Extended Abstract (64K)P5.8
A comparison of weather in U.S. cities during the winter of 2002–2003 to the El Nino's of 1982–1983 and 1997–1998
Margaret E. Sweeny, U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, MD; and D. R. Smith
The El Niño weather phenomenon has a significant effect on the climate of regions around the world. El Niño has influenced storm tracks and weather patterns, resulting in deviations from normal temperature and precipitation patterns. In this study, temperature and precipitation values will be examined for fourteen U.S. cities in order to document the effects of the 2002-2003 El Niño. The monthly temperature and precipitation values of these cities during this El Niño event and their 30-year means will be compared to previous El Niño years (1982-83 and 1997-98) to determine its relative impact. In addition, the MEI (Multivariable ENSO Index) of the 2003-2003 El Niño will be examined and compared to other El Niño years to help evaluate the relative intensities of these El Niño years and to determine if there is any correlation between the index and deviations from normal temperatures and precipitation amounts.. The month of February 2003 will be examined in particular due to its unusually unseasonable and extreme weather. The result will be a better understanding and explanation of the weather associated with 2002 -2003 El Niño season.
Poster Session 5, Poster Session: Seasonal to Interannual Variability
Thursday, 13 January 2005, 9:45 AM-11:00 AM
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