Asymmetric responses of land hydroclimatology to two types of El Nio in the Mississippi River Basin

El Nino events play important roles in influencing the hydroclimatology over the Mississippi River Basin (MRB). This study shows that the two types of El Nino events, the central Pacific (CP) El Nino and eastern Pacific (EP) El Nino, have opposite effects on spring soil water hydrology in the MRB. Above-normal spring (March) precipitation during EP El Nino years leads to higher soil water levels during the subsequent 2 to 3 months in the central and western MRB. On the other hand, CP El Nino events induce below-normal spring precipitation that causes lower soil water levels over the Ohio-Mississippi Valley during the following 1 or 2 months. As a result, a springtime asymmetric response occurs in the MRB streamflow and soil water storage to the two types of El Nino. Subsurface hydrological storage processes are found to be essential to extend El Nino's influence in the MRB to late spring. Key Points CP and EP El Nino have opposite effects on water cycle in the Mississippi River Subsurface water is essential to extend El Nino impact from winter to spring If CP El Nino becomes prevailing, potential exists of frequent water shortages