Reexamining the Moisture Mode Theories of the Madden–Julian Oscillation Based on Observational Analyses

2021 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 839-853
Author(s):  
Feng Hu ◽  
Tim Li ◽  
Jianyun Gao ◽  
Lisheng Hao
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Positive Column ◽  
The Other ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Maritime Continent ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Moisture Mode ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Static Energy

AbstractTwo existing moisture mode theories of the MJO, one emphasizing boundary layer moisture asymmetry (MA) and the other emphasizing column-integrated moist static energy (MSE) tendency asymmetry (TA), were validated with the diagnosis of observational data during 1979–2012. A total of 2343 MJO days are selected. While all these days show a clear phase leading of the boundary layer moisture, 20% of these days do not show a positive column-integrated MSE tendency in front of MJO convection (non-TA). A further MSE budget analysis indicates that the difference between the non-TA composite and the TA composite lies in the zonal extent of anomalously vertical overturning circulation in front of the MJO convection. A background mean precipitation modulation mechanism is proposed to explain the distinctive circulation responses. Dependent on the MJO location, an anomalous Gill response to the heating is greatly modulated by the seasonal mean and ENSO induced precipitation fields. Despite the negative MSE tendency in front of MJO convection in the non-TA group, the system continues moving eastward due to the effect of the boundary layer moistening, which promotes a convectively unstable stratification ahead of MJO convection. The analysis result suggests that the first type of moisture mode theories, the moisture asymmetry mechanism, appears more robust, particularly over the eastern Maritime Continent and western Pacific.

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.

scholarly journals Large-Scale Environmental Characteristics of MJOs that Strengthen and Weaken over the Maritime Continent

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (14) ◽  
pp. 5731-5748 ◽  
Author(s):  
Casey D. Burleyson ◽  
Samson M. Hagos ◽  
Zhe Feng ◽  
Brandon W. J. Kerns ◽  
Daehyun Kim
Keyword(s):  
Seasonal Cycle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Sea Surface ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Maritime Continent ◽  
New Finding ◽  
Field Campaigns ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract The characteristics of Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) events that strengthen and weaken over the Maritime Continent (MC) are examined. The real-time multivariate MJO (RMM) index is used to assess changes in global MJO amplitude over the MC. The MJO weakens at least twice as often as it strengthens over the MC, with weakening MJOs being twice as likely during El Niño compared to La Niña years and the reverse for strengthening events. MJO weakening shows a pronounced seasonal cycle that has not been previously documented. During the Northern Hemisphere (NH) summer and fall the RMM index can strengthen over the MC. MJOs that approach the MC during the NH winter typically weaken according to the RMM index. This seasonal cycle corresponds to whether the MJO crosses the MC primarily north or south of the equator. Because of the seasonal cycle, weakening MJOs are characterized by positive sea surface temperature and moist-static energy anomalies in the Southern Hemisphere (SH) of the MC compared to strengthening events. Analysis of the outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) MJO index (OMI) shows that MJO precipitation weakens when it crosses the MC along the equator. A possible explanation of this based on previous results is that the MJO encounters more landmasses and taller mountains when crossing along the equator or in the SH. The new finding of a seasonal cycle in MJO weakening over the MC highlights the importance of sampling MJOs throughout the year in future field campaigns designed to study MJO–MC interactions.

scholarly journals Comparison of Moist Static Energy and Budget between the GCM-Simulated Madden–Julian Oscillation and Observations over the Indian Ocean and Western Pacific

