Analogous Pacific and Atlantic Meridional Modes of Tropical Atmosphere–Ocean Variability

From observational analysis a Pacific mode of variability in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)/cold tongue region is identified that possesses characteristics and interpretation similar to the dominant “meridional” mode of interannual–decadal variability in the tropical Atlantic. The Pacific...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of climate 2004-11, Vol.17 (21), p.4143-4158
Main Authors: Chiang, John C. H., Vimont, Daniel J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Atmospherics
Climate
Climate models
Climatology. Bioclimatology. Climate change
Cold regions
Correlation coefficients
Earth, ocean, space
El Nino
Exact sciences and technology
External geophysics
Intertropical convergence zone
Marine
Meteorology
Ocean circulation
Ocean currents
Ocean temperature
Oceans
Paleoclimatology
Sea surface temperature
Trade winds
Tropical climates
Tropical regions
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Summary:From observational analysis a Pacific mode of variability in the intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)/cold tongue region is identified that possesses characteristics and interpretation similar to the dominant “meridional” mode of interannual–decadal variability in the tropical Atlantic. The Pacific and Atlantic meridional modes are characterized by an anomalous sea surface temperature (SST) gradient across the mean latitude of the ITCZ coupled to an anomalous displacement of the ITCZ toward the warmer hemisphere. Both are forced by trade wind variations in their respective northern subtropical oceans. The Pacific meridional mode exists independently of ENSO, although ENSO nonlinearity projects strongly on it during the peak anomaly season of boreal spring. It is suggested that the Pacific and Atlantic modes are analogous, governed by physics intrinsic to the ITCZ/cold tongue complex.
ISSN:0894-8755
1520-0442
DOI:10.1175/jcli4953.1