Oceanic influence of atmospheric cold pools during DYNAMO

The 2011-2012 Dynamics of the Madden-Julian Oscillation (DYNAMO) field campaign produced collocated radar, lidar, ocean, and surface flux datasets at the Revelle research ship to study air-sea interactions related to MJO initiation in the central Indian Ocean. These ship-based data indicate that atmospheric cold pools got stronger (larger temp depression) and more frequent as the active phase of the MJO approached. Large-scale conditions were likely becoming more favorable for deep atmospheric convection and stronger downdraft development over this time period. These cold pools clearly made an important contribution to the net surface heat flux, but radar and lidar data analysis is required to determine which precipitation features are associated with these cold pools and whether intraseasonal variability of precipitation contributed to the observed cold pool variability. Then, these atmospheric features can be evaluated in terms of their momentum, heat, and freshwater flux contributions to the upper ocean. This study uses radar data to better understand the origins and oceanic influence of observed atmospheric cold pools throughout the lifecycle of the MJO.