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (14) ◽  
pp. 4981-4993 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xiaoqing Wu ◽  
Liping Deng
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Horizontal Advection ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract The moist static energy (MSE) anomalies and MSE budget associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) simulated in the Iowa State University General Circulation Model (ISUGCM) over the Indian and Pacific Oceans are compared with observations. Different phase relationships between MJO 850-hPa zonal wind, precipitation, and surface latent heat flux are simulated over the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, which are greatly influenced by the convection closure, trigger conditions, and convective momentum transport (CMT). The moist static energy builds up from the lower troposphere 15–20 days before the peak of MJO precipitation, and reaches the maximum in the middle troposphere (500–600 hPa) near the peak of MJO precipitation. The gradual lower-tropospheric heating and moistening and the upward transport of moist static energy are important aspects of MJO events, which are documented in observational studies but poorly simulated in most GCMs. The trigger conditions for deep convection, obtained from the year-long cloud-resolving model (CRM) simulations, contribute to the striking difference between ISUGCM simulations with the original and modified convection schemes and play the major role in the improved MJO simulation in ISUGCM. Additionally, the budget analysis with the ISUGCM simulations shows the increase in MJO MSE is in phase with the horizontal advection of MSE over the western Pacific, while out of phase with the horizontal advection of MSE over the Indian Ocean. However, the NCEP analysis shows that the tendency of MJO MSE is in phase with the horizontal advection of MSE over both oceans.

scholarly journals Reexamining the MJO Moisture Mode Theories with Normalized Phase Evolutions

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (19) ◽  
pp. 8523-8536
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Tim Li
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Characteristic Length ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
Phase Evolution ◽  
Kelvin Wave ◽  
Mode Theory ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Moisture Mode ◽  
Static Energy

AbstractA normalization method is applied to MJO-scale precipitation and column integrated moist static energy (MSE) anomalies to clearly illustrate the phase evolution of MJO. It is found that the MJO peak phases do not move smoothly, rather they jump from the original convective region to a new location to its east. Such a discontinuous phase evolution is related to the emerging and developing of new congestus convection to the east of the preexisting deep convection. While the characteristic length scale of the phase jump depends on a Kelvin wave response, the associated time scale represents the establishment of an unstable stratification in the front due to boundary layer moistening. The combined effect of the aforementioned characteristic length and time scales determines the observed slow eastward phase speed. Such a phase evolution characteristic seems to support the moisture mode theory of the second type that emphasizes the boundary layer moisture asymmetry, because the moisture mode theory of the first type, which emphasizes the moisture or MSE tendency asymmetry, might favor more “smooth” phase propagation. A longitudinal-location-dependent premoistening mechanism is found based on moisture budget analysis. For the MJO in the eastern Indian Ocean, the premoistening in front of the MJO convection arises from vertical advection, whereas for the MJO over the western Pacific Ocean, it is attributed to the surface evaporating process.

scholarly journals Evaluation of Moist Static Energy in a Simulated Tropical Cyclone

Atmosphere ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (6) ◽  
pp. 319
Author(s):  
Lijun Yu ◽  
Shuhui Wu ◽  
Zhanhong Ma
Keyword(s):  
Tropical Cyclone ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Surface Heat ◽  
Heat Fluxes ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Surface Heat Fluxes ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Radial Outflow

The characteristics of moist static energy (MSE) and its budget in a simulated tropical cyclone (TC) are examined in this study. Results demonstrate that MSE in a TC system is enhanced as the storm strengthens, primarily because of two mechanisms: upward transfer of surface heat fluxes and subsequent warming of the upper troposphere. An inspection of the interchangeable approximation between MSE and equivalent potential temperature (θe) suggests that although MSE is capable of capturing overall structures of θe, some important features will still be distorted, specifically the low-MSE pool outside the eyewall. In this low-MSE region, from the budget analysis, the discharge of MSE in the boundary layer may even surpass the recharge of MSE from the ocean. Unlike the volume-averaged MSE, the mass-weighted MSE in a fixed volume following the TC shows no apparent increase as the TC intensifies, because the atmosphere becomes continually thinner accompanying the warming of the storm. By calculating a mass-weighted volume MSE budget, the TC system is found to export MSE throughout its lifetime, since the radial outflow overwhelms the radial inflow. Moreover, the more intensified the TC is, the more export of MSE there tends to be. The input of MSE by surface heat fluxes is roughly balanced by the combined effects of radiation and lateral export, wherein a great majority of the imported MSE is reduced by radiation, while the export of MSE from the TC system to the environment accounts for only a small portion.

