Convectively Coupled Equatorial Waves in the Models of the MJOTF/GASS Global MJO Model Comparison Project

Convectively coupled equatorial waves (CCEWs) control a substantial fraction of tropical rainfall variability. Despite its importance, a complete understanding of CCEWs remains a challenge of tropical atmospheric dynamics. Given the importance of the waves in the variability of tropical precipitation and the increasing efforts to predict changes in the future climate with numerical models, it is interesting to explore the CCEWs produced by these models. We analyzed the spectra of 27 models of the MJOTF / GASS Global MJO Model Comparison Project, and we compared the space-time spectra of the models with the one constructed by using observations and reanalysis data. The results allow us to classify the models in families with similar performance in space-time regions corresponding to the CCEWs, Madden-Julian oscillation (MJO) and Easterly Waves (EWs). This classification allows us to advance in the understanding of the parameterizations that are necessary for the adequate simulation of these phenomena.