Abstract
The spatial and temporal variability of the river discharges and precipitation from the southern part of Romania for 69 years, during the period 1931–99, is investigated. The study is based on river discharges (precipitation) data recorded at ten hydrometric and six meteorological stations from this region.
The cross‐correlation analysis reveals a seasonal dependence of the lag time between the precipitation and river discharge anomalies, being larger (2–3 months) in winter than in summer (0–1 month). The correlation and the EOF analyses reveal consistent interannual to decadal variations for precipitation and river discharges. In particular, persistent meteorological and hydrological droughts were identified during 1943–52, 1958–68 and 1980–99.
A composite analysis reveals that high (low) values of the river discharge and precipitation in this region are related to a large‐scale atmospheric circulation pattern similar to the negative (positive) phase of the North Atlantic oscillation (NAO). This suggests that, during periods of persistent positive phase of NAO, persistent meteorological and hydrological drought conditions are expected in the southern part of Romania with important consequences on the climate and economy of this region. Copyright © 2004 Royal Meteorological Society