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Multidecadal variability of rainfall and streamflow: Eastern Australia
journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-17, 19:30 authored by Verdon, DC, Wyatt, AM, Kiem, AS, Franks, SWThis study investigates the influence of the El Nin˜o–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Interdecadal Pacific Oscillation (IPO) on rainfall and streamflow regimes of eastern Australia. An analysis of historical rainfall and streamflow data for Queensland (QLD), New South Wales (NSW), and Victoria (VIC) reveals strong relationships between these indices and seasonal rainfall and streamflow totals. Rainfall and streamflow in NSW and QLD are shown to be significantly enhanced during the La Nin˜a phase of ENSO, with La Nin˜a impacts diminishing as one moves south into VIC. In addition, the study shows that on a multidecadal timescale the negative phase of the IPO is associated with ‘‘wetter’’ conditions than the positive phase. Importantly, the already enhanced La Nin˜a rainfall and streamflow is demonstrated to be even further magnified during La Nin˜a events that occur in the IPO negative phase. This result is of particular importance as the influence of ENSO in VIC appears to be weak; however, the results indicate that some useful predictability of ENSO impacts can be achieved during the negative phase of the IPO for VIC.
History
Publication title
Water Resources ResearchVolume
40Article number
W10201Number
W10201Pagination
1-8ISSN
1944-7973Department/School
School of EngineeringPublisher
AGUPlace of publication
USARights statement
Copyright 2004 by the American Geophysical Union.Repository Status
- Restricted