The Anomalous Rainfall of the 1957-58 Winter in the Equatorial Central Pacific Arid Area

Abstract

During the 1957-58 winter, island stations of a large arid area in the Equatorial Central Pacific Ocean experienced anomalous precipitation which exceeded normal values by factors of 5 to 20. Average meteorological and oceanographical features of the area are explained and compared to the features of the abnormal period. Historical records of precipitation at some stations in the area are discussed. Some mechanisms which could be a cause of the anomalous precipitation are suggested.