scholarly journals Centered Composite Analysis of Variations Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation

2006 ◽  
Vol 19 (9) ◽  
pp. 1834-1849 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan C. Weare
Keyword(s):  
Surface Pressure ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Composite Analysis ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Mixing Properties ◽  
Zonal Winds ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Key Events

Abstract Centered composite analysis is described and applied to gain a better understanding of the initial phases of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). Centered composite analysis identifies the dates and central locations of key events. The elements of the composite means are centered on these central locations before averages are calculated. In this way much of the spatial fuzziness, which is inherent in traditional composite analysis, is removed. The results for the MJO, based on MJO-filtered outgoing longwave radiation for the reference data and 40-yr ECMWF Re-Analysis (ERA-40) and NCEP–NCAR reanalysis products for the composites, show highly significant composites of unfiltered data for not only zero lag, but also lags back to 20 days before the target events. These composites identify propagating patterns of surface pressure, upper- and lower-troposphere zonal winds, surface temperature, and 850-hPa specific humidity associated with MJO convective events in the Indian Ocean. The propagation characteristics of important features, especially surface pressure, differ substantially for MJO convective anomalies centered over the Indian or western Pacific Oceans. This suggests that distinctly different mechanisms may be dominant in these two regions, and that many earlier analyses may be mixing properties of the two.

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 Simulation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation in the NCAR CCM3 Using a Revised Zhang–McFarlane Convection Parameterization Scheme

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (19) ◽  
pp. 4046-4064 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guang J. Zhang ◽  
Mingquan Mu
Keyword(s):  
Relative Humidity ◽  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Zonal Wind ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Parameterization Scheme ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Time Period ◽  
The Indian Ocean ◽  
Convection Parameterization

Abstract This study presents the simulation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) in the NCAR CCM3 using a modified Zhang–McFarlane convection parameterization scheme. It is shown that, with the modified scheme, the intraseasonal (20–80 day) variability in precipitation, zonal wind, and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) is enhanced substantially compared to the standard CCM3 simulation. Using a composite technique based on the empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis, the paper demonstrates that the simulated MJOs are in better agreement with the observations than the standard model in many important aspects. The amplitudes of the MJOs in 850-mb zonal wind, precipitation, and OLR are comparable to those of the observations, and the MJOs show clearly eastward propagation from the Indian Ocean to the Pacific. In contrast, the simulated MJOs in the standard CCM3 simulation are weak and have a tendency to propagate westward in the Indian Ocean. Nevertheless, there remain several deficiencies that are yet to be addressed. The time period of the MJOs is shorter, about 30 days, compared to the observed time period of 40 days. The spatial scale of the precipitation signal is smaller than observed. Examination of convective heating from both deep and shallow convection and its relationship with moisture anomalies indicates that near the mature phase of the MJO, regions of shallow convection developing ahead of the deep convection coincide with regions of positive moisture anomalies in the lower troposphere. This is consistent with the recent observations and theoretical development that shallow convection helps to precondition the atmosphere for MJO by moistening the lower troposphere. Sensitivity tests are performed on the individual changes in the modified convection scheme. They show that both change of closure and use of a relative humidity threshold for the convection trigger play important roles in improving the MJO simulation. Use of the new closure leads to the eastward propagation of the MJO and increases the intensity of the MJO signal in the wind field, while imposing a relative humidity threshold enhances the MJO variability in precipitation.

scholarly journals Composite Singular Value Decomposition Analysis of Moisture Variations Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation: ERA-40 Analysis

2005 ◽  
Vol 18 (20) ◽  
pp. 4329-4335 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bryan C. Weare
Keyword(s):  
Singular Value Decomposition ◽  
Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Singular Value ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Striking Difference ◽  
Time Lags ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Singular Value Decomposition Analysis ◽  
Value Decomposition

Abstract The role of moisture variations in the initiation of Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) variability is reexamined through composite singular value decomposition (CSVD) analyses using the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF) 40-yr Re-Analyses (ERA-40) data. The CSVD analyses at various time lags are carried out to discern the complex space–time relationships between convection identified using outgoing longwave radiation and 1000-hPa divergence, 850-hPa specific humidity, and surface evaporation. The most striking difference from the earlier analyses using NCEP–NCAR reanalysis data is that the observed relations between 20–100-day filtered OLR and ∇ · V1000 anomalies are weaker and less significant in the current analyses. On the other hand, both analyses show increasing low-level moisture near and to the east of the developing convection. Thus, both results imply that moisture preconditioning of convective events is not totally driven by boundary layer moisture convergence.

