Lake Baikal: zonal atmospheric circulation, climate and hydrological processes (1968–2007)

Abstract

We investigate the correlation of changes in meteorological elements and river inflow into Baikal with the atmospheric circulation in the northern hemisphere. It is shown that during 1968–2007 the tendency toward interannual changes in atmospheric precipitation, temperature, air humidity and wind velocity over the lake were closely associated with the activity of the zonal transfer (the Arctic and North-Atlantic oscillations). Until the mid-1990 s the increase in river inflow into the lake was also associated with its enhancement. In subsequent years, the decline in activity of the zonal circulation was accompanied by the emergence of a negative tendency in the variation of these elements.