Variability of the Australian Monsoon and Precipitation Trends at Darwin

Abstract

n atmospheric classification for northwestern Australia is used to define periods of monsoon activity and investigate the interannual and intraseasonal variability of the Australian monsoon, as well as long-term precipitation trends at Darwin. The classification creates a time series of atmospheric states, which two correspond to the active monsoon and the monsoon break. Occurrence of these states is used to define onset, retreat, seasonal intensity, and individual active periods within seasons. The authors demonstrate the quality of their method by showing it consistently identifies extended periods of precipitation as part of the monsoon season and recreates well-known relationships between Australian monsoon onset, intensity, and ENSO. The authors also find that onset and seasonal intensity are significantly correlated with ENSO as early as July.Previous studies have investigated the role of the Madden?Julian oscillation (MJO) during the monsoon by studying the frequency and duration of active periods, but these studies disagree on whether the MJO creates a characteristic period or duration. The authors use their metrics of monsoon activity and the Wheeler?Hendon MJO index to examine the timing of active periods relative to the phase of the MJO. It is shown that active periods preferentially begin during MJO phases 3 and 4, as the convective anomaly approaches Darwin, and end during phases 7 and 8, as the anomaly departs Darwin. Finally, the causes of the multidecadal positive precipitation trend at Darwin over the last few decades are investigated. It is found that an increase in the number of days classified as active, rather than changes in the daily rainfall rate during active monsoon periods, is responsible.