A Modified Multivariate Madden–Julian Oscillation Index Using Velocity Potential

2013 ◽  
Vol 141 (12) ◽  
pp. 4197-4210 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael J. Ventrice ◽  
Matthew C. Wheeler ◽  
Harry H. Hendon ◽  
Carl J. Schreck ◽  
Chris D. Thorncroft ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Zonal Wind ◽  
Velocity Potential ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Warm Pool ◽  
Boreal Summer ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Systematic Analysis ◽  
Planetary Scale ◽  
Daily Data ◽  
The Indian Ocean

Abstract A new Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) index is developed from a combined empirical orthogonal function (EOF) analysis of meridionally averaged 200-hPa velocity potential (VP200), 200-hPa zonal wind (U200), and 850-hPa zonal wind (U850). Like the Wheeler–Hendon Real-time Multivariate MJO (RMM) index, which was developed in the same way except using outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) data instead of VP200, daily data are projected onto the leading pair of EOFs to produce the two-component index. This new index is called the velocity potential MJO (VPM) indices and its properties are quantitatively compared to RMM. Compared to the RMM index, the VPM index detects larger-amplitude MJO-associated signals during boreal summer. This includes a slightly stronger and more coherent modulation of Atlantic tropical cyclones. This result is attributed to the fact that velocity potential preferentially emphasizes the planetary-scale aspects of the divergent circulation, thereby spreading the convectively driven component of the MJO’s signal across the entire globe. VP200 thus deemphasizes the convective signal of the MJO over the Indian Ocean warm pool, where the OLR variability associated with the MJO is concentrated, and enhances the signal over the relatively drier longitudes of the equatorial Pacific and Atlantic. This work provides a useful framework for systematic analysis of the strengths and weaknesses of different MJO indices.

Precursor Environmental Conditions Associated with the Termination of Madden–Julian Oscillation Events

2015 ◽  
Vol 72 (5) ◽  
pp. 1908-1931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Justin P. Stachnik ◽  
Duane E. Waliser ◽  
Andrew J. Majda
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Environmental Conditions ◽  
Warm Pool ◽  
Western Pacific ◽  
Specific Humidity ◽  
Advection Equation ◽  
Local Domain ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
The Indian Ocean

Abstract This study presents an analysis of the precursor environmental conditions related to the termination of Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) events. A simple climatology is created using a real-time MJO monitoring index, documenting the locations and frequencies of MJO decay. Lead–lag composites of several atmospheric variables including temperature, moisture, and intraseasonal wind anomalies are generated from three reanalyses. There is remarkable agreement among the datasets with long-term, lower-tropospheric moisture deficits over the local domain best identifying termination events over the Indian Ocean. MJO termination in the Indian Ocean is also linked to a northward shift of the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ) with possible lead times as much as 20 days prior to MJO decay. Statistically significant differences in the low-level vertical velocity and specific humidity are also identified more than 10 days in advance of MJO termination events in the western Pacific, though the differences here are more symmetric about the equator. Unlike the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, MJOs that terminate over the Maritime Continent appear to be related to their own intensity rather than the downstream conditions. As such, only the strongest MJOs tend to propagate into the warm pool region. Finally, a budget analysis is performed on the three-dimensional moisture advection equation in order to better elucidate what time scales and physical mechanisms are most important for MJO termination. The combination of intraseasonal vertical circulation anomalies coupled with the mean-state specific humidity best explain the anomalous moisture patterns associated with MJO termination, suggesting that the downstream influence of the MJO circulation can eventually lead to its future demise.

scholarly journals The Madden–Julian Oscillation in ECHAM6 and the Introduction of an Objective MJO Metric

2013 ◽  
Vol 26 (10) ◽  
pp. 3241-3257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Traute Crueger ◽  
Bjorn Stevens ◽  
Renate Brokopf
Keyword(s):  
Outgoing Longwave Radiation ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Multivariate Approach ◽  
Convection Scheme ◽  
Convective Rainfall ◽  
Zonal Winds ◽  
Basic Features ◽  
Dynamic Signature

