantee:Marília Guedes Do Nascimento
Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate