Skip to main content

An event-by-event assessment of tropical intraseasonal perturbations for general circulation models

Climate Dynamics volume 40, pages 857–873 (2013)Cite this article

A Publisher's Erratum to this article was published on 09 April 2013

Abstract

We detect and characterize each large-scale intraseasonal perturbation in observations (1979–2009) and in coupled general circulation models of Institut Pierre Simon Laplace (IPSL) and of Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques (CNRM). These ensembles of intraseasonal perturbations are used to assess the skill of the two models in an event-by-event approach. This assessment addresses: (1) the planetary-scale (i.e. the whole Indo-Pacific area) extent of wind and rainfall perturbations and the reproducibility of the perturbation patterns for a given season; (2) the size and amplitude of rainfall and wind anomalies at basin-scale (i.e. for a particular phase of the perturbation) and; (3) the evolution of the vertical structure of the perturbations (U, T and RH) for selected events. The planetary-scale extent of rainfall perturbations is generally too small for both models. This extent is also small for the wind perturbation in the IPSL model, but is correct, or even too large in boreal winter, for the CNRM model. The reproducibility of the planetary-scale patterns is exaggerated for wind perturbations in the CNRM model and is very poor for all parameters in the IPSL model. Over the Indian Ocean during boreal winter, rainfall and wind anomalies at basin-scale are too large for the CNRM model and too small for the IPSL model. The CNRM model gives a realistic baroclinic perturbations structure for wind, moisture and temperature, but with too large amplitude due in part to a zonally extended rainfall anomaly over the eastern Indian Ocean and the Maritime Continent. The IPSL model gives a realistic response for low-level wind only. Temperature and moisture perturbations are barotropic with a wrong warm anomaly at rainfall maximum and there is no gradual increase in low-level moisture prior to this rainfall maximum. These results suggest that this version of the IPSL model is unable to initiate the coupling between the convection and the dynamic necessary to develop the perturbation. It is difficult to say if this is due to, or is at the origin of the lack of basin-scale organization of the convection. We discuss the likely role of the convective schemes in the differences found between these two versions of the CNRM and IPSL models.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Access options

Buy single article

Instant access to the full article PDF.

USD 39.95

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12

References

  • Uppala SM et al (2005) The ERA-40 re-analysis. Q J R Meteor Soc 131:2961–3012

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin J-L et al (2006) Tropical intraseasonal variability in 14 IPCC AR4 climate models. Part I: convective signals. J Clim 19:2665–2690

    Google Scholar 

  • Bechtold P, Koëhler M, Jung T, Doblas-Reyes F, Leutbecher M, Rodwell M, Vitart F, Balsamo G (2008) Advances in simulating atmospheric variability with the ECMWF model: from synoptic to decadal time-scales. Q J R Meteorol Soc 134:1337–1351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellenger H, Duvel JP (2007) Intraseasonal convective perturbations related to the seasonal March of the Indo-Pacific monsoons. J Clim 20:2853–2863

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellenger H, Duvel JP (2009) An analysis of tropical ocean diurnal warm layers. J Clim 22:3629–3646

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bellenger H, Duvel JP, Lengaigne M, Levan P (2009) Impact of organized intraseasonal convective perturbations on the tropical circulation. Geophys Res Lett 36:L16703. doi:10.1029/2009GL039584

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Benedict JJ, Randall DA (2007) Observed characteristics of the MJO relative to maximum rainfall. J Atmos Sci 64:2332–2354

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Biello JA, Majda AJ (2005) A new multiscale model for the Madden–Julian oscillation. J Atmos Sci 62:1694–1721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bony S, Emanuel KA (2005) On the role of moist processes in tropical intraseasonal variability: cloud–radiation and moisture–convection feedbacks. J Atmos Sci 62:2770–2789

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bougeault P (1985) A simple parameterization of the large-scale effects of cumulus convection. Mon Weather Rev 113:2108–2121

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Camargo SJ, Wheeler MC, Sobel AH (2009) Diagnosis of the MJO modulation of tropical cyclogenesis using an empirical index. J Atmos Sci 66:3061–3074

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Duvel JP (2012) Oceans and air-sea interaction. In: Lau WKM, Waliser DE (eds) Intraseasonal variability in the atmosphere-ocean climate system. Springer, pp 513–536

  • Duvel JP, Vialard J (2007) Indo-Pacific sea surface temperature perturbations associated with intraseasonal oscillations of the tropical convection. J Clim 20:3056–3082

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Emanuel KA (1991) A scheme for representing cumulus convection in large-scale models. J Atmos Sci 48:2313–2335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gill AE (1980) Some simple solutions for heat-induced tropical circulation. Q J R Metereol Soc 106:447–462

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goswami BN (2005) South Asian monsoon. In: Lau WKM, Waliser DE (eds) Intraseasonal variability in the atmosphere-ocean climate system, Praxis, Chichester, pp 221–246

  • Goswami BN, Guoxiong Wu, Yasunari T (2006) The annual cycle, intraseasonal oscillations, and roadblock to seasonal predictability of the Asian Summer Monsoon. J Clim 19:5078–5099

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goulet L, Duvel JP (2000) A new approach to detect and characterize intermittent atmospheric oscillations: application to the intraseasonal oscillation. J Atmos Sci 57:2397–2416

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Grandpeix JY, Phillips V, Tailleux R (2004) Improved mixing representation in Emanuel’s convection scheme. Q J R Meteorol Soc 130:3207–3222

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hendon HH, Salby ML (1994) The life cycle of the Madden–Julian Oscillation. J Atmos Sci 51:2225–2237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Holloway CE, Neelin JD (2007) The convective cold top and quasi equilibrium. J Atmos Sci 64:1467–1487