Abstract This study presents a quantitative evaluation of the simulated Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) in an ensemble of 42 experiments performed with ECHAM6 and previous ECHAM versions. The ECHAM6 experiments differ in their parameter settings, resolution, and whether the atmosphere is coupled to an ocean or not. The analysis concentrates on a few basic features of the MJO, namely, the signatures of convection/precipitation coupled with the circulation system and the eastward propagation strength of outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) and 850- and 200-hPa zonal winds within the MJO-related frequency–wavenumber range. It also examines whether precipitation and OLR show similar signatures in the MJO as simulated by ECHAM. The experiments reveal an MJO, however, to different degrees and in different aspects, so that a sound assessment requires a multivariate approach. In particular, the convective rainfall signatures are decoupled from the dynamic signature of the MJO in the simulations herein, which eventually leads to the introduction of a new MJO diagram and metric that incorporate OLR and the zonal winds in 850 and 200 hPa. The analysis here confirms the importance of the convection scheme: only with the Nordeng modifications to the Tiedtke scheme can realistic MJO features be simulated. High-resolution coupled experiments better represent the MJO as compared to low-resolution AMIP experiments. This is shown to follow from two more general findings, namely, that 1) air–sea interaction mainly increases the convective signature and 2) increased resolution enhances eastward propagation.

scholarly journals The Madden–Julian Oscillation in CCSM4

2011 ◽  
Vol 24 (24) ◽  
pp. 6261-6282 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aneesh C. Subramanian ◽  
Markus Jochum ◽  
Arthur J. Miller ◽  
Raghu Murtugudde ◽  
Richard B. Neale ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Intraseasonal Variability ◽  
Power Spectra ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Meridional Wind ◽  
Dominant Mode ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Asian Monsoon Region ◽  
Climate System Model ◽  
Zonal Winds

Abstract This study assesses the ability of the Community Climate System Model, version 4 (CCSM4) to represent the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO), the dominant mode of intraseasonal variability in the tropical atmosphere. The U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability (CLIVAR) MJO Working Group’s prescribed diagnostic tests are used to evaluate the model’s mean state, variance, and wavenumber–frequency characteristics in a 20-yr simulation of the intraseasonal variability in zonal winds at 850 hPa (U850) and 200 hPa (U200), and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR). Unlike its predecessor, CCSM4 reproduces a number of aspects of MJO behavior more realistically. The CCSM4 produces coherent, broadbanded, and energetic patterns in eastward-propagating intraseasonal zonal winds and OLR in the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans that are generally consistent with MJO characteristics. Strong peaks occur in power spectra and coherence spectra with periods between 20 and 100 days and zonal wavenumbers between 1 and 3. Model MJOs, however, tend to be more broadbanded in frequency than in observations. Broad-scale patterns, as revealed in combined EOFs of U850, U200, and OLR, are remarkably consistent with observations and indicate that large-scale convergence–convection coupling occurs in the simulated MJO. Relations between MJO in the model and its concurrence with other climate states are also explored. MJO activity (defined as the percentage of time the MJO index exceeds 1.5) is enhanced during El Niño events compared to La Niña events, both in the model and observations. MJO activity is increased during periods of anomalously strong negative meridional wind shear in the Asian monsoon region and also during strong negative Indian Ocean zonal mode states, in both the model and observations.

scholarly journals Dynamical Roles of Mixed Rossby–Gravity Waves in Driving Convective Initiation and Propagation of the Madden–Julian Oscillation: General Views

2020 ◽  
Vol 77 (12) ◽  
pp. 4211-4231
Author(s):  
Daisuke Takasuka ◽  
Masaki Satoh
Keyword(s):  
Gravity Waves ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Boreal Winter ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Atmospheric Variability ◽  
Convective Initiation ◽  
Low Level ◽  
Initiation And Propagation ◽  
The Indian Ocean

AbstractMotivated by the previous case study, this work shows that dynamical variations of mixed Rossby–gravity waves with tropical depression–type circulations (MRGTDs) are possible drivers of convective initiation and propagation of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) by performing statistical analysis. MJO events initiated in the Indian Ocean (IO) in boreal winter are objectively identified solely using outgoing longwave radiation data. The lagged-composite analysis of detected MJO events demonstrates that MJO convection is initiated in the southwestern IO (SWIO), where strong MRGTD–convection coupling is statistically found. Further classification of MJO cases in terms of intraseasonal convection and MRGTD activities in the SWIO suggests that 26 of 47 cases are related to more enhanced MRGTDs, although they can also be secondarily affected by Kelvin waves. For those MRGTD-enhanced MJO events, MJO convective initiation is primarily triggered by low-level MRGTD circulations that develop via the enhancement of downward energy dispersion in accordance with upper-tropospheric baroclinic conversion. This is supported by the modulation of MRGTD structure associated with zonal wave contraction due to upper-tropospheric zonal convergence, and plentiful moisture advected into the western IO. Following this MRGTD-induced MJO triggering and midtropospheric premoistening in the IO contributed by MRGTD shallow circulations as well as intraseasonal winds during the MJO-suppressed phase, low-level MRGTD winds with eastward group velocity successively trigger convection to the east, which helps MJO convective propagation over the IO. The interannual atmospheric variability may affect whether the presented MRGTD-related processes are effective or not.

