Author(s): M. Ho; A. S. Kiem; D. C. Verdon-Kidd
Linked Author(s):
Keywords: Southern Annular Mode (SAM); SAM indices; Australian rainfall; Climate
Abstract: The Southern Annular Mode (SAM) has been identified as a climate mechanism with potentially significant impacts on the Australian hydroclimate. Despite the identification of some relationships between SAM and Australia's hydroclimate, the association has not been extensively explored or robustly quantified. Further complicating the situation is the existence of numerous indices by which the SAM has been approximated. The similarities and discrepancies between various SAM indices are explored in this paper and recommendations are then made as to which index is best suited for use when assessing the impacts of SAM on Australia's hydrometeorological variables.
Year: 2011