Editorial Type:
Article
Article Type:
Research Article

The Seasonality of the Great Plains Low-Level Jet and ENSO Relationship

Lakshmi Krishnamurthy * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Lakshmi Krishnamurthy in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Gabriel A. Vecchi * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

Search for other papers by Gabriel A. Vecchi in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Rym Msadek * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, Colorado

Search for other papers by Rym Msadek in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Andrew Wittenberg * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey

Search for other papers by Andrew Wittenberg in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
,
Thomas L. Delworth * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey
Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences Program, Princeton University, Princeton, New Jersey

Search for other papers by Thomas L. Delworth in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
, and
Fanrong Zeng * National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton, New Jersey

Search for other papers by Fanrong Zeng in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed Close
Print Publication:
01 Jun 2015
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00590.1
Page(s):
4525–4544
Restricted access

We are aware of a technical issue preventing figures and tables from showing in some newly published articles in the full-text HTML view.
While we are resolving the problem, please use the online PDF version of these articles to view figures and tables.

Abstract

This study investigates the seasonality of the relationship between the Great Plains low-level jet (GPLLJ) and the Pacific Ocean from spring to summer, using observational analysis and coupled model experiments. The observed GPLLJ and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) relation undergoes seasonal changes with a stronger GPLLJ associated with La Niña in boreal spring and El Niño in boreal summer. The ability of the GFDL Forecast-Oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR) global coupled climate model, which has the high-resolution atmospheric and land components, to simulate the observed seasonality in the GPLLJ–ENSO relationship is assessed. The importance of simulating the magnitude and phase locking of ENSO accurately in order to better simulate its seasonal teleconnections with the Intra-Americas Sea (IAS) is demonstrated. This study explores the mechanisms for seasonal changes in the GPLLJ–ENSO relation in model and observations. It is hypothesized that ENSO affects the GPLLJ variability through the Caribbean low-level jet (CLLJ) during the summer and spring seasons. These results suggest that climate models with improved ENSO variability would advance our ability to simulate and predict seasonal variations of the GPLLJ and their associated impacts on the United States.

Corresponding author address: Lakshmi Krishnamurthy, UCAR NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton University Forrestal Campus, 201 Forrestal Road, Princeton, NJ 08540-6649. E-mail: lakshmi.krishnamurthy@noaa.gov

Abstract

This study investigates the seasonality of the relationship between the Great Plains low-level jet (GPLLJ) and the Pacific Ocean from spring to summer, using observational analysis and coupled model experiments. The observed GPLLJ and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) relation undergoes seasonal changes with a stronger GPLLJ associated with La Niña in boreal spring and El Niño in boreal summer. The ability of the GFDL Forecast-Oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR) global coupled climate model, which has the high-resolution atmospheric and land components, to simulate the observed seasonality in the GPLLJ–ENSO relationship is assessed. The importance of simulating the magnitude and phase locking of ENSO accurately in order to better simulate its seasonal teleconnections with the Intra-Americas Sea (IAS) is demonstrated. This study explores the mechanisms for seasonal changes in the GPLLJ–ENSO relation in model and observations. It is hypothesized that ENSO affects the GPLLJ variability through the Caribbean low-level jet (CLLJ) during the summer and spring seasons. These results suggest that climate models with improved ENSO variability would advance our ability to simulate and predict seasonal variations of the GPLLJ and their associated impacts on the United States.

Corresponding author address: Lakshmi Krishnamurthy, UCAR NOAA/Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory, Princeton University Forrestal Campus, 201 Forrestal Road, Princeton, NJ 08540-6649. E-mail: lakshmi.krishnamurthy@noaa.gov
Save
Cover Journal of Climate
Journal of Climate

  • Alexander, M., and J. Scott, 2002: The influence of ENSO on air-sea interaction in the Atlantic. Geophys. Res. Lett., 29, doi:10.1029/2001GL014347.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Cook, K. H., E. K. Vizy, Z. S. Launer, and C. M. Patricola, 2008: Springtime intensification of the Great Plains low-level jet and Midwest precipitation in GCM simulations of the twenty-first century. J. Climate, 21, 6321–6340, doi:10.1175/2008JCLI2355.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Dee, D. P., and Coauthors, 2011: The ERA-Interim reanalysis: Configuration and performance of the data assimilation system. Quart. J. Roy. Meteor. Soc., 137, 553–597, doi:10.1002/qj.828.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Delworth, T. L., and Coauthors, 2006: GFDL’s CM2 global coupled climate models. Part I: Formulation and simulation characteristics. J. Climate, 19, 643–674, doi:10.1175/JCLI3629.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Delworth, T. L., and Coauthors, 2012: Simulated climate and climate change in the GFDL CM2.5 high-resolution coupled climate model. J. Climate, 25, 2755–2781, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00316.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Enfield, D. B., and D. A. Mayer, 1997: Tropical Atlantic sea surface temperature variability and its relation to El Niño–Southern Oscillation. J. Geophys. Res., 102, 929–945, doi:10.1029/96JC03296.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Giannini, A., Y. Kushnir, and M. A. Cane, 2000: Interannual variability of Caribbean rainfall, ENSO, and the Atlantic Ocean. J. Climate, 13, 297–311, doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2000)013<0297:IVOCRE>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Horel, J. D., and J. M. Wallace, 1981: Planetary-scale atmospheric phenomena associated with the Southern Oscillation. Mon. Wea. Rev., 109, 813–829, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1981)109<0813:PSAPAW>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Hu, Z.-Z., and B. Huang, 2009: Interferential impact of ENSO and PDO on dry and wet conditions in the U.S. Great Plains. J. Climate, 22, 6047–6065, doi:10.1175/2009JCLI2798.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Jia, L., and Coauthors, 2015: Improved seasonal prediction of temperature and precipitation over land in a high-resolution GFDL climate model. J. Climate, 28, 2044–2064, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00112.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Kalnay, E., and Coauthors, 1996: The NCEP/NCAR 40-Year Reanalysis Project. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc.,77, 437–471, doi:10.1175/1520-0477(1996)077,0437:TNYRP.2.0.CO;2.

