National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The featured product in this month's analysis is the Asian surface wetness anomaly. For the second month in a row, the greatest positive wetness anomalies were observed over parts of southeast Asia. These were again associated with periodic heavy rainfall and tropical systems in the region, especially across eastern Thailand, Cambodia into parts of Vietnam. This region was exceptionally wet during the last three months and is featured in the June - August report as well. The heavest rain and severe flooding in August occurred across parts of the Mekong Delta in Vietnam, northeast Thailand and much of Cambodia. Positive wetness anomalies were observed also over south central India, Bangladesh, parts of northeast China into eastern Mongolia. Flooding and the loss of life was reported in some of these areas especially across India and Bangladesh. In contrast, large negative (dry) anomalies were observed over much of interior northern India and Pakistan and in parts of central and interior eastern China. Some of these areas continue to suffer from prolonged drought. In addition, according to media reports, both Iran and Iraq are suffering from long term drought and shortages of drinking water. Climatologically, these areas receive little or no rainfall until November or December.

Contents of This Report: Asian Precipitation Time Series Asian Temperature Anomalies European Temperature Product African Temperature Anomalies South American Snow Cover Product

Asian Precipitation Time Series

This region normally receives most of its rain in the August-November season due to the the influx of tropical moisture. The rainfall is heaviest in highland locations and along the Pacific coast.

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Asian Temperature Anomalies

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Warm anomalies were noted over portions of central and northern Asia, around the Aral sea and in parts of northwestern China. The combination of warm temperatures and the lack of rainfall in the Jilian province of northeast China lead to drought conditions during the month.

European Temperature Anomalies

Most of the central part of the Former Soviet Union (FSU) was near average in terms of temperatures. Negative (cool) anomalies were observed over much of the northern portion of the FSU into northern and central Siberia. Positive (warm) anomalies were noted in areas surrounding the Caspian and Aral seas. In Uzbekistan an on-going drought is having a devastating impact on crops and livestock, while also causing a rapid deterioration in health and sanitary conditions.

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African Temperature Anomalies

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In contrast, only a few small areas had positive temperature anomalies. These areas include parts of the western portion of the continent in South Africa and Nambia as well as a small area of the Sahel.

South American Snow Cover Product

A few spots in the highlands of the central Andes also had above average snowcover duration. Snow cover was below average across the northern Andes in parts of Bolivia, northern Chile and southern Peru.

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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

Tom Ross
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4499
email: tom.ross@noaa.gov

-or-

Jay Lawrimore
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: jay.lawrimore@noaa.gov

NCDC / Climate Research / Climate of 2000 / August / Search / Help

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