Relationship between ENSO and rainfall in the Tulum Valley, San Juan Province, Argentina

Abstract

El Niño, or ENSO, is a climate event caused by the interaction between the atmosphere and the ocean. This interaction involves changes in temperatures and winds in the waters of the Pacific Ocean. The occurrence of this event has impacts not only at the local level, but also extends to the global climate. The climatic dynamics in the region are strongly influenced by the air masses of the Pacific and South Atlantic anticyclones, as well as by the terrain, which cause variations in precipitation patterns, winds, and water resource availability, and influence the Tulum Valley. This research analyzes the existence of a relationship between the occurrence of ENSO and precipitation in the Tulum Valley. Time series of precipitation data from the GEOMET rain gauge network were used. This network includes rain gauges strategically installed in the province of San Juan, generating comprehensive and permanent coverage, as well as data from the National Meteorological Service. The result was that during the Niño phase, rainfall in the Tulum oasis remained at low levels compared to the other phases analyzed. In contrast, the Niña phase shows higher levels of accumulated rainfall, both in quantity (millimeters) and frequency