Skip to main content
Article
Circumglobal Teleconnection and Early Summer Rainfall in the U.S. Intermountain West
Theoretical and Applied Climatology
  • Shih-Yu (Simon) Wang, Utah State University
  • L. E. Hipps
  • R. R. Gillies
  • X. Jiang
  • A. L. Moller
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2010
Disciplines
Abstract

Physical processes responsible for the abnormally wet condition in the Central Intermountain West (CIW) of the United States in June 2009 were investigated. It was illustrated that persistent rainy conditions over the CIW during June 2009 were associated with a pronounced circumglobal teleconnection pattern, which is characterized as a short Rossby wave train along the jet stream waveguide with a wave number 5 structure. The ascending motion and moisture flux convergence over the CIW associated with the cyclonic action center over the US West Coast in the teleconnection wave train could be essential for the persistent local rainfall during June 2009. Further analysis suggested that the June 2009 circulation pattern is consistent with a prevailing mode of the summer circumglobal teleconnection pattern. The findings in this study provide information for improved understanding of the early summer rainfall regime in the CIW.

Citation Information
Wang, SY., Hipps, L.E., Gillies, R.R. et al. Circumglobal teleconnection and early summer rainfall in the US Intermountain West. Theor Appl Climatol 102, 245–252 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00704-010-0260-4