Akstinas V., Bukantis A.
Quasi-biennial oscillation effect on climate indicators: Lithuania’s
case
Abstract. The quasi-biennial oscillation (further – QBO) is
a quasi-periodic oscillation of the equatorial zonal wind between easterlies
and westerlies in the tropical stratosphere with a mean period of 26 to 29
months. Together with other circulation mechanisms, the QBO comprises a global
climate system which affects the climate indices of different regions of the
globe including Lithuania. The authors of the present paper chose to address
the issue of the anomalies of precipitation in Lithuania. The research
encompasses the time frame from 1953 to 2009: relationship between the periods
without precipitation for 10 and more days, monthly precipitation sum and
different phases of QBO. The highest statistically significant precipitation
deviations according the QBO phase at the 30 hPa level were established to be
in May, September and November. The anomalies of precipitation were found to be
predetermined by the atmospheric circulation patterns.