Spatio-Temporal Variability of Seasonal Drought Over the Dobrogea Region

Abstract

In this study we have examined the spatial and temporal variability of seasonal short-term drought over Dobrogea region over the period 1965 -2005. The dominant mode of spatial variability captures an in-phase relationship of drought conditions over the entire analyzed region, for all the seasons. We show that the Arctic/North Atlantic Oscillation patterns control a significant part of the interannual drought variability over the Dobrogea region in all seasons. Dry (wet) periods in Dobrogea region are associated with geopotential height anomalies at 850mb that project onto the negative (positive) phase of Arctic/North Atlantic Oscillation. Moreover, the SST anomalies from the Atlantic Ocean realm and potential evapotranspiration anomalies over the south eastern part of Romania play also a significant role on the variability of drought conditions over Dobrogea region.