The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model

The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) produced by a mesoscale model is investigated using standardized statistical diagnostics. Results show that upper- and lower-level zonal winds display the correct MJO structure, phase speed (8 m s[superscript −1]) and space–time power spectrum. However, the simula...

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Main Authors: Monier, Erwan, Weare, Bryan C., Gustafson, William I.
Other Authors: Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Global Change Science
Format: Article
Language:en_US
Published: Springer-Verlag 2015
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/96871
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5533-6570
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author Monier, Erwan
Weare, Bryan C.
Gustafson, William I.
author2 Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Global Change Science
author_facet Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Global Change Science
Monier, Erwan
Weare, Bryan C.
Gustafson, William I.
author_sort Monier, Erwan
collection MIT
description The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) produced by a mesoscale model is investigated using standardized statistical diagnostics. Results show that upper- and lower-level zonal winds display the correct MJO structure, phase speed (8 m s[superscript −1]) and space–time power spectrum. However, the simulated free atmosphere moisture, outgoing longwave radiation and precipitation do not exhibit any clear MJO signal. Yet, the boundary layer moisture, moist static energy and atmospheric instability, measured using a moist static energy instability index, have clear MJO signals. A significant finding is the ability of the model to simulate a realistic MJO phase speed in the winds without reproducing the MJO wind-convection coupling or a realistic propagation in the free atmosphere water vapor. This study suggests that the convergence of boundary layer moisture and the discharge and recharge of the moist static energy and atmospheric instability may be responsible for controlling the speed of propagation of the MJO circulation.
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spelling mit-1721.1/968712022-09-30T12:40:52Z The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model Monier, Erwan Weare, Bryan C. Gustafson, William I. Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Center for Global Change Science Monier, Erwan Monier, Erwan The Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) produced by a mesoscale model is investigated using standardized statistical diagnostics. Results show that upper- and lower-level zonal winds display the correct MJO structure, phase speed (8 m s[superscript −1]) and space–time power spectrum. However, the simulated free atmosphere moisture, outgoing longwave radiation and precipitation do not exhibit any clear MJO signal. Yet, the boundary layer moisture, moist static energy and atmospheric instability, measured using a moist static energy instability index, have clear MJO signals. A significant finding is the ability of the model to simulate a realistic MJO phase speed in the winds without reproducing the MJO wind-convection coupling or a realistic propagation in the free atmosphere water vapor. This study suggests that the convergence of boundary layer moisture and the discharge and recharge of the moist static energy and atmospheric instability may be responsible for controlling the speed of propagation of the MJO circulation. National Science Foundation (U.S.) (Grant ATM0733698) 2015-05-01T16:47:04Z 2015-05-01T16:47:04Z 2009-07 2009-01 Article http://purl.org/eprint/type/JournalArticle 0930-7575 1432-0894 http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/96871 Monier, Erwan, Bryan C. Weare, and William I. Gustafson. “The Madden–Julian Oscillation Wind-Convection Coupling and the Role of Moisture Processes in the MM5 Model.” Climate Dynamics 35, no. 2–3 (July 24, 2009): 435–447. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5533-6570 en_US http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00382-009-0626-4 Climate Dynamics Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/ application/pdf Springer-Verlag Monier
spellingShingle Monier, Erwan
Weare, Bryan C.
Gustafson, William I.
The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model
title The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model
title_full The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model
title_fullStr The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model
title_full_unstemmed The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model
title_short The Madden–Julian oscillation wind-convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the MM5 model
title_sort madden julian oscillation wind convection coupling and the role of moisture processes in the mm5 model
url http://hdl.handle.net/1721.1/96871
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5533-6570
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