Drought Characterization in Argentina: Relationship Between ENSO Phenomenon and TVDI Anomalies

EI Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) phenomenon is the relationship between the planet's oceans and atmosphere and their influence on weather and climate. The extreme phases are known as El Niño and La Niña. They can cause prolonged periods of excessive humidity or drought, depending on the region. In Argentina, La Niña phase is considered dry and cold, and El Niño phase is considered wet and warm. However, there is still a lack of understanding of the spatial variability and the impact of each cycle. The Oceanic Niño Index (ONI) is used for the characterization of ENSO strength and intensity, while the Temperature Vegetation Dryness Index (TVDI) can be used for the characterization of soil-plant moisture status. In this study, the relationship between the ONI index and the TVDI anomalies during spring (September-November) and summer (December-February) was analyzed. This was done for the period 2000–2022. The whole surface of Argentina was studied. The results show that a large part of the agricultural area in the center and east of Argentina was affected by drought during La Niña phases in summer, while the west and east of the country were affected in spring.