One of the wetter areas of the globe during the June - August 2000 season was across portions of southeast Asia. This region endured periodic heavy rainfall associated with tropical storms and thunderstorms which caused flooding and the loss of life. Wet weather and flooding also caused problems across Bangladesh and in eastern and south central India. In contrast, dryness and drought conditions were noted across portions of central and western India into Pakistan. There were also dry anomalies noted across portions of China.

Contents of This Report:

• Southeast Asia Precipitation Anomaly Time Series
• Asian Temperature Anomalies
• European Temperature Product

Southeast Asia Precipitation Anomaly Time Series

larger image

As noted in the graph to the left, three month anomalies in excess of 200 mm (8 in) were observed in the region which covers much of Cambodia, eastern Thailand and western Vietnam. This area had suffered extensive periodic flooding due to heavy rains associated with thunderstorms and tropical systems. As of late August, according to media reports, flooding was most extensive along the Mekong River in Cambodia and Vietnam. The river continues to rise with more flooding expected. The June-August 2000 season was the wettest June - August period in the region since 1980 and the second wettest on record.

Asian Temperature Anomalies

The extensive cloudiness and precipitation across the south eastern third of the region kept the area cooler than average. The remainder of southern Asia was cooler than average but drought conditions were prevalent across portions of western India and Pakistan. In contrast, temperatures during this season were warmer than average across parts of Mongolia and northeastern China. Pockets of drought were also reported in northeastern China as well during this period.

larger image

European Temperature Anomalies

larger image

Much of the northern European continent was below the 1992-2000 mean during this three month period. The largest negative anomalies were observed over Scandanavia and across European areas of the Former Soviet Union (FSU). In central Europe, temperatures this season were near the period of record mean. Positive temperature anomalies, while not extreme, were observed across southeast Europe.

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

 

http://lwf.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/research/2000/sum/global_regional.html
Downloaded Sunday, 08-Nov-2009 01:49:49 EST
Last Updated Tuesday, 03-Mar-2009 10:28:29 EST
Please see the NCDC Contact Page if you have questions or comments.