Regional effects of ENSO in Central/Eastern Europe

Abstract. El Niño - Southern Oscillation (ENSO) effects on the European circulation features and on the regional climate of Hungary are evaluated in this paper. European climate is represented by atmospheric macrocirculation patterns (MCPs). Local climate characteristics are linked to ENSO phases through regionally averaged temperature values and precipitation amounts. Significant statistical relationship was found between the European circulation and the ENSO phases. Furthermore, considerable differences were detected in the empirical frequency distribution of monthly climate anomalies in Hungary during El Niño and La Niña episodes.