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- Author or Editor: Ji-Eun Kim x
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Abstract
The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is a large-scale eastward-moving system that dominates tropical subseasonal perturbations with far-reaching impacts on global weather–climate. For nearly a half century since its discovery, there has not been a consensus on the most fundamental dynamics of the MJO, despite intensive studies with a number of theories proposed. In this study, using a simple analytical approach, we found a solution to the linear equatorial shallow-water equations with momentum damping that resembles a harmonic oscillator. This solution exhibits the key characteristics of the observed MJO: its intraseasonal periodicity at the planetary scale and eastward propagation. In contrast to theories that interpret the MJO as a new mode of variability emerging from the evolution in moisture, our solution emphasizes that the core of the MJO resides in the dynamics without explicit fluctuations in moisture. Moisture still plays a role in supplying energy to the core dynamics of the MJO, and determining the value of the equivalent depth required by the theory. The energy source may come from stochastic forcing in the tropics or from the extratropics. The scale selection for the MJO comes from scale-dependent responses to scale-independent Rayleigh damping. We also demonstrate that the MJO solution introduced here reproduces the observed swallowtail structure and the phase relation between zonal wind and geopotential of the MJO, and the continuum nature of the transition between the MJO and Kelvin waves. Roles of feedback mechanisms in the MJO are also discussed using the same simple mathematical framework.
Abstract
The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is a large-scale eastward-moving system that dominates tropical subseasonal perturbations with far-reaching impacts on global weather–climate. For nearly a half century since its discovery, there has not been a consensus on the most fundamental dynamics of the MJO, despite intensive studies with a number of theories proposed. In this study, using a simple analytical approach, we found a solution to the linear equatorial shallow-water equations with momentum damping that resembles a harmonic oscillator. This solution exhibits the key characteristics of the observed MJO: its intraseasonal periodicity at the planetary scale and eastward propagation. In contrast to theories that interpret the MJO as a new mode of variability emerging from the evolution in moisture, our solution emphasizes that the core of the MJO resides in the dynamics without explicit fluctuations in moisture. Moisture still plays a role in supplying energy to the core dynamics of the MJO, and determining the value of the equivalent depth required by the theory. The energy source may come from stochastic forcing in the tropics or from the extratropics. The scale selection for the MJO comes from scale-dependent responses to scale-independent Rayleigh damping. We also demonstrate that the MJO solution introduced here reproduces the observed swallowtail structure and the phase relation between zonal wind and geopotential of the MJO, and the continuum nature of the transition between the MJO and Kelvin waves. Roles of feedback mechanisms in the MJO are also discussed using the same simple mathematical framework.
Abstract
Reforecasts produced by the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System (IFS) were used to study heating and moistening processes associated with three MJO events over the equatorial Indian Ocean during the Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign. Variables produced by and derived from the IFS reforecast (IFS-RF) agree reasonably well with observations over the DYNAMO sounding arrays, and they vary smoothly from the western to eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. This lends confidence toward using IFS-RF as a surrogate of observations over the equatorial Indian Ocean outside the DYNAMO arrays. The apparent heat source Q 1 and apparent moisture sink Q 2 produced by IFS are primarily generated by parameterized cumulus convection, followed by microphysics and radiation. The vertical growth of positive Q 1 and Q 2 associated with the progression of MJO convection can be gradual, stepwise, or rapid depending on the event and its location over the broader equatorial Indian Ocean. The time for convective heating and drying to progress from shallow (800 hPa) to deep (400 hPa) can be <1 to 6 days. This growth time of heating and drying is usually short for convective processes alone but becomes longer when additional microphysical processes, such as evaporative moistening below convective and stratiform clouds, are in play. Three ratios are calculated to measure the possible role of radiative feedback in the MJO events: amplitudes of radiative versus convective heating rates, changes in radiative versus convective heating rates, and diabatic (with and without the radiative component) versus adiabatic heating rates. None of them unambiguously distinguishes the MJO from non-MJO convective events.
