scholarly journals Structure and Origin of the Quasi-Biweekly Oscillation over the Tropical Indian Ocean in Boreal Spring

2010 ◽  
Vol 67 (6) ◽  
pp. 1965-1982 ◽  
Author(s):  
Min Wen ◽  
Tim Li ◽  
Renhe Zhang ◽  
Yanjun Qi
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Momentum Equation ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Triggering Mechanism ◽  
Boreal Spring ◽  
Zonal Momentum

Abstract The structure and evolution features of the quasi-biweekly (10–20 day) oscillation (QBWO) in boreal spring over the tropical Indian Ocean (IO) are investigated using 27-yr daily outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and the National Centers for Environment Prediction–National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCEP–NCAR) reanalysis data. It is found that a convective disturbance is initiated over the western IO and moves slowly eastward. After passing the central IO, it abruptly jumps into the eastern IO. Meanwhile, the preexisting suppressed convective anomaly in the eastern IO moves poleward in the form of double-cell Rossby gyres. The analysis of vertical circulation shows that a few days prior to the onset of local convection in the eastern equatorial IO an ascending motion appears in the boundary layer. Based on the diagnosis of the zonal momentum equation, a possible boundary layer–triggering mechanism over the eastern equatorial IO is proposed. The cause of the boundary layer convergence and vertical motion is attributed to the free-atmospheric divergence in association with the development of the barotropic wind. It is the downward transport of the background mean easterly momentum by perturbation vertical motion during the suppressed convective phase of the QBWO that leads to the generation of a barotropic easterly—the latter of which further causes the free-atmospheric divergence and, thus, the boundary layer convergence. The result suggests that the local process, rather than the eastward propagation of the disturbance from the western IO, is essential for the phase transition of the QBWO convection over the eastern equatorial IO.

Modulation of Daily Precipitation over Southwest Asia by the Madden–Julian Oscillation

2005 ◽  
Vol 133 (12) ◽  
pp. 3579-3594 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mathew Barlow ◽  
Matthew Wheeler ◽  
Bradfield Lyon ◽  
Heidi Cullen
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Interannual Variability ◽  
Daily Precipitation ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Eastern Indian Ocean ◽  
Motion Field ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Southwest Asia

Abstract Analysis of daily observations shows that wintertime (November–April) precipitation over Southwest Asia is modulated by Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) activity in the eastern Indian Ocean, with strength comparable to the interannual variability. Daily outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) for 1979–2001 is used to provide a long and consistent, but indirect, estimate of precipitation, and daily records from 13 stations in Afghanistan reporting at least 50% of the time for 1979–85 are used to provide direct, but shorter and irregularly reported, precipitation data. In the station data, for the average of all available stations, there is a 23% increase in daily precipitation relative to the mean when the phase of the MJO is negative (suppressed tropical convection in the eastern Indian Ocean), and a corresponding decrease when the MJO is positive. The distribution of extremes is also affected such that the 10 wettest days all occur during the negative MJO phase. The longer record of OLR data indicates that the effect of the MJO is quite consistent from year to year, with the anomalies averaged over Southwest Asia more negative (indicating more rain) for the negative phase of the MJO for each of the 22 yr in the record. Additionally, in 9 of the 22 yr the average influence of the MJO is larger than the interannual variability (e.g., the relationship results in anomalously wet periods even in dry years and vice versa). Examination of NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data shows that the MJO modifies both the local jet structure and, through changes to the thermodynamic balance, the vertical motion field over Southwest Asia, consistent with the observed modulation of the associated synoptic precipitation. A simple persistence scheme for forecasting the sign of the MJO suggests that the modulation of Southwest Asia precipitation may be predictable for 3-week periods. Finally, analysis of changes in storm evolution in Southwest Asia due to the influence of the MJO shows a large difference in strength as the storms move over Afghanistan, with apparent relevance for the flooding event of 12–13 April 2002.

