Influence of the North American Monsoon System on the U.S. Summer Precipitation Regime

Abstract Key features of the U.S. summer precipitation regime are examined within the context of the evolving North American monsoon system. The focus is on the antecedent and subsequent atmospheric conditions over the conterminous United States relative to the onset of monsoon precipitation over the southwestern United States, which typically begins in early July. The onset of the monsoon in this region is determined using a precipitation index, based on daily observed precipitation for a 31-yr (1963–94) period. Lagged composites of the observed precipitation and various fields from the NCEP–NCAR reanalysis for the period 1979–94 provide a comprehensive picture of atmospheric conditions during the evolution of the U.S. warm season precipitation regime. The summer precipitation regime is characterized by an out-of-phase relationship between precipitation over the Southwest and the Great Plains–northern tier and an in-phase relationship between precipitation over the Southwest and the East Coast. Changes i...

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