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Interannual variability of cut-off low systems over the European sector: The role of blocking and the Northern Hemisphere circulation modes

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Summary

An earlier developed multidecadal database of Northern Hemisphere cut-off low systems (COLs), covering a 41 years period (from 1958 to 1998) is used to study COLs interannual variability in the European sector (25°–47.5° N, 50° W–40° E) and the major factors controlling it. The study focus on the influence on COLs interannual variability, of larger scale phenomena such as blocking events and other main circulation modes defined over the Euro-Atlantic region. It is shown that there is a very large interannual variability in the COLs occurrence at the annual and seasonal scales, although without significant trends. The influence of larger scale phenomena is seasonal dependent, with the positive phase of the NAO favoring autumn COL development, while winter COL occurrence is mostly related to blocking events. During summer, the season when more COLs occur, no significant influences were found.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Facultad de Ciencias de Ourense, Universidad de Vigo, Ourense, Spain

    R. Nieto, L. Gimeno & L. De la Torre

  2. University of Lisbon, CGUL, IDL, Lisbon, Portugal

    R. Nieto & L. Gimeno

  3. Departamento de CC Ambientales, Universidad Pablo de Olavide de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain

    P. Ribera

  4. Departamento de Física de la Tierra, Facultad de Físicas, Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Astronomía y Astrofísica, Ciudad Universitaria, Madrid, Spain

    D. Barriopedro & R. García-Herrera

  5. Departamento de Física, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain

    A. Serrano & A. Gordillo

  6. Departamento de Astronomía y Meteorología, Universidad de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    A. Redaño & J. Lorente

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  1. R. Nieto
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  2. L. Gimeno
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  3. L. De la Torre
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  4. P. Ribera
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  6. R. García-Herrera
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  9. A. Redaño
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  10. J. Lorente
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Nieto, R., Gimeno, L., De la Torre, L. et al. Interannual variability of cut-off low systems over the European sector: The role of blocking and the Northern Hemisphere circulation modes. Meteorol. Atmos. Phys. 96, 85–101 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-006-0222-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00703-006-0222-7

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