scholarly journals Impacts of Shallow Convection on MJO Simulation: A Moist Static Energy and Moisture Budget Analysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (8) ◽  
pp. 2417-2431 ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiongqiong Cai ◽  
Guang J. Zhang ◽  
Tianjun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract The role of shallow convection in Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) simulation is examined in terms of the moist static energy (MSE) and moisture budgets. Two experiments are carried out using the NCAR Community Atmosphere Model, version 3.0 (CAM3.0): a “CTL” run and an “NSC” run that is the same as the CTL except with shallow convection disabled below 700 hPa between 20°S and 20°N. Although the major features in the mean state of outgoing longwave radiation, 850-hPa winds, and vertical structure of specific humidity are reasonably reproduced in both simulations, moisture and clouds are more confined to the planetary boundary layer in the NSC run. While the CTL run gives a better simulation of the MJO life cycle when compared with the reanalysis data, the NSC shows a substantially weaker MJO signal. Both the reanalysis data and simulations show a recharge–discharge mechanism in the MSE evolution that is dominated by the moisture anomalies. However, in the NSC the development of MSE and moisture anomalies is weaker and confined to a shallow layer at the developing phases, which may prevent further development of deep convection. By conducting the budget analysis on both the MSE and moisture, it is found that the major biases in the NSC run are largely attributed to the vertical and horizontal advection. Without shallow convection, the lack of gradual deepening of upward motion during the developing stage of MJO prevents the lower troposphere above the boundary layer from being preconditioned for deep convection.

Variability of boreal spring Hadley circulation over the Asian monsoon domain and its relationship with tropical SST

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaqi Wang ◽  
Juan Feng ◽  
Jianping Li ◽  
Ran An ◽  
Lanning Wang
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Asian Monsoon ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Critical Role ◽  
Hadley Circulation ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Main Body ◽  
Boreal Spring ◽  
Sst Anomalies

<p>The variability of boreal spring Hadley circulation (HC) over the Asian monsoon domain over the last four decades is explored. The climatological distribution of the regional HC is symmetric of the equator, with the ascending branch around the equator and sinking branch around the subtropics in each hemisphere. The first dominant mode (EOF1) of the regional HC is equatorial asymmetric, with the main body in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) and the ascending branch to the north of the equator. This mode is mainly characterized by interannual variation and is related to El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO). Significant negative sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies are observed over the tropical Indian Ocean (TIO) along with the development of La Niña events; however, the magnitude of SST anomalies in the southern Indian Ocean is greater than that in the northern counterpart, contributing to EOF1 formation. The spatial distribution of the second dominant mode (EOF2) is with the main body lying in the Northern Hemisphere (NH) and the ascending branch located to the south of the equator. The temporal variation of this mode is connected to the warming of the TIO. The warming rate of the southern TIO SST is faster than that in the northern counterpart, resulting in the southward migration of the rising branch. The above result indicates the critical role of the meridional distribution of SST on the variability of the regional HC.</p>

Structure and Seasonal Variation of the Indian Ocean Tropical Gyre Based on Surface Drifters

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Wei Wu ◽  
Yan Du ◽  
Yu-Kun Qian ◽  
Xuhua Cheng ◽  
Tianyu Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Variation ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Water Mass ◽  
Southern Oscillation ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Boundary ◽  
Boundary Current ◽  
Boreal Spring ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Surface Drifters

<p>Using the Gauss–Markov decomposition method, this study investigates the mean structure and seasonal variation of the tropical gyre in the Indian Ocean based on the observations of surface drifters. In the climatological mean, the clockwise tropical gyre consists of the equatorial Wyrtki Jets (WJs), the South Equatorial Current (SEC), and the eastern and western boundary currents. This gyre system redistributes the water mass over the entire tropical Indian Ocean basin. Its variations are associated with the monsoon transitions, featuring a typical clockwise pattern in the boreal spring and fall seasons. The relative importance of the geostrophic and Ekman components of the surface currents as well as the role of eddy activity were further examined. It was found that the geostrophic component dominates the overall features of the tropical gyre, including the SEC meandering, the broad eastern boundary current, and the axes of the WJs in boreal spring and fall, whereas the Ekman component strengthens the intensity of the WJs and SEC. Eddies are active over the southeastern tropical Indian Ocean and transport a warm and fresh water mass westward, with direct impact on the southern branch of the tropical gyre. In particular, the trajectories of drifters reveal that during strong Indian Ocean Dipole or El Niño-Southern Oscillation events, long-lived eddies were able to reach the southwestern Indian Ocean with a moving speed close to that of the first baroclinic Rossby waves.</p>

