Ummenhofer Caroline C. author D'Arrigo Rosanne Dorothy author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Anchukaitis Kevin author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Buckley Brendan M. author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Cook Edward R. author Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory Columbia University. Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory originator text Articles 2012 English Drought patterns across monsoon and temperate Asia over the period 1877–2005 are linked to Indo-Pacific climate variability associated with the El Niņo-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD). Using the Monsoon Asia Drought Atlas (MADA) composed of a high-resolution network of hydroclimatically sensitive tree-ring records with a focus on the June–August months, spatial drought patterns during El Niņo and IOD events are assessed as to their agreement with an instrumental drought index and consistency in the drought response amongst ENSO/IOD events. Spatial characteristics in drought patterns are related to regional climate anomalies over the Indo-Pacific basin, using reanalysis products, including changes in the Asian monsoon systems, zonal Walker circulation, moisture fluxes, and precipitation. A weakening of the monsoon circulation over the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia during El Niņo events, along with anomalous subsidence over monsoon Asia and reduced moisture flux, is reflected in anomalous drought conditions over India, Southeast Asia and Indonesia. When an IOD event co-occurs with an El Niņo, severe drought conditions identified in the MADA for Southeast Asia, Indonesia, eastern China and central Asia are associated with a weakened South Asian monsoon, reduced moisture flux over China, and anomalous divergent flow and subsidence over Indonesia. Insights into the relative influences of Pacific and Indian Ocean variability for Asian monsoon climate on interannual to decadal and longer timescales, as recorded in the MADA, provide a useful tool for assessing long-term changes in the characteristics of Asian monsoon droughts in the context of Indo-Pacific climate variability. Climate change Environmental science http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00382-012-1458-1 http://hdl.handle.net/10022/AC:P:14394 NNC NNC 2012-08-15 13:50:21 -0400 2012-08-15 13:57:48 -0400 8414 eng