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    The 2022–23 drought in the South American Altiplano: ENSO effects on moisture flux in the western Amazon during the pre-wet season
    (Elsevier B.V., 2024-09-01)
    The 2022-23 hydrological year in the Lake Titicaca, Desaguadero River, and Lake Poopó hydrological system (TDPS) over the South American Altiplano constituted a historically dry period. This drought was particularly severe during the pre-wet season (October–December), when the TDPS and the adjacent Andean-Amazon region experienced as much as 60% reductions in rainfall. Consequently, Titicaca Lake water levels decreased by 0.05 m from December to January, which is part of the rising lake level period of normal conditions. Such conditions have not been seen since the El Niño-related drought of 1982-83. Using a set of hydroclimatic, Sea Surface Temperature (SST) and atmospheric reanalysis datasets, we find that this new historical drought was associated with enhanced southerly moisture flux anomalies, reducing the inflow of moisture-laden winds from the Amazon basin to the TDPS. Such anomalies in moisture transport were not seen since at least the 1950s. The atmospheric dynamics associated with this drought are related to La Niña SST anomalies via subtropical teleconnections associated with Rossby wave trains towards South America, further extended by subtropical Atlantic Ocean SST anomalies. This feature reduced the atmospheric moisture inflow from the Amazon and weakened the development of the Bolivian High in the upper troposphere. These results document a new atmospheric mechanism related to extreme droughts in the TDPS associated with La Niña SST anomalies during the pre-wet season. This goes beyond the traditional understanding of El Niño events, especially the strongest ones, being associated with dry conditions in the TDPS during the wet season (December–March).
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    Performance of regional climate model precipitation simulations over the terrain-complex Andes-Amazon transition region
    (John Wiley and Sons Inc, 2024-01-16)
    Regional climate models (RCMs) are widely used to assess future impacts associated with climate change at regional and local scales. RCMs must represent relevant climate variables in the present-day climate to be considered fit-for-purpose for impact assessment. This condition is particularly difficult to meet over complex regions such as the Andes-Amazon transition region, where the Andean topography and abundance of tropical rainfall regimes remain a challenge for numerical climate models. In this study, we evaluate the ability of 30 regional climate simulations (6 RCMs driven by 10 global climate models) to reproduce historical (1981–2005) rainfall climatology and temporal variability over the Andes-Amazon transition region. We assess spatio-temporal features such as spatial distribution of rainfall, focusing on the orographic effects over the Andes-Amazon “rainfall hotspots” region, and seasonal and interannual precipitation variability. The Eta RCM exhibits the highest spatial correlation (up to 0.6) and accurately reproduces mean annual precipitation and orographic precipitation patterns across the region, while some other RCMs have good performances at specific locations. Most RCMs simulate a wet bias over the highlands, particularly at the eastern Andean summits, as evidenced by the 100%–2,500% overestimations of precipitation in these regions. Annual cycles are well represented by most RCMs, but peak seasons are exaggerated, especially at equatorial locations. No RCM is particularly skillful in reproducing the interannual variability patterns. Results highlight skills and weaknesses of the different regional climate simulations, and can assist in the selection of regional climate simulations for impact studies in the Andes-Amazon transition zone.
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    Recent changes in the dry-to-wet transition season in the Andean Altiplano and related atmospheric circulation patterns (1981–2022)
    (Springer Science+Business Media, 2025-01-01)
    Drought-related impacts in the southern Tropical Andes are crucial for economic activities. Here, precipitation decreases (p < 0.1) during the dry-to-wet transition season (SON) based on CHIRPS (1981–2023) and meteorological stations (1973–2016). In addition, a decline in specific humidity and moisture flux is detected (1979–2022). The precipitation trend is stronger (p < 0.05) in the southern Titicaca, Desaguadero, Poopó and Coipasa Salt Pan hydrological system (TDPS) and extends southwards (20°S-30°S). A delayed onset and a reduced duration of the wet season are observed in the TDPS (p < 0.05), although precipitation intensifies during DJF in the southwestern TDPS (p < 0.05).To analyze the atmospheric features related to these changes, we derive atmospherics circulation patterns (CPs) from standardized anomalies of daily 200-hPa winds (1979–2022) using a weather classification technique. We identify 9 CPs, characterized by four ‘‘dry’’ (D1, D2, D3, and D4), three ‘‘wet’’ (W1, W2 and W3), and two ‘‘transitional’’ patterns (T1 and T2). During SON, the frequency of the W1 (D3) is negatively (positively) correlated with the onset date of the wet season (p < 0.05). Through the period 1979–2022, the frequencies of the D3 and the predominantly dry T1 increase (p < 0.1 and p < 0.05, respectively). Conversely, W1 frequency diminishes substantially since 2010. The physical mechanisms associated are discussed. In conclusion, increased D3 and T1 frequencies, and decreased W1 are related to the diminution of precipitation during SON and to the shortening of the wet season length. We also show that the extreme drought of 2022 was characterized by an unprecedented frequency of dry CPs, particularly during November.
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    Impact of Extreme Droughts on the Water Balance in the Peruvian–Ecuadorian Amazon Basin (2003–2024)
    (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI), 2025-11-01)
    This study assesses the impact of extreme droughts on the surface and atmospheric water balance of the Peruvian Amazon basin during 2003–2024. It extends previous work by incorporating multiple datasets for precipitation (CHIRPS, MSWEP, and ERA5) and evapotranspiration (ERA5, GLDAS, Amazon-Paca, and observations from the Quistococha flux tower) and comparing three drought indices: Maximum Cumulative Water Deficit (MCWD), Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index (SPEI), and self-calibrated Palmer Drought Severity Index (scPDSI). The study focuses on the Peruvian–Ecuadorian Amazon basin, particularly on the Amazon and Madre de Dios river basins, closing at Tamshiyacu and Amaru Mayu stations, respectively. The results confirm four extreme drought years (2004–2005, 2009–2010, 2022–2023, and 2023–2024) with major precipitation deficits in dry seasons and significant reductions in runoff and total water storage anomalies (TWSAs), physically manifesting as negative surface balances indicating net terrestrial water depletion and negative atmospheric balances reflecting reduced moisture convergence, with residuals signaling hydrological uncertainties. The study highlights significant imbalances in the water cycle during droughts and underscores the need to use multiple indicators and datasets to accurately assess hydrological responses under extreme climatic conditions in the Amazon basin.
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