Effect of the North Atlantic on the hydrological regime of the Caspian Sea basin

The cause of Caspian level variations is still to be found, and their forecasting is still among the problems to be solved. This study proposes a new approach based on the results of analysis of the effect the North Atlantic has on climate formation in the Caspian Sea basin. The article presents the results of analysis of moisture transport into the Caspian Sea basin, as well as a relationship between precipitation and temperature in this basin and the indices of atmospheric and oceanic circulation for the periods of Caspian level drop and rise. A pioneer study of moisture transport from the North Atlantic showed this transport to govern the formation of Caspian Sea level regime.