The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an important intraseasonal climate signal which circles the global tropics, but also impacts extratropical weather regimes. Few studies have investigated whether the MJO is a source of regional seasonal climate predictability. The present objective is to determ...

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Main Author: Scott Curtis
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2017-09-01
Series:Atmosphere
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/8/9/180
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author Scott Curtis
author_facet Scott Curtis
author_sort Scott Curtis
collection DOAJ
description The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an important intraseasonal climate signal which circles the global tropics, but also impacts extratropical weather regimes. Few studies have investigated whether the MJO is a source of regional seasonal climate predictability. The present objective is to determine the extent to which the season and phase (geographic location) of MJO contribute to the frequency of global rainfall anomalies in ensuing seasons. Indices of June-July-August and December-January-February MJO activity for each phase and the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were correlated to three-month averages of rainfall up to a six-month lead time. Field significance was calculated and patterns of the relationships were described. In general, MJO shows some skill in regional seasonal precipitation prediction, but to a lesser extent than ENSO. However, the presence of MJO in the western Indian Ocean and near the date line did reveal a persistent and significant relationship with regional seasonal rainfall, especially over Northern Hemisphere land areas.
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spelling doaj.art-42b5371e883e4cd9b6f3ff55fad187952022-12-21T23:54:12ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332017-09-018918010.3390/atmos8090180atmos8090180The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?Scott Curtis0Department of Geography, Planning and Environment, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC 27858, USAThe Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an important intraseasonal climate signal which circles the global tropics, but also impacts extratropical weather regimes. Few studies have investigated whether the MJO is a source of regional seasonal climate predictability. The present objective is to determine the extent to which the season and phase (geographic location) of MJO contribute to the frequency of global rainfall anomalies in ensuing seasons. Indices of June-July-August and December-January-February MJO activity for each phase and the El Niño/Southern Oscillation (ENSO) were correlated to three-month averages of rainfall up to a six-month lead time. Field significance was calculated and patterns of the relationships were described. In general, MJO shows some skill in regional seasonal precipitation prediction, but to a lesser extent than ENSO. However, the presence of MJO in the western Indian Ocean and near the date line did reveal a persistent and significant relationship with regional seasonal rainfall, especially over Northern Hemisphere land areas.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/8/9/180MJOintraseasonalseasonalglobalrainfallGPCPGPCCregional climate prediction
spellingShingle Scott Curtis
The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?
Atmosphere
MJO
intraseasonal
seasonal
global
rainfall
GPCP
GPCC
regional climate prediction
title The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?
title_full The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?
title_fullStr The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?
title_full_unstemmed The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?
title_short The Madden-Julian Oscillation: A Tool for Regional Seasonal Precipitation Outlooks?
title_sort madden julian oscillation a tool for regional seasonal precipitation outlooks
topic MJO
intraseasonal
seasonal
global
rainfall
GPCP
GPCC
regional climate prediction
url https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/8/9/180
work_keys_str_mv AT scottcurtis themaddenjulianoscillationatoolforregionalseasonalprecipitationoutlooks
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