scholarly journals Kelvin/Rossby Wave Partition of Madden-Julian Oscillation Circulations

Climate ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 2
Author(s):  
Patrick Haertel
Keyword(s):  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Atmospheric Model ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
System Of Equations ◽  
Wave Component ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Kelvin Wave ◽  
Realistic View ◽  
State Of Rest

The Madden Julian Oscillation (MJO) is a large-scale convective and circulation system that propagates slowly eastward over the equatorial Indian and Western Pacific Oceans. Multiple, conflicting theories describe its growth and propagation, most involving equatorial Kelvin and/or Rossby waves. This study partitions MJO circulations into Kelvin and Rossby wave components for three sets of data: (1) a modeled linear response to an MJO-like heating; (2) a composite MJO based on atmospheric sounding data; and (3) a composite MJO based on data from a Lagrangian atmospheric model. The first dataset has a simple dynamical interpretation, the second provides a realistic view of MJO circulations, and the third occurs in a laboratory supporting controlled experiments. In all three of the datasets, the propagation of Kelvin waves is similar, suggesting that the dynamics of Kelvin wave circulations in the MJO can be captured by a system of equations linearized about a basic state of rest. In contrast, the Rossby wave component of the observed MJO’s circulation differs substantially from that in our linear model, with Rossby gyres moving eastward along with the heating and migrating poleward relative to their linear counterparts. These results support the use of a system of equations linearized about a basic state of rest for the Kelvin wave component of MJO circulation, but they question its use for the Rossby wave component.

scholarly journals Planetary Scale Selection of the Madden–Julian Oscillation*

2009 ◽  
Vol 66 (8) ◽  
pp. 2429-2443 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tim Li ◽  
Chunhua Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Initial Perturbation ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Kelvin Wave ◽  
Scale Selection ◽  
Planetary Scale ◽  
Zonal Wavenumber ◽  
Nonlinear Heating ◽  
Selection Of

Abstract Numerical experiments with a 2.5-layer and a 2-level model are conducted to examine the mechanism for the planetary scale selection of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO). The strategy here is to examine the evolution of an initial perturbation that has a form of the equatorial Kelvin wave at zonal wavenumbers of 1 to 15. In the presence of a frictional boundary layer, the most unstable mode prefers a short wavelength under a linear heating; but with a nonlinear heating, the zonal wavenumber 1 grows fastest. This differs significantly from a model without the boundary layer, in which neither linear nor nonlinear heating leads to the long wave selection. Thus, the numerical simulations point out the crucial importance of the combined effect of the nonlinear heating and the frictional boundary layer in the MJO planetary scale selection. The cause of this scale selection under the nonlinear heating is attributed to the distinctive phase speeds between the dry Kelvin wave and the wet Kelvin–Rossby wave couplet. The faster dry Kelvin wave triggered by a convective branch may catch up and suppress another convective branch, which travels ahead of it at the phase speed of the wet Kelvin–Rossby wave couplet if the distance between the two neighboring convective branches is smaller than a critical distance (about 16 000 km). The interference between the dry Kelvin wave and the wet Kelvin–Rossby wave couplet eventually dissipates and “filters out” shorter wavelength perturbations, leading to a longwave selection. The boundary layer plays an important role in destabilizing the MJO through frictional moisture convergences and in retaining the in-phase zonal wind–pressure structure.

Impact of Rossby and Kelvin Wave Components on MJO Eastward Propagation

2018 ◽  
Vol 31 (17) ◽  
pp. 6913-6931 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lu Wang ◽  
Tim Li ◽  
Tomoe Nasuno
Keyword(s):  
Rossby Wave ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Task Force ◽  
Phase Speed ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Wave Component ◽  
Kelvin Wave ◽  
Free Atmosphere ◽  
The Impact ◽  
East West