Abstract
Reforecasts produced by the ECMWF Integrated Forecast System (IFS) were used to study heating and moistening processes associated with three MJO events over the equatorial Indian Ocean during the Dynamics of the Madden–Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign. Variables produced by and derived from the IFS reforecast (IFS-RF) agree reasonably well with observations over the DYNAMO sounding arrays, and they vary smoothly from the western to eastern equatorial Indian Ocean. This lends confidence toward using IFS-RF as a surrogate of observations over the equatorial Indian Ocean outside the DYNAMO arrays. The apparent heat source Q 1 and apparent moisture sink Q 2 produced by IFS are primarily generated by parameterized cumulus convection, followed by microphysics and radiation. The vertical growth of positive Q 1 and Q 2 associated with the progression of MJO convection can be gradual, stepwise, or rapid depending on the event and its location over the broader equatorial Indian Ocean. The time for convective heating and drying to progress from shallow (800 hPa) to deep (400 hPa) can be <1 to 6 days. This growth time of heating and drying is usually short for convective processes alone but becomes longer when additional microphysical processes, such as evaporative moistening below convective and stratiform clouds, are in play. Three ratios are calculated to measure the possible role of radiative feedback in the MJO events: amplitudes of radiative versus convective heating rates, changes in radiative versus convective heating rates, and diabatic (with and without the radiative component) versus adiabatic heating rates. None of them unambiguously distinguishes the MJO from non-MJO convective events.
Abstract
Using an idealized model framework with high-frequency tropical latent heating variability derived from global satellite observations of precipitation and clouds, the authors examine the properties and effects of gravity waves in the lower stratosphere, contrasting conditions in an El Niño year and a La Niña year. The model generates a broad spectrum of tropical waves including planetary-scale waves through mesoscale gravity waves. The authors compare modeled monthly mean regional variations in wind and temperature with reanalyses and validate the modeled gravity waves using satellite- and balloon-based estimates of gravity wave momentum flux. Some interesting changes in the gravity spectrum of momentum flux are found in the model, which are discussed in terms of the interannual variations in clouds, precipitation, and large-scale winds. While regional variations in clouds, precipitation, and winds are dramatic, the mean gravity wave zonal momentum fluxes entering the stratosphere differ by only 11%. The modeled intermittency in gravity wave momentum flux is shown to be very realistic compared to observations, and the largest-amplitude waves are related to significant gravity wave drag forces in the lowermost stratosphere. This strong intermittency is generally absent or weak in climate models because of deficiencies in parameterizations of gravity wave intermittency. These results suggest a way forward to improve model representations of the lowermost stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation winds and teleconnections.
Abstract
Using an idealized model framework with high-frequency tropical latent heating variability derived from global satellite observations of precipitation and clouds, the authors examine the properties and effects of gravity waves in the lower stratosphere, contrasting conditions in an El Niño year and a La Niña year. The model generates a broad spectrum of tropical waves including planetary-scale waves through mesoscale gravity waves. The authors compare modeled monthly mean regional variations in wind and temperature with reanalyses and validate the modeled gravity waves using satellite- and balloon-based estimates of gravity wave momentum flux. Some interesting changes in the gravity spectrum of momentum flux are found in the model, which are discussed in terms of the interannual variations in clouds, precipitation, and large-scale winds. While regional variations in clouds, precipitation, and winds are dramatic, the mean gravity wave zonal momentum fluxes entering the stratosphere differ by only 11%. The modeled intermittency in gravity wave momentum flux is shown to be very realistic compared to observations, and the largest-amplitude waves are related to significant gravity wave drag forces in the lowermost stratosphere. This strong intermittency is generally absent or weak in climate models because of deficiencies in parameterizations of gravity wave intermittency. These results suggest a way forward to improve model representations of the lowermost stratospheric quasi-biennial oscillation winds and teleconnections.
