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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Climate of 1999 - June-August
Global Regional Analyses

National Climatic Data Center, 15 September 1999

Global Precipitation June-August
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This summer again featured quite a bit of variability in the distribution of precipitation around the globe. It was wetter than average across portions of eastern Asia, parts of the Sahel in Africa, and portions of Europe. Some of these regions are highlighted below. Precipitation was lacking in some areas which caused drought conditions in the June to August period across portions of the eastern U.S., parts of Brazil and across western India. The dryness in the western India region was due to the weakness of the summer monsoon. While eastern India was wet with some flooding reported, the monsoon rains did not spread westward to bring relief to drought conditions in western India. Details on the U.S. drought can be found at the Drought in the U.S. page. Elsewhere, around the globe precipitation distribution was quite mixed.

Note: Satellite data is unavailable this month due to processing problems; blended satellite/in situ products should be available again in the September-November seasonal report.

Top of Page Sahel Precipitation-Time Series Chart

Precipitation-Sahel
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The June through August season across the Sahel region of central and western Africa has been generally dry over the last few decades. This year was an exception with an active pattern bring more frequent showers and rainfall to the region. Preliminary data indicate that the 1999 June through August season was the wettest such period since the early 1960's.

Top of Page Korea Precipitation- Time Series

Precipitation-Korea
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The Korean peninsula was inundated this season by several storms, some of which were tropical in origin. These storms brought much above average rainfall with some places getting over one and a half times their normal June-August seasonal rainfall. This June to August period has been generally quite wet during the last decade or so. In fact, last year had the wettest June-August seasonal precipitation on record.

Top of Page European Temperature- Time Series

European Temperature
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This graph for Europe shows that the last two years in that area have had record and near-record warm June-August temperatures. The last 15-20 years have seen persistent unprecedented warmth.

Top of Page Brazil Regional Precipitation Time Series

The lack of widespread rainfall and generally mild temperatures over a good portion of central Brazil have led to dry conditions over the Amazon river basin. NOAA satellites have monitored numerous manmade and natural fires occurring over the region. These images are available at NOAA Satellite Special Event- Brazilian Fires.
Summer Precipitation-Brazil, June99-August99
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Line separating section as of the report

References:

Basist, A., N.C. Grody, T.C. Peterson and C.N. Williams, 1998: Using the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager to Monitor Land Surface Temperatures, Wetness, and Snow Cover. Journal of Applied Meteorology, 37, 888-911.

For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:

Climate Services Division
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue, Room 120
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.orders@noaa.gov

For more information, refer also to ...
SSMI Derived Products
Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)
The Blended GHCN - SSM/I Product
The Global Temperature Anomalies

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For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:

Alan Basist
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: alan.basist@noaa.gov
-or-
Tom Ross
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: tom.ross@noaa.gov
-or-
Mike Changery
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: mchangry@ncdc.noaa.gov
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