  • Lee, S. K., R. Atlas, D. Enfield, C. Wang, and H. Liu, 2013: Is there an optimal ENSO pattern that enhances large-scale atmospheric processes conducive to tornado outbreaks in the United States? J. Climate, 26, 1626–1642, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-12-00128.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Munoz, E., and D. Enfield, 2011: The boreal spring variability of the Intra-Americas low-level jet and its relation with precipitation and tornadoes in the eastern United States. Climate Dyn., 36, 247–259, doi:10.1007/s00382-009-0688-3.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rayner, N. A., D. E. Parker, E. B. Horton, C. K. Folland, L. V. Alexander, D. P. Rowell, E. C. Kent, and A. Kaplan, 2003: Global analyses of sea surface temperature, sea ice, and night marine air temperature since the late nineteenth century. J. Geophys. Res., 108, 4407, doi:10.1029/2002JD002670.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Rienecker, M. M., and Coauthors, 2011: MERRA: NASA’s Modern-Era Retrospective Analysis for Research and Applications. J. Climate, 24, 3624–3648, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00015.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Saha, S., and Coauthors, 2010: The NCEP Climate Forecast System Reanalysis. Bull. Amer. Meteor. Soc., 91, 1015–1057, doi:10.1175/2010BAMS3001.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Schubert, S., M. J. Suarez, P. J. Pegion, R. D. Koster, and J. T. Bacmeister, 2004: Causes of long term drought in the U.S. Great Plains. J. Climate, 17, 485–503, doi:10.1175/1520-0442(2004)017<0485:COLDIT>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Stensrud, D. J., 1996: Importance of low-level jets to climate: A review. J. Climate, 9, 1698–1711, doi:10.1175/1520-0442(1996)009<1698:IOLLJT>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Ting, M., and H. Wang, 1997: Summertime U.S. precipitation variability and its relation to Pacific sea surface temperature. J. Climate, 10, 1853–1873, doi:10.1175/1520-0442(1997)010<1853:SUSPVA>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Vecchi, G. A., and Coauthors, 2014: On the seasonal forecasting of regional tropical cyclone activity. J. Climate, 27, 7994–8016, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00158.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • von Storch, H., and F. W. Zwiers, 1999: Statistical Analysis in Climate Research. Cambridge University Press, 484 pp.

  • Wallace, J. M., and D. S. Gutzler, 1981: Teleconnections in the geopotential height field during the Northern Hemisphere winter. Mon. Wea. Rev., 109, 784–812, doi:10.1175/1520-0493(1981)109<0784:TITGHF>2.0.CO;2.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang, C., 2005: ENSO, Atlantic climate variability, and the Walker and Hadley circulations. The Hadley Circulation: Past, Present, and Future, H. F. Diaz and R. S. Bradley, Eds., Kluwer Academic, 173–202.

  • Wang, C., 2006: An overlooked feature of tropical climate: Inter-Pacific-Atlantic variability. Geophys. Res. Lett., 33, L12702, doi:10.1029/2006GL026324.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Wang, C., 2007: Variability of the Caribbean low-level jet and its relations to climate. Climate Dyn., 29, 411–422, doi:10.1007/s00382-007-0243-z.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weaver, S. J., 2013: Factors associated with decadal variability in Great Plains summertime surface temperatures. J. Climate, 26, 343–350, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00713.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weaver, S. J., and S. Nigam, 2008: Variability of the Great Plains low-level jet: Large-scale circulation context and hydroclimate impacts. J. Climate, 21, 1532–1551, doi:10.1175/2007JCLI1586.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weaver, S. J., S. Schubert, and H. Wang, 2009: Warm season variations in the low-level circulation and precipitation over the central United States in observations, AMIP simulations, and idealized SST experiments. J. Climate, 22, 5401–5420, doi:10.1175/2009JCLI2984.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Weaver, S. J., S. Baxter, and A. Kumar, 2012: Climatic role of North American low-level jets on regional U.S. tornado activity. J. Climate, 25, 6666–6683, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-11-00568.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Whyte, F., M. A. Taylor, T. Stephenson, and J. Campbell, 2008: Features of the Caribbean low level jet. Int. J. Climatol., 28, 119–128, doi:10.1002/joc.1510.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

  • Yang, X., and Coauthors, 2015: Seasonal predictability of extratropical storm tracks in GFDL’s high-resolution climate prediction model. J. Climate, 28, 3592–3611, doi:10.1175/JCLI-D-14-00517.1.

    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
All Time Past Year Past 30 Days
Abstract Views 0 0 0
Full Text Views 1905 526 111
PDF Downloads 571 104 4