scholarly journals Propagating versus Nonpropagating Madden–Julian Oscillation Events

2014 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 111-125 ◽  
Author(s):  
Daehyun Kim ◽  
Jong-Seong Kug ◽  
Adam H. Sobel
Keyword(s):  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Horizontal Advection ◽  
Advection Term ◽  
Rossby Wave Response ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Sufficient Magnitude ◽  
Meridional Advection

Abstract Basinwide convective anomalies over the Indian Ocean (IO) associated with the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) sometimes propagate eastward and reach the west Pacific (WP), but sometimes do not. Long-term observations and reanalysis products are used to investigate the difference between the propagating and nonpropagating MJO events. IO convection onset events associated with the MJO are grouped into three categories based on the strengths of the simultaneous dry anomalies over the eastern Maritime Continent and WP. The IO convection anomaly preferentially makes eastward propagation and reaches the WP when the dry anomaly is stronger. Analysis of the column-integrated moist static energy (MSE) budget shows that horizontal advection moistens the atmosphere to the east of the positive MSE anomaly associated with the active convection over the IO and is of sufficient magnitude to explain the eastward propagation of the positive MSE anomaly. Interpretation is complicated, however, by lack of closure in the MSE budget. A residual term, of smaller but comparable magnitude to the horizontal advection, also moistens the column to the east of the positive MSE anomaly. Nonetheless, the authors decompose the horizontal advection term into contributions from different scales and find that a dominant contribution is from free-tropospheric meridional advection by the intraseasonal time scale wind anomalies. The positive meridional advection in between the convective and dry anomalies is induced by the anomalous poleward flow, which is interpreted as part of the Rossby wave response to the dry anomaly. The poleward flow advects the climatological MSE, which peaks at the equator, and moistens to the east of IO convective anomaly.

scholarly journals Dr. Yanai’s Contributions to the Discovery and Science of the MJO

2016 ◽  
Vol 56 ◽  
pp. 4.1-4.18 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric D. Maloney ◽  
Chidong Zhang
Keyword(s):  
Kinetic Energy ◽  
Potential Energy ◽  
Energy Budget ◽  
Momentum Transport ◽  
Energy Budgets ◽  
Equatorial Waves ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Moist Static Energy Budget ◽  
Static Energy

Abstract This chapter reviews Professor Michio Yanai’s contributions to the discovery and science of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Professor Yanai’s work on equatorial waves played an inspirational role in the MJO discovery by Roland Madden and Paul Julian. Professor Yanai also made direct and important contributions to MJO research. These research contributions include work on the vertically integrated moist static energy budget, cumulus momentum transport, eddy available potential energy and eddy kinetic energy budgets, and tropical–extratropical interactions. Finally, Professor Yanai left a legacy through his students, who continue to push the bounds of MJO research.

A Moist Static Energy Budget Analysis of Quasi-2-Day Waves Using Satellite and Reanalysis Data

2016 ◽  
Vol 73 (2) ◽  
pp. 743-759 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yukari Sumi ◽  
Hirohiko Masunaga
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Deep Convection ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Convective Heating ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Wave Dynamics ◽  
Vertical Advection ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Thermodynamic Processes

