Ocean Surface Temperature Response to Atmosphere-Ocean Interaction of the MJO. A Component of Coupled Air-Wave-Sea Processes in the Subtropics Departmental Research Initiative.

摘要

The Madden-Julian Oscillation (MJO) is an intraseasonal oscillation which is most closely identified with the tropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, characterized by an eastward progression of a large (approximately 2000 km) pattern, extending from the equator into the adjacent subtropical belts, with enhanced and suppressed rainfall. In the context of this DRI, understanding the complex processes involved in locations such as the MJO as it passes over the eastern Indian Ocean are necessary steps for evaluating the modulation of SST and atmosphere-ocean feedbacks, for validating ocean and climate models, and for making prognostic assessments of oceanic circulation. The broad science questions to be addressed by our program include the following: * How do atmospheric boundary layer processes and sea-air coupling over the eastern Indian Ocean modulate the intensity and spatial extent of MJO and of higher frequency fluctuations; * What regulates the sea-wave-air interactions and the response of the mixed layer during periods of MJO forcing; * How do the near- surface profile characteristics evolve over the course of an MJO cycle and at higher frequency fluctuations. Understanding the complex processes involved in locations such as the MJO as it passes over the eastern Indian Ocean are necessary steps for evaluating the modulation of SST and atmosphere-ocean feedbacks, for validating ocean and climate models, and for making prognostic assessments of oceanic circulation. Our science goals are directly related to the special focus areas of the DRI described above in Long-Term Goals.