Abstract
Abstract This paper examines the annual rainfall over California during 11 ENSO events within the period 1950 to 1982. During six of these, unusually wet conditions prevailed throughout California; conditions were near normal during five events; and in one extreme drought occurred statewide. A comparison with the ENSO classification scheme of Fu et al., based on SST patterns in the Pacific, shows an excellent correspondence. Type 1 year with large positive temperature anomalies east of the date line and lasting well into winter, are invariably events that enhance California rainfall. Normal years coincide with Type 2 ENSO events (moderate warming over a broad sector); the dry year is the sole Type 3 year, with weak anomalies confined to the eastern Pacific. This study also shows that the response to ENSO is regionally specific. Although throughout the state most years with extremely wet conditions are ENSO years, the tendency for an ENSO event to increase rainfall is greatest in southern California, where...
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