Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The Influence of Recurrent Modes of Climate Variability on the Occurrence of Winter and Summer Extreme Temperatures over North America

Paul C. Loikith Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, California

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Anthony J. Broccoli Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey

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Print Publication:
15 Feb 2014
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-13-00068.1
Page(s):
1600–1618
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Abstract

The influence of the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern, the northern annular mode (NAM), and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on extreme temperature days and months over North America is examined. Associations between extreme temperature days and months are strongest with the PNA and NAM and weaker for ENSO. In general, the association with extremes tends to be stronger on monthly than daily time scales and for winter as compared to summer. Extreme temperatures are associated with the PNA and NAM in the vicinity of the centers of action of these circulation patterns; however, many extremes also occur on days when the amplitude and polarity of these patterns do not favor their occurrence. In winter, synoptic-scale, transient weather disturbances are important drivers of extreme temperature days; however, many of these smaller-scale events are concurrent with amplified PNA or NAM patterns. Associations are weaker in summer when other physical mechanisms affecting the surface energy balance, such as anomalous soil moisture content, also influence the occurrence of extreme temperatures.

Corresponding author address: Paul C. Loikith, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109. E-mail: paul.c.loikith@jpl.nasa.gov

Abstract

The influence of the Pacific–North American (PNA) pattern, the northern annular mode (NAM), and the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on extreme temperature days and months over North America is examined. Associations between extreme temperature days and months are strongest with the PNA and NAM and weaker for ENSO. In general, the association with extremes tends to be stronger on monthly than daily time scales and for winter as compared to summer. Extreme temperatures are associated with the PNA and NAM in the vicinity of the centers of action of these circulation patterns; however, many extremes also occur on days when the amplitude and polarity of these patterns do not favor their occurrence. In winter, synoptic-scale, transient weather disturbances are important drivers of extreme temperature days; however, many of these smaller-scale events are concurrent with amplified PNA or NAM patterns. Associations are weaker in summer when other physical mechanisms affecting the surface energy balance, such as anomalous soil moisture content, also influence the occurrence of extreme temperatures.

Corresponding author address: Paul C. Loikith, Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology, 4800 Oak Grove Drive, Pasadena, CA 91109. E-mail: paul.c.loikith@jpl.nasa.gov
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