The Impact of Atmospheric Rivers on Rainfall in New Zealand
This study quantifies the impact of atmospheric rivers (ARs) on rainfall in New Zealand. Using daily rainfall records from 654 rain gauges and the ERA-Interim and ERA-5 reanalysis, we investigate the contribution of ARs to the annual and seasonal rainfall totals and extreme rainfall events between 1979–2018 across the country. Results indicate that these filamentary synoptic features play an essential role in regional water resources and are responsible for many extreme rainfall events on the western side of mountainous areas and northern New Zealand. Depending on the season in these areas, 40–86% of the rainfall totals and 50–98% of extreme rainfall events are shown to be associated with ARs, with the largest contributions predominantly occurring during the summer. Furthermore, the median daily rainfall associated with ARs is 2–3 times that associated with other storms. The results of this study extend the knowledge of the critical roles of ARs on hydrology and highlight the need for further investigation of the hydrological hazards caused by ARs in New Zealand.
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Posted 06 Jan, 2021
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The Impact of Atmospheric Rivers on Rainfall in New Zealand
Posted 06 Jan, 2021
Received 08 Jan, 2021
Received 08 Jan, 2021
Received 08 Jan, 2021
Received 08 Jan, 2021
Received 08 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
Invitations sent on 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 05 Jan, 2021
On 04 Jan, 2021
On 16 Dec, 2020
This study quantifies the impact of atmospheric rivers (ARs) on rainfall in New Zealand. Using daily rainfall records from 654 rain gauges and the ERA-Interim and ERA-5 reanalysis, we investigate the contribution of ARs to the annual and seasonal rainfall totals and extreme rainfall events between 1979–2018 across the country. Results indicate that these filamentary synoptic features play an essential role in regional water resources and are responsible for many extreme rainfall events on the western side of mountainous areas and northern New Zealand. Depending on the season in these areas, 40–86% of the rainfall totals and 50–98% of extreme rainfall events are shown to be associated with ARs, with the largest contributions predominantly occurring during the summer. Furthermore, the median daily rainfall associated with ARs is 2–3 times that associated with other storms. The results of this study extend the knowledge of the critical roles of ARs on hydrology and highlight the need for further investigation of the hydrological hazards caused by ARs in New Zealand.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5
Figure 6