Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

An Evaluation of the Apparent Interdecadal Shift in the Tropical Divergent Circulation in the NCEP–NCAR Reanalysis

J. L. Kinter III Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies, Calverton, Maryland

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M. J. Fennessy Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies, Calverton, Maryland

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V. Krishnamurthy Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies, Calverton, Maryland

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L. Marx Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies, Calverton, Maryland

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Print Publication:
15 Jan 2004
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/1520-0442(2004)017<0349:AEOTAI>2.0.CO;2
Page(s):
349–361
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Abstract

Recent decadal regime shifts in the large-scale circulation of the tropical atmosphere are examined using analyses and independent observations of the circulation and precipitation. Comparisons between reanalysis products and independent observations suggest that the shifts that are apparent and significant in the reanalysis products may be artifacts of changes in the observing system and/or the data assimilation procedures.

Corresponding author address: J. L. Kinter III, Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies, 4041 Powder Mill Road, Suite 302, Calverton, MD 20705. Email: kinter@cola.iges.org

Abstract

Recent decadal regime shifts in the large-scale circulation of the tropical atmosphere are examined using analyses and independent observations of the circulation and precipitation. Comparisons between reanalysis products and independent observations suggest that the shifts that are apparent and significant in the reanalysis products may be artifacts of changes in the observing system and/or the data assimilation procedures.

Corresponding author address: J. L. Kinter III, Center for Ocean–Land–Atmosphere Studies, 4041 Powder Mill Road, Suite 302, Calverton, MD 20705. Email: kinter@cola.iges.org

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