There are contrasting views concerning the impact of Rossby wave component of MJO flow on its eastward propagation. One view (called “drag effect”) argues that because Rossby waves propagate westward, a stronger Rossby wave component slows down the eastward propagation. The other view (called “acceleration effect”) argues that a stronger Rossby wave enhances east–west asymmetry of moist static energy (MSE) tendency and thus favors the eastward propagation. This study aims to resolve this issue through diagnosis of both idealized aquaplanet simulations and 26 models from the MJO Task Force/GEWEX Atmospheric System Studies (MJOTF/GASS). In the aquaplanet experiments, three sets of zonally uniform, equatorially symmetric SST distributions are specified. The MJO phase speed is faster in the presence of a narrower SST meridional profile, in which both the Rossby and the Kelvin wave components are stronger and the east–west asymmetry of MSE tendency is larger. A further analysis of the 26 general circulation models reveals that the MJO propagation skill and phase speed are positively correlated to both the Rossby wave and the Kelvin wave strength in the lower free atmosphere (above 800 hPa). Models that have a stronger Rossby and Kelvin wave component tend to simulate realistic and faster eastward propagation. Therefore, both the aquaplanet and the multimodel simulations support the Rossby wave acceleration effect hypothesis.

Moisture Modes and the Madden–Julian Oscillation

2009 ◽  
Vol 22 (11) ◽  
pp. 3031-3046 ◽  
Author(s):  
David J. Raymond ◽  
Željka Fuchs
Keyword(s):  
Large Scale ◽  
Strong Dependence ◽  
Final Analysis ◽  
Precipitable Water ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Kelvin Wave ◽  
Mode Instability ◽  
Forecast System ◽  
Entropy Transport ◽  
Moisture Mode

Abstract Moisture mode instability is thought to occur in the tropical oceanic atmosphere when precipitation is a strongly increasing function of saturation fraction (precipitable water divided by saturated precipitable water) and when convection acts to increase the saturation fraction. A highly simplified model of the interaction between convection and large-scale flows in the tropics suggests that there are two types of convectively coupled disturbances: the moisture mode instability described above and another unstable mode dependent on fluctuations in the convective inhibition. The latter is associated with rapidly moving disturbances such as the equatorially coupled Kelvin wave. A toy aquaplanet beta-plane model with realistic sea surface temperatures produces a robust Madden–Julian oscillation–like disturbance that resembles the observed phenomenon in many ways. Convection in this model exhibits a strong dependence of precipitation on saturation fraction and does indeed act to increase this parameter in situations of weak environmental ventilation of disturbances, thus satisfying the criteria for moisture mode instability. In contrast, NCEP’s closely related Global Forecast System (GFS) and Climate Forecast System (CFS) models do not produce a realistic MJO. Investigation of moist entropy transport in NCEP’s final analysis (FNL), the data assimilation system feeding the GFS, indicates that convection tends to decrease the saturation fraction in these models, precluding moisture mode instability in most circumstances. Thus, evidence from a variety of sources suggests that the MJO is driven at least in part by moisture mode instability.

A Model for Scale Interaction in the Madden–Julian Oscillation*

2011 ◽  
Vol 68 (11) ◽  
pp. 2524-2536 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bin Wang ◽  
Fei Liu
Keyword(s):  
Boundary Layer ◽  
General Circulation ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
General Circulation Models ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Stationary Mode ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Scale Interaction ◽  
Planetary Scale ◽  
Equatorial Wave

Abstract The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) is an equatorial planetary-scale circulation system coupled with a multiscale convective complex, and it moves eastward slowly (about 5 m s−1) with a horizontal quadrupole vortex and vertical rearward-tilted structure. The nature and role of scale interaction (SI) is one of the elusive aspects of the MJO dynamics. Here a prototype theoretical model is formulated to advance the current understanding of the nature of SI in MJO dynamics. The model integrates three essential physical elements: (a) large-scale equatorial wave dynamics driven by boundary layer frictional convergence instability (FCI), (b) effects of the upscale eddy momentum transfer (EMT) by vertically tilted synoptic systems resulting from boundary layer convergence and multicloud heating, and (c) interaction between planetary-scale wave motion and synoptic-scale systems (the eastward-propagating super cloud clusters and westward-propagating 2-day waves). It is shown that the EMT mechanism tends to yield a stationary mode with a quadrupole vortex structure (enhanced Rossby wave component), whereas the FCI yields a relatively fast eastward-moving and rearward-tilted Gill-like pattern (enhanced Kelvin wave response). The SI instability stems from corporative FCI or EMT mechanisms, and its property is a mixture of FCI and EMT modes. The properties of the unstable modes depend on the proportion of deep convective versus stratiform/congestus heating or the ratio of deep convective versus total amount of heating. With increasing stratiform/congestus heating, the FCI weakens while the EMT becomes more effective. A growing SI mode has a horizontal quadrupole vortex and rearward-tilted structure and prefers slow eastward propagation, which resembles the observed MJO. The FCI sets the rearward tilt and eastward propagation, while the EMT slows down the propagation speed. The theoretical results presented here point to the need to observe multicloud structure and vertical heating profiles within the MJO convective complex and to improve general circulation models’ capability to reproduce correct partitioning of cloud amounts between deep convective and stratiform/congestus clouds. Limitations and future work are also discussed.

