biostudies-literatureGelbrecht MGerman science FoundationDFG / FAPESPRussian Science Foundationeaau3191https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC6300402biostudies-literatureUnknown4(12)The dominant mode of intraseasonal precipitation variability during the South American monsoon is the so-called precipitation dipole between the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ) and southeastern South America (SESA). It affects highly populated areas that are of substantial importance for the regional food supplies. Previous studies using principal components analysis or complex networks were able to describe and characterize this variability pattern, but crucial questions regarding the responsible physical mechanism remain open. Here, we use phase synchronization techniques to study the relation between precipitation in the SACZ and SESA on the one hand and southern hemisphere Rossby wave trains on the other hand. In combination with a conceptual model, this approach demonstrates thScience advancesPhase coherence between precipitation in South America and Rossby waves.PMC630040216-12-10198IRTG 1740Gelbrecht MKurths JBoers NfalsePhase coherence between precipitation in South America and Rossby waves.The dominant mode of intraseasonal precipitation variability during the South American monsoon is the so-called precipitation dipole between the South Atlantic convergence zone (SACZ) and southeastern South America (SESA). It affects highly populated areas that are of substantial importance for the regional food supplies. Previous studies using principal components analysis or complex networks were able to describe and characterize this variability pattern, but crucial questions regarding the responsible physical mechanism remain open. Here, we use phase synchronization techniques to study the relation between precipitation in the SACZ and SESA on the one hand and southern hemisphere Rossby wave trains on the other hand. In combination with a conceptual model, this approach demonstrates th2018-01-01T00:00:00Z2018 Dec2025-04-04T12:08:22.988Z2019-03-27T00:14:35ZS-EPMC63004023058528910.1126/sciadv.aau3191