Open AccessStrengthened tropical circulations in past three decades inferred from water vapor transport
Author(s) -
Sohn B. J.,
Park SeongChan
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: atmospheres
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/2009jd013713
Subject(s) - hadley cell , water vapor , walker circulation , troposphere , climatology , environmental science , atmospheric sciences , humidity , subsidence , relative humidity , geology , oceanography , general circulation model , meteorology , sea surface temperature , geography , climate change , structural basin , paleontology
By relating the water vapor flow from both reanalysis data and satellite observations to the lower branches of the Hadley and Walker circulations, it was shown that the strength of both north‐south and east‐west tropical circulations has intensified since 1979. Consistent with the expected water vapor climatology under the strengthened north‐south Hadley circulation, satellite observations of upper tropospheric humidity and total water vapor show that the subsidence region has become drier because of the increased sinking motion. In the east‐west direction, also consistent with the strengthened Walker circulation drawn from water vapor flux, the difference of the sea level pressure between the east Pacific and west Pacific has become larger over the past three decades.