The Global Atmospheric Circulation Response to Tropical Diabatic Heating Associated with the Madden–Julian Oscillation during Northern Winter

2012 ◽  
Vol 69 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kyong-Hwan Seo ◽  
Seok-Woo Son
Keyword(s):  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wave Train ◽  
Large Fraction ◽  
Equation Model ◽  
Boreal Winter ◽  
Madden Julian Oscillation ◽  
Background Flow ◽  
Rossby Wave Train ◽  
Circulation Anomalies

Abstract The detailed dynamical mechanisms of the upper-tropospheric circulation response to the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) convection are examined by integrating a primitive equation model. A series of initial-value calculations with the climatological boreal winter background flow forced by the MJO-like thermal forcing successfully capture the key aspects of the observed circulation response to the MJO convection. This suggests that a large fraction of MJO-related circulation anomalies are direct responses to tropical heating in both the tropics and extratropics and can be largely explained by linear dynamics. It is found that MJO-like dipole heatings not only intensify tropical upper-tropospheric anomalies but also weaken them at certain regions because of the interaction between equatorial Kelvin and Rossby waves. The Rossby wave train primarily excited by horizontal divergence of upper-level perturbation flow propagates northeastward and then heads back to the equator. In this way, Rossby wave activity once generated over the subtropical Indian Ocean tends to enhance the equatorial upper-tropospheric anomalies over the tropical Atlantic and West Africa that have already been created by the zonally propagating equatorial Rossby and Kelvin waves. A ray path tracing reveals that a successive downstream development of Rossby wave train mostly results from the large-scale waves with zonal wavenumbers 2–3 in the Northern Hemisphere and 3–5 in the Southern Hemisphere. The sensitivity tests show that the overall results are quite robust. It is found, however, that the detailed circulation response to the MJO-like forcing is somewhat sensitive to the background flow. This suggests that MJO-related circulation anomalies may have nonnegligible long-term variability and change as background flow varies.

scholarly journals Mantle-derived helium released through the Japan trench bend-faults

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Oh Park ◽  
Naoto Takahata ◽  
Ehsan Jamali Hondori ◽  
Asuka Yamaguchi ◽  
Takanori Kagoshima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Mantle ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Japan Trench ◽  
Helium Isotope ◽  
Normal Faults ◽  
Circulation System ◽  
Deep Penetration ◽  
Oceanic Plate ◽  
Seismic Reflection Data ◽  
Reflection Data

AbstractPlate bending-related normal faults (i.e. bend-faults) develop at the outer trench-slope of the oceanic plate incoming into the subduction zone. Numerous geophysical studies and numerical simulations suggest that bend-faults play a key role by providing pathways for seawater to flow into the oceanic crust and the upper mantle, thereby promoting hydration of the oceanic plate. However, deep penetration of seawater along bend-faults remains controversial because fluids that have percolated down into the mantle are difficult to detect. This report presents anomalously high helium isotope (3He/4He) ratios in sediment pore water and seismic reflection data which suggest fluid infiltration into the upper mantle and subsequent outflow through bend-faults across the outer slope of the Japan trench. The 3He/4He and 4He/20Ne ratios at sites near-trench bend-faults, which are close to the isotopic ratios of bottom seawater, are almost constant with depth, supporting local seawater inflow. Our findings provide the first reported evidence for a potentially large-scale active hydrothermal circulation system through bend-faults across the Moho (crust-mantle boundary) in and out of the oceanic lithospheric mantle.

