Analysis of meteorological droughts in the Yaqui River Basin, Mexico and its relationship with ENSO

Abstract

This study analyzes the temporal behavior of the droughts in the Yaqui River Basin, in Mexico using the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI) and determines the influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) climatic phenomenon in the modulation of the SPI variability. 28 climatic stations distributed in the basin gradient and in an additional area to divide of 20 km were used. The quality of the series was evaluated by tests of homogeneity of variances, the common variability between stations was determined through a Principal Component Analysis and a regional SPI was generated for the period 1937–2016. The most severe drought events were recorded in the years 1980, 1988, 1999, 2006 and 2011. The spectral coherence of waves analysis between the SPI and the ENSO indicates a phase relationship for dry and rainy events during the period from 1937 to 1959 at frequencies of one to six years, from 1937 to 1950 at frequencies of 10 to 11 years, from 1972 to 1974 at frequencies of one to two years and from 1997 to 2005 at frequencies of 11 to 15 years. ENSO significantly influences the variability of SPI in the basin.