Thermocline warming induced extreme Indian Ocean Dipole in 2019

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yan Du ◽  
Yuhong Zhang ◽  
Lian-Yi Zhang ◽  
Tomoki Tozuka ◽  
Wenju Cai
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Indian Ocean Dipole ◽  
Rossby Waves ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Triggering Mechanism ◽  
Bjerknes Feedback ◽  
Easterly Wind ◽  
Positive Indian Ocean Dipole ◽  
The 1960S

<p>The 2019 positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) was the strongest event since the 1960s which developed independently without coinciding El Niño. The dynamics is not fully understood. Here we show that in March-May, westward propagating oceanic Rossby waves, a remnant consequence of the weak 2018 Pacific warm condition, led to anomalous sea surface temperature warming in the southwest tropical Indian Ocean (TIO), inducing deep convection and anomalous easterly winds along the equator, which triggered the initial cooling in the east. In June-August, the easterly wind anomalies continued to evolve through ocean-atmosphere coupling involving Bjerknes feedback and equatorial nonlinear ocean advection, until its maturity in September-November. This study clarifies the contribution of oceanic Rossby waves in the south TIO in different dynamic settings and reveals a new triggering mechanism for extreme IOD events that will help to understand IOD diversity.</p>

scholarly journals The Impact of Tropical Indian Ocean Variability on Summer Surface Air Temperature in China

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (20) ◽  
pp. 5365-5377 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaiming Hu ◽  
Gang Huang ◽  
Ronghui Huang
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Air Temperature ◽  
South China ◽  
Northeast China ◽  
Surface Air Temperature ◽  
Vertical Motion ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Ocean Basin ◽  
Sst Anomalies ◽  
Anomalous Cyclone

Abstract Evidence is presented that the boreal summer surface air temperature over south China and northeast China is remotely influenced by the Indian Ocean Basin mode (IOBM) sea surface temperature (SST) anomalies. Above-normal temperature in south China and below-normal temperature in northeast China correspond to a simultaneous Indian Ocean Basin warming. The teleconnection from Indian Ocean SST anomalies to China summer surface air temperature is investigated using observations and an atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM). The results herein indicate that the tropical Indian Ocean Basin warming can trigger a low-level anomalous anticyclone circulation in the subtropical northwest Pacific and an anomalous cyclone circulation in midlatitude East Asia through emanating a baroclinic Kelvin wave. In south China, the reduced rainfall and downward vertical motion associated with the anomalous low-level anticyclone circulation lead to above-normal summer surface air temperature. In northeast China, by contrast, upward vertical motion associated with the anomalous cyclone leads to below-normal summer surface air temperature.

Role of the Boundary Layer Moisture Asymmetry in Causing the Eastward Propagation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation*

2012 ◽  
Vol 25 (14) ◽  
pp. 4914-4931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pang-chi Hsu ◽  
Tim Li
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Tropical Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Indian Ocean ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Moisture Budget ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Maritime Continent ◽  
Moisture Advection ◽  
Leading Term

Abstract The moisture budget associated with the eastward-propagating Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) was diagnosed using 1979–2001 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) data. A marked zonal asymmetry of the moisture relative to the MJO convection appears in the planetary boundary layer (PBL, below 700 hPa), creating a potentially more unstable stratification to the east of the MJO convection and favoring the eastward propagation of MJO. The PBL-integrated moisture budget diagnosis indicates that the vertical advection of moisture dominates the low-level moistening ahead of the convection. A further diagnosis indicates that the leading term in the vertical moisture advection is the advection of the background moisture by the MJO ascending flow associated with PBL convergence. The cause of the zonally asymmetric PBL convergence is further examined. It is found that heating-induced free-atmospheric wave dynamics account for 75%–90% of the total PBL convergence, while the warm SST anomaly induced by air–sea interaction contributes 10%–25% of the total PBL convergence. The horizontal moisture advection also plays a role in contributing to the PBL moistening ahead of the MJO convection. The leading term in the moisture advection is the advection across the background moisture gradient by the MJO flow. In the western Indian Ocean, Maritime Continent, and western Pacific, the meridional moisture advection by the MJO northerly flow dominates, while in the eastern Indian Ocean the zonal moisture advection is greater. The contribution of the moisture advection by synoptic eddies is in general small; it has a negative effect over the tropical Indian Ocean and western Pacific and becomes positive in the Maritime Continent region.

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