A Note on the Timing of Precipitation Variability in Zimbabwe as Related to the Southern Oscillation

Simple cross-correlations between both annual and monthly precipitation totals and equivalent values of the Southern Oscillation Index reveal the expected synchronous positive associations, with a strong signal of opposing conditions in the following year. Inspection of the spatial distribution of significant results indicates the strongest associations in the northern and central areas, distinct from the zones of greatest association identified in South Africa. Analysis at the monthly scale reveals that both positive and negative associations are not evenly distributed throughout the rainy season, but are concentrated in the early and late months of the season. In addition to their practical implications, these findings suggest that the processes inducing precipitation variability in conjunction with the Southern Oscillation are distinct from the linking of tropical and extratropical troughs that are identified extensively in South Africa.