%0 Journal Article
%4 sid.inpe.br/mtc-m21b/2015/01.13.18.16.16
%2 sid.inpe.br/mtc-m21b/2015/01.13.18.16.17
%@doi 10.1002/2014GL061829
%@issn 0094-8276
%F scopus 2015-01 BoersRhBoBaMaMaKu:2014:CoNeAn
%T The South American rainfall dipole: A complex network analysis of extreme events
%D 2014
%9 journal article
%A Boers, N.,
%A Rheinwalt, A.,
%A Bookhagen, B.,
%A Barbosa, H. M. J.,
%A Marwan, N.,
%A Marengo, José Antonio,
%A Kurths, J.,
%@affiliation Humboldt University Berlin
%@affiliation Humboldt University Berlin
%@affiliation University of California
%@affiliation Universidade de São Paulo (USP)
%@affiliation Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
%@affiliation Instituto Nacional de Pesquisas Espaciais (INPE)
%@affiliation University Berlin
%@electronicmailaddress
%@electronicmailaddress
%@electronicmailaddress
%@electronicmailaddress
%@electronicmailaddress
%@electronicmailaddress jose.marengo@inpe.br
%B Geophysical Research Letters
%V 41
%N 20
%P 7397-7405
%K Atmospheric thermodynamics, Complex networks, Mechanical waves, Synchronization, Tropics, Event synchronization, Extreme rainfall, Large-scale circulation patterns, Monsoon system, Nonlinear synchronization, Rainfall variability, Rossby wave, Southeastern South America, Rain, extreme event, monsoon, nonlinearity, precipitation assessment, rainfall, Rossby wave, subtropical region, Andes, Brazil.
%X Intraseasonal rainfall variability of the South American monsoon system is characterized by a pronounced dipole between southeastern South America and southeastern Brazil. Here we analyze the dynamical properties of extreme rainfall events associated with this dipole by combining a nonlinear synchronization measure with complex networks. We make the following main observations: (i) Our approach reveals the dominant synchronization pathways of extreme events for the two dipole phases, (ii) while extreme rainfall synchronization in the tropics is directly driven by the trade winds and their deflection by the Andes mountains, extreme rainfall propagation in the subtropics is mainly dictated by frontal systems, and (iii) the well-known rainfall dipole is, in fact, only the most prominent mode of an oscillatory pattern that extends over the entire continent. This provides further evidence that the influence of Rossby waves, which cause frontal systems over South America and impact large-scale circulation patterns, extends beyond the equator. Key PointsComplex networks substitute EOFs for spatial analysis of extreme rainfallReveal drivers of extreme rainfall related to South American rainfall dipoleExtreme events controlled by Rossby oscillation extending over the entire continent.
%@language en