Thermodynamics of Madden Julian Oscillation in a regional model with constrained moistening

In order to identify the thermodynamics processes that sustain Madden Julian Oscillation, eddy available potential energy budget analysis is performed on a WRF simulation whose moistening is constrained by observations. The model realistically simulates the two MJO episodes observed during the winter of 2007-2008. The analysis shows that the various forms of diabatic heating and heat transport play critical roles in providing instability or damping depending on their covariance with temperature fluctuations during the life-cycle of the MJO. The results of the analysis are used to construct a simplified paradigm of MJO energy cycle.