Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900

In this study, we investigate the changes in the multiyear predictability of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) since 1900. A newly developed method, the model-analog method, is used to hindcast the PDO from 1900 to 2015. Model-analog hindcast provides comparable PDO prediction skills with the tr...

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Main Authors: Yanling Wu, Xiaoqin Yan
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-05-01
Series:Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/5/980
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author Yanling Wu
Xiaoqin Yan
author_facet Yanling Wu
Xiaoqin Yan
author_sort Yanling Wu
collection DOAJ
description In this study, we investigate the changes in the multiyear predictability of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) since 1900. A newly developed method, the model-analog method, is used to hindcast the PDO from 1900 to 2015. Model-analog hindcast provides comparable PDO prediction skills with the traditional assimilation-initialized forecast but with much lower computational costs. Our results show that PDO prediction skills have significantly changed over time. Specifically, the PDO could skillfully be predicted up to 5 years in advance in 1910–1960, but it can only be predicted 2–3 years in advance after 1960. We attribute these changes to the strength of the re-emergence process, where deep oceanic mixed layer temperature anomalies from one winter reappear in the following winters. In the high-prediction-skill period, the stronger re-emergence process provides more predictable information, leading to enhanced multiyear prediction skills. Our study offers new insights into the multiyear predictability of the PDO over a long-time frame and sheds light on the reasons behind the low prediction skill of the PDO.
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spelling doaj.art-ceaee83a616347f6b5856948548ec4912023-11-18T01:59:27ZengMDPI AGJournal of Marine Science and Engineering2077-13122023-05-0111598010.3390/jmse11050980Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900Yanling Wu0Xiaoqin Yan1Key Laboratory of Marine Hazards Forecasting, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, ChinaKey Laboratory of Marine Hazards Forecasting, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, ChinaIn this study, we investigate the changes in the multiyear predictability of the Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO) since 1900. A newly developed method, the model-analog method, is used to hindcast the PDO from 1900 to 2015. Model-analog hindcast provides comparable PDO prediction skills with the traditional assimilation-initialized forecast but with much lower computational costs. Our results show that PDO prediction skills have significantly changed over time. Specifically, the PDO could skillfully be predicted up to 5 years in advance in 1910–1960, but it can only be predicted 2–3 years in advance after 1960. We attribute these changes to the strength of the re-emergence process, where deep oceanic mixed layer temperature anomalies from one winter reappear in the following winters. In the high-prediction-skill period, the stronger re-emergence process provides more predictable information, leading to enhanced multiyear prediction skills. Our study offers new insights into the multiyear predictability of the PDO over a long-time frame and sheds light on the reasons behind the low prediction skill of the PDO.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/5/980multiyear predictionPacific decadal oscillationmodel-analog method
spellingShingle Yanling Wu
Xiaoqin Yan
Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering
multiyear prediction
Pacific decadal oscillation
model-analog method
title Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900
title_full Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900
title_fullStr Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900
title_full_unstemmed Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900
title_short Evaluating Changes in the Multiyear Predictability of the Pacific Decadal Oscillation Using Model Analogs since 1900
title_sort evaluating changes in the multiyear predictability of the pacific decadal oscillation using model analogs since 1900
topic multiyear prediction
Pacific decadal oscillation
model-analog method
url https://www.mdpi.com/2077-1312/11/5/980
work_keys_str_mv AT yanlingwu evaluatingchangesinthemultiyearpredictabilityofthepacificdecadaloscillationusingmodelanalogssince1900
AT xiaoqinyan evaluatingchangesinthemultiyearpredictabilityofthepacificdecadaloscillationusingmodelanalogssince1900