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    Streamflow frequency changes across western Europe and interactions with North Atlantic atmospheric circulation patterns


    Lorenzo-Lacruz, J., Morán-Tejeda, E., Vicente-Serrano, S.M., Hannaford, J., García, C., Peña-Angulo, D. and Murphy, Conor (2022) Streamflow frequency changes across western Europe and interactions with North Atlantic atmospheric circulation patterns. Global and Planetary Change, 212 (103797). pp. 1-19. ISSN 09218181

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    Abstract

    This study identifies significant periodicities in streamflow dynamics across western Europe using a hydrological database encompassing 1874 monthly series from catchments in Ireland, the United Kingdom, France, Spain and Portugal, spanning the years 1962 to 2012. Significant and synchronous periodicities with the main atmospheric mechanisms over the North Atlantic sector are also identified using Cross Wavelet Transform and Wavelet Coherence analysis. Principal Components Analysis (PCA) were applied to the different Wavelet transforms analysis in order to summarize the results. These show the occurrence of a 7-years streamflow cycle in a large proportion of catchments within the study domain since the mid 1980's that was not present in earlier periods. The significance, intensity and persistence of the observed regional cycle follows a spatial gradient around the English Channel. We show how the transitive coupling of key atmospheric mechanisms is an influencing factor causing the general change observed. These results suggest the occurrence of a regional change in the periodicities of streamflow across the western European domain. Our results emphasize the non-stationary interaction between streamflow and atmospheric circulation during recent decades and the prominent role of the North Atlantic Oscillation in the newly stablished streamflow cycles.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Wavelets; Climate modes; Streamflow; Periodicities; Synchronicities; Non-stationarity;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Social Sciences > Geography
    Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Institutes > Irish Climate Analysis and Research Units, ICARUS
    Item ID: 17492
    Identification Number: 10.1016/j.gloplacha.2022.103797
    Depositing User: Conor Murphy
    Date Deposited: 05 Sep 2023 14:20
    Journal or Publication Title: Global and Planetary Change
    Publisher: Elsevier
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/17492
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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