Variability of rainfall in Suriname and the relation with ENSO-SST and TA-SST

Here we discuss the cause and effect of opposing atmospheric and oceanic ENSO forcings in the Ross Sea, that lead to a net warming in the eastern Ross Sea and a net cooling in the western Ross Sea during El Ni o years. During La Ni a years the opposite is observed. The oceanic ENSO effect causes a ~1 K warming with a 3 month lag during El Ni o years in comparison to La Ni a time periods. During El Ni o events, the atmospheric ENSO effect leads to a shift and weakening of the Amundsen Sea Low, causing enhanced import of colder West Antarctic air masses into the western Ross Sea. We find that this indirect ENSO effect is about one order of magnitude stronger (up to 15 K) in the western Ross Sea than the direct effect (~1 K), leading to a net cooling during El Ni o and net warming during La Ni a events.