El Niño Southern Oscillation (1896 to 2016): Quantifying Effects on Winter Precipitation and Temperature in Southwest Ohio, USA

Continental-scale studies of North America suggest that the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) can cause winters to be warmer, with less precipitation, during conditions and colder, more La Niña in Midwest United States. Two sources historical records precipitation temperature southwest Ohio from 1896 2016 were analyzed. Three statistical methodologies used test hypothesis anomalies winter occurred relation ENSO phases. Eighty percent had below-average precipitation; average anomaly was −5 cm. Precipitation decreased increase strength as measured by Multivariate Index (MEI). These results statistically significant beyond 95% level. However, variation MEI only accounted for 3% overall variability precipitation. Many drier on record, including extrema, neutral winters. During not significantly different Winter within century record. The consistent between separate analyses data 2 sources.