scholarly journals Tropical Cyclogenesis in the Western North Pacific as Revealed by the 2008–09 YOTC Data*

2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 1038-1056 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yamei Xu ◽  
Tim Li ◽  
Melinda Peng
Keyword(s):  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Wave Energy ◽  
North Pacific ◽  
Western North Pacific ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Lower Troposphere ◽  
Energy Dispersion ◽  
Reanalysis Dataset ◽  
Initial Development ◽  
Wave Trains

Abstract The Year of Tropical Convection (YOTC) high-resolution global reanalysis dataset was analyzed to reveal precursor synoptic-scale disturbances related to tropical cyclone (TC) genesis in the western North Pacific (WNP) during the 2008–09 typhoon seasons. A time filtering is applied to the data to isolate synoptic (3–10 day), quasi-biweekly (10–20 day), and intraseasonal (20–90 day) time-scale components. The results show that four types of precursor synoptic disturbances associated with TC genesis can be identified in the YOTC data. They are 1) Rossby wave trains associated with preexisting TC energy dispersion (TCED) (24%), 2) synoptic wave trains (SWTs) unrelated to TCED (32%), 3) easterly waves (EWs) (16%), and 4) a combination of either TCED-EW or SWT-EW (24%). The percentage of identifiable genesis events is higher than has been found in previous analyses. Most of the genesis events occurred when atmospheric quasi-biweekly and intraseasonal oscillations are in an active phase, suggesting a large-scale control of low-frequency oscillations on TC formation in the WNP. For genesis events associated with SWT and EW, maximum vorticity was confined in the lower troposphere. During the formation of Jangmi (2008), maximum Rossby wave energy dispersion appeared in the middle troposphere. This differs from other TCED cases in which energy dispersion is strongest at low level. As a result, the midlevel vortex from Rossby wave energy dispersion grew faster during the initial development stage of Jangmi.

Method for Identifying and Clustering Rossby Wave Breaking Events in the Northern Hemisphere

2021 ◽  
pp. 17-28
Author(s):  
A. V. Gochakov ◽  
◽  
O. Yu. Antokhina ◽  
V. N. Krupchatnikov ◽  
Yu. V. Martynova ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Potential Vorticity ◽  
Wave Breaking ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Method Development ◽  
Spatial Clustering ◽  
Potential Temperature ◽  
Reanalysis Data ◽  
Rossby Wave Breaking ◽  
Dynamic Phenomena

Many large-scale dynamic phenomena in the Earth’s atmosphere are associated with the processes of propagation and breaking of Rossby waves. A new method for identifying the Rossby wave breaking (RWB) is proposed. It is based on the detection of breakings centers by analyzing the shape of the contours of potential vorticity or temperature on quasimaterial surfaces: isentropic and iserthelic (surfaces of constant Ertel potential vorticity (PV)), with further RWB center clustering to larger regions. The method is applied to the set of constant PV levels (0.3 to 9.8 PVU with a step of 0.5 PVU) at the level of potential temperature of 350 K for 12:00 UTC. The ERA-Interim reanalysis data from 1979 to 2019 are used for the method development. The type of RWB (cyclonic/anticyclonic), its area and center are determined by analyzing the vortex geometry at each PV level for every day. The RWBs obtained at this stage are designated as elementary breakings. Density-Based Spatial Clustering of Applications with Noise algorithm (DBSCAN) was applied to all elementary breakings for each month. As a result, a graphic dataset describing locations and dynamics of RWBs for every month from 1979 to 2019 is formed. The RWB frequency is also evaluated for each longitude, taking into account the duration of each RWB and the number of levels involved, as well as the anomalies of these parameters.

scholarly journals Large-scale drift and Rossby wave turbulence

2016 ◽  
Vol 18 (8) ◽  
pp. 085008 ◽  
Author(s):  
K L Harper ◽  
S V Nazarenko
Keyword(s):  
Rossby Wave ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Wave Turbulence
Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document