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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.)

Temporal evolution of the spatial covariability of rainfall in South America

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Author(s):
Ciemer, Catrin [1, 2] ; Boers, Niklas [2, 3] ; Barbosa, Henrique M. J. [4] ; Kurths, Jurgen [1, 5, 2, 6] ; Rammig, Anja [7]
Total Authors: 5
Affiliation:
[1] Humboldt Univ, Dept Phys, Berlin - Germany
[2] Potsdam Inst Climate Impact Res, Potsdam - Germany
[3] Ecole Normale Super, Geosci Dept, Paris - France
[4] Univ Sao Paulo, Dept Phys, Sao Paulo - Brazil
[5] Nizhnii Novgorod State Univ, Dept Control Theory, Nizhnii Novgorod - Russia
[6] Univ Aberdeen, Inst Complex Syst & Math Biol, Aberdeen - Scotland
[7] Tech Univ Munich, TUM Sch Life Sci Weihenstephan, Munich - Germany
Total Affiliations: 7
Document type: Journal article
Source: Climate Dynamics; v. 51, n. 1-2, p. 371-382, JUL 2018.
Web of Science Citations: 2
Abstract

The climate of South America exhibits pronounced differences between rainy and dry seasons, associated with specific synoptic features such as the establishment of the South Atlantic convergence zone. Here, we analyze the spatiotemporal correlation structure and in particular teleconnections of daily rainfall associated with these features by means of evolving complex networks. A modification of Pearson's correlation coefficient is introduced to handle the intricate statistical properties of daily rainfall. On this basis, spatial correlation networks are constructed, and new appropriate network measures are introduced in order to analyze the temporal evolution of the networks' characteristics. We particularly focus on the identification of coherent areas of similar rainfall patterns and previously unknown teleconnection structures between remote areas. We show that the monsoon onset is characterized by an abrupt transition from erratic to organized regional connectivity that prevails during the monsoon season, while only the onset times themselves exhibit anomalous large-scale organization of teleconnections. Furthermore, we reveal that the two mega-droughts in the Amazon basin were already announced in the previous year by an anomalous behavior of the connectivity structure. (AU)

FAPESP's process: 13/50510-5 - Brazil-USA collaborative research: modifications by anthropogenic pollution of the natural atmospheric chemistry and particle microphysics of the tropical rain forest during GoAmazon intensive operating periods
Grantee:Henrique de Melo Jorge Barbosa
Support Opportunities: Research Program on Global Climate Change - Regular Grants
FAPESP's process: 11/50151-0 - Dynamical phenomena in complex networks: fundamentals and applications
Grantee:Elbert Einstein Nehrer Macau
Support Opportunities: Research Projects - Thematic Grants