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Coupled versus uncoupled hindcast simulations of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation in the Year of Tropical Convection
Author(s) -
Shelly Ann,
Xavier Prince,
Copsey Dan,
Johns Tim,
Rodríguez José M.,
Milton Sean,
Klingaman Nicholas
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
geophysical research letters
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.007
H-Index - 273
eISSN - 1944-8007
pISSN - 0094-8276
DOI - 10.1002/2013gl059062
Subject(s) - madden–julian oscillation , climatology , hindcast , predictability , rossby wave , convection , kelvin wave , environmental science , sea surface temperature , atmospheric model , atmosphere (unit) , downwelling , atmospheric sciences , meteorology , geology , oceanography , physics , upwelling , quantum mechanics
This study investigates the impact of a full interactive ocean on daily initialized 15 day hindcasts of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO), measured against a Met Office Unified Model atmosphere control simulation (atmospheric general circulation model (AGCM)) during a 3 month period of the Year of Tropical Convection. Results indicate that the coupled configuration (coupled general circulation model (CGCM)) extends MJO predictability over that of the AGCM, by up to 3–5 days. Propagation is improved in the CGCM, which we partly attribute to a more realistic phase relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and convection. In addition, the CGCM demonstrates skill in representing downwelling oceanic Kelvin and Rossby waves which warm SSTs along their trajectory, with the potential to feedback on the atmosphere. These results imply that an ocean model capable of simulating internal ocean waves may be required to capture the full effect of air‐sea coupling for the MJO.