Tropospheric Water Vapor Long‐term Periodicities and ENSO Relation in European Territory of Russia

Abstract

Abstract The variability of time series of the surface partial pressure of water vapor for the European territory of Russia over a long period has been studied. It has been established that the contribution of fluctuations with time scales from 2 to 6 years is from 35% to 60% of the interannual variance. It can be concluded that the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation makes a significant contribution to the interannual variability of moisture content in the European territory of Russia. Several modes of coherent variations in the range of 2–6 years have been established. However, the coherence of variations of ENSO and the surface partial pressure of water vapor are irregular. It is shown that during periods of coherence, the energy of oscillations of ENSO is transferred from the equator to the middle and polar latitudes in the troposphere and the lower stratosphere. Planetary waves play a significant role in the mechanism of ENSO energy transfer. Their energy begins to in the winter year of El Niño, and the maximum is reached after a year.

Keywords

• water vapor partial pressure
• planetary waves
• stratosphere
• El Niño‐Southern Oscillation