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National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Climate of 1999 - August
Global Regional Analyses

National Climatic Data Center, 15 September 1999

Global Wetness Product larger image
Regionally across the globe, precipitation was above average in several areas, especially across portions of the Sahel in Africa and parts of Korea and Japan in Asia. Heavy rains led to flooding in these areas. Flooding was also reported across portions of eastern India and Bangladesh. In contrast, conditions were drier than average across portions of the eastern U.S., portions of eastern Europe and across central and western India. The largest negative anomalies over western and central India are a result of the weak southwest monsoon in that portion of the country.

General August 1999 mean upper air circulation patterns anomalies are available for the Northern Hemisphere.

Note: Satellite data is unavailable this month due to processing problems; blended satellite/in situ products should be available again in the September report.

Top of Page Sahel Precipitation-Time Series Chart

Precipitation-Sahel
larger image 		Precipitation was above average across the Sahel region in Africa this month. This is good news for most agricultural areas but some flash flooding was reported across portions of Chad and Sudan. In Gambia and Senegal, fishermen were reported missing due to the severe weather. This is the second year in a row with precipitation above average in August. This is the wettest August since the mid 1950's based on preliminary reports.

Top of Page Korea Precipitation- Time Series

Precipitation-Korea
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Typhoon Olga in early August brought torrential rains to portions of North and South Korea and across portions of Japan. The typhoon-generated precipitation, combined with other rainfall, led to widespread flooding and landslides in these regions. In fact, according to preliminary data some spots across the region received over twice their normal rainfall. This wet August follows last year's record August when some areas reported even higher rainfall amounts.

Top of Page European Monthly Temperature Time Series

European Temperature
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A ridge of high pressure aloft, mainly over the Mediterranean area, kept the region warm during the month. This pattern has been persistent all summer. This ridge of high pressure extended south and east with parts of Africa and the Middle East reporting well above average temperatures.
References:

Basist, A., N.C. Grody, T.C. Peterson and C.N. Williams, 1998: Using the Special Sensor Microwave/Imager to Monitor Land Surface Temperatures, Wetness, and Snow Cover. Journal of Applied Meteorology, 37, 888-911.

For all climate questions other than questions concerning this report, please contact the National Climatic Data Center's Climate Services Division:

Climate Services Division
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue, Room 120
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4876
phone: 828-271-4800
email: ncdc.orders@noaa.gov

For more information, refer also to ...
SSMI Derived Products
Global Historical Climatology Network (GHCN)
The Blended GHCN - SSM/I Product
The Global Temperature Anomalies

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For further information on the historical climate perspective presented in this report, contact:

Alan Basist
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: alan.basist@noaa.gov
-or-
Tom Ross
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: tom.ross@noaa.gov
-or-
Mike Changery
NOAA/National Climatic Data Center
151 Patton Avenue
Asheville, NC 28801-5001
fax: 828-271-4328
email: mchangry@ncdc.noaa.gov
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