Circulation background of the atmospheric precipitation in Central Europe (based on the Polish example)

• Main Authors: Zbigniew Ustrnul, Danuta Czekierda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Borntraeger 2001-04-01
• Series: Meteorologische Zeitschrift
• Online Access: http://dx.doi.org/10.1127/0941-2948/2001/0010-0103

The influence of circulation upon the atmospheric precipitation in Poland as an example of Central European climatic conditions is analysed. The study is based on daily sums of precipitation which have been collected from over 50 meteorological stations for the period of 1951-1999 as well as on Großwetterlagen circulation patterns. The analysis confirms the considerable influence of atmospheric circulation upon precipitation totals and especially upon their extreme values. The highest rainfalls occur during situations with N-NE-E air flow. During these circulation types and cyclonic troughs or with the cyclonic centre over Central Europe the highest probability of high daily totals is usually observed. However, heavy rainfalls in summer can also occur during other situations even including those with high pressure. Obviously these circulation patterns also have the highest chance for days without any precipitation as well as the lowest mean daily totals. A climatological analysis of the seasonal and annual precipitation totals associated with circulation indices confirmed relatively close connections between these variables.