ENSO effects on land skin temperature variations: A global study from satellite remote sensing and NCEP/NCAR reanalysis

Abstract

Non-lag and lag correlation coefficients between Niño 3 indices derived from sea-surface temperature (SST) anomalies and land surface variables from satellite based Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) data, as well as National Center for Environmental Prediction/National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP/NCAR) Reanalysis data are analyzed for 2001-2010. Strong positive correlations between January Niño 3 indices and skin temperature (Tskin) occur over the northwest USA, western Canada, and southern Alaska, suggesting that an El Niño event is associated with warmer winter temperatures over these regions, consistent with previous studies based on 2 m surface air temperature measurements (Tair). In addition, in January, strong negative correlations exist over central and northern Europe (meaning colder than normal winters) with positive correlations present over central Siberia (suggesting warmer than normal winters). Despite the different physical meaning between Tair and Tskin, the general response of the two surface temperatures to changes in ENSO is similar. Nevertheless, satellite observations of Tskin provide more rich information and higher spatial resolution than Tair data.