Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study
The impact of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on the dynamics of major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) observed in the winters of 2018, 2019, and 2021 is investigated. Using data from the MERRA-2 reanalysis, we analyze the daily mean variability of criti...
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2024-12-01
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| author | Eswaraiah Sunkara Kyong-Hwan Seo Chalachew Kindie Mengist Madineni Venkat Ratnam Kondapalli Niranjan Kumar Gasti Venkata Chalapathi |
| author_facet | Eswaraiah Sunkara Kyong-Hwan Seo Chalachew Kindie Mengist Madineni Venkat Ratnam Kondapalli Niranjan Kumar Gasti Venkata Chalapathi |
| author_sort | Eswaraiah Sunkara |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The impact of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on the dynamics of major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) observed in the winters of 2018, 2019, and 2021 is investigated. Using data from the MERRA-2 reanalysis, we analyze the daily mean variability of critical atmospheric parameters at the 10 hPa level, including zonal mean polar cap temperature, zonal mean zonal wind, and the amplitudes of planetary waves 1 and 2. The results reveal dramatic increases in polar cap temperature and significant wind reversals during the SSW events, particularly in 2018. The analysis of planetary wave (PW) amplitudes demonstrates intensified wave activity coinciding with the onset of SSWs, underscoring the pivotal role of PWs in these stratospheric disruptions. Further examination of outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) anomalies highlights the influence of QBO phases on tropical convection patterns. During westerly QBO (w-QBO) phases, enhanced convective activity is observed in the western Pacific, whereas the easterly QBO (e-QBO) phase shifts convection patterns to the maritime continent and central Pacific. This modulation by QBO phases influences the MJO’s role during SSWs, affecting tropical and extra-tropical weather patterns. The day-altitude variability of upward heat flux reveals distinct spatiotemporal patterns, with pronounced warming in the polar regions and mixed heat flux patterns in low latitudes. The differences observed between the SSWs of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 are likely related to the varying QBO phases, emphasizing the complexity of heat flux dynamics during these events. The northern annular mode (NAM) index analysis shows varied responses to SSWs, with stronger negative anomalies observed during the e-QBO phase compared to the w-QBO phases. This variability highlights the significant role of the QBO in shaping the stratospheric and tropospheric responses to SSWs, impacting surface weather patterns and the persistence of stratospheric anomalies. Overall, the study demonstrates the intricate interactions between stratospheric dynamics, QBO, and MJO during major SSW events, providing insights into the broader implications of these atmospheric phenomena on global weather patterns. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-77c26c2bf9fa4f28b6e9b178637c5e28 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2073-4433 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
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| spelling | doaj-art-77c26c2bf9fa4f28b6e9b178637c5e282024-12-27T14:09:49ZengMDPI AGAtmosphere2073-44332024-12-011512145810.3390/atmos15121458Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case StudyEswaraiah Sunkara0Kyong-Hwan Seo1Chalachew Kindie Mengist2Madineni Venkat Ratnam3Kondapalli Niranjan Kumar4Gasti Venkata Chalapathi5Department of Physics, Mohan Babu University, Sree Sainath Nagar, Tirupati 517102, IndiaDepartment of Atmospheric Sciences, Division of Earth Environmental System, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaBK21 School of Earth and Environmental Systems, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, Republic of KoreaNational Atmospheric Research Laboratory, Gadanki 517112, IndiaNational Centre for Medium Range Weather Forecasting, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Noida 201301, IndiaDepartment of Physics, Goverment Degree College, Anantapur 515001, IndiaThe impact of the quasi-biennial oscillation (QBO) and Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) on the dynamics of major sudden stratospheric warmings (SSWs) observed in the winters of 2018, 2019, and 2021 is investigated. Using data from the MERRA-2 reanalysis, we analyze the daily mean variability of critical atmospheric parameters at the 10 hPa level, including zonal mean polar cap temperature, zonal mean zonal wind, and the amplitudes of planetary waves 1 and 2. The results reveal dramatic increases in polar cap temperature and significant wind reversals during the SSW events, particularly in 2018. The analysis of planetary wave (PW) amplitudes demonstrates intensified wave activity coinciding with the onset of SSWs, underscoring the pivotal role of PWs in these stratospheric disruptions. Further examination of outgoing long-wave radiation (OLR) anomalies highlights the influence of QBO phases on tropical convection patterns. During westerly QBO (w-QBO) phases, enhanced convective activity is observed in the western Pacific, whereas the easterly QBO (e-QBO) phase shifts convection patterns to the maritime continent and central Pacific. This modulation by QBO phases influences the MJO’s role during SSWs, affecting tropical and extra-tropical weather patterns. The day-altitude variability of upward heat flux reveals distinct spatiotemporal patterns, with pronounced warming in the polar regions and mixed heat flux patterns in low latitudes. The differences observed between the SSWs of 2017–2018 and 2018–2019 are likely related to the varying QBO phases, emphasizing the complexity of heat flux dynamics during these events. The northern annular mode (NAM) index analysis shows varied responses to SSWs, with stronger negative anomalies observed during the e-QBO phase compared to the w-QBO phases. This variability highlights the significant role of the QBO in shaping the stratospheric and tropospheric responses to SSWs, impacting surface weather patterns and the persistence of stratospheric anomalies. Overall, the study demonstrates the intricate interactions between stratospheric dynamics, QBO, and MJO during major SSW events, providing insights into the broader implications of these atmospheric phenomena on global weather patterns.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1458SSWMJOQBONAM index |
| spellingShingle | Eswaraiah Sunkara Kyong-Hwan Seo Chalachew Kindie Mengist Madineni Venkat Ratnam Kondapalli Niranjan Kumar Gasti Venkata Chalapathi Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study Atmosphere SSW MJO QBO NAM index |
| title | Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study |
| title_full | Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study |
| title_fullStr | Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study |
| title_short | Role of QBO and MJO in Sudden Stratospheric Warmings: A Case Study |
| title_sort | role of qbo and mjo in sudden stratospheric warmings a case study |
| topic | SSW MJO QBO NAM index |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4433/15/12/1458 |
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