Variability of seasonal and annual precipitation in Slovenia and its correlation with large-scale atmospheric circulation

Abstract

This paper examines temporal and spatial variability and trends of annual and seasonal precipitation in Slovenia and their relationship with three atmospheric circulation patterns represented by their indices: North Atlantic Oscillation index (NAOi), Mediterranean Oscillation index (MOi) and Western Mediterranean Oscillation index (WeMOi). Data from 45 precipitation stations were used for the period 1963-2012. Mean annual precipitation varies from 736 mm in eastern Slovenia to 2,518 mm in northwestern Slovenia. A significant annual precipitation decrease (from −3% to −6% per decade) is observed in western Slovenia. Significant negative trends are observed in southwestern Slovenia in summer (from −4% to −10% per decade) and near the Adriatic coast in spring (from −6% to −10% per decade). Non-significant negative and positive trends are observed in winter and autumn, respectively. Results indicate significant correlations between winter precipitation and MOi (from −0.3 to −0.7), NAOi (from −0.3 to −0.6) and WeMOi (from 0.3 to 0.6). Significant WeMOi influence is observed in spring and autumn, while NAOi and MOi influence has not been detected. Annual precipitation and WeMOi are significantly correlated in central and eastern Slovenia, while significant NAOi and MOi influence is observed in western Slovenia (with the larger area covered by MOi influence).

Disentangling the effects of predation and oceanographic fluctuations in the mortality of two allopatric seabird populations

“…The positive phase of WeMOi indicates favourable foraging conditions and lower heavy rainfall events in North Western Mediterranean (Martin-Vide and Lopez-Bustins 2006), but WeMOi signature in North Eastern Mediterranean is the opposite (Burić et al 2014). When conditions are favourable in the western part of the basin, the movements of cyclones from west to east may generate unfavourable environmental conditions in the eastern part (Milošević et al 2016). Extreme weather events, such as storms and gales, are known to cause direct mortality in the species (Warham 1990).…”

Spatial analysis of changes and anomalies of intense rainfalls in Hungary

“…Parallel with the increasing frequency of extreme precipitation events, rainfall occurrence is getting more erratic (Bartholy, J. and Pongrácz, R. 2007;Mika, J. and Farkas, A. 2017;Milosevic, D. et al 2017). An increasing ratio of annual precipitation will not be able to infiltrate, triggering water deficiency during the growing season in a mesic environment (Knapp, A.K.…”

Danube River discharge at Bezdan gauging station (Serbia) and its correlation with atmospheric circulation patterns

“…The El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) influences sig-nificantly the precipitation over Europe (Rimbu et al, 2004). Significant influence of Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO), NAO and Mediterranean Oscillation (MO) on precipitation in Central Europe is observed (Milošević et al, 2015). Furthermore, significant correlations between the mean annual maximum temperatures and the East Atlantic Oscillation (EA), Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the Scandinavian Oscillation (SCAND) are indicated (Milošević et al, 2015, Milošević et al, 2017.…”

“…Significant influence of Western Mediterranean Oscillation (WeMO), NAO and Mediterranean Oscillation (MO) on precipitation in Central Europe is observed (Milošević et al, 2015). Furthermore, significant correlations between the mean annual maximum temperatures and the East Atlantic Oscillation (EA), Arctic Oscillation (AO) and the Scandinavian Oscillation (SCAND) are indicated (Milošević et al, 2015, Milošević et al, 2017. River discharge and its extremes have been correlated with atmospheric circulation indices in numerous studies and books (Bomin & Shuqing, 1994;Caspary, 1995;Fan, 2005;Peterson et al, 2002;Peterson et al, 2013).…”