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Large‐Scale Precipitation Systems: Essential Elements of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation
Author(s) -
Chen Guiwan,
Chen Shuyi S.,
Ling Jian,
Li Chongyin
Publication year - 2021
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 - 10.1029/2021gl093184
Subject(s) - madden–julian oscillation , oscillation (cell signaling) , precipitation , climatology , longitude , gcm transcription factors , general circulation model , latitude , scale (ratio) , geology , environmental science , meteorology , geodesy , physics , convection , chemistry , climate change , biochemistry , oceanography , quantum mechanics
Possible roles of large‐scale precipitation on model simulations of the Madden‐Julian Oscillation (MJO) were investigated using the Large‐scale Precipitation Tracking (LPT) method. Individual LPT systems and eastward propagating MJO LPT systems were identified in both observations and 25 general circulation model (GCM) simulations. LPT systems show dominant eastward propagation over the Indian Ocean in the observation, whereas LPT systems are too stationary in GCM simulations. The MJO statistical signals in the model simulations are represented by the occurence frequencies of LPT systems with a size of ∼4–9 × 10 6 km 2 (∼20–30° in longitude and latitude) and a strength of ∼15–18 mm d −1 . Growth rate in size of LPT systems in early stage determines the size of LPT systems, which differentiates the MJO statistical signals among the GCM simulations. Comprehensive diagnostics of MJO simulations in GCMs should include both individual LPT systems as essential elements and the MJO statistical signals.