CMIP6 Models Underestimate the Holton‐Tan Effect

• Published in: Geophysical research letters 2021-12, Vol.48 (24), p.n/a
• Main Authors: Elsbury, Dillon, Peings, Yannick, Magnusdottir, Gudrun
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Atmospheric circulation; Atmospheric circulation changes; Atmospheric models; Commercial aircraft; Coupled Model Intercomparison Project (CMIP); ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; Experiments; Holton-Tan effect; Intercomparison; Latitude; Lower stratosphere; Ocean models; Planetary waves; Polar vortex; Potential vorticity; Quasi-biennial oscillation; Solar radiation; Stratosphere; Stratospheric circulation; teleconnection; Teleconnections; Tropical climate; Tropical environments; Vortices; Vorticity; Wave breaking; Westerlies; Westerly flow; Winds
• ISSN: 0094-8276; 1944-8007
• DOI: 10.1029/2021GL094083

The teleconnection between the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO) and the Arctic polar vortex is investigated using Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 (CMIP6) models. Output from 14 CMIP6 models is compared with reanalysis, three experiments with prescribed QBOs, one of which has no free polar stratospheric variability, and transient experiments in which a QBO is prescribed in runs previously devoid of a QBO. Each CMIP6 model underestimates the Holton‐Tan effect (HTE), the weakening of the polar vortex expected with QBO easterlies in the tropical lower stratosphere. To establish why, potential vorticity maps are used to investigate longitudinal variations in the teleconnection. Prescribing easterly QBO in the transient experiments promotes more high‐latitude planetary wave breaking by influencing the mid‐latitude stratospheric circulation, particularly over Asia. CMIP6 models that better simulate this response over Asia better simulate the HTE. These models also have stronger 10 hPa QBO westerlies. Plain Language Summary In the tropics at altitudes between two and three times as high as commercial airplanes fly (10–30 kilometers), successive sets of easterly and westerly winds propagate downward approximately every 28 months. This pattern of winds is called the Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (QBO). Despite being in the middle to lower tropical stratosphere, the QBO affects the global circulation in ways that ultimately influence regional weather. One example of this occurs during winter, when the QBO changes the strength of the westerly flow that forms in the Arctic polar stratosphere in the absence of solar radiation, the polar vortex. Although scientists have known about this phenomenon for 40+ years, this long‐distance relationship is complicated. Models of the coupled land, ocean, atmosphere system have steadily improved at representing the QBO. These models also represent the QBO's relationship with the polar vortex, but each model does it differently. The difference between models that represent the QBO‐polar vortex relationship well and models that do not, teaches us more about the relationship. We learn here that the QBO communicates with the polar stratosphere partly by changing the atmospheric circulation 30 kilometers above Asia. This phenomenon is best represented by models that have stronger QBOs. Key Points Coupled Model Intercomparison Project 6 models underestimate the weakening of the polar vortex expected with Quasi‐Biennial Oscillation (Q