scholarly journals Relationships between Rain Characteristics and Environment. Part II: Atmospheric Disturbances Associated with Shallow Convection over the Eastern Tropical Pacific

2012 ◽  
Vol 140 (9) ◽  
pp. 2841-2859 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chie Yokoyama ◽  
Yukari N. Takayabu
Keyword(s):  
Deep Convection ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Composite Analysis ◽  
Shallow Convection ◽  
Wave Type ◽  
Northeastern Part ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Spectral Peaks

Abstract Synoptic-scale westward-propagating disturbances over the eastern Pacific (EP) are analyzed in boreal autumn, utilizing spectral analysis, composite analysis, and energy budget analysis. The results are compared with those over the western Pacific (WP). Spectral peaks of total precipitable water (TPW) and vertical velocity at 850 hPa (ω850), and outgoing longwave radiation (OLR) are detected at periods of ~3–7 days over the EP. Meanwhile over the WP, a spectral peak of OLR is pronounced, but peaks of TPW and ω850 are not detected. Composite analysis reveals that disturbances that have a coupled structure, with a vortex at its center near ~9°N and a mixed Rossby–gravity (MRG) wave–type disturbance, frequently exist over the EP. At the same time, the disturbances have a double-deck structure associated with divergence both in the upper and in the middle to lower troposphere. These disturbances are associated with both deep convection and congestus, which generate kinetic energy of the disturbance in the upper and in the lower troposphere, respectively. Examining diabatic heating in relation to the coupled disturbances, deep heating with the peak at the height of ~7.5 km is greatest in the northeastern part of the vortex. The coupled MRG wave–type disturbance provides a relatively deep cross-equatorial southerly flow into the northeastern part of the vortex. It is suggested that deep rain is maintained with the existence of deep convergence produced by the coupled disturbances over the EP, where a very shallow convergence field exists on average.

Clouds Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation: A New Perspective from CloudSat

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (12) ◽  
pp. 3032-3051 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily M. Riley ◽  
Brian E. Mapes ◽  
Stefan N. Tulich
Keyword(s):  
Indian Ocean ◽  
Longwave Radiation ◽  
Western Hemisphere ◽  
Complex Nature ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Local Phase ◽  
Kelvin Wave ◽  
Central Pacific ◽  
Convective Systems ◽  
The Indian Ocean

Abstract The evolution of total cloud cover and cloud types is composited across the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) using CloudSat data for June 2006–May 2010. Two approaches are used to define MJO phases: 1) the local phase is determined at each longitude and time from filtered outgoing longwave radiation, and 2) the global phase is defined using a popular real-time multivariate MJO (RMM) index, which assigns the tropics to an MJO phase each day. In terms of local phase, CloudSat results show a familiar evolution of cloud type predominance: in the growing stages shallow clouds coexist with deep, intense, but narrow convective systems. Widespread cloud coverage and rainfall appear during the active phases, becoming more anvil dominated with time, and finally suppressed conditions return. Results are compared to the convectively coupled Kelvin wave, which has a similar life cycle to the MJO. Convection in the MJO tends to be modulated more by moisture variations compared to the Kelvin wave. In terms of global phases, wide deep precipitating, anvil, cumulus congestus, and altocumulus types exhibit similar eastward propagation from the Indian Ocean to the central Pacific, while the narrow deep precipitating type only propagates to the Maritime Continent. These propagating types also show coherent Western Hemisphere signals. Generally, negative Western Hemisphere anomalies occur when anomalies are positive over the Indian Ocean. In both approaches, sampling leads to pictorial renderings of actual clouds across MJO phases. These mosaics provide an objective representation of the cloud field that was unavailable before CloudSat and serve as a reminder to the complex nature of the MJO’s multiscale features.

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