Abstract A moist static energy (MSE) budget analysis is applied to quasi-2-day waves to examine the effects of thermodynamic processes on the wave propagation mechanism. The 2-day waves are defined as westward inertia–gravity (WIG) modes identified with filtered geostationary infrared measurements, and the thermodynamic parameters and MSE budget variables computed from reanalysis data are composited with respect to the WIG peaks. The composite horizontal and vertical MSE structures are overall as theoretically expected from WIG wave dynamics. A prominent horizontal MSE advection is found to exist, although the wave dynamics is mainly regulated by vertical advection. The vertical advection decreases MSE around the times of the convective peak, plausibly resulting from the first baroclinic mode associated with deep convection. Normalized gross moist stability (NGMS) is used to examine the thermodynamic processes involving the large-scale dynamics and convective heating. NGMS gradually decreases to zero before deep convection and reaches a maximum after the convection peak, where low (high) NGMS leads (lags) deep convection. The decrease in NGMS toward zero before the occurrence of active convection suggests an increasingly efficient conversion from convective heating to large-scale dynamics as the wave comes in, while the increase afterward signifies that this linkage swiftly dies out after the peak.

scholarly journals A Vertically Resolved MSE Framework Highlights the Role of the Boundary Layer in Convective Self-Aggregation

2021 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Mathematical Formulation ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Uniform Temperature ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Global And Local ◽  
Self Aggregation

Abstract Convective self-aggregation refers to a phenomenon in which random convection can self-organize into large-scale clusters over an ocean surface with uniform temperature in cloud-resolving models. Previous literature studies convective aggregation primarily by analyzing vertically integrated (VI) moist static energy (MSE) variance. That is the global MSE variance, including both the local MSE variance at a given altitude and the covariance of MSE anomalies between different altitudes. Here we present a vertically resolved (VR) MSE framework that focuses on the local MSE variance to study convective self-aggregation. Using a cloud-resolving simulation, we show that the development of self-aggregation is associated with an increase of local MSE variance, and that the diabatic and adiabatic generation of the MSE variance is mainly dominated by the boundary layer (BL, the lowest 2 km). The results agree with recent numerical simulation results and the available potential energy analyses showing that the BL plays a key role in the development of self-aggregation. Additionally, we find that the lower free troposphere (2 - 4 km) also generates significant MSE variance in the first 15 days. We further present a detailed comparison between the global and local MSE variance frameworks in their mathematical formulation and diagnostic results, highlighting their differences.

scholarly journals Gross Moist Stability Analysis: Assessment of Satellite-Based Products in the GMS Plane

2017 ◽  
Vol 74 (6) ◽  
pp. 1819-1837 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kuniaki Inoue ◽  
Larissa E. Back
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Phase Plane ◽  
Critical Line ◽  
Time Dependent ◽  
Moist Static Energy ◽  
Geographic Variations ◽  
Moisture Mode ◽  
Gross Moist Stability ◽  
Static Energy ◽  
Diagnostic Applications

Abstract New diagnostic applications of the gross moist stability (GMS) are proposed with demonstrations using satellite-based data. The plane of the divergence of column moist static energy (MSE) against the divergence of column dry static energy (DSE), referred to as the GMS plane here, is utilized. In this plane, one can determine whether the convection is in the amplifying phase or in the decaying phase; if a data point lies below (above) a critical line in the GMS plane, the convection is in the amplifying (decaying) phase. The GMS plane behaves as a phase plane in which each convective life cycle can be viewed as an orbiting fluctuation around the critical line, and this property is robust even on the MJO time scale. This phase-plane behavior indicates that values of the GMS can qualitatively predict the subsequent convective evolution. This study demonstrates that GMS analyses possess two different aspects: time-dependent and quasi-time-independent aspects. Transitions of time-dependent GMS can be visualized in the GMS plane as an orbiting fluctuation around the quasi-time-independent GMS line. The time-dependent GMS must be interpreted differently from the quasi-time-independent one, and the latter is the GMS relevant to moisture-mode theories. The authors listed different calculations of the quasi-time-independent GMS: (i) as a regression slope from a scatterplot and (ii) as a climatological quantity, which is the ratio of climatological MSE divergence to climatological DSE divergence. It is revealed that the latter, climatological GMS, is less appropriate as a diagnostic tool. Geographic variations in the quasi-time-independent GMS are plotted.

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