Large-scale modes impact on Iraq climate variability

The impact of large-scale modes on Iraq climate is investigated here based on winter and spring fields of temperature and precipitation. The temperature data (1971–2010) was recorded at 8 stations whereas the precipitation fields (1981–2010) were recorded at 18 locations. Empirical orthogonal function analyses were performed in order to characterize the spatial variability of the Iraq climatological parameters. The relationships between the global sea surface temperature, sea level pressure, and geopotential height fields with the dominant modes of Iraq temperature and precipitation were also investigated. Correlation and regression maps emphasize links between Iraq climate and large-scale modes, like the Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation and the El Niño Southern Oscillation phenomenon.