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Genesis of the Southern Oscillation within the atmosphere: Illustration with global general circulation models
Author(s) -
Hameed Sultan,
Sperber Kenneth R.,
Cess Robert D.
Publication year - 1989
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/gl016i007p00691
Subject(s) - gcm transcription factors , climatology , general circulation model , atmosphere (unit) , oscillation (cell signaling) , atmospheric circulation , environmental science , climate model , ocean current , southern oscillation , ocean general circulation model , atmospheric model , atmospheric sciences , circulation (fluid dynamics) , geology , meteorology , el niño southern oscillation , climate change , geography , oceanography , physics , thermodynamics , biology , genetics
In this study we compare simulations of climate in two general circulation models: a coupled GCM in which the atmosphere and ocean interact dynamically and a slab GCM in which the ocean is represented by a static layer. W. L. Gates and G. L. Potter carried out multiyear simulations of global climate with these two models at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. These simulations have no imposed conditions on the nature of the interannual variability. We present results showing that the slab model generates the signal of the Southern Oscillation in atmospheric pressure during the northern spring season but the signal is not propagated to other seasons. The coupled model manifests the Southern Oscillation in other seasons and in several climatic variables in which it is found in nature.