Advanced combination of spectral and wavelet analysis ('spavelet' analysis)

An advanced statistical approach named "spavelet analysis" is described. The proposed technique combines conventional spectral and wavelet analyses to yield information about duration and periodicity of a phenomenon. The procedure consists in estimation of spectra of the wavelet coefficients at different wavelet scales. Graphic presentation of the calculated spectra in the form of a contour plot versus period and wavelet temporal scale clearly shows the predominant repetition period and duration of the analysed phenomenon. The efficiency of this technique is demonstrated using as examples both model and real atmospheric processes. This approach can have wide practical applications, being a useful tool to analyse not only atmospheric phenomena, but any kinds of random events having some certain duration and periodicity.