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hourdin F et al (2006) The LMDZ4 general circulation model: climate performance and sensitivity to parametrized physics with emphasis on tropical convection. Clim Dyn 27(7–8):787–813

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Hsu HH (2005) East Asian monsoon. In: Lau WKM, Waliser DE (eds) Intraseasonal variability in the atmosphere-ocean climate system, Praxis, Chichester, pp 221–246

  • Janicot S, Mounier F, Hall NMJ, Leroux S, Sultan B, Kiladis GN (2009) Dynamics of the West African monsoon. Part IV: analysis of 25–90-Day variability of convection and the role of the Indian Monsoon. J Clim 22:1541–1565

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kemball-Cook SR, Weare BC (2001) The onset of convection in the Madden–Julian Oscillation. J Clim 14:780–793

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kiladis GN, Straub KH, Haertel PT (2005) Zonal and vertical structure of the Madden–Julian Oscillation. J Atmos Sci 62:2790–2809

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kim D, Sobel AH, Maloney ED, Dargan MW, Frierson I-S (2011) A systematic relationship between intraseasonal variability and mean state bias in AGCM simulations. J Clim 24:5506–5520

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liebmann B, Smith CA (1996) Description of a complete (interpolated) outgoing longwave radiation dataset. Bull Am Meteor Soc 77:1275–1277

    Google Scholar 

  • Lin J-L, Lee M-I, Kim D, Kang I-S, Frierson DMW (2008) The impacts of convective parameterization and moisture triggering on AGCM-simulated convectively coupled equatorial waves. J Clim 21:883–909

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • McPhaden MJ (1999) Genesis and evolution of the 1997–98 El Niño. Science 283:950–954

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mitovski T, Folkins I, von Salzen K, Sigmond M (2010) Temperature, relative humidity, and divergence response to high rainfall events in the tropics: observations and models. J Clim 23:3613–3625

    Google Scholar 

  • Salby ML, Hendon HH (1994) Intraseasonal behavior of clouds, temperature, and winds in the tropics. J Atmos Sci 51:2207–2224

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Simmons A, Uppala S, Dee D, Kobayashi S (2007) ERA-Interim: new ECMWF reanalysis products from 1989 onwards. ECMWF Newsletter no. 110, ECMWF, Reading, pp 25–35

  • Sobel AH, Maloney ED, Bellon G, Frierson DM (2008) The role of surface fluxes in tropical intraseasonal oscillations. Nat Geosci 1:653–657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Straub KH, Kiladis GN (2003) The observed structure of convectively coupled Kelvin waves: comparison with simple models of coupled wave instability. J Atmos Sci 60:1655–1668

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Tokioka T, Yamazaki K, Kitoh A, Ose T (1988) The equatorial 30–60 day oscillation and the Arakawa-Schubert penetrative cumulus parameterization. J Meteor Soc Jpn 66:883–901

    Google Scholar 

  • Vitart F, Woolnough S, Balmaseda MA, Tompkins AM (2007) Monthly forecast of the Madden–Julian oscillation using a coupled GCM. Mon Weather Rev 135:2700–2715

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weare BC, Nasstrom JS (1982) Examples of extended empirical orthogonal function analysis. Mon Weather Rev 110:481–485

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wheeler MC, JL McBride (2005) Australian-Indonesian monsoon. In Lau WKM, Waliser DE (eds) intraseasonal variability in the atmosphere-ocean climate system, Praxis, Chichester, pp 221–246

  • Wu MLC, Schubert SD, Suarez MJ, Pegion PJ, Waliser DE (2006) Seasonality and meridional propagation of the MJO. J Clim 19:1901–1921

    Google Scholar 

  • Xavier PK, Duvel JP, Doblas-Reyes FJ (2008) Boreal summer intraseasonal variability in coupled seasonal hindcasts. J Clim 21:4477–4497

    Google Scholar 

  • Xavier PK, Duvel JP, Braconnot P, Doblas-Reyes FJ (2010) An evaluation metric for intraseasonal variability in climate models. J Clim 23:3497–3508

    Google Scholar 

  • Xie P, Arkin PA (1997) Global precipitation: A 17-year monthly analysis based on gauge observations, satellite estimates, and numerical model outputs. Bull Am Meteor Soc 78:2539–2558

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Yano J-I, Blender R, Zhang C, Fraedrich K (2004) 1/f noise and pulse-like events in the tropical atmospheric surface variabilities. Q J R Meteorol Soc 130:1697–1721

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang C (2005) Madden-Julian oscillation. Rev Geophys 43:RG2003. doi:10.1029/2004RG000158

  • Zhang C, Ling J (2012) Potential vorticity of the Madden–Julian oscillation. J Atmos Sci 69:65–78

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratoire de Météorologie Dynamique, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Ecole Normale Supérieure, Paris, France

    Jean Philippe Duvel & Marine Remaud

  2. Centre National de Recherches Météorologiques, CNRS/Météo France, Toulouse, France

    Gilles Bellon

  3. Laboratoire d’Océanographie et du Climat, Expérimentation et Approches Numériques, Institut Pierre Simon Laplace, Université Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris, France

    Hugo Bellenger

Authors
  1. Jean Philippe Duvel
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Hugo Bellenger
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Gilles Bellon
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Marine Remaud
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Jean Philippe Duvel.

Additional information

This paper is a contribution to the special issue on the IPSL and CNRM global climate and Earth System Models, both developed in France and contributing to the 5th coupled model intercomparison project.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Duvel, J.P., Bellenger, H., Bellon, G. et al. An event-by-event assessment of tropical intraseasonal perturbations for general circulation models. Clim Dyn 40, 857–873 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-012-1303-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00382-012-1303-6

Keywords

  • Tropical variability
  • Intraseasonal perturbations
  • Madden Julian Oscillation
  • Coupled general circulation models
  • Convective parameterization